MacGregor

Chapter 36

  Ferry Oons, by Golspie - Sunday 13th April, 1746

  It was well past midday when the messenger from Inverness arrived at Glengyle’s outpost piquet at Skelbo Castle. His horse was lathered from the hard ride North.

  “A message for Glengyle and my Lord Cromartie,” he called out. “From the Prince at Inverness.”

  He was quickly taken by boat across to the ketch that had served as Clan Gregor’s headquarters for three weeks.

  Glengyle read the dispatch. “We are recalled immediately,” he announced to his officers. “ Cumberland has crossed the Spey in strength. It is expected that he intends to continue to Inverness and to offer battle.”

  At last there would be action, Rob thought. That would be far better than stealing meal from the girnals of widows or burning infants out of their homes.

  Glengyle said, “Rob, go to Dunrobin with this message for My Lord Cromartie and Barrasdale. All our outposts are to be warned. It is too late to march today, but tomorrow I require the clan to be prepared for return. Take a strong escort with you.”

  Rob trotted his garron over the links to the south of Golspie. To his right, beyond the dunes, seals raised their heads from the grey sea, as if observing his passage. To his left lay the hills above the narrow coastal strip. He knew the militia lay hidden up there. Eyes probably peered through telescopes at this very moment, he thought, observing his progress as they had all activity in the past weeks.

  Rob delivered the despatch. “Glengyle suggests that we march tomorrow with your consent, My Lord.” Rob informed them. ”He has appointed a tryst at Skelbo for tomorrow morning to allow our outpost garrisons to gather together.”

  Lord Cromartie did not seem concerned. Rob thought that Cromartie had made himself comfortable in Dunrobin Castle, excusing his presence as being required to protect Lady Sutherland from Barrasdale’s attentions. Lord Sutherland had left a fine cellar. Cromartie must have thought it too good for Barrasdale. Rob thought that Cromartie must have realised his miscalculation in bringing out his people. Lord Seaforth, chief of the MacKenzies, had been forfeited for his part the Fifteen. This time Seaforth had supplied a MacKenzie company for Lord Loudoun’s regiment. A few volunteers may have joined the Prince. No doubt Cromartie’s neighbours would be eyeing the spoils of his estate, the Earl of Sutherland in particular. More than the loss of land, the penalty for treason by a peer was death.

  Unlike Cromartie, Rob’s despatch had stimulated Barrasdale to immediate action. Pausing only to secure the accumulated loot, he was even now rounding up his forces.

  By the time Rob returned from Dunrobin, Glengyle had scoured the area for as many garrons as he could get. During the rest of the day, they loaded up much useful booty from the ships at Ferry Oons. Most of the food and military supplies had previously been taken to Inverness and the coal was of little value. However, Rob thought it a shame to hand back so many useful things to King George. It was likely there would be hard times ahead high in the hilltop refuges.

  Noon came on the 14th. Barrasdale had been impatient and passed the Ferry at dawn. MacKinnon had arrived with his regiment and was waiting for the company of Clan Gregor. Of Lord Cromartie’s regiment there was no sign.

  “Rob,” Glengyle said, “take a few men and ride to Dunrobin. Ask My Lord Cromartie whether he has further orders. Does he require us to await his regiment or is it his intention that we should proceed to Inverness in advance of his arrival?”

  At Dunrobin, it was apparent that Lord Cromartie was in no haste to depart. “Inform your father that he has my consent to proceed. My regiment will follow tomorrow. Cumberland is too frightened of the Highland army to be precipitate in this matter. There will be no battle for some days. We have time to spare.”

  On his way back, Rob was alarmed to see militiamen of the Earl of Sutherland’s companies low down on the hillsides. Until now, he had known of their presence but they were rarely seen. He was glad of his escort. Twenty mounted Gregarach might cause them to think twice before attacking.

  By the time he returned to Skelbo, almost five hundred men of the combined regiments of Glengyle’s and MacKinnon’s were waiting impatiently for his return. Some were mounted with strings of packhorses in tow, but most were on foot.

  Glengyle ordered the march to begin. The Meikle ferry across the Dornoch firth was still controlled by the Jacobites and useful for small parties. However, it was too dangerous to attempt the crossing with this size of force. The ferry crew advised Glengyle that at least ten trips would be required for them all to cross. Naval vessels patrolled ceaselessly offshore and would be alert for any such activity. On the horizon, the white sails of a two masted sloop-of-war could be discerned. No doubt its captain would be carefully observing the land through his glass, for activity such as this.

  So Glengyle and MacKinnon decided to take the long way around by the Kyle of Sutherland, with the intention of crossing the fords over the Oykel at Bonar. By the time they reached them, it was too dark to cross safely. Rob’s unnecessary visit to Lord Cromartie at Dunrobin had cost too much time for their party to reach Inverness tomorrow. They settled for the night, commandeering shelter in the little clachan on the northern shore of the ford. Sentinels were posted, alert to possible hostile attention from the Sutherland militia that continued to shadow them.

  The next day, the 15th of April, dawned. It took some time for the whole party to cross into Ross. The River Oykel was running high and it had been necessary to send strong swimmers across with ropes to establish safety barriers for the rest of the party and their horses. The combined regiments marched on through Ardgay. The march went eastward now, along the southern shore of the Dornoch Firth, before turning upward and southwards at Struie. Their route was by the drovers’ road across the moor of Aultnamain. Thence by Alness, avoiding the ferries over the Cromarty firth, to Dingwall, where they camped again for the night. Several of Lord Sutherland’s fine chargers had thrown their shoes. Glengyle had not wanted to leave them behind. A farrier was encouraged to reshoe them.

  [this description of the route is important as it brings in the effect of Naval forces. Also an explanation as to why the MacGregors did not reach Culloden in time for the battle]