A Daughter of Raasay: A Tale of the '45

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

26692

Title

A Daughter of Raasay: A Tale of the '45

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Set against the backdrop of the 1745 Jacobite Rising, this historical romance follows Kenneth Montagu, a reckless gambler drawn into the cause of the Young Chevalier. Blending high-society wit with the brutal realities of war, the novel explores themes of loyalty, redemption, and the enduring power of love amidst the chaos of rebellion and defeat.

Summary up to 500 words

William MacLeod Raine's *A Daughter of Raasay* serves as both a historical chronicle of the Jacobite Rising of 1745 and a poignant character study exploring loyalty, forgiveness, and the cost of idealism. The narrative opens in the decadent coffee houses of London, introducing Kenneth Montagu, a wealthy but reckless aristocrat addicted to gambling. His life is irrevocably altered upon meeting Aileen Macleod, a spirited Highland girl whose loyalty to the exiled Prince Charles Edward Stuart draws him into the political intrigue of the era. As the Jacobite army marches south, Montagu abandons his reckless lifestyle to join the ranks, witnessing the clash between the romantic idealism of the clansmen and the pragmatic fears of the Lowland gentry. The novel captures the feverish excitement of the campaign and the strategic brilliance of the Highlanders, even as their support proves tragically limited. The story reaches its climax at the Battle of Culloden, where the Jacobite cause is crushed, shifting the tone to a darker reflection on the personal costs of rebellion. A key subplot involves the fatal duel between Montagu's friend, Sir Robert Volney, and the jealous Sir James Craven. Volney, mortally wounded, uses his final moments to secure a pardon for Montagu and marry him to Aileen before dying. The novel concludes with Montagu accepting his pardon, renouncing the Stuarts, and finding peace with Aileen. Through this arc, Raine reflects on the wild, dangerous days of the past, portraying the rebellion not just as a political failure, but as a tragic sacrifice of misguided gentlemen who flung away their safety for a cause they believed in. The work stands as a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the complex nature of historical loyalty.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/26692.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg26692.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-04 08:21 UTC

Categories

• Historical Fiction
• Jacobite Rebellion