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The Steadings at the Grouse & Trout
History - Clach An Airm. Page 2
Irrespective of whether these clansmen are rich or poor
they share a common bond – one of kinship. They know their genealogies
inside out. Some are here out of a determination to see Prince Charles Edward
Stuart claim the throne of Great Britain once again for the Stuart dynasty – most
people are here because they have to be.
They would rather be tending their sheep, cattle and families. Refusal to turn up for the battle would result in their thatched roof being burnt and their cattle being confiscated by their landowning superiors – those men we see here dressed in the fine apparel. So there is no choice for the rank and file clansman – he simply ‘tows the line’ and joins the rest of the neighbourhood in taking up arms for Clan Chattan. The ordinary men ‘know the score’ and they will put their whole heart into the forthcoming battle.
So who are these men of the Clan Chattan gathered around this ancient landmark? Well, they are predominantly men from Strathnairn and Dores although there are some from further afield. Most of them bear the surnames of families belonging to this ancient confederation of clans. There are MacKintoshes, MacBeans, Shaws, MacGillivrays and MacPhails. There are also other less common local names – Smith (or Gow), MacPherson, Forbes etc.. Many of these men have already walked a number of miles this morning and are glad of the rest and opportunity to talk to friends and relatives whom they have not seen for some time. Others – like John Mor MacGillivray, who farms here at Gask – have walked only a few hundred yards from their homes in this well-populated part of Strathnairn. Gillies MacBean has walked across the moor from his farm over at Bunachton (clearly visible from where I stand) to join us here.
Just on my left, now sharpening their swords, is 43 year old Donald Forbes who farms at Farr, Duncan MacKintosh from Aberarder and John MacPherson from Brin. They talk about the condition of their cattle and their plans for this year's crop cultivation while they scrape metal against stone. The people gathered here are not men of any regulation “military age”. Some are well on in years, having seen action as young men in the 1715 Jacobite Rebellion. Their knowledge and experience will be invaluable over the next two days. Others are young – very young – mere boys even, barely in their teens.
Clach An Airm
