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Flora MacDonald birthplace, South Uist

Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE

On the 23rd July 1745 Prince Charles Edward Stuart arrived in the Outer Hebrides and first set foot on Scottish soil on the Isle of Eriskay. His aim was to regain the throne of Great Britain on behalf of his father - "The Old Chevalier" - James Stuart. The Highland clan chiefs were dismayed that he had brought no French troops, few arms and very little money to fund his campaign. Some refused outright to give him any support. After failing to convince him of the futility of his mission some clan chiefs joined him against their better judgement. The consequences were to prove disastrous to the Highland clans and their Gaelic culture.

After his defeat at the Battle of Culloden on 16th April 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie fled to the Outer Hebrides, this time with a bounty of £30,000 on his head. Charles Edward Stuart hid in the Outer Hebrides from 27th April 1746 till he left "Over the sea to Skye" with Flora MacDonald on 28th June 1746...

As you can see, our islands hold a particular significance in the story of Charles Edward Stuart and visitors can use their time here to explore this unique part of Western Isles history by following in the footsteps of the “Young Pretender” along the Outer Hebrides Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail. Click here for more information.

Below you can see details of places in the Outer Hebrides that Bonnie Prince Charlie visited, fled to and hid or was hidden in the months leading up to and following the Battle of Culloden.

This guide to Western Isles Bonnie Prince Charlie locations looks at places associated with Charles Edward Stuart on Eriskay, South Uist and Benbecula, although we know that Bonnie Prince Charlie also visited North Uist, Scalpay and Lewis.

The information here is based on Dr Alasdair MacLean's "Summer Hunting a Prince" and some of the journals in Robert Forbes’s “The Lyon in Mourning”. Dates are based on "The Itinerary of Charles Edward Stuart" by Walter Biggar Blaikie.

The text for each location on the Outer Hebrides Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail is taken from a narrative believed to be written by Neil MacEachen, a man from South Uist who accompanied the Prince for most of the time he was in the islands.

Written over 250 years ago, the language is a bit quaint but provides us with a dramatic firsthand account of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s movements in the Western Isles. (Neil MacEachain's Narrative of the Wanderings of Prince Charles in the Hebrides)

THE BONNIE PRINCE CHARLIE TRAIL

The Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail not only allows history buffs to retrace the steps of Bonnie Prince Charlie as he travelled through the Outer Hebrides, but also provides a guide to some of the local sites and areas of interest.

The Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail takes in areas of beautiful and dramatic scenery, and visitors can choose from a range of ‘short and easy’ to ‘long and undulating’ walks, cycle routes or Outer Hebrides Bonnie Prince Charlie locations best reached by car – meaning there is something to suit all levels of interest and ability.

The locations are listed here in chronological order of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s journey through the Western Isles for those who would like to follow his footsteps in this way. The places featured in our Bonnie Prince Charlie Outer Hebrides guide are also suitable for those who just want to do a little exploring or take off on their own adventure!!

By clicking on each location, either on the map or list view below, you will find more information on the story of Bonnie Prince Charlie’s time in the Hebrides, as well as more detail on accessibility to the main points of historical interest here in the Western Isles.

Head to Kildonan Museum, for more information about Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

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Number of results: 20

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Location A - Coilleag a Phrionnsa: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Eriskay, Isle of South UIst, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South UIst

Prince Charles Edward Stuart's first landfall in Scotland was on the Island of Eriskay on 23rd July 1745.

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Location B - Rossinish 1st Visit: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides

Isle of Benbecula

26th April 1746. Prince Charles Edward Stuart sailed from Borradale, Loch nan Uamh, at night, accompanied by Capt O'Sullivan, Capt O'Neil, Allan MacDonald, Donald MacLeod, and Edward Burke, and by seven boatmen. A severe storm blows up.

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Location C - Nunton House: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Nunton, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides

Isle of Benbecula

27th April 1746. The Captain of Clanranald at Nunton House hears news of the Prince's arrival in Benbecula. Also present are Neil MacEachen who was to become the Prince's most trusted companion and the Rev John MacAulay who has betrayal in mind.

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Location D - Rarnish: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Rarnish, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides

Isle of Benbecula

11th May 1746. Returning from a failed escape bid from Stornoway the Prince hides in a miserable little hut in Rarnish, Benbecula.

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Location E - Corrodale: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Glen Corrodale, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

14th May 1746. Neil MacEachen guides the Prince to Glen Corrodale which was to be his main place of refuge during his time in Uist.

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Location F - Wiay: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Wiay, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

6th June 1746. Fearing the Prince's discovery by his enemies after being a few weeks in Glen Corrodale, Neil takes the Prince to the small island of Wiay, off Benbecula.

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Location G - Acarsaid Fhalaich: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Loch Skipport, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

13th June 1746. After a detatchment of MacLeod militia from Skye land on the island Neil and the Prince head back for South Uist. That night they sheltered at Acarsaid Fhalaich (The Hidden Anchorage) north of Uisinish.

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Location H - Loch Eynort: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Loch Eynort, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

14th June 1746.They arrive at Loch Eynort or according to some accounts Caolas Stulaigh just to the south of the loch.

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Location I - Calvay Island: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Lochboisdale, Isle Of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TH

Isle Of South Uist

15th June 1746 The Prince and his small band of supporters continue on their way south to Lochboisdale

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Location J - Ben Kenneth: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Lochboisdale, Isle Of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TH

Isle Of South Uist

20th June 1746. News arrives that the notorious Capt Scott has landed on Barra and is on his way to Uist. The Prince and his party cross over to the north side of the loch but further news induces more panic!

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Location K - Unisary: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Loch Eynort, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

21st Jun 1746. The Prince gets an offer of help from an unlikely source. (Hugh 'Cam' MacDonald of Armadale, commander of the Skye MacDonald Militia). First meeting with Flora MacDonald.

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Location L - Ben Mhor: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Ben Mor, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

22nd June 1746. Neil leads the Prince northwards where they shelter somewhere on Ben Mor. Later Neil is sent to Benbecula to find out how Flora is getting on with the escape plan.

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Location M - South Ford: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

South Ford, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

23rd June 1746. Neil is arrested by the militia at the South Ford. He finds that Flora has been arrested the previous night .

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Location N - Loch Skipport: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Loch Skipport, Isle of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle of South Uist

23rd June 1745. A chance meeting with some fishermen at Loch Skipport solves the problem of smuggling the Prince across the guarded South Ford.

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Location O - Near Wiay: Bonne Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Wiay, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides

Isle of Benbecula

24th June 1746. Neil realises that they are on a small island instead of being on the Benbecula mainland as they expected. The Prince throws a tantrum!

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Location P - Rossinish 2nd Visit: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Rossinish, Isle of Benbecula, Outer Hebrides

Isle of Benbecula

28th June 1746. Rossinish, Benbecula. The Prince finally escapes from Uist with Flora MacDonald disguised as an Irish spinning maid Betty Burke.

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Location Q - Lochboisdale: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

Lochboisdale, Isle Of South Uist, Outer Hebrides

Isle Of South Uist

6th September 1746 . Two French ships anchor in Lochboisdale. Two hundred troops come ashore and march to Kilbride House!

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Location R - Kilbride House: Bonnie Prince Charlie Trail

Address

West Kilbride, Isle Of South Uist, Outer Hebrides, HS8 5TT

Isle Of South Uist

Kilbride House was home of Alasdair MacDonald of Boisdale. The house is no longer standing but its distinctive walled garden is still to be seen.

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