oil painting
Glenfinnan Monument

Landscape Painting

I must have been to Glenfinnan about six times, it is a bit out of the way. One of my visits was on a pleasant August day, the sun was shining, really nice.
I had time on my hands and sat down for a bit of sketching. I had taken a few snaps with my camera but wanted to get the feel of the scene.
From in between the two mountains on the left a low cloud of mist started to drift into view. A strange thing. Possibly with it being August and with the high mountains and sea there are a lot of cold and warm sub-climates.
I stopped drawing and watched.
Letting my mind wander. This is where Charlie raised his standard in '45. From Glenfinnan to Culloden lasted nine months. His army only numbered 10,000 at most and normally only half of that. His cause was just, but he would not let go his religious beliefs in the church of Rome and the country had reformed. He had left it too late and the people did not know the "foreigner" who would be King. Support was not easily gained. Given the circumstances he very nearly achieved his aim due to the dedication of those who gave their all for the cause.
It had to happen, fate, history.The Jacobite cause and the follow up genocide that happened caused tens of thousands of deaths and displacements. It started off so well.

I was starting to feel a little chill in the air now, I felt the goose-bumps raise on my arms. Looked into the mist I am sure I can make out shapes. Just like ghostly figures. Like the followers, laughing, jeering, proud standards blowing in the wind, pipers to the front..................

Forever following..