Red and white book of Menzies

376 THE "RED & WHITE" BOOK OF MENZIES. [a.d. 1745.
repelled by the loud, uncouth, and dissonant shouts of half-a-dozen Highland
swains, all running as if they had been mad, and every one hallooing a half-
starved dog to the rescue of the forage." — See Waverley.
There is now scarcely a vestige left of this old castle, but part of the avenue
of grand old trees still stand and mark the place where stood the stronghold of
one of the most devoted of Prince Charlie's followers, created by him Lord Menzies.
Chieftain Ian Menzies of Shian lost no time in sending round the "fiery cross"
through Glenquiech and other parts of the Menzies country, and raised from his
branch of Clan Menzies every available clansman. Chieftain James Menzies of
Bolfracks also called out his sept of the clan. Chieftain James Menzies of Culdares
and Glenlyon, although he did not head his branch of the clan, gave them orders
to join the " Red and White " standard, under Chieftain Menzies of Shian.
Culdares, out of gratitude for having the sentence of death commuted which
was passed upon him in 17 16, being pardoned, and by a sense of honour towards
the Government for their clemency, remained at home ; but retaining a predilection
for the old cause, he sent a handsome charger to Prince Charles when about to
advance through England. The servant who led and delivered the horse was
taken prisoner and carried to Carlisle, where he was tried and condemned to
death. To extort a discovery of the person who sent the horse, threats of
immediate execution in case of refusal, and offers of a pardon on his giving
information, were held out ineffectually to the faithful messenger. He knew, he
said, what the consequence of a disclosure would be to his master, and his own
life was nothing in comparison. When brought out for execution, he was again
pressed to inform on his master. He asked if they were serious in supposing him
such a villain ; if he did what they desired and forgot his trust, he could not
return to his native glen, for Glenlyon would be no home or country for him, as
he would be despised and hunted out of the glen. Accordingly he kept steady
to his trust, and was executed.
Following the Menzies' of Shian and Glenquiech, Bolfracks and Culdares,
the clansmen of the chiefs' lands of Menzies, Weem, Dull, Rannoch, and others,
rose in arms and joined the regimental standard of Ian Menzies of Shian, who
soon found himself at the head of 700 Menzies', and were afterwards formed into
"Shian's Regiment." The Menzies' of Aberdeenshire also came out for the royal
cause, of whom was Chieftain Gilbert Menzies of Pitfodels, who held an officer's
commission in the French army, John Menzies of Pitfodels, David Menzies of
Pitfodels, William Menzies of Pitfodels, James Menzies of Pitfodels, and Gilbert
Menzies, junior, of Pitfodels, all of whom were officers in the French army, in
which they had served with distinction since the rising of 1715, where they had
been on the right wing of Mar's army at the battle of Sheriffmuir. On the
breaking up of that campaign they had escaped to France and joined the French