Children of the Mist

by Nigel Tranter

The MacGregors are a small clan. At the end of the 16th century, Alastair MacGregor, the young chief of the clan, faces the threat of Black Duncan of the Cowl, of the powerful Cambell clan. He must meet the challenge.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Scotland, Fiction

346 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Nigel Tranter OBE was a Scottish historian and writer. He was the author of a wide range of books on Scottish castles, particularly on themes of architecture and history. He also specialised in deeply researched historical novels that cover centuries of Scottish history.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book details the tension between Clans MacGregor and Campbell. The motto of the MacGregors is "Royal is My Race" and they had occupied the same territory for over five hundred years. Then the Campbells arrived in Argyll and cast their eyes on MacGregor lands which Robert III gave to them. Alaisdair MacGregor had just reached his majority and Black Duncan Campbell came riding to Glenstrae to give him an ultimatum. Black Duncan's father had killed Alaisdair's father and had driven some of Clan MacGregor from their lands pinching the MacGregors even tighter between the Stewarts and Campbells. Duncan Campbell wasn't fond of physical confrontation and used well placed allies and the slightest misbehavior on the MacGregors' part to complain to the Privy Council. Some MacGregors were executed for poaching by the Royal Forester and Clan members retaliated by killing the forester, so now they're in trouble with King James VI & I. King James' cousin, Ludovik Stewart, Duke of Lennox, advocated for the MacGregors several times but Clan Campbell waited until Lennox and Patrick Gray, Master of Gray were in England to move against them. The Privy Council passed a disarming act aimed specifically at the MacGregors meaning they couldn't defend themselves against any clans that were allied with Clan Campbell. Needless say they that went over like lead bricks. MacGregor himself was held captive for a year before Campbell came to him with a deal to take care of the Colquhouns for him and he'd be allowed to go to England and plead his case before King James. The Clan wound up being proscribed with any by the name of MacGregor or allies of that now nameless clan fair game to be executed for bounty. Alaisdair barely got over the border when Glenorchy's son had him bound and brought back to Edinburgh for pre-determined trial and execution along with eleven other members of his clan. To survive members of Clan MacGregor had to change their names or leave the country. The proscription was finally repealed 171 years later.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read. Based on Fact, Nigel Tranter tells the story of the MacGregor clan, who was tricked into wrongdoing by the Campbells who wanted their land. Alastair MacGregor, the chief of the clan became chief at the tender age of 19 when his father was murdered by Black Douglas Campbell. The story tells of Alasdair's constant struggle to keep his land and clan safe from the machinations of the Campbells. the clan was finally censured and forbidden to use their name or their plad, a tragic happening for any proud Highlander. They retreated to the hidden areas of their territory and were called "The Children of the Mist." It was 300 years before the cemsure was lifted. Great read but sad ending too.mHighly recommmended to anyone who loves Scotland.

[Sir Robbiethehoo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterpiece detailing the struggles of the MacGregor clan during the turbulent sixteenth century led by their clan chief, Alastair MacGregor of Glenstrae.

Black Duncan of Glenorchy and later his sons covet more lands for the Campbell clan faction and the MacGregors’ find themselves with great difficulty countering the ambitious Campbell plans for expansion. The MacGregor clan gains favour with King James the VI but almost as quickly lose favour as the Campbell’s ploys for expansion become more forceful and the MacGregors’ are coerced into action. Also thrown into the mix is Campbell of Argyll whose allegiance changes to suit whatever benefits his cause most.

This book is filled with plenty of twists and turns, treachery and betrayal, all set amongst the backdrop of the rural, unruly, lawless Scottish Highlands.

Terrific read based around arguably one of Scotland’s best clans - the MacGregors’.

...

If I met a Campbell I would shake my head in dismay and say, ‘Thou art but the shame of a nation’, much like Nicola Sturgeon. If I met a Campbell from Cawdor, I would say, ‘Boy done good. Boy done good’.

Great well worthwhile read. Bless the MacGregor Clan and all their endeavours past and present.

'S Rioghal Mo Dhream

[David Kintore · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great storyteller Nigel Tranter was. 'Children of the Mist' brings to life the plotting and scheming of Highland clan life centuries ago, the human drama set against a subtly evoked landscape. The ending will haunt you for a long while.

[Pearl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting from start to finish.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

As historical fiction goes, this was pretty good. It was faithful to the character and spirit of the times and the accuracy of the events seemed to coincide reasonably with the research I have done. I wonder about the unrequited romance between Himself and Lennox's mistress, and the villainous Campbells are painted pretty uniformly black and Himself uniformly white, but a good story needs heroes and villains and a little romance, right? The book seemed a little slow to get going but became more compelling as it drew to its inevitable tragic ending. Being descended from the Children of the Mist myself, I knew how the story ended. But that didn't make it any easier to read, which, I suppose, is a testament to the powers of the author.

[bluetyson]

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