Following the battle of Culloden in 1746, Bonnie Prince Charlie had a high price on his head. Flora Macdonald helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape to the Isle of Skye by disguising him as her maid, Betty Burke. The journey to Skye was short but dangerous; however, both survived and the Prince escaped to France, never to return. Flora was later arrested when it was discovered that she helped the Prince escape. However, she was later released from the Tower because of her ingenuity, courage and popular appeal. One tale is that Flora loved Bonnie Prince Charlie, and that she performed the dance high on a hill as he sailed for France. Another story says that the dance was created by her and she danced for the Prince around the rebel campfire. |