The Scottish War Graves Project

Keptie · Joined: 30 Mar 2009 Posts: 54 Location: Letham Forfar angus

Courier & Advertiser Thursday 22 July 2010: Craigie column (all editions)

Brave Roderick's Sacrifice to save Prince Charlie:

A Craigie Regular Patrick W . Anderson of Letham , Angus , has emailed to say ," I thought as we were into July your readers might like another topic of historical interest.

"There is a memorial Cairn at the side of the road on the A887 road in Glenmoriston , Inverness shire (near Caennacroc) and travellers nowadays in motor vehicles will miss the memorial cairn and the Jacobite soldier grave nearby without realising it's there .

"The Memorial Cairn at the side of the road marks the spot where, during the latter part of July 1746 , RODERICK MACKENZIE allowed himself to be seen by the Redcoat soldiers as he drew his sword in self defence . The soldiers fired a volley , mortally wounding him and as he fell he cried out, " You have murdered your Prince !"

"They cut off his head so that it could be transported to see if this soldier from the 1745 Jacobite Rebellion was Bonnie Prince Charlie . Roderick knew the Redcoats would have to have identification confirmed and that would help Bonnie Prince Charlie to make his escape from his wanderings in Scotland.

"The body of Roderick , was buried secretly down by the River Moriston an the burn close by has been known ever since as Caochan a' Cheannaich, the stream of the Merchant .

"The plaque on the Memorial cairn displays these words ," At this spot in 1746 died Roderick MacKenzie , an officer of the army of Prince Charles Edward Stuart of the same size and similar resemblance to his Royal Prince. When surrounded and overpowered by the troops of the Duke of Wellington he gallantry died in attempting to save his fugitive leader from further pursuit ."

Across the road from this memorial cairn is MacKenzie's grave and the plaque records that Roderick MacKenzie was a merchant of Fisherrow and son of an Edinburgh jeweller. It would appear that Roderick Mackenzie served in the Cavalry - Lifeguards (Elcho's and Balmerino's ) during the battles of the 1745-1746 rebellion . His colonel was Wemyss, Colonel David , Lord Elcho.

"Each July there is a gathering at the graveside attended by members of the 1745 Association and the Clan MacKenzie Society to honour their Brave Roderick MacKenzie who gave his life in the hope it would help his prince escape. "

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patrick w anderson

PS

I have added this story to this Scottish war graves website as this story covers both Memorial Cairn and also the War Grave of the 1745 /46 Jacobite soldier

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