A little bit of historical help.

**Jacobite Laddie** · 13th July 13, 10:26 AM

EDIT: This might be better in the 'Clan' forum. Shift it if it would, please!

My own family are Frasers and Grays (not the northern or Skibo Grays, but the southern Grays or MacGlashans, a sept of Stewart of Atholl). I live very near Clan Fraser country in Beauly and Strathglass, so I know the Clan Fraser of Lovat and its history very well. I am a bit of an enthusiast about the '15 and the '45. I was looking into the Stewarts of Atholl. As I am a Scot this is very embarrassing, but it's not altogether clear - Blair Castle was held for James in the '15, in the '45 the Duke of the time supported the Hanoverians, but the Marquess of Tullibardine was a Jacobite and raised the surrounding Athollmen for the Jacobite Army. I'm really asking about the composition of the Atholl Brigade - the 500 Athollmen who were on the field of Culloden. The Sobieski Stuarts, in describing the Atholl tartan as 'a relic of the '45' seem to suggest that Stewarts of Atholl were on the field, as does Frank Adam, but the stone at Culloden itself from my memory only mentions Robertsons and Murrays (the family name of the Duke of Atholl). Is anyone more knowledgeable in half of my ancestry than I? Is it fanciful to imagine my ancestors might well have been there?

**Jock Scot** · 13th July 13, 10:53 AM

I cannot really assist, other than the name "Atholl Highlanders" is indeed carved on one of the grave markers at Culloden.

**TheOfficialBren** · 13th July 13, 12:34 PM

I get the impression that in quite a few instances whole clans were not represented at Culloden but individuals from various clans were. A few men may have just 'shown up' for the occasion and joined the ranks impromptu. Most of the Highland casualties were buried in mass graves near where their units fell. The burial detail probably made their best guesses based upon the initial deployment of the clans at the outset of the engagement and lumped men together as best they could at the time. Doubtless some men are buried with the 'wrong' clan.

Also, let us not forget that many (most?) of the clans did not support Bonnie Prince Charlie and did not participate in the Battle of Culloden--but still suffered from the aftermath.

Not an expert. Just my tuppence.

**Steve Ashton** · 13th July 13, 01:36 PM

The best I can do for you is this. A list of the Clans (And number of men they can raise) just after Culloden.

This document is from nationalarchives.gov.uk

The date is probably late '45 or sometime is '46.

Very interesting to note that there are only 13 clans listed and a total of only18,800 men

**guardsman** · 13th July 13, 02:08 PM

Looking at the muster rolls is informative and moving ,

**StevieR** · 13th July 13, 03:07 PM

Interesting thread for me, as Robertsons made up some of the Atholl Brigade. I see that the New World Encyclopedia gives the make up of the Atholl Brigade as "mostly of clans Murray, Ferguson, Stewart of Atholl, Menzies and Robertson".

**TheOfficialBren** · 13th July 13, 09:10 PM

Originally Posted by StevieR

Interesting thread for me, as Robertsons made up some of the Atholl Brigade. I see that the New World Encyclopedia gives the make up of the Atholl Brigade as "mostly of clans Murray, Ferguson, Stewart of Atholl, Menzies and Robertson".

Aye to that. Alexander Robertson of Struan was the only man to participate in all three risings. My maternal family are descended from Clan Robertson.

I haven't seen much evidence to support my paternal clan's (Shaw) participation. I think they stayed out of the way as they were greatly reduced in strength and importance by this time. I could be totally wrong about that, though. Perhaps there was a Chattan contingent present?