James Menzies: A Hero of Scotland’s Jacobite Risings

James Menzies of Culdares and Meggernie Castle in Glenlyon, Scotland, was a notable figure in the history of the Jacobite Risings of the 17th and 18th centuries. Menzies was born into a time of great political upheaval in Scotland, as the descendants of the Stuart dynasty sought to reclaim the throne that had been taken from them by the English. Despite this, Menzies remained a loyal supporter of the Stuart cause throughout his life, and is remembered today as one of the heroes of Scotland’s fight for independence.

Menzies was born in Glenlyon in the early 1700s, and grew up surrounded by the stories and legends of the Jacobite risings. As a young man, he was active in the early stages of the 1715 uprising led by the Earl of Mar, and was eventually captured and taken prisoner at Preston in Lancashire, England. Despite his youth, Menzies was tried and sentenced to death, but was later reprieved and released. This act of clemency had a profound effect on Menzies, and he became grateful for the opportunity to continue to live and serve the Stuart cause.

When the standard of the Stuarts was raised again in Glenfinnan in 1745, Menzies remained at home, but he remained a staunch supporter of the cause. To show his support, Menzies sent a handsome charger as a gift to Prince Charles, who was advancing through England. The horse, which was entrusted to the care of John Macnaughton, a son of one of Menzies’ tenants, is remembered to this day as “an t-each odliar” or “the dun horse”.

Macnaughton was a highly educated man for his time, having served as a watchmaker in Edinburgh, and was well known in the south of Scotland. Despite the dangers involved in delivering the horse to Prince Charles, Macnaughton successfully completed his mission, and the horse became a symbol of Menzies’ loyalty and support for the Stuart cause.

Despite his role in the Jacobite risings, Menzies is perhaps best remembered today for his faithfulness to the Stuart cause. He remained a loyal supporter of the Stuarts throughout his life, and never wavered in his support for the cause, even when others had given up hope. This faithfulness is a testament to Menzies’ strength of character and his unwavering commitment to the Stuart cause, and it is a reminder of the sacrifices that were made by the people of Scotland in their fight for independence.

James Menzies of Culdares and Meggernie Castle was a hero of Scotland’s Jacobite risings, and a symbol of the faithfulness and loyalty that defined a generation of Scots. Despite the risks and dangers involved in supporting the Stuart cause, Menzies remained steadfast in his commitment to the cause, and is remembered today as one of the great heroes of Scotland’s fight for independence.