408 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



The desirability of a diversion in Scotland, concurrently 

 with the invasion of England, was pointed out to the Car- 

 dinal by the Duke, the latter suggesting the name of 

 George Keith, the young Earl Marischal, who had fought 

 under Mar, as the best man to raise the Highland clans. 

 Alberoni agreed to the suggestion, and Keith, who was then 

 in Paris, was invited to Madrid, but without being told why 

 his presence was required. Accompanied by his brother, 

 James, Keith set out for Madrid, and on his arrival sought 

 an interview with the Cardinal, who unfolded his plans to 

 him. The enterprise appealed to the adventurous and 

 chivalrous spirit of the young Earl Marischal, and prepara- 

 tions were at once set on foot for a descent upon Scotland. 

 Mar, who was created in 1715 a titular Duke, took no active 

 part in the movement, his influence being now over- 

 shadowed by that of his rival, Ormonde. 



What the outcome of the insurrection would have been, 

 had the soldierly King of Sweden carried out his intention 

 of landing in Britain with 10,000 men, can only be con- 

 jectured. His death at Frederickshall, on nth December, 

 1718, again dissipated the hopes of the Jacobites. But the 

 Cardinal's project was not suffered to drop. Preparations 

 for the invasion were pushed forward, and, early in 1719, 

 had reached an advanced stage. The Earl Marischal was 

 provided with two frigates, 2,000 muskets, money, ammuni- 

 tion, and a detachment of Spanish troops. He sailed for 

 Scotland from the port of San Sebastian, accompanied, 

 among others, by Brigadier Campbell, and bearing letters 

 from the Duke of Ormonde to the Duke of Gordon, Glen- 

 garry, Maclean of Brolas, and Donald Macdonald of Ben- 

 becula, Clanranald's cousin, tutor, and successor in the 

 chiefship. The whole force, including officers, numbered 

 307 men. George Keith was followed to Scotland by a 

 number of officers, including Clanranald and Lochiel, who 

 sailed from Bordeaux. 



James Keith had a special mission entrusted to him. His 

 duty it was to meet the Scottish Jacobites who were in 

 France, and persuade them, if persuasion were necessary, 



