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The River Moriston beside the Roderick Mackenzie cairn, bare trees mirrored in the still water under a blue sky.
Inverness

Roderick Mackenzie's Cairn

A roadside cairn in Glenmoriston where Roderick Mackenzie, a Jacobite officer who looked like Bonnie Prince Charlie, was killed in 1746 and so helped the Prince escape.

Welcome

Beside the road through Glenmoriston, a small cairn marks one of the stories of the Forty-Five.

Three months after Culloden, in July 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie was on the run in these hills with a price of thirty thousand pounds on his head, and redcoat soldiers were combing the glens for him.

Roderick Mackenzie, the son of an Edinburgh goldsmith, had been an officer in the Prince's army, and he looked uncannily like him. When soldiers came on him here, they took him for the Prince. He did not tell them otherwise: he drew his sword, refused to be taken, and was shot, crying out that they had murdered their Prince. His head was carried to Fort Augustus and later to London to be identified, and while it was, the hunt eased, which probably saved Charles.

A board beside the cairn tells the story. Mackenzie is buried nearby, and members of his clan still gather at the grave each year.

A short drive awayLoch CluanieA long hydro reservoir beside the A87 on the road to Skye, under the Munros of Glen Shiel, with the Cluanie Inn at its head.8 min by roadSee itThe A87 running beside Loch Cluanie under snow-covered mountains, a car on the road.
Before you go

A cairn and grave beside the A887, there at any time.

Where
Beside the A887 in Glenmoriston, IV63 7YN.
When
July 1746.
Who
Roderick Mackenzie, Jacobite officer.
Where it is

Beside the A887 in Glenmoriston, west of Invermoriston, IV63 7YN.

Close byGlenmoriston.
  1. Glen Rowan CafeGlen Rowan Cafe13 miles17 min by road
  2. Walkers cross rocky coastal grassland towards a distant headland under grey skiesSt Columba's Well, InvermoristonA holy well at Invermoriston on Loch Ness, said to have been blessed by St Columba on his way to visit the Pictish king Brude.13 miles17 min by road
  3. Invermoriston FallsInvermoriston FallsFalls where the glen meets Loch Ness.13 miles17 min by road
  4. The tall roofless stone walls of Invergarry Castle among trees under a bright sky.Invergarry CastleThe ruined tower house of the MacDonells of Glengarry above Loch Oich, twice visited by Bonnie Prince Charlie and burned after Culloden.16 miles22 min by road
  5. Fort AugustusFort AugustusWhere his head was taken.20 miles26 min by road
Directions
The A87 running beside Loch Cluanie under snow-covered mountains, a car on the road.AttractionsLoch Cluanie6.7 miles
AttractionsWell of the Seven Heads17 miles
Water cascades through canal lock gates towards a white cottage beyondAttractionsCaledonian Canal18 miles
The Lovat at dusk: white front, slate roof and dormers, lit lamps and the glowing bay window, a planter on the drive.Fort AugustusThe Lovat HotelPlace to stay · 20 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cairn, and when each is next free.

Glen Affric Estate, Inverness-shireGlen Affric Estate
  • Sleeps 14
  • In Inverness
  • 8 miles from the cairn
Check datesThe Lovat at dusk: white front, slate roof and dormers, lit lamps and the glowing bay window, a planter on the drive.The Lovat Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Fort Augustus
  • 9 miles from the cairn
Check datesLog cabin porch with lantern-lit door, snow falling on the wooden walkwayEagle Brae
  • To stay
  • In Struy
  • 19 miles from the cairn
Check datesFrom above, Aquila's turf-roofed log cabin and wrap-around deck on the edge of the ridge, the glen stretching away in autumn colour.Aquila at Eagle Brae
  • Sleeps 6
  • In Struy
  • 19 miles from the cairn
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in InvernessAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
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