Well, this should open a can of worms...!  I was curious about the Forum's opinions re: today's "real" Jacobites, as opposed to those of us who simply portray 18th C. ones.
My clan group has some folks so inclined, as does this Forum: people who look towards an actual restoration of the Stewart line, as embodied in the person of one Prince Michael of Albany, who claims to be the legitimate heir of that dynasty.  Many experts on European royalty dismiss his claim as nonsense; others are convinced of his legitimacy.
Personally, I'm doubtful.  I fully support Scottish independence, but I think in that effort the Scottish people would do well to simply ditch the idea of kings and royalty!  In my Americanized opinion - who needs 'em...?!
Anyways, to learn more about Prince Michael, go to:

www.royalhouseofstewart.org.uk/

Personally, I don't see much difference in
a system that has a President as a head
of state (with the Prime Minister holding
the political power), versus one that has
a King or Queen as a head of state. Other than the extra money spent, there
is really no difference. The rub is whether
or not you want that continuity with the
past. It's said that Queen Elizabeth and
the royals bring more money into the UK
than they cost in tourism. If that's true,
then a monarchy alone is worth keeping
it around. Personally, were I in Scotland, I'd prefer the idea of swearing allegiance to a monarach rather than yet another
politician. And with a monarch, you have
a lifetime of continuity, and service to
the state, rather than to a party.

As for Michael, I'm pretty sure he's a
fraud. But there are others that claim
descent from Bonnie Prince Charlie, not
to mention the currently accepted
Stuart descendant, an Austrian I
believe. I'm not one to toss traditions
into the garbage just because they're
inconvenient or simply old. I've seen
too many old and aesthetically cool
buildings torn down in my time and
replaced by utter garbage, and it would
be a shame for that to happen to the
monaracy.

Alex

And by the way...The only "lost" claimants that would get my support would go by the name of Cromwell........
Steve

Orange Lodge's plan to mark Culloden'bizarre'
By Auslan Cramb, Scottish Correspondent
(Filed: 22/11/2003)


A plan to celebrate the English victory at Culloden in 1746, the famous rout of Bonnie Prince Charlie's Jacobite forces, was described as "bizarre and offensive" yesterday.

The Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland has not marched in the Highlands for nearly 15 years but officials said it was considering holding a religious service at the scene of the battle outside Inverness to remember the English soldiers who died there.

The Duke of Cumberland's Hanoverian soldiers defeated the Jacobite army in what many Protestants consider an important victory. Every year, Orangemen hold controversial marches celebrating the Battle of the Boyne in 1690 when King William of Orange defeated James II on a battlefield outside Dublin.

It has been suggested that similar celebrations might be held next April 16 on Culloden Moor. Robert MacLean, executive officer of the Grand Orange Lodge of Scotland, said the battle was an important event in the history of the Scottish reformed church.

"I do not see us staging a march in the Culloden area but it is possible that we may arrange a service to commemorate the battle," he said.

However, Peter Kearney, a spokesman for the Roman Catholic Church, said a religious ceremony should only remember those who died on both sides. "The idea that anyone would like to celebrate the victory of the Hanoverian forces in the Highlands of Scotland is, to say the least, bizarre, if not downright offensive, bearing in mind the ethnic cleansing that followed," he said. "It is fair to say that the Highlands has never fully recovered from the onslaught."

Fergus Ewing, the local Scottish National Party MSP, said the proposed service was "madcap", adding: "There's no place for sectarianism in the Highlands."

After the battle, the clan system was brutally dismantled, the castles and the land of Jacobite chiefs seized and the wearing of the kilt and the speaking of Gaelic prohibited

Believing that Prince Michael is legitimate is sort of like those who believe in God and those that do not ..... some things are difficult to prove ... but the sun will come up tomorrow ... it's a faith.

You can't judge a man simply by books and others opinions .... you must meet him for yourself and then decide.  I've met him several times and became an offcier in Army of loyal followers ...... but was not all convinced at first .... too many varibale both  pros and cons.  I am now totslly convince to his right to the title. 

My question would be .... why will lthe British government not allow him to leave and vist  America ....why do they hassle him on his trips abroad taking away visas and his Maltese passport....what do they fear ... why no passport?  Anyway, I keep in touch with my Scottish freinds daily and visit at least once a year.  Prince Michael is in the company during many public appearances with other notable and traditional Jacobites from the past ...... with the present Earl of Mar and Duke of Montorse to the chagrin of the royals

If Scotland wants a monarchy ... that's for Scotland to decide ....a Constitional Monarchy seems to work well in in many Europen countires.  WE broke away from the House of Hanover ... and it was the best thing that happened to us ..... I have no trouble with the house of Stuart. 

I re-enact, but I take it more seriously.  I do not do it because I have nothing better to do on the weekends ..... it history and it's blood...

Yours aye,

Caledonianreb

I am a  latter day Jacobite and have met the Prince and I believe he is who he says he is.
I have heard him speak and spoken to himself on one to ones and you feel the passion he has for this country.
I firmly believe that he would make a great King of Scots and atleast we would have a King interested in this country not some German Queen who could not give a txss for this country.
As what has been said I do this for the love of my country not some hobby  and hopefully one day the Stuarts will rule  the Scots again
Fear God Honour The King

My thoughts are just this-

I don't know about Prince Michael of Albany, never read his book.
I'm all for Scotlands independance but the Stuart reign of Scotland etc., 
is finished. 

If  Prince Michael of Albany claims to be who he is, he must take a
DNA test, if he doesn't want to do it  or back it up he's just the "youngest of Pretenders"
(has he taken a dna test?)

dave

An independent Scotland is the main aim (and hopefully a trend AWAY from left-wing ideology!!!).

And from the other end of the spectruim lets hope he Doesnt...(Grin)