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November 15 Battle of Sheriffmuir 2009 (gd:Blàr Sliabh an t-Siorraim)This weekend I attended the annual commemoration for the Battle of Sheriffmuir with Clann Gaidhealach. The weather was very cold and damp but a quite few brave souls came out for the commemoration. There was various groups in attendance and the Scottish Templar Knights led the service at the monument. The Battle of Sheriffmuir as a whole was indecisive. The Earl of Mar simply withdrew his troops back to Perth. The rebellion continued for some weeks more, but was effectively ended by Sheriffmuir. Even the late arrival of the Old Pretender on 22 December 1715 could not turn the Jacobites' fortunes around. He returned to France just six weeks later and never set foot in Scotland again. This was a bad day for the Clan Macrae who fought bravely but by nightfall on the day of the battle, there were fifty-eight new widows in Kintail.
Please enjoy the photographs that have been supplied by my good friend Ralph, Warrior of the Glen. July 27 Battle of Killiecrankie (Cath Raon Ruairidh)On Saturday 25th I attended Killiecrankie with Clann Gaidhealach. Organised by Kenny Borthwick, the event recalled how Bonnie Dundee , John Grahame of Claverhouse, led his army against the government troops led by General Hugh MacKay. At 12.00 noon Kenny Borthwick, opened the day in the Old Blair car park, giving a brief speech before handing over to Andrew Murray Scott. Then the present “troops” were led up the gruelling hill by the standards of Grahame and King James. For once the Young Pretenders (kids) outdid the Old Pretender (Kenny) and arrived first at the summit. At the Cairn on the battlefield, speeches were made and wreaths were laid in remembrance of those who gave their lives. A short prayer was said followed by a musket salute and a minute of silence. It was then onto St. Brides Kirk within the grounds of Blair Castle where Kenny once again led the address in tribute to Bonnie Dundee. Kenny asked me to lay the wreath in memory of my father at Bonnie Dundee's grave in respect to the great man and his achievements in the cause of his King. The customary salute from Kenny's musket prior to a minutes silence brought the day to a close and the sound of this echoed all through the surrounding hills of Atholl. I would also like to take this opportunity to say congratulations to Kenny & Topsy not only for their future wedding, but for the new addition to the family which is on its way.
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