BORRODALE CAVES
9 July 1746
Morar gave hospitality, and went to seek young Clanranald, then in the neighbourhood; the Prince and party went to a cave and slept (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 252). Morar returned unsuccessfully, he said, from his search for young Clanranald (Lyon in Mourning Vol. III page 187). Morar declined to give any further assistance, and the party resolved to seek refuge with MacDonald of Borradale. In the evening they started, Morar sending his son as a guide (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 252 & Vol. III page 188).
10 July 1746
Arrived at Borrodale in early morning. (Tradition still shows the cave on the shore below Borradale House which the Prince is believed to have inhabited on his visit to Borradale). Found Angus MacDonald living in a bothy (small Highland dwelling) as his house had been burnt down. (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 252).
The old chief of MacKinnon and John MacKinnon here left the Prince. Both were taken prisoner the following day, the Chief at Morar, and John, who escaped from Morar, when he arrived by night at Elgol. (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 253).
11-12 July 1746
At Borrodale (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 333).
13 July 1746
Borrodale sent his son John to summon his nephew, Alexander MacDonald of Glenaladale. The Prince hearing that MacKinnon had been captured, removed four miles to the eastward (Lyon in Mourning Vol. I page 334) to MacLeod’s Cove. ‘upon a precipice in the woods of Borrodale’ (Lyon on Mourning Vol. III page 377).
Source: ITINERARY OF PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART FROM HIS LANDING IN SCOTLAND, JULY 1745 TO HIS DEPARTURE IN SEPTEMBER 1746. Compiled from the Lyon in Mourning supplemented and corrected from other contemporary sources by WALTER BIGGER BLAIKIE. Printed at the University Press by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish History Society 1897 pages 56 & 57.
A little before day they arrived at Moran’s (Morar’s) borthe (bothy) or hut, his house having been burned by Captain Fergusson. M‘Kinnon went in alone, and Moran immediately getting out of bed, they both basted to the door to introduce the strangers. This done, Moran’s first care was to dismiss all the children and servants, keeping only his lady, who is Lochiel’s daughter. She knowing the Prince at first sight, he saluted her, and the meeting was extremely tender, the lady bursting into a flood of tears. After having some refreshment of cold salmon warmed again, but no bread, the travellers left the borthe, and were conducted by Morar to a cave, where they slept ten hours, Morar being in the meantime dispatched in quest of young Clanranald. About noon Morar returned with accounts that Clanranald was not to be found. So it was resolved to part with old M’Kinnon and Moran, and in the evening to set out with a boy for the house of Aneas or Angus M’Donald of Burghdale, (Borradale) in Arisaig, which was the first house the Prince was in when he came to the continent. Here they arrived before day, found the house burned by Captain Fergusson, and Mr. M’Donald himself with two men at a borthe hard by. John McKinnon went in abruptly, desiring that unfortunate gentleman to rise. Angus MacDonald at first was surprised, but presently knowing John's voice, he got up and went to the door, having thrown his blankets about him. Then John asked him if he had heard anything of the Prince. Aneas answered ‘No.’ What would you give for a sight of him? says John. Time was, returned the other, that I would have given a hearty bottle to see him safe, but since I see you I expect to hear some news of him. Well then, replies John, I have brought him here, and will commit him to your charge. I have done my duty. Do you yours. I am glad of it, said Angus, and shall not fail to take care of him. I shall lodge him so secure that all the forces in Britain shall not find him out; which he accordingly did, till he delivered him safe off his hands. John M’Kinnon stay’d only to eat a little warm milk; but here he met again with old M’Kinnon, who was taken next morning in Moran’s (Morar’s) borthe. John escaped at this time, having lain near the boat, and went home under cloud of night (being the 11th). He no sooner landed than he was made prisoner at his own shieling in Ellagoll by a party of militia, under the command of Lieutenant Hope, who used him with great civility, but was obliged to carry him to Kilmory, where was Captain Fergusson.
Source: THE LYON IN MOURNING, OR A COLLECTION OF SPEECHES LETTERS JOURNALS ETC. RELATIVE TO THE AFFAIRS OF PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART BY THE REV. ROBERT FORBES, A.M. BISHOP OF ROSS AND CAITHNESS 1746-1775. Edited from his Manuscript, with a Preface by HENRY PATON, M.A., Volume II, printed by the University Press by T. and A. Constable, for the Scottish History Society 1895, pages 252 & 253.
Morar gave hospitality, and went to seek young Clanranald, then in the neighbourhood; the Prince and party went to a cave and slept (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 252). Morar returned unsuccessfully, he said, from his search for young Clanranald (Lyon in Mourning Vol. III page 187). Morar declined to give any further assistance, and the party resolved to seek refuge with MacDonald of Borradale. In the evening they started, Morar sending his son as a guide (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 252 & Vol. III page 188).
10 July 1746
Arrived at Borrodale in early morning. (Tradition still shows the cave on the shore below Borradale House which the Prince is believed to have inhabited on his visit to Borradale). Found Angus MacDonald living in a bothy (small Highland dwelling) as his house had been burnt down. (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 252).
The old chief of MacKinnon and John MacKinnon here left the Prince. Both were taken prisoner the following day, the Chief at Morar, and John, who escaped from Morar, when he arrived by night at Elgol. (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 253).
11-12 July 1746
At Borrodale (Lyon in Mourning Vol. II page 333).
13 July 1746
Borrodale sent his son John to summon his nephew, Alexander MacDonald of Glenaladale. The Prince hearing that MacKinnon had been captured, removed four miles to the eastward (Lyon in Mourning Vol. I page 334) to MacLeod’s Cove. ‘upon a precipice in the woods of Borrodale’ (Lyon on Mourning Vol. III page 377).
Source: ITINERARY OF PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART FROM HIS LANDING IN SCOTLAND, JULY 1745 TO HIS DEPARTURE IN SEPTEMBER 1746. Compiled from the Lyon in Mourning supplemented and corrected from other contemporary sources by WALTER BIGGER BLAIKIE. Printed at the University Press by T. and A. Constable for the Scottish History Society 1897 pages 56 & 57.
A little before day they arrived at Moran’s (Morar’s) borthe (bothy) or hut, his house having been burned by Captain Fergusson. M‘Kinnon went in alone, and Moran immediately getting out of bed, they both basted to the door to introduce the strangers. This done, Moran’s first care was to dismiss all the children and servants, keeping only his lady, who is Lochiel’s daughter. She knowing the Prince at first sight, he saluted her, and the meeting was extremely tender, the lady bursting into a flood of tears. After having some refreshment of cold salmon warmed again, but no bread, the travellers left the borthe, and were conducted by Morar to a cave, where they slept ten hours, Morar being in the meantime dispatched in quest of young Clanranald. About noon Morar returned with accounts that Clanranald was not to be found. So it was resolved to part with old M’Kinnon and Moran, and in the evening to set out with a boy for the house of Aneas or Angus M’Donald of Burghdale, (Borradale) in Arisaig, which was the first house the Prince was in when he came to the continent. Here they arrived before day, found the house burned by Captain Fergusson, and Mr. M’Donald himself with two men at a borthe hard by. John McKinnon went in abruptly, desiring that unfortunate gentleman to rise. Angus MacDonald at first was surprised, but presently knowing John's voice, he got up and went to the door, having thrown his blankets about him. Then John asked him if he had heard anything of the Prince. Aneas answered ‘No.’ What would you give for a sight of him? says John. Time was, returned the other, that I would have given a hearty bottle to see him safe, but since I see you I expect to hear some news of him. Well then, replies John, I have brought him here, and will commit him to your charge. I have done my duty. Do you yours. I am glad of it, said Angus, and shall not fail to take care of him. I shall lodge him so secure that all the forces in Britain shall not find him out; which he accordingly did, till he delivered him safe off his hands. John M’Kinnon stay’d only to eat a little warm milk; but here he met again with old M’Kinnon, who was taken next morning in Moran’s (Morar’s) borthe. John escaped at this time, having lain near the boat, and went home under cloud of night (being the 11th). He no sooner landed than he was made prisoner at his own shieling in Ellagoll by a party of militia, under the command of Lieutenant Hope, who used him with great civility, but was obliged to carry him to Kilmory, where was Captain Fergusson.
Source: THE LYON IN MOURNING, OR A COLLECTION OF SPEECHES LETTERS JOURNALS ETC. RELATIVE TO THE AFFAIRS OF PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART BY THE REV. ROBERT FORBES, A.M. BISHOP OF ROSS AND CAITHNESS 1746-1775. Edited from his Manuscript, with a Preface by HENRY PATON, M.A., Volume II, printed by the University Press by T. and A. Constable, for the Scottish History Society 1895, pages 252 & 253.
Photographs of Borrodale Caves
After some deliberation, Charles declared his intention of going to Borrodale and placing himself in the hands of old Angus MacDonald, who had already twice befriended him; all that he asked of Morar- was a guide, as John MacKinnon was a stranger to the district. To this request Morar raised no objection, he said he had a young son who knew the road quite well, and the Prince might have him if he wished. As the lad had never seen Charles, nor had any suspicion of his identity, it was decided to take him, and as soon as it grew dusk the Prince, John MacKinnon, and their youthful guide crept cautiously out of the cave and made off in the direction of Arisaig by an unfrequented rout across the dreary Mointeach Mhor, a great stretch of undulating peat moss lying between the hills and the sea coast. The distance to be covered was only a matter of four or five miles, so that without undue exertion the travellers were able to reach their destination before daybreak. At Borrodale, as elsewhere, the devastation wrought by Captain Ferguson's incendiaries was painfully apparent. Of the house itself, under the hospitable roof of which Charles had on two previous occasions received a kindly Highland welcome, nothing remained but the gaunt, blackened, fire-scarred red walls, standing grim and ghastly in the cold clear light of dawn; amid a ruin of broken dykes, charred hayricks, trodden-down shrubs and half-burnt furniture--a melancholy sight for the Prince to look upon.
Poor old Angus was discovered by John MacKinnon living with his two sons, John (Iain Og) and Ranald, in a cave or cleft between two precipitous rocks on the fore- shore in front of the house. By the addition of a roof of turf, which from the loch looked like a grassy bank, the place had been fairly weather-proof, and though extremely uncomfortable, it was as secure as a castle. Borrodale no sooner heard MacKinnon’s voice outside calling upon him to rise, than he got up hurriedly, and throwing, a blanket round his scantily clad person, went to the entrance of the cave and demanded the meaning of the interruption. MacKinnon thereupon asked him if he had heard anything of the Prince. Aneas (Angus) answered, ‘No.’ ‘What would you give for a sight of him’? says John. ‘Time was,’ returned the other, ‘that I would have given a hearty bottle to see him safe, but since I see yon, I expect to hear some news of him. ‘Well, then,’ replied John, ‘I have brought him here, and will commit him here to your charge. I have done my duty. Do you yours’. ‘I am glad of it’, said Angus, ‘and shall not fail to take care of him. I shall lodge him so secure, that all the forces Britain shall not find him out;’ a promise he faithfully kept, Charles then came forward, and was received by the three MacDonald’s with every mark of friendship and respect; they assured him that with the help of Divine Providence, to whom they looked for strength and guidance, they would do their utmost to save him in spite of his enemies. John MacKinnon being now satisfied that the Prince was in good hands, merely stayed to drink a little warm milk then took his departure, happy in the consciousness that he had successfully accomplished his difficult and dangerous mission. On his way back he met his aged chief, who must have followed closely in his wake; the two then retraced their steps to Morar’s hut, where old MacKinnon remained while John went on to the place at which the boat and crew lay waiting, and at night crossed to Ellagol, where he was immediately arrested by a party of militia. The same morning old MacKinnon was taken prisoner in Morar’s bothy; both were eventually conveyed to London, and kept in confinement until the beginning of July 1747.
For three days Charles remained concealed in Borrodale’s strange hiding-place, from the entrance of which he was able to watch the English warships as they sailed in and out of the loch, little guessing that his friend Captain MacKinnon was a prisoner on one of them.
Source: THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART, Vol. IV, pages 103 to 105, by W. Drummond Norie. published by the Claxton Publishing Company, London.
Norie re-traced the wanderings of Prince Charles Stuart after the battle of Culloden about 1900 and took photographs of places that would be of interest to persons researching in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745-46.
Link to article Borrodale Forever.
Poor old Angus was discovered by John MacKinnon living with his two sons, John (Iain Og) and Ranald, in a cave or cleft between two precipitous rocks on the fore- shore in front of the house. By the addition of a roof of turf, which from the loch looked like a grassy bank, the place had been fairly weather-proof, and though extremely uncomfortable, it was as secure as a castle. Borrodale no sooner heard MacKinnon’s voice outside calling upon him to rise, than he got up hurriedly, and throwing, a blanket round his scantily clad person, went to the entrance of the cave and demanded the meaning of the interruption. MacKinnon thereupon asked him if he had heard anything of the Prince. Aneas (Angus) answered, ‘No.’ ‘What would you give for a sight of him’? says John. ‘Time was,’ returned the other, ‘that I would have given a hearty bottle to see him safe, but since I see yon, I expect to hear some news of him. ‘Well, then,’ replied John, ‘I have brought him here, and will commit him here to your charge. I have done my duty. Do you yours’. ‘I am glad of it’, said Angus, ‘and shall not fail to take care of him. I shall lodge him so secure, that all the forces Britain shall not find him out;’ a promise he faithfully kept, Charles then came forward, and was received by the three MacDonald’s with every mark of friendship and respect; they assured him that with the help of Divine Providence, to whom they looked for strength and guidance, they would do their utmost to save him in spite of his enemies. John MacKinnon being now satisfied that the Prince was in good hands, merely stayed to drink a little warm milk then took his departure, happy in the consciousness that he had successfully accomplished his difficult and dangerous mission. On his way back he met his aged chief, who must have followed closely in his wake; the two then retraced their steps to Morar’s hut, where old MacKinnon remained while John went on to the place at which the boat and crew lay waiting, and at night crossed to Ellagol, where he was immediately arrested by a party of militia. The same morning old MacKinnon was taken prisoner in Morar’s bothy; both were eventually conveyed to London, and kept in confinement until the beginning of July 1747.
For three days Charles remained concealed in Borrodale’s strange hiding-place, from the entrance of which he was able to watch the English warships as they sailed in and out of the loch, little guessing that his friend Captain MacKinnon was a prisoner on one of them.
Source: THE LIFE & ADVENTURES OF PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STUART, Vol. IV, pages 103 to 105, by W. Drummond Norie. published by the Claxton Publishing Company, London.
Norie re-traced the wanderings of Prince Charles Stuart after the battle of Culloden about 1900 and took photographs of places that would be of interest to persons researching in the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745-46.
Link to article Borrodale Forever.