This Day in Jacobite History: Lochaber No More - 20 September 1746

On 20 September 1746 - 260 years ago today - Prince Charles Edward Stuart, rightful heir to the thrones of England and Scotland, left the shores of his beloved Scotland at the same place where he had first set foot over a year earlier - Loch nan Uamh.

He boarded a French frigate, which would take him to safety and exile in France following the disastrous defeat of the Jacobite forces at Culloden and the subsequent 5-month-long manhunt for the Bonnie Prince by Hanoverian government authorities.

Thus ended the Bliadhna Thearlaich ("Charlie's Year") - known throughout history as "The '45" - and the last serious Jacobite effort to regain the thrones of England and Scotland. Charles Edward Stuart - the Bonnie Prince of the Mists - would never again set foot in Scotland.

Will Ye No Come Back Again?

Bonnie Chairlie's noo awa',
Safely ower the friendly main;
Mony a heart will break in twa',
Should he ne'er come back again.

Refrain:
Will ye no come back again?
Will ye no come back again?
Better lo'ed ye canna be,
Will ye no come back again?

Ye trusted in your Hielan' men,
They trusted you dear Chairlie.
They kent your hidin' in the glen,
Death or exile bravin'.

Refrain

We watched thee in the gloamin' hour,
We watched thee in the mornin' grey.
Tho' thirty thousand pounds they gie,
O there is nane that wad betray.

Refrain

Sweet the laverock' s note and lang,
Liltin' wildly up the glen.
But aye tae me he sings ae sang,
Will ye no' come back again?

Refrain:
Will ye no come back again?
Will ye no come back again?
Better lo'ed ye canna be,
Will ye no come back again?

Previous Pro Ecclesia posts on this subject:
This Day in Jacobite History: Mary Queen of Scots Deposed - 24 July 1567

This Day in Jacobite History: The Battle of Killiecrankie - 27 July 1689

This Day in Jacobite History: Death of Queen Anne; George, Elector of Hanover, Becomes King - 1 August 1714

This Day in Jacobite History: Proscription Act Introduced, Banning Tartan and Carrying of Weapons - 1 August 1747

This Day in Jacobite History: Latin Mass Outlawed in Scotland - 11 August 1560

This Day in Jacobite History: Raising of the Jacobite Standard at Glenfinnan - 19 August 1745

This Day in Jacobite History: Marriage Ceremony of James Francis Edward Stuart and Princess Maria Clementina Sobieska - 1 September 1719

This Day in Jacobite History: Death of King James II and VII - 16 September 1701

This Day in Jacobite History: Charles Edward Stuart Arrives in Edinburgh, Proclaims His Father Rightful King - 17 September 1745