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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 28

Roderick's sacrifice was crucial to the final chapter of the 1745 rising but is still largely unknown. His body is buried where he was killed, down by the River Moriston, and you can find it across the road from where you see this large cairn beside the A887!

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 28

None of the Jacobite prisoners would confirm the identity, but Cumberland was so convinced that he followed it down to London and called off the manhunt.

By the time the ruse had been discovered, the real prince had slipped through the net and escaped to the Hebrides.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 28

Unfortunately, Charles was wanted dead or alive, so the soldiers immediately shot him. Roderick’s final words were, "You have murdered your prince!" The delighted soldiers left the cumbersome body where it lay, taking only the head to Fort Augustus to claim the reward.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 28

It was clear that there was no escape for him, so to make the most of a bad situation, he declared to the soldiers that their search was over.

In an act of bravery and loyalty, Roderick confessed to being Bonnie Prince Charlie.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 28

Like most Jacobites, he was on the run after that final battle, hiding in remote locations while the government army hunted him down.

Roderick had found a great hiding spot in a cave in Glen Moriston, but one day, he was caught down by the river.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 28

It was actually poor Roderick, the son of an Edinburgh goldsmith who looked identical to Charles. Thanks to the similarity, he became the prince's body double, personal guard and close friend.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 28

This is the grave of Roderick Mackenzie, a Jacobite hero with a story that should be far better known!

Not long after Culloden, Cumberland triumphantly sent the head of Bonnie Prince Charlie to London and called off the hunt for the Young Pretender.

Unfortunately for him, it was the wrong head.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 27

Locals tried to scrape an existence, but were fighting a losing battle. An easier life could be found in other villages and Rattray was abandoned.

Almost all traces disappeared, apart from the walls of the only stone building - St Mary's Chapel, still here to tell its story after 800 long years!

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 27

In 1720, a huge storm blew enough sand to completely block the entrance to the bay, cutting Strathbeg off from the sea.

It also trapped a ship carrying slates inside, forcing the cargo to be loaded onto carts and used nearby.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 27

While today the church is alongside Loch Strathbeg, that body of water was once a wide bay providing shelter for local fishing boats and a safe loading area for trade and travel.

The shifting sands that now form the renowned dunes at Rattray Head eventually ended that.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 27

It wasn't due to merit, but an argument between the Earls of Erroll and Marischal over who owned the land and its taxes.

Becoming a Royal Burgh meant that all money went straight to the crown, so Mary had stopped a potentially bloody quarrel and gained a little pocket money at the same time!

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 27

The Comyns were easily the most powerful family in the northeast of Scotland and their nearby castle was the focus of this settlement.

In 1564, Rattray went from a small village to a Royal Burgh with the ability to trade internationally after being granted the privilege by Mary Queen of Scots.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 27

Maybe that's a wee bit dramatic. The old village of Rattray wasn't actually destroyed by the storm, but its livelihood was.

The church was built by William Comyn in the early 1200s, apparently in remembrance of his son who tragically died after falling into a well.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 27

This ruined building is St Mary's Chapel at Old Rattray in Aberdeenshire, seemingly isolated in the middle of nowhere.

An odd place for a church, with barely any houses nearby, but this was once at the heart of a thriving settlement, until Old Rattray was destroyed one night by a wild storm...

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 26

Or if you're a fan of YouTube videos and want to see Molly (don't forget to subscribe): youtu.be/wbzWkU7UKhs?...

Exploring Scotland's SMALLEST region - The Clackmannanshire Tower Trail!

YouTube video by Scotland's Stories - Graeme Johncock

youtu.be

Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 26

There are 5 castles on the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail and I cover all of them here: scotlands-stories.com/clackmannans...

Explore 5 Compact Castles On The Clackmannanshire Tower Trail - Scotland's Stories

Explore the history behind all five castles of the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail! Scotland's smallest region has lots to say for itself!

scotlands-stories.com

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 26

Welcome to Alloa Tower in Clackmannanshire, the largest keep in Scotland and roughly 700 years old!

Home to the Erskines, Earls of Mar, it was extended into a lavish mansion which sadly burned down around the old, stone walls!

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 24

The pair collapsed in exhaustion, giving up hope of saving whoever was in trouble. That was when they heard a burst of laughter accompanied by a rattling of shells.

The Shellycoat applauded the two men for persevering so long, chuckling at his own practical joke before disappearing as the sun rose!

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 24

Trekking further uphill towards the source of the Ettrick, the men were all but exhausted and seemingly no closer to the lost traveller.

After several hours, with dawn approaching and the men reaching the crest of the hill, the cry of “Lost!” now carried on down the other side.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 24

Thinking some poor soul was drowning in the water, they rushed over the uneven ground to save them.

Stumbling through the night, every time they thought they were closing in on the voice, it sounded a little further away.

Strangely, the person in distress seemed to moving further up river!

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 24

One dark night, two men were wandering the Scottish Borders when they came to the banks of the Ettrick river.

Suddenly, from somewhere in the darkness, they heard a mournful voice crying out – “Lost! Lost!”

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 24

These bogles are far more mischievous than the innocent Brownie though.

They love nothing more than playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors, so its worth keeping your wits about you when travelling any waterways!

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 24

It’s said that this coat would be removed when the Shellycoat rested and if you could get your hands on it, then you had power over the creature!

Underneath its outfit, the Shellycoat is a little harder to describe. Some reports claim it’s similar to a Scottish Brownie, small and dark featured.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 24

Have you ever heard of the Shellycoat?

It's one of the more unusual creatures of Scottish Folklore and you might hear it before you see it, because it wears a coat made entirely from shells!

They rattle and clatter as the creature moves around, haunting rivers, bogs and moors.

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Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly @storyscotland.bsky.social · Feb 22

Anybody travelling to Scotland this year or looking to travel virtually through words, grab a copy of the Scotland's Stories book!

Each short story is linked with a real place you can visit and see it come to life, covering every region in Scotland!

linktr.ee/scotlandssto...

#Scotland

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