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The Eighteenth Century
Scotland -- Younger Children (7+)
This is one of the Sparks series for children and upwards.
Catriona Lamond lives at Rowardennan near Loch Lomond. Her father is about to drive his cattle to the market at Drymen when Rob Roy's man comes to him and says he must pay one hundred merks blackmail. (Blackmail was the money Rob Roy charged to permit cattle through areas which he controlled). Catriona's father cannot afford one hundred merks. If he pays that to Rob Roy he will not be able to pay the rent and if he does not pay then Rob Roy will steal the cattle.
Catriona's parents do not know what to do but Catriona has an idea. That night when everyone is asleep she wakes her younger brother Rory. She tells him that they are going to take the cattle to market themselves. They fetch the drover's dog to help them gather the calves and then they take the hill path - the one which Rob Roy will not be watching. Then the dog runs off after a hare. Without the dog they are much slower and it will soon be morning. Catriona decides to hide in the forest which slopes down to Loch Lomond. The cattle stray but they manage to round most of them up.
Then they are suddenly confronted by Rob Roy himself and his men. A furious Rob Roy. What is going to happen?
This little story about the famous eighteenth century Scottish outlaw moves at a good pace and holds the interest. And Catriona is a spirited young heroine.
Illustrated in black and white throughout.
Comes with useful notes on:- Rob Roy MacGregor, Gaelic, and the highland clans.
7+
This book was first published in hardback in 1997. It is one of the Sparks series for children of seven upwards. It is about 5,000 words long.
Maggie is the daughter of the chief of the McDonnell clan. Her father has always supported the Jacobite cause but he says that Charlie's army should have stopped in Edinburgh and should never have invaded England and he orders his own men to return home. Maggie's two young brothers are excited about the Rebellion and play at fighting but Maggie tells them that "Nothing's right about war. No good ever comes from killing people."
Then Charlie is defeated at Drummosie, or Culloden and the McDonnell castle is surrounded by Redcoats searching for Charlie and anyone else who has survived Culloden. Maggie goes for a ride and comes across Prince Charlie hiding in the hills with a few of his loyal followers. They ask Maggie for help. How can Maggie help the Prince and what part does her wily old Uncle Lachlan play?
A lightly told story with a humourous touch which explains simply the main points of the Jacobite Rebellion of 1745. It comes with some very useful notes on Bonnie Prince Charlie, the Jacobites, Flora MacDonald, and highland dress.
7-11