Although both were devoted Jacobites, and had risked all, at the first rising in favour of the Old Pretender, neither had taken part in that of Charles Edward, seeing that it was doomed to failure.

After Culloden, James Keith, the field marshal, had written to his cousin, Mrs.Drummond, as follows: "Dear Cousin, "I have heard with grief from Alexander Grahame, who has come over here to escape the troubles, of the grievous loss that has befallen you.

He tells me that, when in hiding among the mountains, he learned that you had, with your boy, taken refuge with Ian the forester, whom I well remember when I was last staying with your good husband, Sir John.

He also said that your estates had been confiscated, but that he was sure you would be well cared for by your clansmen.

Grahame told me that he stayed with you for a few hours, while he was flying from Cumberland's bloodhounds; and that you told him you intended to remain there, and to devote yourself to the boy's education, until better times came.
"I doubt not that ere long, when the hot blood that has been stirred up by this rising has cooled down somewhat, milder measures will be used, and some mercy be shown; but it may be long, for the Hanoverian has been badly frightened, and the Whigs throughout the country greatly scared, and this for the second time.