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The Jacobite Lass
Scotland, 1722: on a remote and windswept Scottish island an enigmatic poetess foretells tragedy for the proud Macdonalds of Clanranald and the birth of an extraordinary child. That child is the passionate and free-spirited Flora, daughter of Marion. Flora's early years are spent roaming around her father's cattle farm, running wild and free with her brother and his friends. From early on she adores fair Neil MacEachen. But when her father dies suddenly, Flora and her mother are plunged into poverty and it seems beautiful Flora is destined to skivvy in the kitchen and dairy for her harsh aunt. Until one night dashing soldier, One-eyed Hugh, her mother's former lover, kidnaps mother and daughter and takes them to Skye where he swiftly marries Marion. Back on the Outer Isles they settle into family life and Flora is taken under the wing of the lively Lady Clan, the chief's wife, who teaches her the skills of a noblewoman. Flora still dreams of the day she might marry the handsome Neil, who has by now disappeared to France. But when the Clanranalds are invited to the grand wedding of the MacDonald chief of Sleat in Skye, Flora finds herself irresistibly drawn to dark-haired, teasing and passionate Allan of Kingsburgh, one of the mighty Skye MacDonalds, who makes no secret of his desire for her. Her heart is torn; she loves the mysterious and increasingly elusive Neil but struggles to control her attraction to Allan, who is meanwhile being groomed for a prestigious match with the chief of MacLeod's daughter. Before affairs of the heart can be resolved, the exiled Prince Charles Stuart lands on the Outer Isles in his bid to win back the crown and his arrival ignites the Jacobite Rising of 1745. Scotland is plunged into bloody civil war; families and clans are torn apart in their loyalties and Flora's fate is changed forever. She faces the biggest decision of her life - whether or not to help the now fugitive Prince to escape the islands and certain execution - knowing that to do so will not only put her own life in danger, but those of the people she loves most in the world. Deeply emotional and uplifting, THE JACOBITE LASS is set in the turbulent times of 18th century Scotland and is based on the true story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald and Bonnie Prince Charlie.
282 pages, Hardcover
First published September 12, 2014
175 people are currently reading
67 people want to read
About the author
Janet MacLeod Trotter
48 books364 followersJanet was brought up in the North East of England with her four brothers, by Scottish parents. She is a best-selling author of 24 books, including the hugely popular INDIA TEA SERIES, THE JARROW TRILOGY and a childhood memoir, BEATLES & CHIEFS, which was featured on BBC Radio Four. Her novel, THE HUNGRY HILLS, gained her a place on the shortlist of The Sunday Times’ Young Writers’ Award, and the TEA PLANTER’S DAUGHTER and IN THE FAR PASHMINA MOUNTAINS were nominated for the RNA Historical Novel Award. Her India-set novels, such as THE RAJ HOTEL SERIES, are inspired by her grandparents who lived and worked in India from the 1920s to '50s.
A graduate of Edinburgh University, she has been editor of the Clan MacLeod Magazine, a columnist on the Newcastle Journal and has had numerous short stories published in women’s magazines. Aged 18 she climbed on a bus and went to Kathmandu - the result was a mystery novel, THE VANISHING OF RUTH. Her second mystery, THE HAUNTING OF KULAH is set on the remote Outer Isles of Scotland. She has also written a Scottish historical novel, THE JACOBITE LASS, based on the epic story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.
A graduate of Edinburgh University, she has been editor of the Clan MacLeod Magazine, a columnist on the Newcastle Journal and has had numerous short stories published in women’s magazines. Aged 18 she climbed on a bus and went to Kathmandu - the result was a mystery novel, THE VANISHING OF RUTH. Her second mystery, THE HAUNTING OF KULAH is set on the remote Outer Isles of Scotland. She has also written a Scottish historical novel, THE JACOBITE LASS, based on the epic story of Scottish heroine, Flora MacDonald.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
February 3, 2026
Shedgirl’s Book Travels Blog: https://shedgirlsbooktravels.wordpres...
#ReadAroundTheWorld #Scotland
This is an historical fiction set in the Outer Hebrides, on the islands of South Uist and Benbecula, and also on Skye in the 1700s, featuring the famous Flora MacDonald (Fionngal nic Dhòmhnaill 1722-1790) and the Bonnie Prince Charlie. The author grew up in the North East of England, raised by Scottish parents.
The story begins in 1722 with the mysterious Bard and Seer-woman predicting for the pregnant Marion MacDonald a girl-child of strength and bravery, who would one day become famous. Marion was second wife to Ranald MacDonald, tacksman and leaseholder of Milton and Balivanich, a staunch clansman of Clan MacDonald of Clanranald. After the death of her father, Flora and her mother live with relatives in poverty, before being kidnapped by Hugh MacDonald, Tacksman of Armadale on Skye. Hugh is her mother’s former lover and soon becomes Flora’s new stepfather.
Painting of Flora by Allan Ramsay, Wikipedia
Flora is caught between her girlish love for the eloquent Neil MacEachan and a growing attraction to Allan of Kingsburgh, one of the mighty Skye MacDonalds. Flora is disappointed when Neil goes to France to train for the priesthood. He does not complete his studies however, but becomes embroiled in the Jacobite plot to return the Stuart heir, Prince Charles, to Scotland.
What follows is the bloody Jacobite Rising of 1745 culminating in death and devastation on the moors of Culloden. After this tragedy the Prince escapes with Neil MacEachan to Benbecula on the Outer Isles. It is here Flora becomes a critical part of the plan to assist the Prince escape capture by the English by dressing him as her serving maid Betty Burke. Her stepfather Hugh, as leader of the militia, provides her with the necessary pass.
After the Bonnie Prince’s famous escape, what follows is imprisonment and inquisition for Flora. Eventually she must return to the Isles and face the hardships that followed the Rebellion. Most of all she needs to resolve the pulls on her heartstrings. Will the elusive Neil finally make good on his promises to her or will she succumb to the charms of the strong and handsome Allan of Kingsburgh?
This was a fairly light historical fiction of a romantic turn but I enjoyed it. I have always been captivated by tales of the Highlands. The author manages to recreate the feel of the time and place. It also had not dawned on me prior to reading this that Flora’s family were neither Catholic nor Jacobite, so in some ways she was a rather unlikely heroine. Nevertheless hers is a story which has persisted and captured the imagination of many.
Snuffbox with miniature of the Prince gifted to Flora (National Museum of Scotland)
#ReadAroundTheWorld #Scotland
This is an historical fiction set in the Outer Hebrides, on the islands of South Uist and Benbecula, and also on Skye in the 1700s, featuring the famous Flora MacDonald (Fionngal nic Dhòmhnaill 1722-1790) and the Bonnie Prince Charlie. The author grew up in the North East of England, raised by Scottish parents.
The story begins in 1722 with the mysterious Bard and Seer-woman predicting for the pregnant Marion MacDonald a girl-child of strength and bravery, who would one day become famous. Marion was second wife to Ranald MacDonald, tacksman and leaseholder of Milton and Balivanich, a staunch clansman of Clan MacDonald of Clanranald. After the death of her father, Flora and her mother live with relatives in poverty, before being kidnapped by Hugh MacDonald, Tacksman of Armadale on Skye. Hugh is her mother’s former lover and soon becomes Flora’s new stepfather.
Painting of Flora by Allan Ramsay, Wikipedia
Flora is caught between her girlish love for the eloquent Neil MacEachan and a growing attraction to Allan of Kingsburgh, one of the mighty Skye MacDonalds. Flora is disappointed when Neil goes to France to train for the priesthood. He does not complete his studies however, but becomes embroiled in the Jacobite plot to return the Stuart heir, Prince Charles, to Scotland.
What follows is the bloody Jacobite Rising of 1745 culminating in death and devastation on the moors of Culloden. After this tragedy the Prince escapes with Neil MacEachan to Benbecula on the Outer Isles. It is here Flora becomes a critical part of the plan to assist the Prince escape capture by the English by dressing him as her serving maid Betty Burke. Her stepfather Hugh, as leader of the militia, provides her with the necessary pass.
After the Bonnie Prince’s famous escape, what follows is imprisonment and inquisition for Flora. Eventually she must return to the Isles and face the hardships that followed the Rebellion. Most of all she needs to resolve the pulls on her heartstrings. Will the elusive Neil finally make good on his promises to her or will she succumb to the charms of the strong and handsome Allan of Kingsburgh?
This was a fairly light historical fiction of a romantic turn but I enjoyed it. I have always been captivated by tales of the Highlands. The author manages to recreate the feel of the time and place. It also had not dawned on me prior to reading this that Flora’s family were neither Catholic nor Jacobite, so in some ways she was a rather unlikely heroine. Nevertheless hers is a story which has persisted and captured the imagination of many.
Snuffbox with miniature of the Prince gifted to Flora (National Museum of Scotland)
March 13, 2015
The Jacobite Lass takes us back to the last frontier in the battles between the English and the Highland Clans. It begins on Benbecula in Scotland’s Outer Hebrides, the same island that a Flybe (or FlyMaybe, as locals refer to the small airlines) flight lands on the beach, weather and tides permitting. Ah, one more life experience to add to my bucket list.
Flora is born there, into the Clan MacDonald, descendants of Clan Ranald, whose patriarch, Somerled, the Viking-Pict warrior, ruled the seas of Scotland from his home on wee Islay – centuries earlier. Derived from this brave stock, Florrie was baptized Catholic, raised in Highland traditions, and comforted, as a baby, by Gaelic lullabies. To this day, Benbecula and South Uist are predominately Catholic and over 70 percent of the people speak Gaelic.
The book traces Flora’ adventures from her birthplace to Skye and builds a story around her teenage sweetheart, Neil, who breaks her heart when he leaves for Paris to study for the priesthood. His plans change and bring him back to Florrie, now working at Dunvegan Castle, but he hesitates at marriage, wanting to wait till the rightful Prince Charlie assumes the throne. Flora is patient with him, but yearns for a simple life of being his wife and raising a family. No luck: Neil leaves her once more, becoming politically involved with the Jacobite cause, but still promising Florrie a wonderful life together.
After the Highlanders lose the final battle at Culloden, Prince Charlie flees (choosing to live instead of die with his brave clansmen) and Neil is close by his side. The year is 1746, two years after the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers established the first continuous golf club by playing for the silver club on the links of Leith. Imagine that: Highlanders, clad in their kilts and tams, charging against the mighty forces of the English army while the aristocracy played golf in Edinburgh and St. Andrews. Sorry, as a golf historian, I had to throw that in.
Later, as the Prince and his followers are being chased across Scotland by the “redcoats,” brave Flora takes a chance by helping the prince escape. Her reward? Being left behind by Neil, for whom she still pines, and being captured by the English. But fate is kind to her and, in the end, she finds love. As the Beatles sang, “All you need is love,” which is all Flora wanted.
The author, Janet Macleod Trotter, having grown up in northern England, stays true to MacLeod roots (another descendant clan of Islay’s lords of the isles) and writes books such as these to keep alive the history and traditions of the clans. My only regret: I wished I had read this book years ago – before I visited Skye. If you love Scottish history, you won’t be disappointed.
Robert Kroeger, author of The Secrets of Islay
Flora is born there, into the Clan MacDonald, descendants of Clan Ranald, whose patriarch, Somerled, the Viking-Pict warrior, ruled the seas of Scotland from his home on wee Islay – centuries earlier. Derived from this brave stock, Florrie was baptized Catholic, raised in Highland traditions, and comforted, as a baby, by Gaelic lullabies. To this day, Benbecula and South Uist are predominately Catholic and over 70 percent of the people speak Gaelic.
The book traces Flora’ adventures from her birthplace to Skye and builds a story around her teenage sweetheart, Neil, who breaks her heart when he leaves for Paris to study for the priesthood. His plans change and bring him back to Florrie, now working at Dunvegan Castle, but he hesitates at marriage, wanting to wait till the rightful Prince Charlie assumes the throne. Flora is patient with him, but yearns for a simple life of being his wife and raising a family. No luck: Neil leaves her once more, becoming politically involved with the Jacobite cause, but still promising Florrie a wonderful life together.
After the Highlanders lose the final battle at Culloden, Prince Charlie flees (choosing to live instead of die with his brave clansmen) and Neil is close by his side. The year is 1746, two years after the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers established the first continuous golf club by playing for the silver club on the links of Leith. Imagine that: Highlanders, clad in their kilts and tams, charging against the mighty forces of the English army while the aristocracy played golf in Edinburgh and St. Andrews. Sorry, as a golf historian, I had to throw that in.
Later, as the Prince and his followers are being chased across Scotland by the “redcoats,” brave Flora takes a chance by helping the prince escape. Her reward? Being left behind by Neil, for whom she still pines, and being captured by the English. But fate is kind to her and, in the end, she finds love. As the Beatles sang, “All you need is love,” which is all Flora wanted.
The author, Janet Macleod Trotter, having grown up in northern England, stays true to MacLeod roots (another descendant clan of Islay’s lords of the isles) and writes books such as these to keep alive the history and traditions of the clans. My only regret: I wished I had read this book years ago – before I visited Skye. If you love Scottish history, you won’t be disappointed.
Robert Kroeger, author of The Secrets of Islay
August 12, 2022
3.5-4. Read Kindle version which is titled “The Flower of Scotland - A Novel Based in Heroine Flora MacDonald” but this edition/version does not appear to be available in Goodreads for some reason.
From bits I read later on Wikipedia, there is some true story to the main events of mid 1700s. However much of the rest appears to be quite fictionalized for story form. The descriptions of Scotland Highland life, culture and interactions in Skye and the Hebrides Islands was intriguing. The connection with these islands to the well known royal history of Scotland at this time (Bonnie Prince Charlie) was not something I was aware of, and was interesting to learn in this format.
Some parts of story felt unnecessary, others could have been developed/connected better. There were some parts that felt slow to get going in the story, but then towards the end it felt rushed.
Overall was an enjoyable read, especially as started just after visiting Skye myself. So was easy to picture the place in the story. I did like the last chapter - it was a rather sweet romantic ending. Would have been nice to include a quick summary of what happened next in her life as an epilogue or note at end of book (again see Wikipedia)
From bits I read later on Wikipedia, there is some true story to the main events of mid 1700s. However much of the rest appears to be quite fictionalized for story form. The descriptions of Scotland Highland life, culture and interactions in Skye and the Hebrides Islands was intriguing. The connection with these islands to the well known royal history of Scotland at this time (Bonnie Prince Charlie) was not something I was aware of, and was interesting to learn in this format.
Some parts of story felt unnecessary, others could have been developed/connected better. There were some parts that felt slow to get going in the story, but then towards the end it felt rushed.
Overall was an enjoyable read, especially as started just after visiting Skye myself. So was easy to picture the place in the story. I did like the last chapter - it was a rather sweet romantic ending. Would have been nice to include a quick summary of what happened next in her life as an epilogue or note at end of book (again see Wikipedia)
June 23, 2023
Gusto and bravery
Excellent story! The main character, flora, when young will never refuse a challenge and becomes infamous as an adult while waiting faithfully for her childhood crush to return. Although he puts her second at best in his priorities. All good things come to those who wait...flora and the reader will be rewarded at the end of the story...enjoy!
Excellent story! The main character, flora, when young will never refuse a challenge and becomes infamous as an adult while waiting faithfully for her childhood crush to return. Although he puts her second at best in his priorities. All good things come to those who wait...flora and the reader will be rewarded at the end of the story...enjoy!
July 2, 2018
Wishing for a sequel
I didn't want this book to end. It was a beautiful fictional interpretation of a great historical figure. But it ended while she was still young. Would loved to have read more of her adventures.
I didn't want this book to end. It was a beautiful fictional interpretation of a great historical figure. But it ended while she was still young. Would loved to have read more of her adventures.
February 7, 2023
I really enjoyed this tale spun from the deeds of a real historical character, so much so I went on to read all books in the series, I later looked up Flora Mc Donald, and found her on Wikipedia, together with reproductions of paintings done of her during her lifetime. I was disappointed to see she was not the beauty described in the novel, bringing home the fact that the novel is a work of imaginative fiction using poetic license, making facts, no matter how extraordinary, more beautiful.
June 28, 2019
I loved everything about this book except for the rather rushed ending. The tragedy of the Jacobite Rebellion of the 1740's in Scotland is told mostly surrounding the life of Flora Milton. This woman assists Prince Charles in his escape from Scotland as Lord Cumberland commits horrendous acts against the people of the isles. It is very insightfully written and thoroughly researched from a historical aspect. I greatly appreciated this as reader of historical fiction/nonfiction. The detail is exquisite. I would highly recommend this book to others. It is fascinating. I've read several other of Trotter's books and would put this as one of my most favorites thus far. I enjoy her writing style very much. Her detail of family life allows you to become attached to the characters and making you want to know what happens to them as time passes. I found myself not wanting to put this book down.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews