James Lumsden of Haddington's Take on Battle of Prestonpans 1745

James Lumsden was well known across East Lothian at the end of the 19th century and amongst his poetry was the piece below ...

The Commentary on the final pages suggests he was not a man too troubled by facts with both the suggestion there were 6000 Highlanders and that the battle took place the day before it actually did. He attributes the Rebellion to Clan Ranald whereas history shows that the Camerons of Lochiel were the true catalyst that brought the Clans to Glenfinnan.

We are fortunate however in having this intriguing additional light on our battle; and there's more to come shortly with his poetry on both Dunbar and the Tranent Massacre. He was sadly perhaps silent on Pinkie.

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