The Royal Dirk

Young Alan Macrae turned, unbelieving, to look at the stranger who had been tending this brother.  By the light of the fire in the cave he saw a tall, weary-looking figure.  “I am Charles Stuart,” the man told him.


Bonnie Prince Charlie - in a hillside cave above his own Scottish glen!  Alan fell to his knees.

And after that surprise, another followed.  The Prince asked Alan to lead him and his men westward across the hills, to help them escape from the English armies who had again defeated the brave Scots.  


Before they set out Prince Charlie took a small silver dirk from the cuff of his coat and handed it to Alan.  “A remembrance from me.”


Guiding the Prince to safety was only the first of many unexpected and sometimes terrifying events that led Alan Macrae far from home.  Across the Scottish and English countryside and finally to London, he associated with criminals and royalty, noblemen and spies.