Paul Macdonald, Macdonald Armouries, recently revealed a rather historic discovery made only last week on the recent Highland Challenge event in Lochaber.

One of the days involved metal detecting on part of the Siege of Fort William battlefield where over two weeks from late March to early April 1746, Jacobite artillery forces attacked the British Army fort and took a huge amount of cannon and mortar fire in return.

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It’s interesting to learn that until 1996 the bagpipes were classified as a weapon of war. This does not simply mean an instrument played in battle, or a tool used to direct troops, it actually means a physical weapon, like a sword or a musket. The origins of this take us all the way back to the Battle of Culloden and a piper named James Reid.

James Reid was one of several pipers who played at the Battle of Culloden. He was captured along with 558 men by Cumberland’s troops and taken to England. There James was put on trial and accused of high treason against the English Crown. Piper Reid claimed that he was innocent because he did not have a gun or a sword. He said that the only thing he did that day on the battlefield was play the bagpipe.

After some deliberation the judges had a different opinion on the matter. They said that a highland regiment never marched to war without a piper at its head. Therefore, in the eyes of the law, the bagpipe was an instrument of war. James Reid was condemned and subsequently hanged then drawn and quartered.

The decision of those judges has echoed down through the generations. It was the first recorded occasion that a musical instrument was officially declared a weapon of war. For hundreds of years and many conflicts to come the bagpipes, when listed among the items captured in combat, was counted among rifles, sabers, and munitions. It is interesting to note that bugles and drums were recorded as musical instruments, where the bagpipe ranked among the lists of weapons. This continued through the Great War. Perhaps a fitting place for the pipes, but a tragic legacy for the piper James Reid who played at the last bloody battle of the Jacobites on Culloden Moor.

In 1996, after some disputes with authorities, a man known as Mr Brooks was taken to court for playing the pipes on Hamstead Heath, an act forbidden under a Victorian by-law stating the playing of any musical instrument is banned. Mr Brooks plead not guilty by claiming the pipes are not a musical instrument, but instead a weapon of war, citing the case of James Reid as a precedent. The unanimous verdict was that the pipes are first and foremost musical instruments returning them from a weapon of war to their rightful place as a musical instrument.

Courtesy http://www.Scotclans.com

The rising generation may not have heard much about the subject of this short narrative, but his name was a household word in the districts of Lochaber, Appin, Ardnamurchan and Sunart and as far south as Falkirk, during the last century [19th].

John Cameron of Corrychoillie, or “Corry”, as he was universally designated throughout those districts, was a most famous stock dealer in those days. In fact, he used to boast that the was the greatest livestock holder in the world.

Opportunity may here be taken of recounting some of the stories associated with his name.

Once when appearing as a witness before the High Court of the Justiciary of Inverness, he rather disconcerted the pompous Counsel for the Crown, and to show Corrychoillie’s pawky mood the following cross-examination may be given:

Counsel: “I believe your name is John Cameron?”

Witness: “Yes.”

“You are a pretty extensive farmer near Fort William?”

“I am.”

“How many sheep will you have grazing on the hill pasture at a time?”

“I can’t remember the exact number at present.”

“Try and let us know as near as you can.”

“I can’t say.”

“Have you five thousand?”

(A nod.)

“Have you ten thousand?”

“Why, I have that of black cattle and horse.”

“Will you have twenty thousand?”

“Yes.”

“Thirty thousand?”

“Yes, more.”

“Fifty thousand?”

“Yes.”

“Then I suppose you can be no other than the great Corrychoillie of the North?”

“Well, I’m all that’s for him.”

Discussing stock markets with Corrychoillie one evening, a guest gave it as his opinion that the former was even a greater man than the Duke of Wellington.”

“Hoot, toot,” replied Cameron, that’s too much—too much by, by far.”

“Not a bit,” continued the other, as he enlarged on the skill required in concentrating stock at a Southern market. “Do you think the Iron Duke would do as well as you?”

Brooding for a space over his toddy and snuff, Corrychoillie answered, “The Duke, nae doot, was a very clever man: very, very clever, but I’m not sure, after all, if he could manage twenty thousand sheep, beside black cattle, that couldna understand one word he said, Gaelic or English, and bring ever hoof of them to Falkirk Tryst. I doot it, I doot it.”

Travelling south by steamer, from Fort William to Glasgow, one day, Corrychoillie became enamoured by one of the day passengers, and during the voyage could scarcely keep his eyes off the fair charmer’s face.”

Observing his interest, a gentleman accosted Cameron and said, “Would you care to by the lady?”

“I would,” returned the farmer, “What is the price?”

“Give me £1,000 and she’s yours,” was the answer.

“It’s a bargain,” said Corrychoillie, forcing a guinea as arles into the hand of the amazed stranger.

On reaching Greenock, Corrychoillie travelled to Glasgow by rail, and having drawn £1,000 from a City Bank, claimed his purchase on the arrival of the steamer at [the] Broomielaw.

The gentleman who had made the facetious bargain was thunderstruck, but seeing that the other party to the bargain was in dead earnest, he made an offer of £200 to have it cancelled.

This tender, however, was promptly refused, but after much haggling, the deal was declared “off,” in consideration of the stranger agreeing to dine “Corry’s” shepherds and drovers. The feast, at which only the choicest of liquors was consumed, actually took place in one of the best hotels in the City, and cost the would-be wag the best part of £100.

Some time before his death, which took place in 1856, he boasted that he had “stood” the three yearly Falkirk Trysts, and the two Doune Fairs for the last 50 years, without missing a market.

Many stories are still told of this great Highland cattle-dealer, in Lochaber and district, and I would gladly set these down if space would permit.

For the information of young readers who may not know, the shooting lodge of Corrychoillie is situated in the sporting deer forest of Inverlochy, once the seat of the Abinger barons.

I have often heard the father and grandfathers of these energetic members of the Strontian Youth Club, telling most interesting and hair-raising stories of Corrychoillie’s adventures in the cattle-dealing world.

In passing may I relate this story concerning him. He once slipped in a river in Lochaber, but succeeded in swinging himself ashore. His shepherd, who was along with him, suggested that he should kneel down on the bank and thank his Maker for preserving his life.

“Ah well,” remarked Cameron, “I was very clever myself, or He would have done very little for me.”

“SUNART HIGHLANDER”

Sunart Highlander, ‘John Cameron of Corrychoillie’, Strontian Magazine (1952), pp. 21–22

Strontian (Sròn an t-Sìthein) is the main village in Sunart, an area in western Lochaber, on the A861 road.

New research by Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has been published which revises the position of the Jacobite left flank during the battle in 1746.

It is one of the most iconic battles in Scotland’s history, and one which holds a particularly poignant place in national consciousness. Now, over 275 years later, the Battle of Culloden (16 April 1746) is still revealing its secrets.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has uncovered new evidence for the location of Culloden Parks, the designed landscape around Culloden House, which was an important element of the battlefield landscape of Culloden in 1746 thought to have been lost. Culloden House played a key role in the conflict as a headquarters for Prince Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie) and his Jacobite commanders in the days leading up to the battle.

The investigation by HES has not only discovered new evidence which shows that Culloden Parks was situated further to the west of the traditional battlefield site than previously thought, but also that a significant amount of the boundary walls of the Parks survive.

The surviving boundary wall of Culloden Park

Changing our understanding of Culloden

This finding has a significant bearing on current understanding of the battlefield landscape and the battle itself. The Jacobites used the southern end of Culloden Parks as their left flank when they deployed for the battle, meaning the Jacobite left flank must also have occupied a more westerly position than was previously believed.

Culloden is one of the most important battles in the history of the British Isles. It was the final battle fought on the British mainland and a total and bloody defeat for the Jacobites, ending more than half a century of Jacobite conflict. The battlefield itself is one of the most visited tourist sites in the Highlands, and the site holds a particularly high significance and emotional connection to many within Scotland and to the ancestors of the Scottish diaspora.

In the 275 years since the battle, the landscape of Culloden has been significantly altered through agriculture, development, and changes in land use. Many elements of the landscape that were recorded in the 1740s were believed to have been lost to these changes, including Culloden Parks. While a number of elements have been identified or confirmed through historical and archaeological research over the last few decades, much of the battlefield has remained unclear.

Jasper Leigh Jones’ map of the battle of Culloden, with the Culloden Parks visible on the centre right

The discovery of the location of Culloden Parks in the modern landscape was made by cross-referencing contemporary 18th-century maps alongside much more precisely detailed modern mapping. HES also used modern technology in the form of airborne laser scanning, known as LIDAR, which records the landscape in 3D.

This data can show subtle landscape features more prominently than is often seen on the ground, and in this case was able to show that the original channel of the Red Burn, another feature of the battlefield landscape, is also located further west than the currently understood positions of the armies would suggest. Finally, a field assessment was carried out to trace the physical evidence of the surviving walls on the ground.

Jasper Leigh Jones’ map of the battle of Culloden [cropped] with the Culloden Parks visible on the centre right

Kevin Munro, Senior Designations Officer at HES who conducted the research, said: “The Battle of Culloden is one of the most documented and studied conflicts in Scotland’s history, so to unearth new information that will further enhance our understanding of this significant battle is very gratifying.

“As part of our role in maintaining the Inventory of Historic Battlefields, we routinely review and assess different sources of information that can continue to help shape our understanding of these significant pieces of Scotland’s historic environment.

“This clear evidence for the survival of Culloden Parks shows us that the story of the Battle of Culloden is still unfolding along with our understanding of the historic landscape. This research will further enhance our knowledge of the pivotal events that took place on 16 April 1746.”

John Finalyson’s map of the battle of Culloden and surrounding landscape. The Culloden Parks can be seen just to the north of the Jacobite army.

HES will use this evidence to inform a future review of the inventory of Historic Battlefields and the record for the Battle of Culloden.

The full research report can be viewed at Archaeology Reports Online.

(Report courtesy Historic Environment Scotland. Map images ‘Reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland’ (Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Unfortunately today we have been advised by Wingecarribee Shire Council that the Bundanoon Oval is to remain closed.

Given the current status of the Oval (closed) and the predicted forecast of continued rain up to the event day, Council’s position will be to keep the oval closed.

Jordans Crossing would also be unavailable for use as parking and will remain closed as well.

This is an unusual period of prolonged wet weather patterns that has not allowed the Oval or its precincts to dry out.

The committee are deeply conscious of their duty of care to the health, safety and wellbeing of everyone who participates at or attends Brigadoon.

We have a responsibility for the care and preservation of the Oval and its precincts, and with the present ground conditions the possible damage caused could make the area totally unmanageable for some considerable time after the Gathering. There is also the reality of serious damage to the streets in Bundanoon being used for parking with cars getting bogged on the verges. This is something we are not prepared to condone.

We apologise for the cancellation (another postponement only) but the weather has beaten us again.

I welcome you to come along to our fifth attempt at the 43rd Annual Bundanoon Highland Gathering.

Peter Rocca

President Bundanoon Highland Gathering Inc.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

BRIGADOON 1st April 2023

The Sunday Post reports that a team of women has conquered all of Scotland’s 282 Munros in just 26 days. They hit the final summit, Ben More on Mull, on Thursday.

The Veteran Women’s Munro Relay – members all aged between 40 and 60 – took just 26 days to complete the continuous, self-propelled journey, which started on Beinn Sgritheall in the north-west Highlands on June 4.

A core of 10 women, with others joining in for shorter spells, have run, walked, cycled and kayaked to all the Munros.

The women journeyed more than 1,750 miles by land and on water and climbed 482,300ft – more than 16 times the height of Mount Everest.

It is believed the feat has never before been completed by an all-female team. The challenge has been raising funds for the charity Free To Run which aims to empower women and girls through sport.

Organiser Fran Loots said: “It has been the most amazing journey.”

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