Inverness Castle-Flora MacDonald

**seanachie** · 25th January 11, 08:49 AM

I was at the castle in Inverness on Friday. On the drive leading to the castle there is a statue of Flora MacDonald. She has her dog with her. Does any history buff know the name of the dog please? Thanks

**MacCathmhaoil** · 25th January 11, 08:58 AM

Not sure she actually had a dog, I was told the dog is there to represent "courage and fidelity"!

**seanachie** · 25th January 11, 09:05 AM

I think your on to something with fidelity...several people told me that the dog definitely has a name and it is Gaelic. Even if the dog is artistic license of the sculptor I am pretty sure he dog has a name.

**McClef** · 25th January 11, 10:24 AM

When I was last there she also had a seagull perched on her head!

**SlackerDrummer** · 25th January 11, 04:47 PM

From a website calling itself the Border Collie Museum on the page Forever Faithful: More Memorials to Shepherd's Dogs:

MEMORIAL TO FLORA MACDONALD

The plaque on Flora MacDonald's statue has a quote from Samual Johnson. It says, "The Preserver of Prince Charles Edward Stuart will be menioned in History and if Courage and Fidelity be Virtues, mentioned with Honour". Flora, as you know, helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Skye to France by taking him on board a ship in disguise, dressed as her maid. On her statue, she is seen gazing out across the sea (presumably to France) accompanied by a collie. As far as I know, Flora did not have a collie (well, she could have, but it isn't mentioned anywhere). The collie is likely there to represent "courage and fidelity".

They don't appear to have any idea either.
source

**Calico** · 25th January 11, 10:23 PM

Originally Posted by McClef

When I was last there she also had a seagull perched on her head!

So we don't know the dog's name... did anybody get the name of that seagull?

**McClef** · 26th January 11, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by Calico

So we don't know the dog's name... did anybody get the name of that seagull?

I didn't get its name but here it is.

And here is the dog too.

**seanachie** · 26th January 11, 08:36 AM

The pics were a great addition. Seeing that I have stumped people here I am surprised, but I will dig into this further. I have dogs, and love dogs and was just interested in the name. Next email will be to the tourist board. I hope you stayed safe taking that pic. I saw someone standing in the driveway completely oblivious to oncoming traffic snapping photos.