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| AI depiction of the story. |
Charles Stuart of Ardsheal married Isobel Haldane, daughter of John Haldane, in 1732. The ceremony was performed by Rev. Archibald Napier, minister of the parish of Kilmadock.
But the story surrounding this marriage gets rather interesting…
According to a Highland tradition recorded in 1876, a ring was found inside a salmon, engraved with the crests of the Stewarts and Haldanes. And then came the cheers:
Rob Roy and a party of MacGregors raised three hearty cheers for Ardsheal and his new bride.
Rob Roy, you ask?
The Rob Roy?
The very same Rob Roy who, according to the tradition, had previously lost a duel to Ardsheal.
And now he was apparently celebrating Ardsheal's wedding?
That's quite a story.
Now, to be clear about the evidence: this is not a contemporary 1732 account. It is a tradition published in the Bridge of Allan Reporter in 1876—more than 140 years after the marriage. That makes it valuable evidence for the survival of the story in Highland tradition, but it does not, by itself, prove that every detail of the story occurred as remembered.
And that's exactly why I think it is worth reading.
“Traditions of Balquhidder,” Bridge of Allan Reporter, p. 4, Saturday, 23 September 1876.
A fascinating glimpse into the folklore and historical memories that were still being recorded in the Highlands in the nineteenth century.
And if you read closely…
you might even find a few Campbells waiting for you in the story. 😉
This wording gives the source its proper weight: not proof of the 1732 event, but genuine evidence that the tradition existed by 1876.
Traditions of Balquhidder
On a beautiful summer day the linnet and the lark were setting forth their melodious notes in the Glens of Ardsheal, when the news arrived that Haldane had altered his mind, and was now ready to give his daughter in marriage to Ardsheal. Stewart paid another visit to Lanrick, when it was settled that the marriage was to take place in June of the following year. On his way home he again passed Strathyre, where he again met his old friend Rob Roy Macgregor. The two chieftains shook hands. Rob volunteered to convey him to Glenbuckie, the residence of Ardsheal’s nephew, David Stewart, laird of Glenbuckie, who, according to tradition, was descended from a race of bold, determined, and heroic men. Haldane resided there for several weeks, and during his stay paid a visit to all and sundry in Balquhidder, and also to The Macnab of Macnab, and the Earl of Breadalbane.
About the middle of July, Ardsheal, along with his body servant, set out for Appin. On passing through Strathfillan, he was met by a body of Campbells, who ordered him to decamp from the strath immediately, or they would make him do so by force. "Never!" was Ardsheal's reply. "Who are you," said one of the party, "that dare say 'Nae to a Campbell'?" "A Stewart of the Royal race," was the reply; "and if you think I am not, draw your swords and I will prove it!" For never shall it be said that a Stewart retreated from a Campbell. Several of the Campbells at this daring taunt drew their swords, and attacked Ardsheal. In an instant, Ardsheal, without laying hands on his weapon, sprang nimbly aside, tripping one of the Campbells over with his foot. His servant Dougal, imitating his master, threw another of the Campbells on the ground. The rest, seeing two of their companions so easily overcome, retreated, when Ardsheal lifted his opponent from the ground, and whispered in his ear, "What would Breadalbane have said had he heard that the tutor of Appin had been assailed by his clansmen in that part of the country where 'the lions of Dochart stood firm by his side'?" Those who had fled, seeing their two companions treated as friends, sheathed their weapons and returned, and acknowledged Ardsheal to be as brave as he who fought against the lions of Dochart and the MacDongalls of Lorne, on the bloody field of Dalree, where Bruce lost his brooch and plaid, and cut down the three M'Keochs with his battle axe. On the same evening Stewart landed safe at Tyndrum, where he was met by a few kinsmen, and remained with them there during the night. In the morning he again took the road across what is now known as the "Black Mount," and arrived home, in the course of a day or so, without further adventure. He received a Highland welcome.
During the long winter nights Ardsheal amused his friends by relating his adventures during his courting excursions, and sang some of the old ballads which he had heard his true love sing whilst he was winning her affection on the banks of the silvery Teith. On the 1st of June, Ardsheal and his friends and kinsmen again started for Lanrick, accompanied by his own piper, whose musical abilities no doubt made the glens and passes echo with his fine old tunes. The party was recognised by some of the Highland chieftains as they passed along the braes of Balquhidder. Most conspicuous among them was the Chief of Glengole, one of Ardsheal’s own kinsmen. On the evening of the fifth day, Stewart and his party arrived at Lanrick, where preparations were already going on for the celebration of the marriage during the following week.
For a few days previous to the marriage, Ardsheal and his intended father-in-law passed off the time in fishing and hunting, while the ladies were engaged making preparations for the happy event. On the morning of the marriage, Stewart, according to tradition, got up early, and was taking a walk along the banks of the Teith listening to the sweet notes of the mavis and lark, when his eye caught sight of a large salmon sporting in the sunshine in a deep pool and sometimes coming to the surface of the water. After standing for sometime gazing at the monarch of the deep, an angler passed well supplied with a good rod and line, who knowing who the Highland chieftain was, offered him the rod. In the course of a few minutes Stewart was busily engaged lashing the stream, when a salmon rose to the surface and went bounding off with the hook. The place where Ardsheal stood was surrounded by bushes, and the fish being of heavy weight, went down the stream with a rush. The angler, not to be done, dashed into the water, which was about four feet deep, and had to run about 30 or 40 yards into the pool. He then got up the bank and followed the fish down the water; at last he landed it safe on terra firma, but to the great surprise of both anglers the fish was hooked in the back fin. By this time several parties who were invited to the marriage began to arrive, and a cry arose that the bridegroom had decamped, but all were taken by surprise when he reached the Mansion House, all wet, and with him a stranger carrying a large salmon weighing about forty pounds. He was saluted at the entrance door by his mother-in-law, who a few minutes previous was nearly distracted at the report of his having fled. After the bridegroom got his breakfast, he gave orders to his intended mother-in-law, to prepare the fish for his marriage feast. On cutting it up, a ring, according to tradition, was discovered in its inside. On examination this ring was found to have engraved upon it, the united crests of the Stewarts and the Haldanes. This was considered a lucky omen.
At eleven o'clock all the guests who were invited to the marriage had arrived, namely, George Drummond of Blairdrummond; Muschat of Coillechat, the Lairds of Craigton, Annet, Glen Buckie, Glen Ochil, Ardvoirlich, Argaly, and Appin, all less or more related to the bridegroom. Besides the above there were Edmondston of Newton, and his kinsman Edmonston of Cambus-Wallace, and the Haldanes of Kippenross, and Aithrey, who were more or less related to the bride. "The marriage of Charles Stewart of Ardsheal, and Isabel Haldane, daughter to John Haldane of Lanrick." The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. Archibald Napier, who was minister in the parish of Kilmadock, from 1711 to 1755. After the ceremony, the whole of the gentry who were at the marriage, turned out to the green lawn in front of the Mansion House, where they were joined by the vassals on the Lanrick estate. The dance was kept up for several hours to the sweet strains of the bagpipe. None took so conspicuous a part in the dance as Edmonston of Newton, and his relative Edmonston of Cambus-Wallace. The bride and bridegroom started on their journey about 4 o'clock. On passing Callander and Kilmahog, they received a hearty Highland cheer. As they drew near to Strathyre village, flags were seen in the distance, and the bold Rob Roy and a party of the Macgregors, who gave three hearty cheers for Ardsheal and his young wife. A band of pipers then struck up "She's o'er the hills that I loo we'll." They were next met by Stewart of Hyndfield, and Gartnafurd, and by them were conducted to Glenbuckie, the residence of Ardsheal's uncle. On leaving the carriage at the foot of the glen, the young guide then went arm in arm with Rob Roy.
After arriving at the Mansion House, a feu-de-joie was fired over the heads of the guests, the rest of the evening was spent in dancing and such like revelry. Next morning the happy couple set out again on their journey and landed safe at home in the evening, where they received a true Highland welcome.
(To be continued.)
About the middle of July, Ardsheal, along with his body servant, set out for Appin. On passing through Strathfillan, he was met by a body of Campbells, who ordered him to decamp from the strath immediately, or they would make him do so by force. "Never!" was Ardsheal's reply. "Who are you," said one of the party, "that dare say 'Nae to a Campbell'?" "A Stewart of the Royal race," was the reply; "and if you think I am not, draw your swords and I will prove it!" For never shall it be said that a Stewart retreated from a Campbell. Several of the Campbells at this daring taunt drew their swords, and attacked Ardsheal. In an instant, Ardsheal, without laying hands on his weapon, sprang nimbly aside, tripping one of the Campbells over with his foot. His servant Dougal, imitating his master, threw another of the Campbells on the ground. The rest, seeing two of their companions so easily overcome, retreated, when Ardsheal lifted his opponent from the ground, and whispered in his ear, "What would Breadalbane have said had he heard that the tutor of Appin had been assailed by his clansmen in that part of the country where 'the lions of Dochart stood firm by his side'?" Those who had fled, seeing their two companions treated as friends, sheathed their weapons and returned, and acknowledged Ardsheal to be as brave as he who fought against the lions of Dochart and the MacDongalls of Lorne, on the bloody field of Dalree, where Bruce lost his brooch and plaid, and cut down the three M'Keochs with his battle axe. On the same evening Stewart landed safe at Tyndrum, where he was met by a few kinsmen, and remained with them there during the night. In the morning he again took the road across what is now known as the "Black Mount," and arrived home, in the course of a day or so, without further adventure. He received a Highland welcome.
During the long winter nights Ardsheal amused his friends by relating his adventures during his courting excursions, and sang some of the old ballads which he had heard his true love sing whilst he was winning her affection on the banks of the silvery Teith. On the 1st of June, Ardsheal and his friends and kinsmen again started for Lanrick, accompanied by his own piper, whose musical abilities no doubt made the glens and passes echo with his fine old tunes. The party was recognised by some of the Highland chieftains as they passed along the braes of Balquhidder. Most conspicuous among them was the Chief of Glengole, one of Ardsheal’s own kinsmen. On the evening of the fifth day, Stewart and his party arrived at Lanrick, where preparations were already going on for the celebration of the marriage during the following week.
For a few days previous to the marriage, Ardsheal and his intended father-in-law passed off the time in fishing and hunting, while the ladies were engaged making preparations for the happy event. On the morning of the marriage, Stewart, according to tradition, got up early, and was taking a walk along the banks of the Teith listening to the sweet notes of the mavis and lark, when his eye caught sight of a large salmon sporting in the sunshine in a deep pool and sometimes coming to the surface of the water. After standing for sometime gazing at the monarch of the deep, an angler passed well supplied with a good rod and line, who knowing who the Highland chieftain was, offered him the rod. In the course of a few minutes Stewart was busily engaged lashing the stream, when a salmon rose to the surface and went bounding off with the hook. The place where Ardsheal stood was surrounded by bushes, and the fish being of heavy weight, went down the stream with a rush. The angler, not to be done, dashed into the water, which was about four feet deep, and had to run about 30 or 40 yards into the pool. He then got up the bank and followed the fish down the water; at last he landed it safe on terra firma, but to the great surprise of both anglers the fish was hooked in the back fin. By this time several parties who were invited to the marriage began to arrive, and a cry arose that the bridegroom had decamped, but all were taken by surprise when he reached the Mansion House, all wet, and with him a stranger carrying a large salmon weighing about forty pounds. He was saluted at the entrance door by his mother-in-law, who a few minutes previous was nearly distracted at the report of his having fled. After the bridegroom got his breakfast, he gave orders to his intended mother-in-law, to prepare the fish for his marriage feast. On cutting it up, a ring, according to tradition, was discovered in its inside. On examination this ring was found to have engraved upon it, the united crests of the Stewarts and the Haldanes. This was considered a lucky omen.
At eleven o'clock all the guests who were invited to the marriage had arrived, namely, George Drummond of Blairdrummond; Muschat of Coillechat, the Lairds of Craigton, Annet, Glen Buckie, Glen Ochil, Ardvoirlich, Argaly, and Appin, all less or more related to the bridegroom. Besides the above there were Edmondston of Newton, and his kinsman Edmonston of Cambus-Wallace, and the Haldanes of Kippenross, and Aithrey, who were more or less related to the bride. "The marriage of Charles Stewart of Ardsheal, and Isabel Haldane, daughter to John Haldane of Lanrick." The marriage ceremony was performed by the Rev. Archibald Napier, who was minister in the parish of Kilmadock, from 1711 to 1755. After the ceremony, the whole of the gentry who were at the marriage, turned out to the green lawn in front of the Mansion House, where they were joined by the vassals on the Lanrick estate. The dance was kept up for several hours to the sweet strains of the bagpipe. None took so conspicuous a part in the dance as Edmonston of Newton, and his relative Edmonston of Cambus-Wallace. The bride and bridegroom started on their journey about 4 o'clock. On passing Callander and Kilmahog, they received a hearty Highland cheer. As they drew near to Strathyre village, flags were seen in the distance, and the bold Rob Roy and a party of the Macgregors, who gave three hearty cheers for Ardsheal and his young wife. A band of pipers then struck up "She's o'er the hills that I loo we'll." They were next met by Stewart of Hyndfield, and Gartnafurd, and by them were conducted to Glenbuckie, the residence of Ardsheal's uncle. On leaving the carriage at the foot of the glen, the young guide then went arm in arm with Rob Roy.
After arriving at the Mansion House, a feu-de-joie was fired over the heads of the guests, the rest of the evening was spent in dancing and such like revelry. Next morning the happy couple set out again on their journey and landed safe at home in the evening, where they received a true Highland welcome.
(To be continued.)
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