The Banks of Loch Lomond

By Jim Hawley

The Banks of Loch Lomond tells the story of James Cameron and Aodh Baird who are caught up in the Jacobite revolt of 1745, in Scotland. James falls in love with Annella Baird, Aodh’s sister. The story follows the final Jacobite revolt as Bonnie Prince Charlie (Prince Charles Edward Stuart) tries to reclaim the throne of Scotland, England and Ireland from George II. The story also follows the old Scottish song, On the Banks of Loch Lomond, putting the words to a tale of hardship, bravery and final sacrifice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Apr 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781984577245

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Copyright © 2020 by Jim Hawley.

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-9845-7725-2

                eBook            978-1-9845-7724-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Rev. date: 04/29/2020

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Contents

Introduction

Chapter 1    20 March, 1733

Chapter 2    July 2, 1741

Chapter 3    May, 1743

Chapter 4    Mid-June, 1743

Chapter 5    June, 1744

Chapter 6    September 3, 1745

Chapter 7    September 15, 1745

Chapter 8    October 10, 1745

Chapter 9    November, 1745

Chapter 10    December 26, 1745

Chapter 11    January 2, 1746

Carlisle, England

By yon bonnie banks

And by yon bonnie braes

Where the sun shines bright

On Loch Lomond

Where me and my true love

Spent many days

On the bonnie banks of Loch Lomond

Introduction

The haunting song, On the Bonnie Banks of Loch Lomond, is of unknown origin. It was first written down in 1841, though it is almost certainly older than that.

The song is generally accepted to refer to the Jacobite revolt of 1745, which began in August, 1745, when Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) landed in western Scotland with several men. He advanced into the highlands and recruited an army. He then moved and captured Edinburgh. He did well throughout the rest of 1745 and into 1746. He advanced into northern England and was approaching London. Then the troops promised by the French did not show because of weather and the English navy. Also, the Jacobites (those who supported Bonnie Prince Charlie over King George II of England) in northern England did not flock to Charlie’s banner in near the numbers that he expected. At the battle of Culloden, Charlie was defeated decisively and the revolt ended. This was the last substantial attempt to return the throne of Scotland and England to the Stuart line.

The main confusion has been concerning the high road and the low road. The most common meaning refers to the high road as the main path from England into Scotland. The low road is a path taken by the spirit of soldiers killed on foreign soil returning to their home in Scotland. In some accounts, the low road refers to a path taken by fairies and sprites leading the spirits of Scottish soldiers killed in foreign lands. (Ye’ll take the high road and I’ll take the low road, And I’ll be in Scotland afore ye.)

The common story is that two Jacobite friends were captured during the 1745 Jacobite rebellion (or ’45) and taken to England. When there it was decided that one would be executed and the other released back to Scotland. Thus, he would be going back to Scotland, but his friend, who was executed, would be taking the low road and, as a spirit, he would be in Scotland first and he would never be able to see his true love by Loch Lomond again in this life.

It is a love song, but, if you listen closely to the words, it is a sad song.

Chapter 1

20 March, 1733

Dark, heavy clouds hung low over the steep hills surrounding Loch Lomond. A lazy drizzle caressed the grasses and purple heather on the slopes.

Come, lad, whispered twenty-eight-year old Angus Cameron to his eight-year old son, James. Ye mus’ hold very still as the prey approaches.

The two, almost without breathing, watched as a large buck red deer approached the shore of the Loch. Angus looked at James and nodded.

James silently drew his bow and took aim. He held his breath as the buck wandered into range. He let his breath out slowly, then, as the buck came into perfect alignment, took another deep breath. He held his aim and released. The arrow whooshed threw the air into the buck’s chest. The deer jumped and ran only a few paces. He then stopped and, after a quick look around, fell to the ground.

Young James began to stand, but Angus put a hand on his arm and held him back. Give him a while, intoned Angus softly.

The two sat silently for several moments, then stood and walked to the buck. Angus rapidly gutted the deer and took the heart. He took a bite of the still warm organ then handed it to his son. Take a bite to honor the deer’s spirit and take some of it into ye.

James took a small bite and chewed it slowly. He then swallowed softly.

Angus stood and lifted the carcass to his shoulders. Let’s take our game home, stated Angus. Mother will be very proud to have meat for the table. He looked proudly at the young boy. Ye did very well, my lad.

The pair climbed the steep hill away from the Loch. Twenty minutes later, they reached the small home where they lived. Angus, with James’s help, tied ropes to the buck’s hind legs and hoisted him from a tree near the house. Within an hour, he had the buck skinned and butchered.

Ye ha’ ta’en yer first deer, smiled Angus. Now ye will ha’ th’ honor o’ eatin’ th’ first steak.

That night, Fiona cooked deer steaks and potatoes.

My darlin’, mumbled Angus as he chewed a bite of steak. This is wonderfully good!

Dinna talk wi’ yer mouth full o’ food, admonished Fiona with a broad smile.

As ye wish, grumbled Angus.

Yea, it is, smiled James. It is ver’ good!

Why, thank you, m’ little sweet one, beamed Fiona.

James beamed a flattering smile at his mother.

Aye, agreed Angus. Twas fine shooting which brought down this tasty buck.

James beamed even brighter as he chewed a large bite of venison.

I could ha’ kilt a bigger buck, inserted his sister, Mary.

Aye, sure ye could ha’, smiled Angus. Ye’re a fine shot wi’ th’ bow.

Mary’s grin split her face. She looked at James and stuck her tongue out at him.

Mom! screeched James pointing toward his sister.

Now, you two stop it, Fiona scolded. She stood, her long blonde hair streaming down her back. With freckled, rough, beautiful hands she began collecting