Description

Shortlisted for The Winston Graham Historical Fiction Prize and The Highland Book Prize
A battle lost. A daring escape. A long walk into obscurity. The ultimate failure…

In the aftermath of the disastrous Battle of Culloden, a lonely figure takes flight with a small band of companions through the islands and mountains of the Hebrides. His name is Charles Edward Stuart: better known today as Bonnie Prince Charlie. He had come to the country to take the throne. Now he is leaving in exile and abject defeat.

In prose that is by turns poetic, comic, macabre, haunting and humane, multi- award-winning author Alan Warner traces the frantic last journey through Scotland of a man who history will come to define for his failure.

‘Written in carefully crafted prose . . . this reimagining of Charles Edward Stuart’s escape from Culloden is a triumph’ – Stuart Kelly, The Scotsman

Publisher Review

'Polygon Books' Darkland Tales series of novellas have been among Scottish literature's most exciting books of recent times' * Snack Magazine,10 Best Scottish Books for 2023 * 'There's something about the author's style and use of language that draws you into the moment in a very visual way' -- Ken Lussey * Undiscovered Scotland * 'a thrilling historical novel' * Scots Magazine *