National Trust for Scotland's reply

[Canadian Livingstone]

According to Baron Livingstone's book there was a Captain Donald MacLaren, the one you earlier mentioned I suppose and a number of MacLaren inlisted men apparently, mostly from the Appin area. But of course the vast majority were not MacLarens. Why use Finlayson when there were other contemporary lists of the Appin Regiment including a Appin Regiment casualty list recorded by Bonnie Prince Charlie's secretary Captain Stewart which I have somewhere. What detailed list did Finlayson use I wonder? regards, Donald

[Jill Richmond]

Hello David, Oh dear, the NTS does make me cross! If it is true that they have put up a battlefield marker saying "Appin Regiment: Stewarts of Appin and Maclarens" in memory of the joint fight for an independent Scotland, it is not correct. So far as I know the aim of the Jacobite Rising was to restore a Stuart king to the throne of England, Scotland and Wales, rather than a battle for independence. Looking at the Maclaren website this could just be an error on their website rather than a mistake on the NTS's part. However the inhabitants of the village I live in have been having a squabble with the NTS over a sign they have erected in the middle of our village, saying "Welcome to ..." and giving the name of the neighbouring village. So I do not have a lot of faith in their signage. Best wishes, Jill

[Canadian Livingstone]

I am not familiar with Finlayson. The source that I used prior to purchasing Baron Alistair's book "No Quarter Given" with the Appin Stewart info was a "Memoranda (from about 1746) prepared by an Appin Stewart Charles Stewart, nephew of Farnacloich (Farnacloich Stewarts located in APpin), Captain in the Highland Army and "sometimes" QuarterMaster-General and Secretary to Prince Charles Edward". From this old document was extracted in the 19th century, a casualty list of clans that served under the Appin Stewart regiment. While I don't think it listed all clans involved it listed a good number of them that were casualties. This was the source I have using. See my letter on the forum from April 4th 2006 1740's 1750's Argyll McLea records. regards Donald regards

[Canadian Livingstone]

Hi David, I too am drawing a blank on this Finlayson. I dont see his clan

[D.W.Livingston]

Finally got the second reply from the NTS chairman... and surprise, surprise no new information from them. --original message-- Dear Mr Livingston Thank you for your e-mail of 21st September 2007. We too are passionate about Culloden and ensuring that the facts surrounding the event are accurately told. Over several years we have deliberated and consulted with many in relation to the interpretation that should be made available at Culloden battlefield. I take great exception to your suggestion that the National Trust for Scotland succumbs to pressure from any interest group. I am not responsible for the website of Clan MacLaren. Our responsibility is to provide a balanced and authoritative account of the events of 16th April 1746. As previously explained to you, at the new visitor centre at Culloden, all of the clans that participated in the Appin Regiment will be commemorated. I do not accept that the marker that now appears on the battlefield in any way diminishes the sacrifices of the various clans that you list in your e-mail. I hope you will visit the centre in due course and I am confident that if you do so you will accept that our interpretation and recognition of the various clans within the Appin Regiment is appropriate. Yours sincerely, Shonaig Macpherson Chairman