Montrose - Prince Of Conscience

This is the story of a protestant Scottish Highland noble who sacrificed everything he had in pursuit of religious tolerance and constitutional monarchy by challenging the Covenantor Army with his scratch militia of protestants and catholics, lowlanders and highlanders. These were ideas far ahead of his time, but would eventually become his legacy and Scotland's gift to the world.

[@pauljonze]

Great retelling of a part of Scotland’s history, I’ll be looking up more about this great man

[@michaelwhite8031]

A great video. I am an Englishman with many Scots ancestor's. Montrose is my favourite historical character, God rest his soul .

[@baumann0md]

James Graham is my great-(x11) grandfather. Thank you for making and uploading this great video. I hope to visit St. Giles Cathedral very soon.

[@scottsummers2563]

baumann0md mine as well

[@lilyofthevalley5586]

When I worked on Edinburgh, not far from St Giles, I used to visit him every day after work as I have always been a big fan of his. I also have a few books of his and a framed pic of his in my living room hanging on the wall. 🙂

[@ovfireandblood2569]

he too is one of my grandfathers

[@hiwatt6]

@@scottsummers2563 mine too

[@cosmingurau]

That means you are a grandson of The Fourth Marquis of Montrose as well, right? The one who fought Rob Roy?

[@graham2210]

I am Frederic Hill Graham the third. James graham is my oldest grandfather

[@Nickulster]

Thanks Carolvs. I definitely suspect some former Shane O'Neill Ulster tactics on Montrose' campaign. Antrim's men were no strangers to these and their skirmishes with the English in Ulster often relied on brilliant topographical exploitation. Drawing enemy cavalry into a brilliantly concealed bogland with decoy troops comes to mind.

[@nevgraham5018]

Thank you for tribute to Montrose. .Ne Oublie.

[@Nickulster]

Thanks. Spread the word - we're all too short of great leaders these days!

[@lilyofthevalley5586]

Thank you for this document. I loved it.

[@Nickulster]

Thanks- really glad you liked it.

[@Edwardegraham]

Wield the Claymore, and Sword of Spirit, as if Humanity depends upon Ye!

[@eileeno4105]

Excellent video, I admire him greatly!

[@Nickulster]

@montrosefan Thank you for your kind words. I am very pleased you liked the video and feel free to share it. I am still much inclined towards Buchan's masterpiece on our hero - accurate, brilliantly observed, and emotive - in my humble opinion. I'd like to look at the loss of young Gordon and perhaps, with other key moments, translate that to a wee film also.

[@Nickulster]

My pleasure - glad you liked it and thanks for your comment.

[@jackgraham2864]

That was a great man

[@saukrates420]

I get my first name Graham, by my great grandfather Angus Graham.. who perhaps was a descendant of this great Scotsman. Thanks for the video.

[@makeupcatsobsessiono4900]

glarsen my father got named Graham also as it was my grandmothers maiden name, he is named Graham John

[@CAROLUSPRIMA]

If you can find it on the web, and you should be able to, try and take a look at his military campaigns in David Hume's book, History of England From the Invasion of Julius Caesar to the Revolution of 1688. You can read a lot of great copyright-expired books on there. In my view this fellow was a tactical genius, perhaps in a class with Napoleon although given the differing contexts of their respective battles and eras any comparisons are fraught with folly.

[@captaintyrrell6428]

Your description is a bit misleading. The core of Montrose army was made up of three battalions of the Earl of Antrims Royal Irish Regiment commanded by the mighty (in stature and sword arm) Alasdair Macdonnell and Manus O'Cahan (O'Kane). These were dependable, disciplined and seasoned veterans who stayed with Montrose until the bitter end at Philiphaugh unlike the Highland rabble who melted away after each victory or when the odds were stacked against them. BTW It was Montroses Irish Brigade who invented the 'Highland Charge', that is to charge the enemy after discharging the first volley and getting in amongst them with the sword.

[@markhamilton6203]

Is it not a beautiful thing when the Celtic brothers that is the Scottish and the Irish join together. I won't refute your historical knowledge. But I must disagree with your opinion on the Scottish soldiers that fought beside Montrose.

[@captaintyrrell6428]

His Scots cavalry were a dedicated and gallant lot but lost some of their elan after Lord George Gordon died. His Scottish infantry preferred to stay close to the Highlands and were motivated into Crown service by gaining the chance to avenge tribal blood feuds and booty. They usually had the best moral and spirit when fighting 'black' Campbells.

[@markhamilton6203]

@@captaintyrrell6428 A suppose you could compare the Scottish clans to the native American tribes. When united a serious force but often consumed with local feuds. The sad thing about this is that in schools here in Scotland they don't teach our history. So most of what is out there is inaccurate or the events are largely forgotten.

[@captaintyrrell6428]

The Scots 'Highland' clans and The 'Lords of the Isles' were very close (in terms of culture, language, dress, intermarriage, fighting style and religion) to the Ulster Irish soldiers that fought alongside them. The National curriculum History at GCSE is only a potted social history learned by rote. The War of the three kingdoms (Civil War) is complicated and in Scotland the scars of that bitter conflict are still current in the culture (Celtic vs Rangers). Scottish children should learn the why and where to see how...

[@Edwardegraham]

I am Edward Ezekiel Graham 4

[@angelaadams427]

One of my descendants too

[@jeffgraham2990]

Curse those no good MacLeods

[@andrewhowe1415]

Gallant Graham

[@johnbayer9795]

Vaughan Williams playing in the background.

[@scotswaha]

Named after this hero of mine, One of Scotland’s if not Britain’s greatest generals. He was a covenant always but unfortunately in war and civil unrest the extreme viewpoints hijack and over shadow the will of the moderate and reasoned to the harm of the whole. He was labelled a turncoat and traitor but he demonstrated that a man of reason has a fundamental right to change his mind. To my understanding he had a greater claim to be King than Charles the 1st oh what a King he would have been.

[@hiwatt6]

He's my 11th great grandfather

[@michaelsears1520]

This is my 11th great grandfather!

[@gymynycricket1722]

Was Montrose persecuted because he used to be a covenanter.or. beause he persecuted covenanters?

[@scotsexile1]

Why does a program about one of Scotland´s heroes have background music by Vaughan Williams that is inspired by the English countryside? England´s green and pleasant land with its flowing streams and meadows might have its attractions but Scotland is different. We have mountains and lochs and striking landscapes that demand better more authentic music than this muzak. Ever heard of the bagpipes?

[@juliadillaman3632]

He's my 7th grandfather

[@gport7]

Very proud to be named after this man.

[@jimgraham4355]

these are my relatives

[@adelaney537]

don/t tell lies!!!!

[@judithhuling-cadieux1700]

Where dose the surname montrose come frome?

[@lray1948]

@@judithhuling-cadieux1700 He's Earl of Montrose. Its a place name, a town or county, something like that

[@bobrowskiy]

The remarkable story about the great person.

[@gymynycricket1722]

What utter rubbish his favourite sport was persecuting Presbyterians (he used to be one and married one) using troops on horseback vs women and old men ( etc in Ayr and Fife an d using Irish bandits to support his cause See one of his castles claypotts Road Dundee. He was thankfully killed at Sherrifmuir. The Covena nters won at Dunkeld and The church of Scotland ( Presbyterians) surv ived and grew in USA and other places

[@Nickulster]

My pleasure - glad you liked it and thanks for your comment!