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The Jacobite Trilogy #1-3
The Jacobite Trilogy: Flight of the Heron / Gleam in the North / Dark Mile
This trilogy comprises The Flight of the Heron, The Gleam in the North and The Dark Mile. Part love story, part adventure story, the trilogy is also a picture of a close-knit community embroiled in a civil war.
The Flight of the Heron was first published by William Heinemann in 1925.
The Gleam in the North was first published by William Heinemann in 1927.
The Dark Mile was first published by William Heinemann in 1929.
The Flight of the Heron was first published by William Heinemann in 1925.
The Gleam in the North was first published by William Heinemann in 1927.
The Dark Mile was first published by William Heinemann in 1929.
955 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
22 people are currently reading
228 people want to read
About the author
D.K. Broster
65 books15 followersDorothy Kathleen Broster (1877 - 1950) produced 15 popular historical novels between 1911 and 1947.
The Yellow Poppy (1920) about the adventures of an aristocratic couple during the French Revolution, was later adapted by Broster and W. Edward Stirling for the London stage in 1922. She produced her bestseller Scottish historical novel, The Flight of the Heron, in 1925. Broster stated she had consulted eighty reference books before beginning the novel. She followed it up with two successful sequels, The Gleam in the North and The Dark Mile. She wrote several other historical novels, successful and much reprinted in their day, although this Jacobite trilogy (inspired by a five-week visit to friends in Scotland), featuring the dashing hero Ewen Cameron, remains the best known.
The Flight of the Heron was adapted for BBC Radio twice, in 1944, starring Gordon Jackson as Ewen Cameron, and again in 1959, starring Bryden Murdoch as Cameron. Murdoch also starred in radio adaptations of the book's sequels, The Gleam in the North and The Dark Mile.
The Yellow Poppy (1920) about the adventures of an aristocratic couple during the French Revolution, was later adapted by Broster and W. Edward Stirling for the London stage in 1922. She produced her bestseller Scottish historical novel, The Flight of the Heron, in 1925. Broster stated she had consulted eighty reference books before beginning the novel. She followed it up with two successful sequels, The Gleam in the North and The Dark Mile. She wrote several other historical novels, successful and much reprinted in their day, although this Jacobite trilogy (inspired by a five-week visit to friends in Scotland), featuring the dashing hero Ewen Cameron, remains the best known.
The Flight of the Heron was adapted for BBC Radio twice, in 1944, starring Gordon Jackson as Ewen Cameron, and again in 1959, starring Bryden Murdoch as Cameron. Murdoch also starred in radio adaptations of the book's sequels, The Gleam in the North and The Dark Mile.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
December 17, 2012
My rating: 3,5 stars.
Opening lines:
The sun had been up for a couple of hours, and now, by six o' clock, there was scarcely a cloud in the sky; even the peaked summit of Ben Tee, away to the north-east, had no more than the faintest veil floating over it. On all the western slopes the transfiguring light, as it crept lower and lower, was busy picking out the patches of July bell-heather and painting them an even deeper carmine, and the mountains round were smiling (where sometimes they frowned) on Loch na h-Iolaire, today a shining jewel which tomorrow might be a mere blot of grey steel. It was going to be a fine day, and in the West of Scotland such are none too plentiful.
Loch Assynt from Creag na h-Iolaire
The first book, "The Flight of the Heron" describes the story of Ewen Cameron, a Highland Jacobite and his relationship with Keith Windham, a British soldier.
The main plot describes the story of the Jacobite Rising of 1745 with a summary description of Battle of Culloden. In my opinion, this is the best part of the book.
The second volume of this trilogy, "The Glenn in the North" tells the story of Ewen's cousin Archibald Cameron, another dangerous Jacobite rebel. The plot describes how the rebels's lives changed after the 45's rising.
'And then,' said the childish voice, 'the clans charged..but I expect you do not know what that means, Keithie; it means that they ran very fast against the English, waving their broadswords, and all with their dirks in their left hands under the targe; and they were so fierce and so brave that they broke through the line of English soldiers which were in front, and if there had not been so many more English, and they well-fed - but we were very hungry and had marched all night.
The final volume, "The Dark Mile" tells the story of another Ewen's cousin, Ian Stewart and his romantic involvement with Olivia Campbell.
In overall, this trilogy is quite interesting but presented sometimes in a quite long narrative way. In spite of this, a memorable book on Scottish history.
Opening lines:
The sun had been up for a couple of hours, and now, by six o' clock, there was scarcely a cloud in the sky; even the peaked summit of Ben Tee, away to the north-east, had no more than the faintest veil floating over it. On all the western slopes the transfiguring light, as it crept lower and lower, was busy picking out the patches of July bell-heather and painting them an even deeper carmine, and the mountains round were smiling (where sometimes they frowned) on Loch na h-Iolaire, today a shining jewel which tomorrow might be a mere blot of grey steel. It was going to be a fine day, and in the West of Scotland such are none too plentiful.
Loch Assynt from Creag na h-Iolaire
The first book, "The Flight of the Heron" describes the story of Ewen Cameron, a Highland Jacobite and his relationship with Keith Windham, a British soldier.
The main plot describes the story of the Jacobite Rising of 1745 with a summary description of Battle of Culloden. In my opinion, this is the best part of the book.
The second volume of this trilogy, "The Glenn in the North" tells the story of Ewen's cousin Archibald Cameron, another dangerous Jacobite rebel. The plot describes how the rebels's lives changed after the 45's rising.
'And then,' said the childish voice, 'the clans charged..but I expect you do not know what that means, Keithie; it means that they ran very fast against the English, waving their broadswords, and all with their dirks in their left hands under the targe; and they were so fierce and so brave that they broke through the line of English soldiers which were in front, and if there had not been so many more English, and they well-fed - but we were very hungry and had marched all night.
The final volume, "The Dark Mile" tells the story of another Ewen's cousin, Ian Stewart and his romantic involvement with Olivia Campbell.
In overall, this trilogy is quite interesting but presented sometimes in a quite long narrative way. In spite of this, a memorable book on Scottish history.
September 27, 2020
Okay, so I'm a truly idealistic romantic with a really soft spot for Jacobite fiction. The fact that this book features members of Clan Cameron (my ancestors) is entirely coincidental
I first read this trilogy as a young teenager caught up in the seeming romance of the Jacobite rebellions of 1715 and 1745 and as a proud, albeit idealistic, descendant of highland Camerons. I have read the trilogy twice since and while I am slightly less idealistic, I still enjoy this historically set fiction which involves many of the heroes of Clan Cameron (The Gentle Lochiel, and Dr Archie) as well as some wonderful fictional characters including the dashing Ewen Cameron.
These novels were first published in the 1920s and this is evident in both language and style. Despite this, they are still worth reading today. Ms Broster created a world where much of the action is implied rather than explicitly described, and she does not linger overlong on the battles. The strength of the novels, for me, is in the impacts on the lives of those caught up in the rebellions. Viewed with the benefit of hindsight, the Battle of Culloden is an historical crossroad and in many ways it serves such a purpose in this novel.
I’d recommend this trilogy (‘The Flight of the Heron’, ‘The Gleam in the North, and ‘The Dark Mile’) to anyone interested in Jacobite fiction set in the 18th century Scotland. The romance of the highlands as depicted may largely be illusory but in fiction all things are possible.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
I first read this trilogy as a young teenager caught up in the seeming romance of the Jacobite rebellions of 1715 and 1745 and as a proud, albeit idealistic, descendant of highland Camerons. I have read the trilogy twice since and while I am slightly less idealistic, I still enjoy this historically set fiction which involves many of the heroes of Clan Cameron (The Gentle Lochiel, and Dr Archie) as well as some wonderful fictional characters including the dashing Ewen Cameron.
These novels were first published in the 1920s and this is evident in both language and style. Despite this, they are still worth reading today. Ms Broster created a world where much of the action is implied rather than explicitly described, and she does not linger overlong on the battles. The strength of the novels, for me, is in the impacts on the lives of those caught up in the rebellions. Viewed with the benefit of hindsight, the Battle of Culloden is an historical crossroad and in many ways it serves such a purpose in this novel.
I’d recommend this trilogy (‘The Flight of the Heron’, ‘The Gleam in the North, and ‘The Dark Mile’) to anyone interested in Jacobite fiction set in the 18th century Scotland. The romance of the highlands as depicted may largely be illusory but in fiction all things are possible.
Jennifer Cameron-Smith
April 8, 2021
This was difficult reading. The style of writing whilst authentic for the era it was set in, was tedious to say the least. Had it not been for the fact that I had the complete trilogy in one book I would have stopped after the first one. That said, I learnt something about the Jacobites and the uprising, which is a part of history which I did not know much about
August 17, 2009
As you all know, I love Scottish history. I've read a lot of books pertaining to the 1745 Jacobite Rising, and this is one of the most accurate novelizations that I've had the pleasure to come across. Broster infuses so much humanity into her characters, both good and evil, that you find yourself crying, laughing, hating, and desperately wanting to charge Culloden Moor with the clans. The story doesn't end with Cumberland's butchery either, but continues to follow each character many years down the road until a full resolution is reached. "The Jacobite Trilogy" actually includes three separate novels: "Flight of the Heron," "Gleam in the North," and "The Dark Mile," all of which are VERY lengthy. Take it from me though...they're worth every minute.
Update 8/17/09: Just finished reading "Flight of the Heron" and am taking a break to re-read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series (gotta refresh my memory before the new one comes out!). Will add additional comments about "The Jacobite Trilogy" when I finish all three books.
Update 8/17/09: Just finished reading "Flight of the Heron" and am taking a break to re-read Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series (gotta refresh my memory before the new one comes out!). Will add additional comments about "The Jacobite Trilogy" when I finish all three books.
April 13, 2013
D.K. Broster does an amazing job taking us back in time to the Jacobite era, blending history, adventure and fiction. The well-developed characters become much loved friends through the development of classic themes such as love, honour and friendships. While the written language of the books may be a bit dated, this does not detract from the story in any way, in fact it serves to carry us back in time and makes the reader begin to appreciate good literature. Any fans of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series are sure to recognize the historical theme and fall in love with these characters and their stories. This series is on my bookshelf at home and has been a favourite re-read for many years.
July 14, 2007
I found this book in the gift shop at Culloden moor while on holiday in Scotland. This book will always remind me of a wonderful, memorable trip.
January 21, 2021
Wonderfully old-fashioned stories that follow Jacobite chieftain Ewen Cameron through the 45 Rising and its tragic ending.
These books were so much a part of my childhood. I was desperately in love with Ewen Cameron, and in a trip back to Scotland a few years ago, I made my partner come with me on multiple expeditions to hike through Cameron country (the Dark Mile) that inspired the novels. Flight of the Heron is perhaps the best of the three in terms of symmetry and structure.
These books were so much a part of my childhood. I was desperately in love with Ewen Cameron, and in a trip back to Scotland a few years ago, I made my partner come with me on multiple expeditions to hike through Cameron country (the Dark Mile) that inspired the novels. Flight of the Heron is perhaps the best of the three in terms of symmetry and structure.
December 11, 2021
A very near masterpiece. This book follows the exploits of Ewan Cameron of Ardroy during and after the Jacobite risings. The third book again features Ewan Cameron but shifts focus to his cousin Ian Stewart.
Easy read, well structured and nicely paced. A book filled with humour and wit, charm, Scottish romance, chivalry of a bygone age and tragic treachery.
A very long but enjoyable read regarding an interesting period of Scotland’s history.
Easy read, well structured and nicely paced. A book filled with humour and wit, charm, Scottish romance, chivalry of a bygone age and tragic treachery.
A very long but enjoyable read regarding an interesting period of Scotland’s history.
June 4, 2012
I preferred parts two and three as The Flight of the Heron was more a summary of the Jacobite Rising of 1745 than an original story. Written in 1920's, the language felt even more dated than this!
May 17, 2014
Such an interesting chunky read about the 1740s. Great characterisation.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews