Nunton Steadings

This Saturday 9th August sees a book signing by author Martin Marguiles. The book, “The Battle of Prestonpans 1745″, discusses the social and political background to the 1745 Jacobite Rising, the training,weapons and tactics of the opposing armies, the campaign leading up to the
battle and the battle itself, and finally whether the losing government
commander — General Sir John Cope — was truly to blame for the debacle as
so many of his contemporaries, as well as most historians, have supposed.

The author (Martin Margulies) is a mostly retired law professor and civil
rights lawyer in Connecticut, USA, though he continues to teach a law school
course or two and handle a case or two. Martin has been a visitor to South Uist
for over 20 years and, since 2004, the owner (along with his wife) of a
holiday cottage that he built in the Locheynort area. Martin tries to come here
four times a year. His interest in Scotland and its history — especially
the Jacobite period –dates back to the early 1980s, when he began reading
the late John Prebble’s books, especially his classic “Culloden.” Martins
particular interest in the battle of Prestonpans dates from his discovery and
purchase of the transcript of an official inquiry into Cope’s conduct, which
– contrary to the conventional wisdom then and now — concluded that he was
not at fault. As a civil rights lawyer, Martin is accustomed to representing
underdogs, and for the past two-and-a-half centuries Cope has been an
underdog if ever there was one. Hence the book.

Martins most recent involvement with the ‘45 has been to participate, just last
week, in a re-enactment function at Prestonpans, at which he was required to
wear full Jacoibite military regalia. Martin hopes to wear the same regalia to the
signing if he can summon up the nerve!

Martin will be in the Steadings from 12:00 to 4pm.