Scotland's Stories - Graeme & Molly
@storyscotland.bsky.social
Scottish #storyteller, author and #travelblogger
Sharing stories of #Scotland helped by a tireless labrador
Scotland's Stories Book out now!!!
Graeme & Molly
Sharing stories of #Scotland helped by a tireless labrador
Scotland's Stories Book out now!!!
Graeme & Molly
Roderick's sacrifice was crucial to the final chapter of the 1745 rising but is still largely unknown. His body is buried where he was killed, down by the River Moriston, and you can find it across the road from where you see this large cairn beside the A887!
February 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Roderick's sacrifice was crucial to the final chapter of the 1745 rising but is still largely unknown. His body is buried where he was killed, down by the River Moriston, and you can find it across the road from where you see this large cairn beside the A887!
None of the Jacobite prisoners would confirm the identity, but Cumberland was so convinced that he followed it down to London and called off the manhunt.
By the time the ruse had been discovered, the real prince had slipped through the net and escaped to the Hebrides.
By the time the ruse had been discovered, the real prince had slipped through the net and escaped to the Hebrides.
February 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
None of the Jacobite prisoners would confirm the identity, but Cumberland was so convinced that he followed it down to London and called off the manhunt.
By the time the ruse had been discovered, the real prince had slipped through the net and escaped to the Hebrides.
By the time the ruse had been discovered, the real prince had slipped through the net and escaped to the Hebrides.
Unfortunately, Charles was wanted dead or alive, so the soldiers immediately shot him. Roderick’s final words were, "You have murdered your prince!" The delighted soldiers left the cumbersome body where it lay, taking only the head to Fort Augustus to claim the reward.
February 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Unfortunately, Charles was wanted dead or alive, so the soldiers immediately shot him. Roderick’s final words were, "You have murdered your prince!" The delighted soldiers left the cumbersome body where it lay, taking only the head to Fort Augustus to claim the reward.
It was clear that there was no escape for him, so to make the most of a bad situation, he declared to the soldiers that their search was over.
In an act of bravery and loyalty, Roderick confessed to being Bonnie Prince Charlie.
In an act of bravery and loyalty, Roderick confessed to being Bonnie Prince Charlie.
February 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
It was clear that there was no escape for him, so to make the most of a bad situation, he declared to the soldiers that their search was over.
In an act of bravery and loyalty, Roderick confessed to being Bonnie Prince Charlie.
In an act of bravery and loyalty, Roderick confessed to being Bonnie Prince Charlie.
Like most Jacobites, he was on the run after that final battle, hiding in remote locations while the government army hunted him down.
Roderick had found a great hiding spot in a cave in Glen Moriston, but one day, he was caught down by the river.
Roderick had found a great hiding spot in a cave in Glen Moriston, but one day, he was caught down by the river.
February 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
Like most Jacobites, he was on the run after that final battle, hiding in remote locations while the government army hunted him down.
Roderick had found a great hiding spot in a cave in Glen Moriston, but one day, he was caught down by the river.
Roderick had found a great hiding spot in a cave in Glen Moriston, but one day, he was caught down by the river.
It was actually poor Roderick, the son of an Edinburgh goldsmith who looked identical to Charles. Thanks to the similarity, he became the prince's body double, personal guard and close friend.
February 28, 2025 at 8:58 AM
It was actually poor Roderick, the son of an Edinburgh goldsmith who looked identical to Charles. Thanks to the similarity, he became the prince's body double, personal guard and close friend.
Locals tried to scrape an existence, but were fighting a losing battle. An easier life could be found in other villages and Rattray was abandoned.
Almost all traces disappeared, apart from the walls of the only stone building - St Mary's Chapel, still here to tell its story after 800 long years!
Almost all traces disappeared, apart from the walls of the only stone building - St Mary's Chapel, still here to tell its story after 800 long years!
February 27, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Locals tried to scrape an existence, but were fighting a losing battle. An easier life could be found in other villages and Rattray was abandoned.
Almost all traces disappeared, apart from the walls of the only stone building - St Mary's Chapel, still here to tell its story after 800 long years!
Almost all traces disappeared, apart from the walls of the only stone building - St Mary's Chapel, still here to tell its story after 800 long years!
In 1720, a huge storm blew enough sand to completely block the entrance to the bay, cutting Strathbeg off from the sea.
It also trapped a ship carrying slates inside, forcing the cargo to be loaded onto carts and used nearby.
It also trapped a ship carrying slates inside, forcing the cargo to be loaded onto carts and used nearby.
February 27, 2025 at 8:43 AM
In 1720, a huge storm blew enough sand to completely block the entrance to the bay, cutting Strathbeg off from the sea.
It also trapped a ship carrying slates inside, forcing the cargo to be loaded onto carts and used nearby.
It also trapped a ship carrying slates inside, forcing the cargo to be loaded onto carts and used nearby.
While today the church is alongside Loch Strathbeg, that body of water was once a wide bay providing shelter for local fishing boats and a safe loading area for trade and travel.
The shifting sands that now form the renowned dunes at Rattray Head eventually ended that.
The shifting sands that now form the renowned dunes at Rattray Head eventually ended that.
February 27, 2025 at 8:43 AM
While today the church is alongside Loch Strathbeg, that body of water was once a wide bay providing shelter for local fishing boats and a safe loading area for trade and travel.
The shifting sands that now form the renowned dunes at Rattray Head eventually ended that.
The shifting sands that now form the renowned dunes at Rattray Head eventually ended that.
It wasn't due to merit, but an argument between the Earls of Erroll and Marischal over who owned the land and its taxes.
Becoming a Royal Burgh meant that all money went straight to the crown, so Mary had stopped a potentially bloody quarrel and gained a little pocket money at the same time!
Becoming a Royal Burgh meant that all money went straight to the crown, so Mary had stopped a potentially bloody quarrel and gained a little pocket money at the same time!
February 27, 2025 at 8:43 AM
It wasn't due to merit, but an argument between the Earls of Erroll and Marischal over who owned the land and its taxes.
Becoming a Royal Burgh meant that all money went straight to the crown, so Mary had stopped a potentially bloody quarrel and gained a little pocket money at the same time!
Becoming a Royal Burgh meant that all money went straight to the crown, so Mary had stopped a potentially bloody quarrel and gained a little pocket money at the same time!
The Comyns were easily the most powerful family in the northeast of Scotland and their nearby castle was the focus of this settlement.
In 1564, Rattray went from a small village to a Royal Burgh with the ability to trade internationally after being granted the privilege by Mary Queen of Scots.
In 1564, Rattray went from a small village to a Royal Burgh with the ability to trade internationally after being granted the privilege by Mary Queen of Scots.
February 27, 2025 at 8:43 AM
The Comyns were easily the most powerful family in the northeast of Scotland and their nearby castle was the focus of this settlement.
In 1564, Rattray went from a small village to a Royal Burgh with the ability to trade internationally after being granted the privilege by Mary Queen of Scots.
In 1564, Rattray went from a small village to a Royal Burgh with the ability to trade internationally after being granted the privilege by Mary Queen of Scots.
Maybe that's a wee bit dramatic. The old village of Rattray wasn't actually destroyed by the storm, but its livelihood was.
The church was built by William Comyn in the early 1200s, apparently in remembrance of his son who tragically died after falling into a well.
The church was built by William Comyn in the early 1200s, apparently in remembrance of his son who tragically died after falling into a well.
February 27, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Maybe that's a wee bit dramatic. The old village of Rattray wasn't actually destroyed by the storm, but its livelihood was.
The church was built by William Comyn in the early 1200s, apparently in remembrance of his son who tragically died after falling into a well.
The church was built by William Comyn in the early 1200s, apparently in remembrance of his son who tragically died after falling into a well.
Or if you're a fan of YouTube videos and want to see Molly (don't forget to subscribe): youtu.be/wbzWkU7UKhs?...
Exploring Scotland's SMALLEST region - The Clackmannanshire Tower Trail!
YouTube video by Scotland's Stories - Graeme Johncock
youtu.be
February 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Or if you're a fan of YouTube videos and want to see Molly (don't forget to subscribe): youtu.be/wbzWkU7UKhs?...
There are 5 castles on the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail and I cover all of them here: scotlands-stories.com/clackmannans...
Explore 5 Compact Castles On The Clackmannanshire Tower Trail - Scotland's Stories
Explore the history behind all five castles of the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail! Scotland's smallest region has lots to say for itself!
scotlands-stories.com
February 26, 2025 at 8:55 AM
There are 5 castles on the Clackmannanshire Tower Trail and I cover all of them here: scotlands-stories.com/clackmannans...
The pair collapsed in exhaustion, giving up hope of saving whoever was in trouble. That was when they heard a burst of laughter accompanied by a rattling of shells.
The Shellycoat applauded the two men for persevering so long, chuckling at his own practical joke before disappearing as the sun rose!
The Shellycoat applauded the two men for persevering so long, chuckling at his own practical joke before disappearing as the sun rose!
February 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
The pair collapsed in exhaustion, giving up hope of saving whoever was in trouble. That was when they heard a burst of laughter accompanied by a rattling of shells.
The Shellycoat applauded the two men for persevering so long, chuckling at his own practical joke before disappearing as the sun rose!
The Shellycoat applauded the two men for persevering so long, chuckling at his own practical joke before disappearing as the sun rose!
Trekking further uphill towards the source of the Ettrick, the men were all but exhausted and seemingly no closer to the lost traveller.
After several hours, with dawn approaching and the men reaching the crest of the hill, the cry of “Lost!” now carried on down the other side.
After several hours, with dawn approaching and the men reaching the crest of the hill, the cry of “Lost!” now carried on down the other side.
February 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Trekking further uphill towards the source of the Ettrick, the men were all but exhausted and seemingly no closer to the lost traveller.
After several hours, with dawn approaching and the men reaching the crest of the hill, the cry of “Lost!” now carried on down the other side.
After several hours, with dawn approaching and the men reaching the crest of the hill, the cry of “Lost!” now carried on down the other side.
Thinking some poor soul was drowning in the water, they rushed over the uneven ground to save them.
Stumbling through the night, every time they thought they were closing in on the voice, it sounded a little further away.
Strangely, the person in distress seemed to moving further up river!
Stumbling through the night, every time they thought they were closing in on the voice, it sounded a little further away.
Strangely, the person in distress seemed to moving further up river!
February 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
Thinking some poor soul was drowning in the water, they rushed over the uneven ground to save them.
Stumbling through the night, every time they thought they were closing in on the voice, it sounded a little further away.
Strangely, the person in distress seemed to moving further up river!
Stumbling through the night, every time they thought they were closing in on the voice, it sounded a little further away.
Strangely, the person in distress seemed to moving further up river!
One dark night, two men were wandering the Scottish Borders when they came to the banks of the Ettrick river.
Suddenly, from somewhere in the darkness, they heard a mournful voice crying out – “Lost! Lost!”
Suddenly, from somewhere in the darkness, they heard a mournful voice crying out – “Lost! Lost!”
February 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
One dark night, two men were wandering the Scottish Borders when they came to the banks of the Ettrick river.
Suddenly, from somewhere in the darkness, they heard a mournful voice crying out – “Lost! Lost!”
Suddenly, from somewhere in the darkness, they heard a mournful voice crying out – “Lost! Lost!”
These bogles are far more mischievous than the innocent Brownie though.
They love nothing more than playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors, so its worth keeping your wits about you when travelling any waterways!
They love nothing more than playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors, so its worth keeping your wits about you when travelling any waterways!
February 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
These bogles are far more mischievous than the innocent Brownie though.
They love nothing more than playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors, so its worth keeping your wits about you when travelling any waterways!
They love nothing more than playing tricks on unsuspecting visitors, so its worth keeping your wits about you when travelling any waterways!
It’s said that this coat would be removed when the Shellycoat rested and if you could get your hands on it, then you had power over the creature!
Underneath its outfit, the Shellycoat is a little harder to describe. Some reports claim it’s similar to a Scottish Brownie, small and dark featured.
Underneath its outfit, the Shellycoat is a little harder to describe. Some reports claim it’s similar to a Scottish Brownie, small and dark featured.
February 24, 2025 at 8:40 AM
It’s said that this coat would be removed when the Shellycoat rested and if you could get your hands on it, then you had power over the creature!
Underneath its outfit, the Shellycoat is a little harder to describe. Some reports claim it’s similar to a Scottish Brownie, small and dark featured.
Underneath its outfit, the Shellycoat is a little harder to describe. Some reports claim it’s similar to a Scottish Brownie, small and dark featured.