Wha Widna Fecht For Charlie ? That is the question !

[Woodsheal]

This ought to stir the pot a bit! I believe that much of the Jacobite support by many clans was not so much that they were enamoured of the Stewarts, but that the various Risings (going back to the Civil Wars of the 1640's) afforded opportunity to strike at old rivals in the Highlands. The chance to hammer back at the Campbells and other powerful pro-Government clans was a big motivation for many chiefs. The Campbells especially were consummate political players (and one has to admire their savvy!). They would by-and-large cozy up to the ruling regime, then use those relationships to advance their power in the Highlands, obviously at the expense of neighboring clans. Anti-Campbell sentiments spurred on many a so-called "Jacobite."

Local concerns - and old animosities - were bigger factors for most clanfolk than whoever occupied the distant throne in London....