While thousands of Highlanders lost their lives at Culloden during the Jacobite Rising of 1745, the would-be king who they were fighting for sailed away from Scotland scot-free. Bonnie Prince Charlie escaped to freedom in 1746, thanks in part to Flora MacDonald. In the sixth Outlander book, A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Flora's story is introduced. And though it seemed that an eight-episode Season 6 wouldn't have time for such a delightful detour, there's evidence that Flora MacDonald's barbecue in Outlander is going to happen. Book 6 spoilers ahead.

Following the Jacobites defeat at the Battle of Culloden, the real-life historical figure of Flora MacDonald helped Charles Edward Stuart sail to the Isle of Skye. From there, he made his way to continental Europe, successfully evading capture for his attempt to take the British throne. His escape to Skye is the premise for the "The Skye Boat Song," which — as every Outlander fan knows — serves as the theme song for the Starz show (with the lyrics tweaked).

In Diana Gabaldon's A Breath of Snow and Ashes, Aunt Jocasta hosts a barbecue for Flora MacDonald at her River Run plantation in N.C., nearly 30 years later. At this point, Flora is a celebrity to the Scottish colonists and they flock to see her give a speech about how they should remain loyal to the British Crown in the impending American Revolution. As Claire comments, it seems paradoxical that people who fought against the British in the 1740s would want to stand by them in the 1770s, but the Scottish settlers learned the hard way what it was like to fight the English and fail.