BI 0 GR AP HI C AL SKETCHES. 419
Colquhoun Grant, whose father possessed the farm of Burnside, on the estate
of Castle Grant, in Inverness-shire, was, in his early years, a devoted adherent
of the house of Stuart. He joined the army of the Chevalier on its way towards
the Lowlands; and, on approaching Edinburgh, was one of those detached to
force an entrance into the city.’ The party, which consisted of nine hundred
men, advanced before daylight, and arrived undiscovered at the Nether Bow.
They had with them several barrels of gunpowder, for the purpose of blowing
up the gate, but were saved this alternative by a carriage passing out at the
moment of their arrival, when the Highlanders, rushing in, seized the sentinels,
and at once obtained possession of the town. It is told of Colquhoun Grant,
as an instance of the spirit by which he was animated, that he pursued some of‘
the guard to the very walls of the Castle, where they had just time to close the
outer gate, into which he struck his dirk, leaving it there as a mark of triumph
and defiance.’
Followed
by a small party of about twenty-eight Highlanders, armed with the broadsword
only, he routed a body of dragoons, and took two pieces of ordnance.
For this signal instance of intrepidity, as well as for his former conduct, he was
publicly tbanked by the Prince, at the first levee held at Holyrood House,
who at the same time presented him with a small projle cast of himself: as a
He is generally supposed to have been the “Highland recruit,” by whom, as is told in our
notice of Lord Gardenstone, that gentleman and another volunteer were taken prisoners at Musselburgh
Bridge, where they had gone into a well-known haunt to regde themselves with sherry and oysters.
a The dirk and other relics of Colquhouu Grant are still preserved by his nephew, Captain Gregory
Grant, R.N., who is now is possession of Burnside.
It is now in the hands of Lieutenant-
General Ainslie-author of an elaborate and beautiful work on the French coins of English
sovereigns-to whom it was presented by his friend Donald Maclean, Esq., W.S., formerly of Drimnin,
and son-in-law to the subject of our sketch. The grandfather of Mr. Maclean was also “out in the
forty-five,” and fell, along with two of his sons, at the battle of Culloden, where he headed five
hundred of the clan. In connection with Mr. Maclean’s father, who likewise fought at Culloden, and
was wounded by a ball in the neck, an anecdote is told of William the Fourth. The latter was a
midshipman on board the Thesby, twenty-eight guns, commanded by Captain Hawkins. Being on
the cowt, he landed with a pleasure party near to where Mr. Maclean resided, by whom they were
hospitably received. William, who was young, and of a flippant manner, exclaimed-“You are
all rebels here !” Maclean replied,-“ No, please your Royal Highness ; I did fight for our rightful
prince ; but as Uzut family of Stuarts, who sat upon the throne, is gone, and George the Third, your
Royal father, is now the nearest heir, I can safely declare t,hat the King has not more loyal subjects
than the Jacobites of Scotland.” Captain Hawkins observed, “I am aware that this fact is known
to your Royal father, who is fully senaible that he has not more devoted or loyal subjects than
the OM Jacobites of Scotland, who fought against him 1” The same spirit of gAllant loyalty
which animated the Macleans in the cause of Prince Charles Edward in 1745 was manifasted,
though on a different field, and in another manner, by Mr. Donald Maclean in 1794. We allude to
the democratic riota in the theatre during th@ year, .some notice of which occurs in No. CXLI. It
appears that the success of the loyalists on these occasions was mainly owing to the resolute conduct
of Maclean, who had only been settled in Edinburgh a short time previously. The disturbances were
principally instigated by American and Irish students-a party of whom, on the first night of the
affair, remained covered in the pit during the performance of the King’s anthem. Mr. Maclean,
who was seated in the boxes, leaped down into the pit, and going up into the party, politely requested
them as gentlemen to conform to the usual mark of respect shown to his Majesty. “By J-a, we
won’t 1 ” was the nngacious reply. The blood of Maclean boiled with indignation. “ By J-s, you
At the affair of Prestonpans, Mr. Grant distinguished himself.
We have seen this interesting relic of the young Chevalier.
’
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.
