Fisherman’s Hotel plaque honours women who helped Jacobite escape across the Tay

The Fisherman’s Hotel in Broughty Ferry has unveiled a plaque commemorating the escape of a leading Jacobite after Culloden.

In 1745, local women, Mally and Jenny Burn daughters of an alehouse keeper agreed to ferry across the Tay the Chevalier de Johnstone, aide-de-camp to Lord George Murray who had commanded the Jacobite army at the disastrous battle.

The chevalier was escaping the rout and planning to head for the continent, but Redcoat patrols were searching for him and none of the local men was willing to take the risk to ferry him to Fife.

With the women’s aid he was able to make his way to safety, and eventually reached France.

The plaque has been created by David McGovern, from Monikie, who felt the tale of courage deserved to be better known.