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 | FERGIE MACDONALD |
| The one that got away! John Macdonald (Clanranald) was a swordsman in Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite Army at Culloden. Having survived the battle, he returned to Moidart. In the period that followed, Moidart was alive with Cumberland's Redcoats, seeking out soldiers who served in the Jacobite army, and of course Prince Charlie himself. This period of mayhem changed Moidart's culture forever. Killings, deportation, rape and violence continued for a long time. Yet, the destruction of a culture had a more devastating effect. The clamping down on Gaelic, Tartan, Music and of course the clearances changed Moidart forever. However, John Macdonald escaped the pursuing Redcoats, and therefore the John Macdonald (clanranald) family line goes down to the present day. Fergie's son John continues to maintain this link to one of history's most dynamic and controversial periods in the history of the Highlands. This however is Fergie's own background! His own life sounds more like fiction than reality. How about this:- 1)Soldier (Physical Training Instructor) in the British Army. 2)Crackshot. 14 Scotland International caps for shooting. 3)Qualified Physiotherapist. 4)Deer Stalker. 5)Highland Games Athlete. 6)Hotelier. 7)Local Gaelic Historian. 8)Gaelic Speaker (first language). 9)Addicted Salmon Poacher. Interesting! Although being caught on camera by the gracious and highly respected owner of the Kinlochmoidart River, Mrs Stewart, she refuses to have him convicted. She terms him "a delightful rascle who just wants one for the pot". 10)Gardener. 11)Crofter. 12)Newspaper columnist. 13)Writer. 14)Music Composer. 15)Bitton Accordian - a story in itself! |