Flora Macdonald: The Most Loyal Rebel

by Hugh Douglas

Flora MacDonald's voyage over the sea to Skye with the fugitive Bonnie Prince Charlie dressed as her maid made her into an instant heroine and the subject of legend and song. The world admired her bravery, but after she returned to Skye, she and her new husband, Allan, met with evby and financial disaster. They emigrated to Carolina, but hardly settled there when the American War of Independence broke out - and again they found themselves on the losing side. Allan was taken prisoner and Flora had to defend herself alone against a hostile community.

Genres: History, Biography, Scotland, Nonfiction, 18th Century

259 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1993

Reviews

[Lisa M. McDougald · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this truly remarkable telling of the life of Flora MacDonald, not so much for the days she spent spiriting away 'Bonnie' Prince Charlie over the sea to Skye, but the fascinating turns her life took afterwards. I would say the adventures of she and her husband, Chief Allan MacDonald, in America are far more captivating and provides a good understanding from the Loyalist perspective on the American Revolution and why many of the Highland Scottish immigrants to North Carolina sided with the British rather than the American Patriots in the wake of the Battle of Culloden. It illuminates a dark corner of this epic moment in Scottish and American history.

It is worth mentioning the author's careful scrutiny in providing the reader with the whole picture of the mythology behind Flora MacDonald, laying them down beside the facts where they are found, while not placing a hard historian thumb on the uncertainties. Well done. I'll be referencing this book from time to time.

[Suellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 Stars • "Flora Macdonald: The Most Loyal Rebel" by Hugh Douglas is a biography that delves into the life of Flora Macdonald, known for aiding Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape post-Culloden in 1746. It provides background on the Jacobite Rising and its aftermath, emphasizing Macdonald's role in Scottish history. While famous for helping Charles Edward Stuart, the biography also covers Macdonald's later life, including her emigration to North Carolina and her experiences during the American Revolution, where she again found herself in conflict due to her loyalty to the British Crown.

#FloraMacdonald #TheMostLoyalRebel #HughDouglas

[Linden Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve always been inclined towards an interest in Flora MacDonald, because I grew up hearing lots about her (my mom’s side of the family are the McDonald’s.) This biography is a fascinating read and gives a full view not only of the life of Flora McDonald but also of the tensions of the various clans of the Scottish highlands.

[Sharon T. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Flora was a great lady and I'm glad to have read her history. The first part of the book, where "saving Bonnie Prince Charles" happens was almost like reading a movie script. The actual events were that much like what you would expect in a movie -- very exciting. All the other events were exciting like that, but the rest of the book is more like a historical book. And there are so very many people with the same names -- and alternately called by the place where they are chief or whatever -- that I had to give up trying to keep up with but a few of them. Still, enjoyed the book very much and happy to have met Flora.

[Greta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting biography of the woman who took Bonnie Prince Charlie "over the sea to sky", and discusses her life both before and after that historic event.