For sale, the house that hid a cross-dressing Bonnie Prince Charlie

A COUNTRY house which played a major role in one the best-known episodes from Scotland’s history – by hiding Bonnie Prince Charlie following his defeat at Culloden – has been placed on the market.

The Young Pretender escaped from the decisive battle near Inverness in April 1746 and, with the help of devoted young supporter Flora Macdonald, famously fled “over the sea to Skye” before finally returning to the continent.

As they were being frantically hunted by government Redcoats, they sought refuge at Monkstadt House, in Kilmuir at the north end of the island.

The property has now been placed on the market at offers over £800,000 after being completely rebuilt from the shell that remained of the original house.

During the prince’s brief stay, it was owned by Sir Alexander Macdonald, who supported King George II, but whose wife Margaret was Flora’s aunt and a strong supporter of the Jacobite cause which had hoped to see the prince – grandson to King James – reclaim the British throne. Bonnie Prince Charlie had been dressed as a woman, a fictional Irish maid called Betty Burke, and was provided much-needed food and drink at Monkstadt.

His sanctuary – in a cave next to the house – was fraught with danger as soldiers on his trail were also staying at the house.

Selling agents Anderson, Shaw & Gilbert hope the property’s place in history will help attract potential buyers.

Mary Macrae, a director of the firm, said: “It is a unique house with an enormous history. The story of Bonnie Prince Charlie is important to a lot of people and we hope that will act as a selling point. The original house was built in the 1700s by the Macdonalds of Sleat for the clan chief Sir Alexander Macdonald. Previously housed at Duntulm Castle nearby, he and his family left after a tragic accident resulted in the death of a child. It is recorded that stone from the castle was used to construct Monkstadt House.

“However, the history of the site of the house extends further back to the time of Saint Columba – the green sward below the house was once a loch and on it can still be seen the remains of the stony mound which was the Island of Columba.”

The site is on the Trotternish peninsula, close to the village of Uig where a ferry service runs between Skye and the Outer Hebrides.

After being built for the Macdonalds, the property was later occupied by estate tacksmen, but fell into disrepair in the last century.

Over the last few years, the house has undergone a programme of restoration, with the owner engaging the leading firm of Scottish architects Morris Steedman Associates.

The result is a substantial traditional house, restored to its former glory but with the benefits of modern heating, glazing and insulation, say the sellers.