"Bonny Prince Charlie" is seen as a Scottish hero. In fact the true heroes of his story are the Scots who served him and saved him, who gave him their loyalty although they saw his faults. For him, Scotland was only a source of soldiers to get him onto the British throne. He published a proclamation, just before he left France declaring that he was born an Englishman and wished no prouder title. His rash adventure brought dreadful suffering to thousands of Scots. It ended all opposition to the Act of Union, and Scottish self-confidence and self-reliance have never recovered. It was due to him that there was no Scottish Parliament for centuries.
He was selfish, deceitful, impatient and suspicious, ungrateful, no judge of character, easily influenced by his friends, lacking forethought or determination. But he had enormous personal magnetism. He was outgoing, friendly, charming, enthusiastic, and undoubtedly brave. Lord Balmerino, on the scaffold, called him "so sweet a Prince that flesh and blood could not resist following him."
As this book shows, if he had less charm Scotland would have been better off.