The correspondence gives a picture of the habitual life and activities of Jacobite families in Scotland and in exile. In addition to the affairs of the family of Balhaldie, it deals with those of the Camerons of Lochiel, the Earls of Perth, the Sempills, various unidentified Drummonds, and, later, the Oliphants of Gask.

The earlier letters relate chiefly to family business and local affairs in the neighbourhood of Dunblane. Several unsigned letters of Allan Cameron, son of Sir Ewen, of Lochiel, seem to refer to some secret activity, 1712-?1715. Others mention Rob Roy, 1712, 1728, and the protection given to his sons by the titular Duke of Perth after their maiming of Maclaren's cattle, 1736.

The years from 1743 to 1763 are chiefly taken up with correspondence of William MacGregor of Balhaldie, the plotter (sometimes under the name of Malloch or Williamson), and other Jacobites in France. It includes a draft memorandum of Francis, styled Lord Sempill, apparently to the French Court, narrating Jacobite activities of the last two years and pressing for help, 1745; a letter of an officer about to embark with Lord John Drummond on his expedition to Scotland, November 1745; letters on Dr Archibald Cameron's visit to England of 1749; and others on the prospect of another rising after Culloden and the doings and fate of Jacobites at home, 1748, 1753. Much of the correspondence relates to Scottish regiments in the French service, and one writer speaks of the employment of Highlanders by the Compagnie des Indes. Among the undated papers are the keys to various ciphers. James More MacGregor is the writer of several letters, 1753-1754, in one of which he speaks of his offer to help the Government with regard to the Appin murder. Other letters relate to James More’s brother, Robin Og, 1753. There are two printed advertisements of Parisian drapers, 1749, 1755.

The later correspondence deals mainly with the restoration of the name of MacGregor and the chiefship of the clan, 1766-1798, and with the Stirlingshire Yeomanry Cavalry, 1799-1833.