A 271-YEAR-OLD piece of fabric from a dress given to Bonnie Prince Charlie to disguise himself as a woman, has fetched £5250 at auction.
The Young Pretender is said to have worn the patterned dress to escape government soldiers following the Jacobites' defeat at Culloden in 1746.
He was famously helped by Flora MacDonald to cross from Benbecula to the Isle of Skye, dressed as her Irish maid, Betty Burke.
The 16.5cm x 16cm section, which Charles later gave to a supporter, was sold at Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh.
John Mackie, specialist at Lyon & Turnbull, said: "Charles Edward was fleeing for the safety of the continent after the defeat at Culloden.
"His escape from the mainland via the Isle of Skye has been immortalised in song, poem and art since the 18th century.
"However the period where, with Flora MacDonald's help, Charles dressed as her maid Betty Burke to escape detection, is often overlooked for the more romantic idea of the gallant Charles retreating.
"Relics and propaganda of Flora MacDonald are scarce, despite the fact that she is considered such a famous supporter of the Jacobite cause."
Prince Charles went into hiding following his defeat at Culloden on 16 April 1746. Pursued by the army of George II, whose claim to the British throne he had challenged, he took refuge on the Hebridean island of Benbecula, which was under the control of the government. The MacDonalds, who were secretly sympathetic to the Jacobite cause, agreed to help Charles escape. The 24-year-old Flora was given official permission to leave the island accompanied by a manservant, an Irish spinning maid -- the Prince in disguise -- and six oarsmen. After landing on the Isle of Skye, Charles made good his escape to France. A tiny 18th century oil painting of Bonnie Prince Charlie as a teenager, measuring just 4cm x 3cm, made £8750 and a section of his plaid fetched £3000.
A portrait miniature of Jacobite heroine Flora, wearing a green dress and tartan shawl, was sold for £800.
A Lyon & Turnbull spokesperson added: "Relics and memorabilia relating to the Jacobite era and Bonnie Prince Charlie in particular, are highly sought after. There are avid collectors all over the world."
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