John Graham of Claverhouse, Viscount Dundee was known as both ‘Bonnie Dundee’ and ‘Bloody Clavers’.
To the Jacobites he was ‘Bonnie Dundee’, a hero who led the supporters of the exiled James against the Government forces of William and Mary.
To the Presbyterian Covenanters the young John Graham of Claverhouse was known as ‘Bluidy Clavers’ - ‘Bloody Clavers’ - as he ruthlessly murdered and terrorised the Covenanters.
On 1 May 1685 Graham of Claverhouse captured a Covenanter named John Brown. His only crime was to have attended Covenanter prayer services on the moors and not to have attended the curate of the parish. When John Brown refused to pray for the King, Graham of Claverhouse drew a pistol and shot him dead in front of Brown’s wife and children.
In 1689, when John Graham realised that William would become King of Scotland, he marched out of Edinburgh and raised the royal standard on Dundee Law. He was a young and charismatic leader. He called the Highland Clans, gathering an army loyal to King James.
The Battle of Killiecrankie would be the greatest victory of Graham of Claverhouse. It would also be his last. ‘Bonnie Dundee’ was shot dead as he led his troops against a Government force loyal to William and Mary. The Jacobites won the battle but ‘Bonnie Dundee’ or ‘Bluidy Clavers’ was killed.
Keep up to date