Whit like are ye? from Scotland,
Speed bonnie boat like a bird on the wing
Onward the sailors cry.
Carry the lad that’s born to be king
Ever wondered what the lyrics mean? The Battle of Culloden puts them into some perspective, at last.
We are in the north of Scotland where the brogue is strong, the sun is weak and the children are slow – so says the sign. It’s also the site of the last battle to be fought on British soil: the Battle of Culloden.
After enjoying a rare sunny day at the Isle of Skye, we paid a visit to the historic site of Drummossie Moor near Inverness, where the Battle of Culloden took place in 1746.
The Jacobites had objected to the unification of the United Kingdom of Great Britain way back in 1707 and wanted to reinstate Bonnie Prince Charlie who was exiled in France, planning an attack. Prince Charlie’s plan was to establish a foothold in the western highlands (where support was strongest), rally sufficient support en route towards London, and remove the Hanoverian usurper – at that time George II. The man who was born to be king would rule after all.
At the Battle of Culloden, they met a grisly defeat. The open field which is still extant today saw the two sides take their positions in preparation. The government forces were too powerful and victory took less than an hour.
The government quickly moved to forestall any repeats of the seditious movement by constraining the clans through property destruction and widespread transportation. It was the end of the insurrection forever.
Now, the song makes sense.
Bye for noo
Greg
Other photos from hereabouts
