|
|
|
Placename Flora MacDonald's cottage |
 |
Translation |
|
Description In 1751 Flora came to live in this cottage with her husband Alan MacDonald of Kingsburgh. Her first son Charles, born 22/10/1751, was named after Bonnie Prince Charlie for whom she had endured many hardships. Another four of her family were born here over the next eight years before they returned to Kingsburgh. Alan had been given the farm of Flodigarry by his father Alexander who had purchased the land from John Martin in 1734. He spent 22 years at Flodigarry before moving back to Kingsburgh on the death of his father in February 1772. Alan was often referred to as 'Ailean na mile mairt' (Alan of the thousand cattle) as he drove huge numbers of cattle each year to the marts in the south. Flodigarry was famous for it's cattle as recorded by Mairi mhór nan oran 'Flòdaigearraidh sgèimheach, cait' bheil dh'fhiach de ghrunnd, b'ainmeal an crodh dàra, dh'àraiche air d'ghrunnd'. Mary MacPherson Alan and his wife emigrated in August 1774 to Wilmington (Cape Fear River) in Carolina aboard the ship 'Baliol'. They were attacked on route by a French privateer but survived. Alan became involved in the American wars. Flora returned to Kingsburgh in 1779 but Alan stayed on for a while. However, his heart was always in Scotland and he returned to spend their latter years in Kingsburgh. Flora died in 1790 and Alan in 1792. 'Lann sgaiteach de smior cruadhach air, 'san truaill bu dreachmhor duàlanan. Cha stad e'm feòil a'm buailear e, gu'n ruig e smuais na'n cnàmh'. Oran do Chaiptean Ailean Chinsborg le Iain MacCodrum. Charles the son went to Bombay after an appointment to the East India Company Service in his teens. On the death of his father he took over the family home in Kingsburgh after serving and becoming a Captain in the army. He had no family. However, the fourth son, James, obtained the lands of Flodigarry in 1788. He was well liked and became known as Seumas ruadh MacAilein. He was a good employer and many games of shinty were played between his workforce and that of Somerled MacDonald of Sartle. James and his wife died within a week of one another in 1807. |
|
Area Flodigarry |
|
OS Grid Ref 4640 7190 |