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The Steadings at the Grouse & Trout
History - Clach An Airm. Page 3
Highlanders are natural soldiers, highly effective in warfare, armed for both distant and close combat, highly mobile and – on their own territory – almost invincible. They will fight not only for their leader but – most of all – for their brothers, fathers, sons, cousins and uncles who stand alongside them in the affray. They will fight furiously and passionately. Not just for their own pride but for the protection and honour of their kin. The might of the British Army fears the Highland warrior more than any other they have ever done battle with.
In the distance to the west can be heard the approaching sound of the pipes.
I recognise the tune as one belonging to Stratherrick. The men of our neighbouring
Strath are also making their way east to join us in the battle. These are
Lord Lovat’s men from Stratherrick – Frasers, MacTavishes, MacDonalds
etc.. We have not always been on friendly terms with them but today we come
together as allies in a common cause. We will put old scores aside – at
least for the time being.
There is a restlessness now amongst the gathering. Men form roughly into groups behind their leaders and head towards an area of open ground somewhere to the south and east of Inverness. They will reinforce the Jacobite Army who have endured seven long months of warfare across mainland Britain, fighting and winning two major battles during that time. The Highland soldiers waiting at Culloden Moor are cold, tired and hungry and are in no fit state to fight. The long, hard winter has taken its toll on them. Our men here are fresh, well fed and rested. They are well prepared for military action. The finest infantry in the British Army will greet the men of Clan Chattan with great fear and trepidation.
It is now early afternoon on the 16th of April 1746. Clach an Airm stands
alone once again on this open landscape. The sound of sharpening of steel
on stone is now a memory. There is an ice cold, sleet-bearing north-easterly
wind driving into my face as I look towards the scene of battle. The
sound of artillery could be clearly heard for almost an hour from around
12.35pm. It is now approaching 2 o’clock. I see a small group of horsemen
passing furiously a few hundred yards to the east, down in the Strath. Through
my telescope I can see that they are important men – very important
men. One is definitely none other than Prince Charles Edward Stuart himself.
The signs are not good for our Strathnairn men. What has befallen them?
Clach An Airm
