You can download this book in pdf format - Electric Scotland

ing incidents occurred regarding the awkwardness
of the Prince in woman's clothes, at which he
himself laughed heartily on hearing the remarks
made about him.
Sir Alexander MacDonald's cattleman entered
the servant's hall at Monkstadt late in the evening
in a very excited state, and exclaimed in
Gaelic, " Lord preserve us ! I saw a large female
quickly traversing the fields betwixt this and the
fort, with a long stick in her hand, with a curious
hood on her head, and with a remarkable dress on
her person. Undoubtedly she must be one of
those whom the fairies had locked up in their
chambers in the fort, who contrived to escape. I
never beheld one to be compared with her in the
shape of a worldly creature."
On the following afternoon,* on their way to
Kingsburgh, the party were met by some country
people returning from church, who, after saluting
Kingsburgh, stared at the uncommon size and
slovenly appearance of the Irish lass that strode
so recklesslike along ! Some remarked " O !
faicibh am boirionnach neonach sin ! Faicibh na
ceuman mora, fada, aig an nighean ghairbh,
ghobhlaich sin ! Ochan
! nach dàna, slaodach,
neo-sgiobalta, drabasta an sgliurach i ! Is cinnteach
gur ann de shliochd nam famhair i ! " O ! see
that strange woman ! Behold the big wide steps
of that rude, long-legged dame ! Eh me ! what a
bold, untidy, slovenly, uncouth slattern she is !
Surely she must be one of the giant race ! f
James Hogg relates that on this memorable
occasion in wading a rivulet Neil MacEacbainn
cautioned the Prince that he was not managing
his skirt in feminine fashion, at which he again
laughed heartily, and thanked him. Miss Flora
MacDonald's maid also remarked, " Bless me,
what lang strides she takes, and how awkwardly
she wurks her petticoats. I dare say she is an
Irish woman, or a man in woman's claes. I be-
lieve these Irish women could fecht as weel as the
men."
It jars upon a West Highlander's ear to find
" broad Scotch " put into the mouths of Gaelicspeaking
Highlanders. They never pronounced
* The Scottish History Society's account says that
the Prince went on to Kingsburgh on the day of his
arrival in Skye. This is unliltely, on account of the
distance and nature of the country,
t Rev. Alex. MacGregor's Life of Flora MacDonald.
—
their English in Lowland Scotch, and don't do it
now, except in those instances of people who have
resided a long time in the Lowlands. This is not
finding fault with the Lowland doric, which is a
most expressive language, and, according to some,
a most beautiful language. We only wish to
keep it in its own place. The Highlanders have
their own pronunciation, which is characteristic
enough as will be seen presently.
But to return to the Koyal party—they arrived
at Kingsburgh about midnight, where the Prince
was most hospitably entertained, and after discussing
several bowls of punch* retired to rest at
a late hour, and slept till two o'clock in the afternoon
of the 30th. On being awakened, and after
partaking of some refreshments, the party started
for Portree, Kingsburgh accompanying them apart
of the way,t Flora MacDonald having taken a
different way in order to meet the Prince there.
When some distance from Portree the Prince,
dressed in a suit of Kingsburgh's to continue his
journey, and on the latter bidding him farewell,
he embraced Kingsburgh in his arms, and bade
him a long and happy adieu, and in a most
affectionate manner thanked him for hÌ3 services.
Tears fell from the eyes of both, and a few drops
of blood from the Prince's nose. Kingsburgh was
alarmed at seeing the blood, but the Prince told
him this was usual with him on parting with dear
friends. At Portree, on parting with the gallant
Flora, he laid hold of both her hands and bade
her a tender and affecting farewell, and thanked
her for her generous aid. He then handed her his
portrait in a gold locket, and said he hoped yet to
meet her at the Court of St. James. Of this
parting a poet sang
Amid the shells and shingle on the shore.
The Stewart Prince a nd Flora met to part
" Devoted one," he said, " I love thee more
Than tongue can utter ; ever in this heart
My fair preserver's name will hold a place :
I hope, dear Flora, at no distant day.
With mine the throne and honours of my race,
I can in deeds thy neble deeds repay.
Farewell ! thou faithful one."
* As the Prince did not seem inclined to go to bed,
Kingsburgh got hold of the bowl to lock it up, but the
Prince tried to prevent him doing so, and the bowl got
broken between them. One half is now in possession
of Miss Margaret Macalister Williamson of Glasgow.
t In the Scottish History Society's account there is
no mention of Kingsburgh having gone part of the
way with the Prince. It says his guide was a little
boy named MacQueen. The writer doubts if this is
correct. Kingsburgh would never allow siich an important
guest to be guided by a mere boy.
;