the Jacobite context
This is a brief description of how the Scottish Highland culture and CLAN BUCHANAN was systematically destroyed:
Charles I (who was Scottish, of the male Stuart line) was King of England, Scotland, and Ireland from 1625 until his execution in 1649 by Puratans.
During a tumultuous reign, his son Charles II returned from exile (in France) to reign, but died in 1685 of a stroke.
Charles II’s brother became King James II of England and Ireland (and VII of Scotland) on February 6, 1685.
But James II had secretly converted to Catholism around 1668–1669. And the English hated the Catholics – fears among the English that King James somehow would cause collapse of the Church of England, returning the Pope & the Roman Catholic Church; A.K.A. England's enemies France & Spain.
So he was deposed in the Glorious Revolution in December 1688, and excised back to France.
In James II’s place, James’s daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange (Dutch) were brought in to rule in his place.
James II son, James Francis Edward Stuart (the "Old Pretender"), was born just before this, making him the legitimate heir in the eyes of supporters.
Charles Edward Stuart (the "Young Pretender" or "Bonnie Prince Charlie") was the son of the Old Pretender, born in Rome in 1720.
Supporters of the exiled King James II line (who was Scottish, of the male Stuart line) and his descendants were known as Jacobites (from Jacobus, the Latin for James).
The Jacobite uprisings begin to return James to the throne; although nothing major happens until many years later.
William & Mary produce no heir to take the throne upon their demise.
Mary's sister Anne (Queen Anne) took over in continuing the Stuart Monarchy as ruler of England & Scotland.
During Queen Anne's reign, the Act of Union took place in 1707. ie: the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland were, in the words of the Treaty, "United into One Kingdom by the Name of Great Britain".
At about the same time, the leaders in Scotland decided they needed to have colonies: What came to be known as the Darian Scheme, was the idea to create a colony in what is today the nation of Panama, and some nearby Caribbean Islands.
But the English & Dutch wouldn't trade with the colony.
Most of the settlers died of tropical diseases.
To finish things off, they were invaded by the Spanish April 1700.
As the Darien Company was backed by nearly half the money circulating in Scotland, its failure left the country completely ruined.
So, in 1707, after several years of Scotland stewing in economic collapse, the English came in, offering financial relief for the investors of the failed colony – the Act of Union: but the terms:
Scotland had to dissolve its Parliament and unite with England to form a union.
The Highland Chiefs would not have supported the Act of Union if their traditional powers were surrendered.
What England had been unable to accomplish through wars, arranged marriages and a Union of the Crowns (1603), they finally did by paying off the debts of Scotland’s political elite. The Scottish saying goes “We were bought and sold for English Gold.”
In 1707, the Act of Union passed, which was the nail in the coffin for the Highlanders
Queen Anne dies, leaving no heir.
1714, the Hanovarian line is brought in to replace the Stuart Monarchy, with the German speaking King George 1st.
Major outrage over bringing in the German sweeps the British Isles.
The beginning of the end… “who can raise armies?”: the Highland Chiefs still can.
The English, Welsh and Irish fell in behind the Highlanders, and Stuarts, and Jacobites if the Highlanders just lead the way.The uprising of 1715 fails, known in history as "The 15".
In 1745, Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Louis John Casimir Sylvester Severino Maria Stuart of Italy) returns to Scotland to the return the Stuart Monarchy. Many lowland Scottish Clan Chiefs did not support the uprising (remmeber, the $$$ pay off of 1707), and some played both sides in providing support… Read more about the difference between high an lowlanders
In England, Williamites were the supporters of King William III of Orange mainly fought to preserve protestant political power in Britain and Ireland.
It is of note that Bonnie Prince Charlie was Roman Catholic. While his Stuart ancestors were strictly Catholic, Charles was not strongly attached to the faith himself and was rumored to have converted to Anglicanism later in life to aid his political cause.
Francis Buchanan of Arnprior: Leny House, Callander was a supporter of the Jacobites; a financier, armorer and standard bearer (as much for ‘principles’ as a deep connection between the Stewarts and the Buchanans)
Essentially, Bonnie Prince Charlie was the figurehead of the last major effort to reverse the 1688 deposition of his grandfather, James II, and restore the Stuart dynasty.
Francis Buchanan was arrested before the battle of Culloden for stockpiling weapons.
Buchanan of Arnprior was taken to Carlisle Castle where he was put in irons. This treatment is believed to have been justified due to a unrelated suspicious death that he was connected with (suicide or murder of Alexander Stewart of Glenbuckie)
Buchanan lands were seized; artifacts destroyed; wealth distributed and history stricken
The Jacobite resistance of 1745 (also known as “the 45”) culminated in the Battle of Culloden
The Jacobites lost
The British were determined to break the back of the Highland system in what is known as the "Clearances". The passing of laws such as the Acts of Proscription, following the failed uprising of the 45 is an example of the crackdown
“The Act of Proscription” outlawed most highland activities - like the carrying of weapons, banners, the wearing of kilts, even the playing of bagpipes!
After Culloden, government forces under the Duke of Cumberland (the “Butcher Cumberland”) spent several weeks searching for rebels, killing all who they thought were Jacobites – men, women and children, confiscating cattle and burning church meeting houses. 3,500 captured Jacobites were indicted for treason. Of these, 120 were executed; 650 died awaiting trial; 900 were pardoned and the rest transported.
The Jacobite leaders were beheaded.
So, its very easy to understand why any highlander would lay low from then on!
The Act of Proscription laws were finally repealed on 1 July 1782
But the damage was done!
James II, by Peter Lely
Queen Anne, Michael Dahl. UK National Portraits Gallery
A new map of ye Isthmus of Darien in America, the Bay of Panama… John Senex
Portrait of King George. 1714. Godfrey Kneller
Bonny Prince Charlie
In terms of Buchanan involvement in the 45…
In September 1745, Lord George Murray wrote to, among other lairds, to the Stewart of Glenbuckie and the MacGregors of Glencrairnaig to raise their tenants in support of Charles Edward’s landing on the 23rd of July that year.
Further east near Dunkeld, it was reported to Lord George that there was great trouble in raising men, there was, “not one spark of loyalty in them” “not one of them will stir without force.” From those who were forced to go there were many who deserted.
In Perthshire there was more enthusiasm, Callander* was in fact a centre of disloyalty to his Hanoverian Majesty. A company of Maclarens went from Balquhidder of whom 13 died at Culloden in the Appin Regiment many more were wounded in battle. The MacGregors took Inversnaid Fort, and a party of 40 under the Laird of Glengyle marched through Callander to meet the Pretenders at Dunblane. The Duke of Perths Regiment contained two MacGregor companies 300 strong they fought at Prestonpans, marched to Derby, fought again at Falkirk but detached on other duties while Culloden was being fought.
The factor of the Perth estates, a Drummond, “was very active in seducing gentlemen from their Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty,” while the Laird of Leny, Francis Buchanan, was mysteriously executed on no clear charge.
Callander Heritage Society
*Callander is the town closest to Clan Buchanan current seat of Cambusmore; and the Francis Buchanan, of Arnprior’s residence: Leny House
A company of Maclarens went from Balquhidder of whom 13 died at Culloden in the Appin Regiment many more were wounded in battle. The MacGregors took Inversnaid Fort, and a party of 40 under the Laird of Glengyle marched through Callander to meet the Pretenders at Dunblane. The Duke of Perths Regiment contained two MacGregor companies 300 strong they fought at Prestonpans, marched to Derby, fought again at Falkirk but detached on other duties while Culloden was being fought. The factor of the Perth estates, a Drummond, “was very active in seducing gentlemen from their Duty and Loyalty to his Majesty,” while the Laird of Leny, Francis Buchanan, was mysteriously executed on no clear charge.
Here we have an official list of prisoners after the Rebellion drawn up in 1746, prisoners from Callander and and the surrounding district are listed as follows:
Francis Buchanan, of Arnprior, Leny House, Callander. Arrested before the battle of Culloden for stockpiling weapons. Writing to Philip Webb on 9 Sep 1746, Lord Milton, the Lord Justice Clerk, said of Francis Buchanan that it would be of "more consequence to His Majesty’s Service … “to get rid of such a person than to convict 99 of the lowest rank."
Buchanan of Arnprior was taken to Carlisle Castle where he was put in irons. This treatment is believed to have been justified due to a suspicious death that he was connected with (he had had an argument with Alexander Stewart of Glenbuckie concerning the post of Major in the Duke of Perth’s Jacobite regiment. Stewart of Glenbuckie returned to Leny House with Buchanan for the evening, but in the morning was found dead in his bed with a pistol in his hand. Buchanan argued that he had no part in the death, but it is believed that this incident affected how he was treated during his trial.)
Buchanan of Arnprior was found guilty and was sentenced to be executed for “High Treason”, a sentence which was carried out on 19 October 1746.
The Lairds brother Patrick Buchanan, a brewer, at Kilmahog, joined the Jacobites in the Duke of Perth's Regiment and went with them to Crieff. He was tried at Carlisle and acquitted on account of his youth in September 1746.
John Buchanan, a brewer from Kilmahog, Callander, joined the Jacobites and went with them to Crieff was captured and was later released.
Thomas Buchanan, also a brother of Francis Buchanan of Arnprior, was tried and acquitted on account of his youth.
Alexander Buchanan, born 1728, son of the Laird of Auchleishie Callander, was a Jacobite Captain in the Duke of Perth's Regiment, he was held prisoner at Perth, then transported on the 22 Apr 1747 to the Colony of Maryland (North America) on the ship "Johnson.”
John Buchanan, servant to Alexander Buchanan, Jacobite in the Duke of Perth's Regiment, was held a prisoner at, Stirling, and Carlisle; transported 24 Feb 1747 on the ship "Gildart" to the Colony of Maryland.
Robert Buchanan, Jacobite Captain in the Duke of Perth's Regiment, son of Baillie Buchanan in Bohastle, Callander was killed at Culloden.
John Buchanan, in the Stuart of Appin's Regiment, died in prison.
Robert Cadell, one of a long line of brilliant gunsmiths of Doune, who was imprisoned at Stirling till the year 1747 and later released.
Agnes Cathel from Menteith, captured at Carlisle, “with child of three” but mercifully released.
Donald Dougal, imprisoned at Perth but released on bail to go home to Callander.
Captain John Drummond, of Glengyles company, released and at home in Balquhidder.
Peter (or Patrick) Ferguson, a prisoner at Stirling on suspicion, but sent home to Callander.
John McGregor, shot in the chest at Prestonpans, taken to prison and then to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary where he later died.
Captain Donald McLaren of Invernentie, a cattle drover. He was captured behind Leny House, on his way south to trial, he made his escape and made his way back to Balquhidder where he hid in disguise till the general pardon in 1747.
Duncan McLaren, brewer, of Invernentie, later released.
Robert Menzies, arrested on suspicion, but allowed home to Callander.
Henry Oat (or Oak), a slater of Doune who was imprisoned at Leith but set free on payment of £50 bail.
David Stewart, Laird of Ballachallan, caught with others behind Leny House, in the subsequent scrimmage he was badly wounded and died at Stirling.
John Buchanan, servant to David Stewart of Ballachallan, his sentence is unrecorded.
John Stewart of Balquhidder, a “common man” who was freed.
The “List of Persons Concerned in the Rebellion” were drawn up by the Commissioners of Excise during the summer of 1746 and are incomplete.
Lieutenant William Murdoch, a Callander wool merchant, was thrice “forced out” (made to join the rebel army) and as often deserted or of Alexander Roy McGrigor who fought at Culloden and claims that he was “forced to join up.” Of John McFarlane a servant from Glenfinglas, who escaped Culloden and was reported as “lurking” in the district, dependant on others for help, near home yet unable to go there and in constant danger of being outed. Of Donald MacNab, a farmer at Braeleny whose whereabouts after the long march south and north again were unknown. Tragedies like Allan Dow a labourer of Glenfinglas and Captain Robert Buchanan, son of Baillie-Buchanan who died. Why did John McHurnish, a pedlar from Brig o’ Turk, go off to war, or Archibald McLaren a farmer at Kerinoch near the Stank at the south of Loch Lubnaig who assisted the rebels with money being forced to send a man. Or the 3 McGreigors from Milton who escaped and hid till they were pardoned and could return safely home to their families.
It is of them we should think of when we remember the days of the 45.
How Northern Lights and Sky Phenomena Influenced Jacobite Superstitions
One particularly intriguing element of Jacobite lore revolves around the interpretation of natural phenomena—especially the awe-inspiring northern lights (aurora borealis). This mysterious celestial display captured the imagination of Jacobites and their enemies alike, fueling superstitions, morale, and political narratives. By examining these beliefs and their origins, we gain a window into how people of the time understood their world and sought meaning in extraordinary events.