420 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
mark of personal esteem, and to denote the high opinion entertained of his
gallant conduct.
Mr. Grant, who was a very handsome, well-made man, was selected as one of
the Prince’s Life-guards, commanded by Lord Elcho. The dress of the guards
was blue, faced with red, and scarlet waistcoats, with gold lace. The equipment
and appearance of this body are alluded to in a letter from Derby, where the
Pretender’s army arrived on the 4th December 1745, on their intended march
to London, but from which a counter-movement in the direction of Scotland
was commenced next morning. The letter is by an eye-witness, who says :-
“ On Wednesday, about eleven o’clock, two of the Rebel’s vanguard entered this town, inquiring
for the Magistrates, and demanding billets for nine hundred men or more. A short while after, the
vanguard rode into the town, consisting of about thirty men, clothed in blue, faced with red, aud
scarlet waistcoats, with gold-lace; and, being likely men, made a good appearance. They were
drawn up in the market-place, and sat on horseback two or three hours. At the same time the bells
were rung, and several bonfires made, to prevent any resentment from them that might ensue on our
showing a dislike to their coming among us. About three afternoon, Lord Elcho, with the Life-guards,
and many of their chiefs, arrived on horseback, to the number of about a hundred and fifty, most of
them clothed as above. Soon after, their
main body marched into town, in tolerable order, six or eight abreast, with about eight standards,
most of them white flags and a red cross, their bagpipes playing as they marched. * * * * *
Their Prince did not arrive till the dusk of the evening. He walked on foot, attended by a great
body of his men, who conducted him to his lodgings, the Lord Exeter’s, where he had guards placed
all around the house. Every house almost by this time was pretty well tilled ; but they continued
driving in till ten or eleven at night, and we thought we never should have seen the last of them.
The Dnkes of Athol and Perth, the Lords Pitsligo, Nairn, Elcho, and George Murray, old Gordon of
Glenbucket, and their other chiefs and great officers, Lady Ogilvie, and Lady Murray, were lodged
at the best gentlemen’s houses. Many common ordinary houses, both public and private, had forty
or fifty men each, and some gentlemen near a hundred. At their coming in they were generally
treated with bread, cheese, beer, and ale, whilst all hand8 were aloft getting their suppers ready.
After supper, being weary with their long march, they went to rest, most upon straw, others in beds.”
Mr. Grant continued with the Prince’s army till its overthrow at Culloden,
when he fled to his native hills, where, for a time, he found shelter. As the
search for those who “ had been out ” became less vigorous, he ventured to take
up his residence at his father’s house, where he once very narrowly estaped
apprehension. One of the ploughmen being in the field, observed a party of
military at a short distance ; but, conscious that he was seen by them, he was
at a loss how to get intelligence conveyed to the house ; for had either he or
his boy left the plough and gone home, the circumstance would have excited
the suspicion of the soldiers. He therefore adopted the expedient of driving
home, with oxen and plough, as if his work had been completed, and instantly
gave notice of the danger. Colquhoun made his escape to a neighbouring hill,
where, concealed in a hollow, he safely witnessed the arrival and departure of
his foes
These made a fine show, being the flower of the army.
will ! ” he exclaimed, at the same moment dealing the democrat a blow that levelled him with the floor.
The row instantly became general ; but by the prowess of Maclean and several other spirited gentlemen
the loyalists were soon victorious. Mr. Maclean, who is a thorough Highlander, and a Jacobite
in sentiment, has been for many years Solicitor of .Excise ; and, having been long in extensive
business, may be said in a great measure to have repaired the broken fortunes of his family. He
now possesses an estate in Argyleshire.
