Charlie, Meg and Me by Gregor Ewing sampler

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Notes on the text Although I believe imperial measures give most people a better sense of perspective (thus my subtitle!) I had no option but to think metric during my journey because that’s the way maps are made. I apolo gise to any imperial thinkers, but as a reminder: 1 kilometre = 0.6 Mile. Everyone has their own method of working this out, but to get miles I half the kilometre distance and add 20 per cent. Where Gaelic words are included in the text, landscape features are named as they appear on Ordnance Survey maps. A few of the more commonly repeated words are: ‘Bealach’ ‘Allt’ ‘Coire’ ‘Sgurr’ ‘Beinn’ ‘Meall’ ‘Sron’ Pass or a low point between two hills Burn or stream. Corrie, a hollow in the side of or between two hills. Rocky or steep peak Mountain or peak Rounded hill Nose, point 12
Prologue on 23 july 1745, Charles Edward Stuart landed on the Isle of Eriskay in the Western Isles. With no money, arms or troops and only seven attendants he aimed to restore his father, James, to the unified throne of England, Scotland and Ireland. The Prince had not set out from France entirely empty handed, but a second accompanying ship carrying 700 troops, money and armaments was badly damaged in a skirmish with a British man-of-war en-route, and was forced to return to France. Without French assistance, Highland chiefs who had previously pledged their support, now refused to rise, but, by the sheer force of his personality, Charles managed to convince them, one by one, to rally to his cause. In a key moment at Arisaig, Charles convinced Donald Cameron of Lochiel to raise his clan, support which was instrumental in helping the rising to gather momentum. The standard was famously raised at Glenfinnan on 19 August 1745. Significant numbers of men were rallied; Lochiel provided 700 Camerons and MacDonald of Keppoch brought 300 of his clansmen. The government’s response was to offer a £30,000 (approximately £1,000,000 in today’s terms) reward for the capture of Charles. The Jacobites travelled light and fast, moving south over the Corrieyairack Pass where a government army commanded by General Cope refused battle and retreated back to Inverness. The Highlanders formed an immediate bond with their Prince, who led from the front and marched with the men. Thus, by early September with hardly a blow struck, the town of Perth was captured and occupied in the name of James viii. Charles appointed Lord George Murray as Lieutenant General. Murray was a capable soldier, but the subsequent breakdown in the relationship between these two men was a key factor in how the campaign eventually played out. Edinburgh was captured without bloodshed on 17 September. The Highlanders streamed into a gate left open by the deputation who had been parleying with Charles outside the city. The Prince was declared regent and housed himself in Holyrood Palace. 13
Page 3: gregor ewing has combined his passi
Page 6 and 7: First Published 2013 Reprinted 2013
Page 8 and 9: List of Maps The Complete Journey 7
Page 10 and 11: Acknowledgements my journey would n
Page 12 and 13: charlie, meg and me world and retur
Page 16 and 17: charlie, meg and me Bonnie Prince C
Page 18 and 19: charlie, meg and me On 26 December,
Page 21 and 22: chapter 1 Introduction i have had a
Page 23 and 24: introduction Having spent a good de
Page 25 and 26: introduction One day a week I would
Page 27 and 28: introduction Jacobites. He also lac
Page 29: introduction Dogs that we had met c

Charlie, Meg and Me by Gregor Ewing sampler

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?