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In 1746, a year after the Scottish clans have rallied to the call of their exiled prince, Charles Stuart, to take up arms against England's tyranny, fourteen-year-old, epileptic Duncan MacDonald and his cousin, Ewan, run away to join the fight at Culloden and discover the harsh reality of war.
Set in the time of Bonnie Prince Charlie, in the mid 1700's, this is told by a young teen boy who longs to prove his bravery and fight for his country's freedom. His tendency to seizures keeps him home at first, while his father fulfills his clan obligations. When his father returns, embittered and starving, Duncan and his cousin take off on their own, not able to comprehend the brutality of war until they experience it themselves. Well told, with subplots and details enough to make a rich tale. ( )
(Part One) Ah, who will play the Silver Whistle? When my King's son to sea is going? As Scotland prepares; prepares his coming! Upon a dark ship on the ocean. --Scottish folksong
(Part Two) Fie, now Johnnie, get up and run! The Highland bagpipes mak' a din! It's better tae sleep in a hale skin For it will be a bluidy morning'! --Scottish folksong
(Part Three) On dark Culloden's field of gore, Hark! They shout, "Claymore! Claymore!" They bravely fight, what can they more? The die for Royal Charlie. --"Sound the Pibroch," traditional song
Dedication
To David, who has shared all my Scottish sojourns and stood with me on Drummossie Moor. -- JY
To Kirsty and Mark, to Nik, and to Elspeth, the next generation. --RJH
First words
Mairi was the first of us to see it.
Quotations
Last words
Truly, we'll be wolves no longer, but as the tinker said once long ago, we'll survive like the foxes, their children.
In 1746, a year after the Scottish clans have rallied to the call of their exiled prince, Charles Stuart, to take up arms against England's tyranny, fourteen-year-old, epileptic Duncan MacDonald and his cousin, Ewan, run away to join the fight at Culloden and discover the harsh reality of war.
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Wikipedia in English
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Well told, with subplots and details enough to make a rich tale. (