“Bonnie Dundee” was written by Walter Scott in 1825. It was a poem and a song written to honor John Graham. Graham was the 7th Laird of Claverhouse and was created created 1st Viscount Dundee in November 1688. He was known as “Bloody Clavers” by his opponents and “Bonnie Dundee.”
In 1689, Graham led a Jacobite rising. This rising led to
the Battle of Killiecrankie, in which Graham fought and died. The Battle of
Killiecrankie occurred after Graham was betrayed by Melfort, the King’s
adviser. The Highlanders were successful in the battle was killed after being
pierced by a musket ball under his breastplate and falling off his horse.
Aside from the victory and Graham’s death, the battle of
Killiecrankie had very little impact on the outcome of the war, but it had an impact
on other things. Roads were built in order
to move troops more quickly and safely. Bridges were built as well to aid in
the movement of troops. The roads and bridges not only helped move troops, but
they also aided in improving communications.
Aside from this song, Scott wrote a novel, “Old Mortality,”
which paints Claverhouse in a sympathetic portrait. This novel was published in
1816. This novel was the first time Graham was referred to as “Bonnie Dundee,”
as this description was only attributed to the Scottish town before this. Graham
did not know this nickname during his lifetime.
The poem and song were written in 1825 in Scott’s journal.
It was written from Graham’s point of view, just like the novel. Scott sent a
copy of the poem to his daughter-in-law. It was them published in a miscellany,
“The Christmas Box,” and was then featured as a song in “The Doom of Devorgoil,”
Scott’s unperformed play.
After Scott’s death, the song underwent some changes, including
adding some “Scotticisms” to the verses. There is also an older lyric version
of the song called "Jockey’s Escape to Dundee." The song has been
used by Scottish regiments in the British army as a regimental march. It was
even adapted to be used by the Confederate army during the American Civil War.
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