Last year I realized that this year, 2022, would be the 25th anniversary of the first publication of Damn’ Rebel Bitches: The Women of the ’45. I approached the publisher, Penguin Random House, and suggested a special edition to mark this milestone. I’m delighted to say that the new edition will be available from...
The Scottish Warrior: Event at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen
Looking forward to speaking about Jacobite men as well as Jacobite women as part of a panel at the Gordon Highlanders Museum in Aberdeen next Monday, 6th November, on the subject of ‘The Scottish Warrior in Commemorations, Museums and Politics.’ This is a free event but booking is required here. Doors open at 5.30,...
Damn’ Rebel Bitches 20th Anniversary
This year I’m celebrating the 20th anniversary of the publication of Damn’ Rebel Bitches: The Women of the ’45. Writing this book was a labour of love for me. With no Internet to speak of back in 1997, I did the research in the old-fashioned way, travelling to libraries, archives, museums and locations up...
Escape from the Jacobites at Doune Castle
Doune Castle near Stirling has starred in Monthy Python & the Holy Grail and the pilot episode of Games of Thrones. In Starz TV’s adaptation of Diana Gabaldon’s phenomenally successful Outlander novels, Doune plays Castle Leoch. As itself, this mighty mediaeval Scottish castle played host to a daring escape of prisoners in January 1746. One of those men was...
Lord Pitsligo of the 1745 Jacobite Rising
I have to confess that I’m a wee bit in love with Alexander Forbes, 4th Lord Pitsligo. He was a scholar, a gentleman and man of honour. He fought in the ’15 and went out again in 1745, despite being 67 years old and a chronic asthmatic. He was a great asset to Bonnie Prince...