MacDonald, Flora

MacDonald, Flora (1722-90), heroine, b. Isle of South Uist, Inverness-shire, Scotland.

Flora MacDonald became famous for helping Bonnie Prince Charlie (Charles Edward Stuart) to escape after the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

For five months the Prince hid in the Highlands. A reward of £30,000 was being offered for his capture and he wanted to get to the Isle of Skye. From there he hoped a boat would take him to France.

Flora MacDonald's mother lived on the Isle and Flora agreed to go there with the Prince. He disguised himself as her maid-servant and used the name of Betty Burke.

They crossed to Skye in an open boat in a rain storm and then Flora went back. She was arrested and taken to London. For a time she was held in prison but later the people of London, like those in Scotland, treated her as a heroine.

See Alexander MacGregor The Life of Flora MacDonald and Her Adventures with Prince Charles