# XV: The March explained — Waverley > Chapter companion for Waverley by Walter Scott. ## What happens Waverley awakens to the sound of the pibroch and learns from Callum Beg that the Prince and Fergus have already departed for the King's Park. He dresses in his tartans and joins the Highland army as it prepares to march out of Edinburgh. The chapter describes the assembling of the clans, their banners and mottoes, the motley appearance of the troops—from well-armed gentlemen to half-naked peasants—and the departure of the column, with Waverley reflecting on the daring and precarious nature of the enterprise. ## Themes in this chapter ### Identity and Belonging Waverley fully adopts Highland dress and marches on foot with the clan, signaling his integration into the Jacobite cause. ### Social Class and Hierarchy The stark contrast between well-armed gentlemen of the clan and the half-naked, poorly armed peasantry (the 'Helots') highlights the rigid social structure within Highland society. ### Change and Transition The army's departure from Edinburgh marks a decisive shift from preparation to action, as Waverley leaves behind his former life and commits to the march. ## Character check-ins ### Edward Waverley Wakes from a dream of Glennaquoich, dresses in Highland garb with Callum's help, and joins the march on foot. ### Callum Beg Rouses Waverley, assists him with his tartans, and informs him of the Prince's and Fergus's movements. ### Fergus MacIvor Already departed with the Prince; his piper is heard in the court, and his clan marches near the head of the column. ### Prince Charles Edward Stuart Has already left for the King's Park; his standard with the motto 'Tandem Triumphans' is displayed at the front of the army. ### Mr. Falconer of Balmawhapple Seen among the cavalry, galloping to join the van, along with his lieutenant Jinker. ### Jinker Reduced to a reformado, but still present with Balmawhapple in the cavalry. ### Baron of Bradwardine Mentioned as having advised the reduction of several officers to reformadoes. ### Mrs. Flockhart Complains about the piper's noise and offers Waverley a morning dram, which he declines. ## Key lines > The grim, uncombed, and wild appearance of these men, most of whom gazed with all the admiration of ignorance upon the most ordinary productions of domestic art, created surprise in the Lowlands, but it also created terror. The rough, unkempt look of these Highlanders, who stared in wonder at everyday Lowland objects, astonished and frightened the Lowlanders. _Highlights the cultural and economic divide between Highlands and Lowlands._ > So little was the condition of the Highlands known at that late period that the character and appearance of their population, while thus sallying forth as military adventurers, conveyed to the South-Country Lowlanders as much surprise as if an invasion of African Negroes or Eskimo Indians had issued forth from the northern mountains of their own native country. The Lowlanders were as astonished by the Highlanders' appearance as they would have been by a foreign invasion from Africa or the Arctic. _Emphasizes the profound ignorance and exoticization of Highland culture in the 18th century._ > It cannot therefore be wondered if Waverley, who had hitherto judged of the Highlanders generally from the samples which the policy of Fergus had from time to time exhibited, should have felt damped and astonished at the daring attempt of a body not then exceeding four thousand men, and of whom not above half the number, at the utmost, were armed, to change the fate and alter the dynasty of the British kingdoms. Given that Waverley had only seen Fergus's carefully selected men, it is no surprise he was daunted by the reality of a poorly armed army of under four thousand attempting to overthrow the British monarchy. _Reveals Waverley's growing awareness of the Jacobite army's weakness and the audacity of their enterprise._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters/part-ii-xv-the-march - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/waverley_se/chapters