Published in Scotland Magazine Issue 22 on 10/08/2005.

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What Flora did next

Whatever happened to Flora Macdonald, the woman who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape from the British? Jackie Cosh reports

The name Flora Macdonald is famous the world over as the woman who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie to escape from the soldiers of the Hanovarian army. With the Prince disguised as an Irish maid, Betty Bourke, they sailed from the island of Benbecula to Skye where they parted and Prince Charlie fled to France.

They were only in each other's company for less than a week, yet their names are synonymous.

While the Prince’s hopes that, ‘we may meet in St James's yet’, came to nothing, Flora’s adventures did not end there.

Inevitably word got out about the true identity of Berry Bourke and soon after returning home, Flora was taken in for questioning. At first she denied all knowledge of the plan, but it soon became evident that this was a waste of time. Others had spoken, and Flora eventually provided her captors with the details of the part she played.

Flora began her imprisonment on board the HMS Furnace on 11th July 1746, and they set sail for London. When the boat they were on was changed for a larger one, they stopped near Oban for 10 days, and Flora was held prisoner in the huge 13th century castle of Dunstaffnage.

News had spread of Flora’s part in the Prince’s escape, and when the boat later docked in Leith, Jacobite ladies from far and wide made their way to the ship to pay their respects.

Even in London, Flora proved to be a popular lady and there was no shortage of visitors. When King George II declared a general amnesty in July 1747 Flora went to stay with a leading.....

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By Jackie Cosh

Section : Scottish History

Page number : 48