Flora MacDonald (Heroine)

posted by Scott Andrew Bird

Flora was born around 1822 in Milton, South Uist, where her father was a tenant farmer. She completed her schooling in Edinburgh, and was visiting her brother in South Uist in 1746 when she was asked to help 'Bonnie' Prince Charlie flee to Skye following his defeat at the Battle of Culloden; some two months earlier. Both Flora's fiancee Allan MacDonald of Kingsburgh and foster-father Captain Hugh MacDonald of Sleat were members of King George's forces, and Flora was reluctact to help the Prince until she was told the escape plan was actually devised by her foster-father.

The Prince was disguised as Flora's Irish maid 'Betty Burke', and the pair managed to evade capture by rowing a boat to Skye, landing in what is now called 'Rudha Phrionnsa' (Prince's Point). Flora then aided the Prince in his escape to Portree. From here the Prince was able to obtain passage to France and successfully complete his escape.

Flora was arrested and imprisoned in Dunstaffnage Castle, then moved to the Tower of London, but was eventually released under a general amnesty; marrying Allan MacDonald in 1750 and beginning to raise a family.

Flora and Allan emigrated to North Carolina in 1774 together with sons Alexander and James, and began farming. Daughter Anne, her husband Alexander and their two young sons also came to America at that time; possibly even on the same ship. Flora's other children, Ranald in the Marines, Charles of the East India Company, 15yo John and 8yo Fanny remained in Scotland.

At the start of the American War of Independence, Allan and sons joined a regiment of Royal Highland Emigrants supporting the Hanoverians. Allan was captured at the battle of Moore's Creek, held for a time and eventually expelled to Novia Scotia. In 1779 they lived in a block house there, before the pair returned to Skye.

Flora died in Kingsburgh, Skye, in 1790 and was buried in the graveyard at Kilmuir.