Mutiny: Highland Regiments in Revolt, 1743-1804

by John Prebble

An account of the mutinies in Highland regiments, beginning with the noble revolt of the Black Watch at Finchley in 1743 and ending with the mutiny of the starving Fencibles on Glasgow Green in 1804. This book completes Prebble's account of the Highland clans, which he began in Culloden.

Genres: History, Scotland

544 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1975

About the author

John Edward Curtis Prebble, FRSL, OBE was an English/Canadian journalist, novelist, documentarian and historian. He is best known for his studies of Scottish history.

He was born in Edmonton, Middlesex, England, but he grew up in Saskatchewan, Canada, where his father had a brother. His parents emigrated there after World War I. Returning to England with his family, he attended the Latymer School. He joined the Communist Party of Great Britain but abandoned it after World War II.

Reviews

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I admit I skipped over a lot because it's a bit dry, but it is an interesting piece of history. It is white people history and helps to understand the mind of the oppressor. Before white people invented race in order to be racist, we were racist against other white people. We've had a lot of time to learn of a better way of life for everyone. Nevertheless, even though we have squandered these centuries where we could have been building better systems than what we have, hierarchy was never inevitable and is not mandatory. A better world is possible...

[Angela MacRae Shanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this for research, but it reads more like a novel and was surprisingly gripping and compelling. The Highland regiments were betrayed at every turn, the fate of those who mutinied heartbreakingly poignant. Recommended reading for those wondering why so many Highlanders, having risen in arms for their bonny prince, only a few years later pledged their allegiance to the Hanoverian crown. Prebble eloquently describes the situation presented to these clansmen turned tenants.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Prebble provides an excellent and detailed review of the Highland regimental mutinies from the 42nd's through those of the 1790s and including those of the 77th, 78th, and 81st during the 1780s. The book is excellent, but the lack of footnotes is a stumbling block to using it as a bridge for further research.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well researched, but a rather dry read. It was written in 1975, and is one of those alternative histories that common in the 1970's.