What do you think?
Rate this book
Highness in Hiding
"Tranter's style is compelling." Daily Telegraph "A magnificent teller of tales." Glasgow Herald The quashing of the Jacobite Rising of 1745 saw an end to the ambitions of the exiled royal house of Stuart to regain the throne. But following their victory at Culloden, the combined might of the English government, army and navy strove unsuccessfully to apprehend the young pretender, Prince Charles Edward, otherwise known as Bonnie Prince Charlie. For six months the prince ranged the Western Highlands, hidden by trusty supporters, each of whom could have betrayed him for the massive reward offered by the English for information leading to his seizure.
First published January 1, 1995
32 people want to read
About the author
Nigel Tranter
175 books143 followersNigel 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
December 13, 2013
I have not read any Nigel Tranter since my last trip to Scot;and in 1998. I had forgotten how rich Scottish history is and how good Nigel Tranter was in crafting historical novels that span the whole length of that history, from the Picts to the present day.
Highness in Hiding is about the aftermath of the Jacobite defeat at Culloden in 1746. Charles Edward Stuart -- better known to history as Bonnie Prince Charlie -- barely escaped with his loife, with the forces of the Duke of Cumberland in hot pursuit. This book is about his journey to safety by way of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Skye, Raasay, and large portions of the Scots mainland. After many months impersonating a maid, a manservant, and anything but the Jacobite claimant to the throne of England and Scotland.
Eventually, Charles made his way to safety aboard French ships that were waiting for him at Loch nan Uamh. From there, he was spirited off to safety in France. For the young prince, it was the adventure of a lifetime. Sadly, many of those who had helped him were subsequently imprisoned and even tortured.
Imstead of returning to Scotland with a new army and a call to raise the Highland clans once again, Charles whiled his life away as a dependent of a French court that was reluctant to once again help him regain the throne for himself, or his father, James III, the "Old Pretender."
Like almost all of Tranter's books that I have read, this one is tightly narrated. I would have found a set of maps useful, what with Charles's wanderings around Scotland in search of safety, but it didn't make that much difference in my appreciation of what is an excellent historical novel.
Highness in Hiding is about the aftermath of the Jacobite defeat at Culloden in 1746. Charles Edward Stuart -- better known to history as Bonnie Prince Charlie -- barely escaped with his loife, with the forces of the Duke of Cumberland in hot pursuit. This book is about his journey to safety by way of the Inner and Outer Hebrides, Skye, Raasay, and large portions of the Scots mainland. After many months impersonating a maid, a manservant, and anything but the Jacobite claimant to the throne of England and Scotland.
Eventually, Charles made his way to safety aboard French ships that were waiting for him at Loch nan Uamh. From there, he was spirited off to safety in France. For the young prince, it was the adventure of a lifetime. Sadly, many of those who had helped him were subsequently imprisoned and even tortured.
Imstead of returning to Scotland with a new army and a call to raise the Highland clans once again, Charles whiled his life away as a dependent of a French court that was reluctant to once again help him regain the throne for himself, or his father, James III, the "Old Pretender."
Like almost all of Tranter's books that I have read, this one is tightly narrated. I would have found a set of maps useful, what with Charles's wanderings around Scotland in search of safety, but it didn't make that much difference in my appreciation of what is an excellent historical novel.
February 19, 2011
Nigel Tranter is excellent at making history readable. Bonnie Prince Charlie's story is well told here. Got no time for the character himself, but Tranter's books are excellent.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews