# Alastair Maclean — Midwinter character guide > Alastair Maclean in Midwinter by John Buchan. **Role:** major **Also known as:** Alastair, Maclean, Captain Maclean **First appearance:** 0003-i-in-which-a-highland-gentleman-misses-his-way ## Snapshot A Highland officer home on leave from the French King's service, riding north through a country on the edge of rebellion, with loyalties he cannot safely speak aloud. ## Who they are Alastair Maclean is a soldier of Jacobite sympathies returning from France, whose slow journey home keeps snagging on mischances, warrants, and other men's secrets. His exchange with General Oglethorpe exposes the tension that defines him: a man of the old chivalrous world, courteous even to his enemies, caught in a new England he only half understands. His divided loyalties and his habit of being trusted by both sides make him the natural thread on which the whole intrigue is strung. ## Relationships ### [Sir John Norreys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/sir_john_norreys) _professional_ Alastair serves as Sir John's trusted agent and enforcer, carrying out his master's covert operations. ### [Duchess Kitty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/duchess_kitty) _romantic_ Alastair and the Duchess share a passionate but forbidden romance, complicated by their different social stations. ### [Journeyman John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/journeyman_john) _friendship_ Journeyman John is Alastair's loyal and resourceful companion, often aiding him in dangerous escapades. ### [Amos Midwinter](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/amos_midwinter) _family_ Amos is Alastair's estranged father, and their relationship is fraught with resentment and unresolved conflict. ### [Black Benjamin](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/black_benjamin) _rivalry_ Black Benjamin is a brutal outlaw who repeatedly crosses paths with Alastair as a deadly adversary. ### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/the_prince) _professional_ Alastair acts as a secret agent for the Prince, carrying out missions in support of the Jacobite cause. ### [Lord George Murray](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/lord_george_murray) _professional_ Lord George Murray is a Jacobite general who commands Alastair's military efforts during the uprising. ### [Edom Lowrie](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/edom_lowrie) _rivalry_ Edom Lowrie is a treacherous double agent who repeatedly betrays Alastair and his allies. ### [Brother Gilly](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/brother_gilly) _friendship_ Brother Gilly is a kind-hearted monk who offers Alastair shelter and spiritual counsel. ### [Sir John Norreys](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/sir_john_norreys) _professional_ Alastair serves as Sir John's trusted agent and enforcer, carrying out his master's covert operations. ### [The Prince](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/the_prince) _professional_ Alastair acts as a secret agent for the Prince, carrying out missions in support of the Jacobite cause. ### [Duchess Kitty](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/duchess_kitty) _romantic_ Alastair and the Duchess share a passionate but forbidden romance, complicated by their different social stations. ## In the story ### [I: In Which a Highland Gentleman Misses His Way](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/i-in-which-a-highland-gentleman-misses-his-way) The Highland gentleman who loses his way in Wychwood forest, intervenes to save a boy from a brutal gamekeeper, and is led to the moor-men's camp where he meets Amos Midwinter. ### [II: In Which a Nobleman Is Perplexed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/ii-in-which-a-nobleman-is-perplexed) The protagonist, a Jacobite messenger, arrives at Cornbury to persuade Lord Cornbury to join the cause. ### [III: In Which Private Matters Cut Across Affairs of State](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/iii-in-which-private-matters-cut-across-affairs-of-state) Observes Johnson's arrival and plea, feels a kinship with his struggle against prudence, and helps him to the saddle. ### [Mr. Kyd of Greyhouses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/iv-mr-kyd-of-greyhouses) Riding north after completing intelligence work in the West; meets the Spaniard and Mr. Kyd; anxious about the Prince's military decisions. ### [V: Chance-Medley](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/v-chance-medley) The protagonist, traveling under suspicion of being a Jacobite, observes and intervenes in the events at the inn and the village. ### [VI: Introduces the Runaway Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/vi-introduces-the-runaway-lady) Arrested on conspiracy charges; anxious about delay in reaching the Prince. ### [How a Man May Hunt with the Hounds and Yet Run with the Hare](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/vii-how-a-man-may-hunt-with-the-hounds-and-yet-run-with-the-hare) The protagonist, a Jacobite captain, is imprisoned but escapes with Lady Norreys' help. He is tormented by the presence of a traitor in the cause. ### [Broom at the Crossroads](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/viii-broom-at-the-crossroads) Confronts Edom Lowrie, forces him to surrender Kyd's papers, and grows increasingly suspicious of Kyd's loyalty. ### [IX: Old England](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/ix-old-england) Disguised as a charcoal-burner, he writes to Lochiel and plans to investigate Sir John Norreys. ### [X: Snowbound at the Sleeping Deer](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/x-snowbound-at-the-sleeping-deer) Disguised in frieze and leather, he plans to stay secretly at the inn while pretending to depart, and travels to Brightwell to deliver a letter. ### [Night at the Same: Two Visitors](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xi-night-at-the-same-two-visitors) Confronts Oglethorpe and discovers Norreys's treachery; spies on Kyd. ### [XII: The Hut in the Oak Shaw](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xii-the-hut-in-the-oak-shaw) Recovers from a blow to the head, imprisoned in a hut, overhears his accusers, and burns with fury at being framed. ### [XIII: Journeyman John](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xiii-journeyman-john) Alastair is the captive protagonist, manacled and facing execution by the Journeyman John. He fights for his life, using song to delay and ultimately breaking free from his bonds. ### [Duchess Kitty on the Road](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xiv-duchess-kitty-on-the-road) Plans to confront Kyd and Norreys, seeking justice while sparing Claudia. ### [XV: Bids Farewell to a Scots Laird](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xv-bids-farewell-to-a-scots-laird) Rides with the Spainneach, meets Charles Hay, and leads the confrontation with Kyd at Brightwell. ### [XVI: Bids Farewell to an English Lady](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xvi-bids-farewell-to-an-english-lady) Debates with Johnson over whether to pursue Sir John or ride to the Prince; ultimately decides to protect Claudia's innocence by intercepting Sir John. ### [XVII: Ordeal of Honour](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xvii-ordeal-of-honour) Leads the pursuit of Sir John Norreys, disarms him in a duel, and presides over a court of honor, showing mercy despite his anger. ### [In Which Three Gentlemen Confess Their Nakedness](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xviii-in-which-three-gentlemen-confess-their-nakedness) Confesses his nakedness: he has given up his lady and failed his Prince. Blames himself for the Cause's shipwreck and resolves to go to Ramoth-Gilead (the Prince) to stand by the Cause to the end. ### [Ramoth-Gilead](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/xix-ramoth-gilead) Determined to rejoin the Prince's army, he bids farewell to Johnson and is intercepted by Oglethorpe, who permits him to continue to Scotland. ### [Postscript](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/chapters/postscript) Lost to us in the mist after the farewell on Cumberland moor; did not fall at Culloden or swing at Carlisle; recipient of Johnson's letter in France. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters/alastair_maclean - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/midwinter_se/characters