Lot 248
ROBERTSON OF STRUAN - A JACOBITE LEATHER POUCH
MID 18TH CENTURY
Scottish Works of Art & Whisky
Auction: Lots 1 - 412 | 20 August 2024 at 10am
Description
the drawstring pouch with two simple shoulder straps
Footnote
Alexander Robertson of Struan was a committed Jacobite. Born in 1668, he joined the Jacobite army, but was captured following its withdrawal from Dunkeld. He succeeded in escaping to France, and was subsequently attainted until 1703, when he could return to Scotland. In 1715 he again supported the Jacobite cause, raising, it is said, 500 of his clan, but was taken once more, this time at the Battle of Sheriffmuir. With the assistance of his sister, he escaped yet again, and once more fled to France. Although attainted by Act of Parliament for a second time, he could return home in 1732. In 1745, Struan was 77 years of age, yet nevertheless led 150 of his tenants to join the Prince, and, being too old himself to take up arms, returned to his home in General Cope's carriage, which had been captured at Prestonpans, reputedly with the general's furred nightgown and gold chain as trophies. Murray of Broughton wrote of him: "he is an old Batcheler, (sic) lived long abroad, and is reckoned a man of letters". He was permitted to remain at Struan, and died at Carie on the Struan estate in 1749, 2000 men following his coffin 14 miles from Rannoch to Struan Kirk.
In 1725 he was reportedly created a Knight and Baronet by King James VIII. He wrote in English as well as Gaelic, and a book of his poetry was published in 1789.
For the personal seal of Robertson of Struan see lot 17, A Private Collection of Seals: Highlights from The Matrix Collection | 749, 19 May 2023, Lyon & Turnbull