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Walter Scott: Waverley
Summary by Michael McGoodwin, prepared 2007


Acknowledgment: This work has been summarized using the1985 Penguin Classics edition (Ed. Andrew Hook 1972).  Quotations are from that work, as are paraphrases of its commentary.   

Overall Impression: This book, first published anonymously in 1814, is noteworthy primarily for being the first historical novel.  It is an interesting if flawed first novel which describes an important and fateful time in Scotland's history.  However, the writing is tedious, wordy, and ponderous, laden with numerous Latin, literary, and legalistic quotations, stuffy at times and with minimal humor, and only occasionally inspiring in its poetic descriptions.  Its greatest value for me lies in the fascinating depictions of the former cultures and societal organization of the Scottish Highlanders.  These detailed descriptions are lovingly and poignantly presented because of the subsequent suppression and near-extinction of traditional Highlander customs and the warrior clan system.  (There is a resemblance to the suppression of our own American Indians.)  It is also a sort-of coming-of-age tale (bildungsroman) about a young and misguided man, who grows in maturity and becomes wiser in his understanding of the ways of the world.

Historical Background: Scott in 1805 is writing 60 years after the final and disastrous Jacobite Rebellion or Rising of 1745. The Jacobites—named after the Latin word for James (Jacobus)—advocated and intermittently fought for the restoration of the Stuart line of monarchs, whom they regarded as the legitimate claimants to the throne.  The last Stuart monarch, James II of England (James VII of Scotland), a Roman Catholic, was deposed in 1688 during the "Glorious Revolution", and the Protestant joint monarchs William (III of England, II of Scotland) and Mary II were installed in his place. They were succeeded by Anne, followed by the Hanoverian (thus German) kings, beginning with George I and subsequently George II.   George II, who reigned 1727-1760, was  king during the 1745 rebellion.  The "Young Pretender" Charles Edward Stuart, grandson of James II and also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie or the "Chevalier", hoped to be restored to the throne as "Charles III" from his court in exile in France. His father, James Francis Edward Stuart (the Old Pretender or "James VIII"), had led an unsuccessful attempt at regaining the crown in 1715.  Although this is a complex and confusing topic that I can barely touch on here, the supporters of the Jacobite cause included Tory royalists (as opposed to Civil War Parliamentarian "roundheads"), many Scots (especially from the Highland clans), Catholics, nonjuring Anglicans (Anglicans who had refused to take an oath of allegiance to William and Mary) and Episcopalians, miscellaneous adventurers, as well as the French (under Louis XV) and Spanish.  In contrast, the British government Hanoverian forces were supported by Whigs, Anglican loyalists, and other Protestants such as the Presbyterians of the Church of Scotland.


Chapter 1 – 6
Edward Waverley In England

Edward Waverley, the protagonist, is the only child of Richard Waverley, who is an ambitious politician, a Whig, and a friend to the Hanoverian succession. Edward's bachelor uncle, Sir Everard Waverley, is the owner of Waverley-Honour, a large estate in south England, and an indolent Tory royalist and former Jacobite supporter (thus at odds with his brother Richard's political inclinations).  Everard's unmarried sister Rachel helps to run the large Hall.  Everard takes it upon himself to give a richer home life to Edward and contribute to his proper education, in preparation for his succession to the hereditary estate. Edward grows up indulged and relatively unsupervised, free to dwell on and indulge himself in dreamily romantic literature and poetry.  He is not suited to a military career such as some of his illustrious ancestors pursued.  Nevertheless, in order to divert Edward from an unsuitable match with a Miss Cecilia Stubbs, Rachel resolves that it is time for him to seek a profession outside of the Waverley-Honour estate.  Eventually it is decided that he will join Colonel James Gardiner's regiment of dragoons (cavalryman) in the Angusshire town of Dundee (on the east coast of Scotland) as a Captain.  He is by this point in his late teens or early twenties.  Everard gives him gifts and an introduction to his old friend Cosmo Comyne, Baron of Bradwardine of the mansion Tully-Veolan in Perthshire (central Scotland).  The Baron was a former supporter of the 1715 Jacobite rebellion. 

Chapter 7 – 24
Waverley's Introduction To Scotland

After a stop in London, Edward proceeds to Dundee with his Jacobite-leaning tutor Pembroke, to begin his military education. 

When summer arrives, he requests a leave of absence to travel to Perthshire to visit Bradwardine.  The estate Tully-Veolan is in the Lowlands near the hills of the Highlands.  Life in the somewhat wretched village in the vicinity of this estate is described (perhaps somewhat unsympathetically).  Edward encounters the innocent fool/jester Davie Gellatley and the estate's major domo, Bailie Duncan Macwheeble, as well as the attractive 17 y/o daughter of the Baron (Rose of Bradwardine, with pale gold hair), the butler Alexander Saunderson, and subsequently the loquacious Baron himself.  His guests include the young Mr. Falconer Laird of Balmawhapple, Bullsegg Laird of Killancureit, and a nonjuring clergyman Mr. Rubrick.  That night there is much drinking at a tavern and Balmawhapple insults his English guest's honor and Hanoverian government.  The next morning, Edward is considering challenging Balmawhapple to a duel, but the Baron has already fought and injured Balmawhapple and forced him to apologize.  The Baron and his young guest go hunting.  They discuss the nature of the fool Davie, and his mother Janet Gellatley, rumored once to be a witch. Rose is unable to inherit the estate, which is eventually to go to a distant relation, Malcolm Bradwardine of Inchgrabbit.  The kind, innocent, and beautiful Rose seems to be falling for Edward, who shares some of his books with her—poetry and other belles lettres.  His commanding officer warns him by letter not to spend his time exclusively with persons with questionable allegiance to the government, but Edward thinks this concern is unfounded.

Edward has been a guest of the Baron for six weeks.  A creagh (raid) of Caterans (Highland marauders) disturbs the peace at Tully-Veolan—they steal several milk cows. We learn that blackmail or protection-money was previously paid by the Low-country gentlemen to the Highland chieftain Fergus Mac-Ivor of Glennaquoich, and other Highlanders) to prevent such attacks.  The Baron laments his lack of adequate weapons (compared to his grandfather's days)—the government took away their arms in the Disarming of 1715.  Rose defends Fergus, whom she calls a "gentleman of great honour" who is much respected, and a former friend of the Baron. Fergus and his sister Flora were raised in France.  Rose and Flora were once great friends.  Edward learns more about the close relationship between the marauding Caterans and the Highland chieftains—the raids were useful to them for training individuals of their clan in bearing arms, and also for exacting protection-money.  Some raids even involved abduction of women or men, and Edward marvels that such behavior should be going on in civilized Great Britain. 

Edward asks about traveling to the Highlands to learn more of the Highlanders ways, and the Baron assures him this would be safe if he bears appropriate papers and the current quarrel were first made up.  (Chap 16) A Highlander, Evan Dhu Maccombich, arrives in full mountain costume, and apologizes to the Baron for the raid. Without the Baron's knowledge, Evan arranges with the Bailie to resume the protection payments.  Evan immediately plans to return to the mountains, and invites Edward to come visit with him.  We learn much of the Highlander's costume and customs (a highpoint of this novel).  They ascend in rough terrain to the pass of Bally-Brough and continue.  Evan goes ahead to announce the arrival of a "red" (i.e., government) soldier.  They reach a lake, and guided in the dark by signal fires, several men silently ferry the pair over the water to the cave (King's Cavern) of the Highland robber, Donald Bean Lean.  Some of the stolen cattle and sheep have already been slaughtered, and the setting seems intended to inspire terror.  (Chap 17) Donald is already familiar with Edward's uncle's Jacobist leanings, which pleases his men.  They drink whiskey together, and Edward learns that these men are already well acquainted with the strength of the government army forces.  Donald wishes to know what Edward is really up to, suspecting he has something to do with the upcoming rebellion, but is disappointed that Edward has nothing to confide in him. 

(Chap 18) The next morning the thieves have disappeared, but Edward meets Evan and Alice, the daughter of Donald Bean Lean, on the lake shore.  She prepares a meal for them, and then disappears.  Evan is in love with her and mentions he might marry her.  Evan discusses the relationship between the marauders and his chief Mac-Ivor. It is not possible for a Lowlander to pass beyond Bally-Brough except with the acceptance and help of the black soldiers. (The Sidier Dhu are the independent irregular quasi-military companies raised to keep the peace in the Highlands, and wear the tartan, in contrast to the Sidier Roy or red soldiers of the government forces.)  Evan tells of Donald's abducting a bridegroom Gilliewhackit, saving his life by nursing him through smallpox, and dancing at his wedding as a result of the groom's gratitude. 

Fergus, accompanied by his assistant Callum Beg, meets Edward, and Fergus hospitably invites him to his house of Glennaquoich.  (Chap 19) We learn about his ancestry, the meaning of his title Vich Ian Vohr ("the son of John the Great"), the participation of his father in the 1715 rebellion and his flight to France, the childhoods of Fergus and Flora spent in France, their association with the Stuart court-in-exile, Fergus's assumption of leadership, the rise of black-mail payable to Fergus, and his support for the Stuart restoration.  Fergus has been granted an earldom by the Young Pretender, James III / VIII.  They reach the house, Fergus's ancestor Ian nan Chaistel's mansion, a square tower built by his grandfather—it is an austere but impressive setting.  Many Highlanders in military dress and arms are present, and demonstrate their military maneuvers—a feudal militia commanded by Fergus.  (Chap 20) At a feast that night in the tower's hall, a hierarchy of seating and food is apparent—Fergus is doing his best to support a large number of dependent people. Liquor, beer, bagpipers, poetry and song, dancing, Celtic toasts, etc.  Ballenkeiroch recalls the Jacobite rebellion of 1715.  The bard of poet Mac-Murrough chants Celtic verses. 

(Chap 21) Fergus suggest they retire to Flora's tea table.  She is dark-eyed, dark-haired, and tanned (the very opposite of Rose), but beautiful and talented.  She passionately believed it was her and her brother's duty to work for the restoration of the exiled king, even if she would have to sacrifice all for this—her manner was grave, serious. The brother and sister, even after being orphaned, were well cared for by the Old Pretender and his wife, and Flora had been granted a small pension by them.   She is a close friend to Rose, and was instrumental in arranging the reconciliation of Fergus and Baron Bradwardine, even though the latter had shed blood of the clan.  

(Chap 22) In a romantic and wild outdoor setting, Edward follows Flora along a steep streamside trail.  They pass over a bridge and arrive at a waterfall falling into a natural basin area around which were plantings chosen by Flora.  The setting enhances her full expressive beauty and grace.  She takes the harp from her lady assistant and sings a battle song—the translation of the poet's earlier song.  (Chap 23) Flora prophesies a revolution.  Fergus arrives and expresses an interest in Rose, which troubles Edward.  Flora wants Fergus to put aside the alliance with Donald Bean Lean, but Fergus is pragmatic and anyway, his clansman Evan is in love with Donald's daughter.  They return to the party.  Edward on retiring is now hooked and dreaming of Flora.

(Chap 24) After a few more weeks, Edward accompanies Fergus on an extended stag hunt with 300 well-armed men.  He has had time to become more bewitched by Flora in the meantime, though during this time, rebellion and insurrection are in the air.  Edward is badly injured by a charging stag's "horns", and must lay up to be nursed by an elderly man.  Fergus continues without him on some unspecified expedition, the nature of which is concealed from Edward. 

 

Chapter 27 – end
Edward's Change of Allegiance and The Jacobite Uprising

(Chap 25) Edward receives a letter from his father informing him that his father Richard has fallen into disfavor with his political machinations, has been dismissed as minister, and is now unemployed without income.  Sir Everard's letter confirms his brother's disgrace, and advises him to resign his military office.  Rachel is highly critical of Richard and the usurping Hanoverians.  A letter from Colonel Gardiner, his commanding officer, informs him that he will be absent without leave unless he immediately returns to his regiment.  Edward, who has cut an inferior figure as an officer, is resentful of this harsh tone, and writes to resign his commission. Soon thereafter, he is insulted to read in the paper that he already regarded as absent without leave, and his position has been replaced.  (Later, we learn that important earlier warning letters were diverted and not received by Edward.)  Fergus obliquely courts his joining the Jacobite rebellion. 

(Chap 26) Despite the shambles in which his military career has fallen, Edward pursues his romantic interest in Flora.  But she is dedicated to the Jacobite rebellion, and spurns him, saying "... I never could think of an officer in the service of the Elector of Hanover in any other light than as a casual acquaintance."  Even so, Fergus encourages Edward to keep at his wooing, commenting dismissively on the foolishness of women.

(Chap 27) Edward weighs a decision to go over to the rebel's cause, conflicted over his love interest in Flora.  The Mac-Ivor's are Catholic, but this does not seem to present a major obstacle for Edward.  He worries about the dishonour that may befall him.  Flora explicitly spurns him—"I can never regard you otherwise than as a valued friend"—and cannot be swayed from this path by Edward or her brother.  Flora advises him to make his decision regarding his allegiance out of conviction, not out of a temporary feeling for her. 

(Chap 28) A letter from Rose to Edward warns him that an arrest warrant has been issued against her father and that he has gone North apparently to join the rebellion.  Government soldiers have taken over Tully-Veolan, and Edward is in danger.  She advises him to return to England and to stay out of rebel military entanglement.  He wonders about the appropriateness of James's (the Young Pretender's) desire to retake the throne, and wants to return home to clear his good name.  But Fergus warns him against going to Edinburgh, where he would probably be attacked, and asks him instead to "take the plaid".   Even so, Edward insists on making the journey. 

(Chap 29) Edward departs the Mac-Ivors, who prophesy great changes to come with the aid of the French.  Traveling with the polite Callum Beg, he reaches the Lowlands and hires a Jewish innkeeper Mr. Ebenezer Cruickshanks to arrange transportation of his portmanteau to Edinburgh, and to guide him personally as far as Perth.  Callum Beg gives him a letter from Flora containing her poetry celebrating her dead hero, Captain Wogan. Cruickshanks seems to bear Edward malice for the contempt he showed him.

(Chap 30) After stopping to have his horse re-shoed, a hostile confrontation with the anti-Jacobite townspeople of Carinvreckan develops, and Edward shoots the blacksmith, John Mucklewrath.  (Chap 31) He is arrested and interrogated by the magistrate, Major Melville, who determines that he must be tried for high treason and levying war against the king for spreading mutiny and (pro-Jacobite) rebellion among the men he commanded.  He is said to have sent treasonable tracts (those written by Pembroke, the nonjuring clergyman) to Sgt. Humphry Houghton, and some of the army soldiers have gone over to the enemy.  Melville also asserts that he has been consorting with Jacobite sympathizers like Glennaquoich (Mac-Ivor), etc.  He reads the anti-Hanoverian letter from Rachel.  Melville informs him that repeated letters were sent to him asking him to return to his post (most of which Edward did not receive, or arrived too late to be obeyed).  Melville notes his youth and inexperience.  Edward defiantly refuses to give information about Mac-Ivor, and Melville places him under arrest. 

(Chap 31) Mr. Morton, a Presbyterian clergyman, debates with Melville what to do with the somewhat naive Edward (whose suspicious behavior may lead to the gallows). Melville mentions the skirmishes at Inverness. Melville decides to turn Edward over to Gilfillan the Cameronian (strict Presbyterians who now support the government).  He is passing through, and will take Edward to imprisonment at Stirling Castle (18 miles away).

(Chap 32) Morton is sympathetic and supports and offers some comfort to Edward. Edward laments that Fergus's prophecy of his falling into trouble has come true.  He tells Morton of his trip to Donald Bean Lean and a selective account of the visit with Mac-Ivor. 

(Chap 33) Melville warms a little toward Edward, thinking his actions a mere youthful escapade, and invites him to dinner, but the stern Gilfillan arrives and (Chap 35) takes him away with his troops to be turned over to Governor Blakeney.  Melville chastises Gilfillan for leaving some of his troops at a field-preaching.

(Chap 36) Edward converses with Gilfillan.  A "pedlar" (later recognized as Donald Bean Lean) joins the procession, and butters up Gilfillan.  Soon, 6-8 Highlanders attack the procession, joined by the pedlar, wounding Edward's horse, which causes him to be injured again.  They hustle him away as Gilfillan lies grievously wounded. 

(Chap 37) Edward is delivered to a small hovel, where he is nursed back to health by an old woman Janet (Gellatley's mother), aided surreptitiously by a younger woman (whom he soon learns to be Alice Bean Lean).  After 7 days, Highlanders arrive to take him away.  Alice Bean Lean tucks some letters into his portmanteau, which he does not immediately read.

(Chap 38) The Highlanders including Donald Bean Lean's lieutenant take Edward to the Castle of Doune, held by Jacobites under the command of Donald Stewart.  They encounter and fight English soldiers along the way.

(Chap 39) Evan Balmawhapple takes Edward as a prisoner to Edinburgh, which is under siege.  (Chap 40) In Edinburgh at Holyrood, he again encounters Fergus, meets the young Chevalier Charles Edward, and, with no deliberation (and apparently swayed by the company he is in and his pursuit of Flora), takes a vow to help their cause.  The Young Pretender review military actions to date, and is hoping for the arrival of French support. 

(Chap 41) Fergus and Edward discuss his capture and rescue. They clothe him in plaid and arm Edward appropriately.  Fergus wanted him brought as a prisoner so he could decide on his own whether to join their cause.  Balmawhapple probably contributed to the story that Edward had turned his men against the government.  Fergus speaks of Flora in a manner which disturbs Edward.  They encounter Bradwardine, always loquacious and obsessed with courtly ritual.  The Highlanders have been looting along the way.

(Chap 42) Over dinner, Edward, Fergus, and the Baron discuss what would happen if they were killed.  Mrs. Flockhart, the landlady, is given charge of their money.  (Chap 43) In the court of the Chevalier, Edward is again repulsed unkindly by Flora—"I will never think of Mr. Waverley as a more intimate connection."  Rose is sympathetic to Edward, who is still recovering from his wounds.  The Prince (Chevalier) warns Edward not to show his feelings so clearly.  Edward shows off his learning, impressing Rose and the others but not Flora.

(Chap 43) The ragtag but daring Jacobite army of 4000 assembles on the autumn morning to march into battle, and Edward joins late after oversleeping as the army begins to move.

(Chap 44) The opposing armies skirmish.  Edward's former soldier Houghton evokes his pity and remorse as he dies from wounds sustained in battle. He learns from Houghton that Edward's seal was used to mislead Houghton and his fellow troops—a seal which went missing in Donald Bean Lean's cave.

(Chap 45-47) The opposing armies line up against each other at Preston, and Edward again feels conflicted. The next morning the battle of Prestonpans (Sept. 21, 1745) begins and is won soundly by the Jacobites.  Colonel Gardiner and Balmawhapple are killed. 

(Chap 48) The Baron obsesses about the Prince's boots-removing ceremony.  The Highlanders have plundered the slain. 

(Chap 49) Edward meets the imprisoned Colonel Talbot, whose life he saved on the battlefield.  Talbot advises him that his uncle Sir Everard is a close friend and wanted Talbot to seek him out.  Edward's father and uncle are charged with treason.  However, Talbot has secured Sir Evarard's release.

(Chap 50) Friction arises between Edward and Fergus, who wants to use Talbot's imprisonment to their advantage, and shows little sympathy for Edward's family member's plight.  Edward is charged with looking after the prisoner Talbot.  The act of feudal homage—the removal of the Prince's shoe by the Baron—takes place.

(Chap 51) The Chevalier triumphantly enters Edinburgh.  Colonel Talbot begins to advise Edward as a mentor, suggesting he can still honorably extricate himself from his ill-advised alliance. (Throughout this novel, it appears that older persons are willing to excuse Edward for mistakes attributable to hi youthful inexperience.)  Edward finally takes the opportunity to examine the packet of letters placed in his portmanteau by Alice Lean.  He finds 3 letters from Colonel Gardiner entreating him to return to his regiment, noting that his men were becoming mutinous, the last canceling his leave of absence with a warning about his alleged behavior.  Donald Bean Lean had intercepted the letters, and disguised as a pedlar Ruffin, had fomented mutiny in the regiment (including Houghton and Tims) in Edward's name and using his stolen seal.  These men were caught and condemned to be shot. We learn that Donald has been employed as a spy and subaltern agent of the Chevalier. 

(Chap 52)  The Highlanders engage in a fruitless and delaying siege of Edinburgh Castle.  Edward is inattentive to his military role, while increasing in his attraction for Rose, who has shown great interest in him.  (Chap 53)  The Prince wants the Baron to pass his estate to Rose.  Fergus is interested in Rose for ulterior reasons, and plans to seek her hand after he is made an earl.  But the Prince has told him that Rose's affections are already engaged. 

(Chap 54) Edward mentally renounces his love for Flora, is worried about Fergus's interest in Rose, and considers her many admirable qualities and whether she is the one for him.

(Chap 55) Talbot learns from his sister's letter that his wife in England is quite ill, and his newborn child dead.  Edward is empathetic and wants to arrange his release to return to England.  Talbot again warns Edward that he is fighting on the wrong side.  (Chap 56) Talbot is released with a pass from the Chevalier, who is impressed with Edward's generosity of spirit and sees this as a diplomatic move which might improve the opinions of the English families.  Talbot takes the letters sequestered by Donald Bean Lean as evidence to be used for Edward's eventual exoneration, and asks Edward to tell him nothing of his planned motions.

(Chap 57) In November, the Jacobite army of 6,000 rashly marches into Northern England, and they are surprised to be coolly received, with few additional men signing on. They are a wild, undisciplined, and motley group speaking a foreign language.  They besiege and take Carlisle (in NW England).  Fergus is incensed and insulted that Edward has dropped his pursuit of Flora, and feeling this increased tension, Edward resolved to volunteer to serve with the Baron's troops rather than the Mac-Ivor regiment.

(Chap 58) After Edward is quietly warned by Evan Dhu Maccombich that he has affronted Miss Flora, Fergus's henchman Callum tries unsuccessfully to assassinate Edward.  Fergus says he has learned from the Prince that Edward has pretensions for Rose, and demands he engage in a sword fight to the death or renounce his interest in Rose.  But the Baron intervenes followed by the Prince, and the duel is prevented.  The Prince is told by Edward that he was mistaken to assume that Edward is already an accepted lover of Rose. 

(Chap 59) The ragtag army makes the fateful decision on Dec. 5 to turn around and retreat from further penetration into England, thereby abandoning hope of winning their cause. They are pursued by the Duke of Cumberland's army.  Fergus is melancholy, lamenting this ignominious turn of events.  He has learned from a letter from Flora that she indeed had never given Edward any encouragement, and he acknowledges that he acted rashly toward Edward, restoring their friendship.  He advises Edward to embark for the Continent and to pursue Rose's hand and take Flora into his protection—he says Rose love Edward, and Edward though not yet acknowledging it loves her.  He knows he and his men are doomed, that he will end up dead or captive.  He has had a vision of the Bodach Glas, a Grey Spectre foretelling his death.  In a night skirmish near Clinton, Fergus is captured while Edward is separated from the Highlanders (Chap 60) by Cumberland's army.  He is sheltered by a sympathetic farmer Jacob Jopson and his daughter Cicely, and her suitor Ned Williams helps him with clothing of the country and takes him to Ned's father, Farmer Williams.  Edward reflects on the heroic character of his captured friend Fergus, the last Vich Ian Vohr, and worries about Flora's fate.  The Chevalier has retreated into Scotland, and the Duke's siege at Carlisle as well as Marshal Wade's advance on Edinburgh has made his own flight to Scotland difficult. Edward wants to never participate again in a civil conflict.  "... the romance of his life was ended". 

(Chap 61) While Edward stays with the Williams, Cicely weds Edward Ned Williams.  From newspapers, Edward learns that his father Richard has died, and Sir Everard is to stand trial, and that he must surrender himself to justice.  Edward resolved to travel to London in disguise.  He elects to travel in a cart driven by Mrs. Nosebag, who suspects him as a rebel.

(Chap 62) On arrival, Edward is sheltered by Colonel Talbot and his wife Emily.  He takes on the identity of Talbot's nephew, Frank Stanley.  Talbot is critical of Richard Waverley's lack of judgment. Sir Everard however is safe, freed to return to Waverley-Honour.  Talbot has been gathering evidence supporting Edward's defense (such as a letter from Morton), and believes he will be cleared of neglect of duty.  Donald Bean lean is awaiting execution.  Edward is tired of the military life.  He wants to return to Scotland to find Rose, and they agree he will go as Stanley to meet the real Frank Stanley in Cambridge.  Talbot has been appointed as trustee of Sir Everard's wealth. 

(Chap 63) The decisive defeat at Culloden occurs April 16, 1746.  Edward travels to Scotland, running into his former landlady Mrs. Flockhart.  She states that Evan Dhu Maccombich, Beg, and Fergus are to be tried at Carlisle, while Rose has fled north to Perthshire.  The land is in ruins, including Tully-Veolan, which is now occupied by the King's troops.  The fool Davie Gellatley guides Edward to a concealed hut, where the Baron is hiding with an old woman Janet, Gellatley's mother. (Chap 64) The Baron tells his story, how Janet is sheltering and feeding him, how he hides in a cave during the day, how he has lost his estate to his distant kinsman Malcolm.  The baron hopes to escape to France.

(Chap 65) Edward learns about Rose's actions behind the scenes for his benefit—how she befriended Alice Bean Lean and proposed Edward's rescue from Gilfillan's men by Donald Bean Lean, whom she bribed.  She also persuaded Alice to return the exculpatory letters to Edward.  Rose also had intervened with the Prince to assure Edward's safe transport to Doune Castle.  (Thus the Chevalier had become convinced of her love for Edward, etc.)

(Chap 66) Edward seeks the help of Macwheeble to see Rose at Duchran.  A letter from Talbot informs Edward that Talbot has secured royal protection for Edward and Cosmo Bradwardine, though his baronetcy has been stripped.  Fergus awaits execution at Carlisle Castle.  Edward must return to London to deal with remaining legal issues.

(Chap 67) Edward asks Cosmo Bradwardine for Rose's hand in marriage, which the former baron eagerly agrees to.  They travel to Duchran, and the courtship proceeds successfully.  Talbot cannot help with Fergus's fate.

(Chap 68) Fergus and Evan Dhu Maccombich are condemned to hang—Evan bravely refuses leniency for himself is his chief is to die.  Edward cannot see Fergus, but visits Flora at Carlisle.  She is emaciated, blaming herself for her brother's fate, and is heading for a convent despite Rose's entreaty that she live with her.  (Chap 69) Fergus speaks bravely with Edward as he is led to his execution.  He has seen the Bodach Glas spectre again.  Edward pledges to support and be the protector of the Mac-Ivor clan.  Fergus and Evan are quartered and beheaded—their heads are impaled over the Scotch gate of Carlisle. Flora departs for France.

(Chap 70) Edward and Rose marry.  (Chap 71) The former baron is given back his restored estate Tully-Veolan by Edward, who has purchased it after selling his own estate to Talbot.  A painting has been made of Fergus and Edward in their Highlands dress.  The baron even recovers his treasured drinking cup of Saint Duthac, which had been pawned by Mrs. Nosebag.

(Chap 72 Postscript) The author reflects on the changes that have come about in Scotland since 1745, the destruction of the patriarchal power of the Highland chiefs, the eradication of the Jacobite party, the vanishing of the traditional Highland customs, etc.  Scott wishes to preserve an idea of the ancient manners of the Highlanders from complete extinction.