The Last Highlander (42 page)

James Stuart, ‘The Old Pretender’, devout but tolerant, brave but passive, not a man to seize a throne – and enemy of Lovat.

Louis XIV, in red high-heeled shoes, liked Lovat’s schemes and patronised but then imprisoned the Fraser chief.

A view of Edinburgh in 1718, economically, politically and socially depressed a decade after the Union with England.

Major James Fraser of Castleleathers, sent by the Fraser lairds to retrieve their ‘rightful chief’ from exile in France, had a devil of a job rousing Lovat to act.

2nd Duke of Argyll,
Eoghan Dearg nan Cath,
‘Red John of the Battles’, instrumental in obtaining Lovat’s pardon from George I, after Lovat’s service to the new king during the 1715 rebellion.

The Earl of Ilay, later 3rd Duke of Argyll, powerful Westminster politician, and Walpole’s Scottish manager. Ilay favoured patronising the Forbeses over the Frasers and Grants, and soured Lovat against George II’s regime.

Sir James Grant of Grant, MP, loyal Hanoverian, too amiable and inert by half for his aggressively active brother-in-law, Lovat.

The Battle of Prestonpans, the last battle to be won with broadswords, and the Jacobite victory that determined Lovat to throw in his lot with Bonnie Prince Charlie.

George II, last British monarch to lead his troops to victory in battle.

General George Wade, builder of the first roads to open up the Highlands. Intelligence expert, he liked and distrusted Lovat.

Bonnie Prince Charlie, easy to resist at a distance, but he dazzled and enchanted many who encountered him in the flesh.

Culloden. Last pitched battle on British soil, a total victory for Cumberland that annihilated the Jacobites. Reinforced by pacification of the region, its brutality was fuelled by the fear and anger Jacobite successes had stoked in most Britons.

William, Duke of Cumberland, ‘Butcher’ Cumberland to the Jacobites, ‘The Conquering Hero’ to Handel and the British government. He was loved by his men, and determined to do what he needed to ensure the Highlands could never rise again and threaten the security of Great Britain.