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For the latest news from Scotland see our ScotNews feed at:
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
I've added a page for MyHeritage to provide more information about their service including their new announcement of a new picture repair and colorization facility. You can read this and watch a video at: https://electricscotland.com/advertisers/index.htm
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Scotland's most spoiled parrot visits pub, takes day trips and flies on leash
Pampered pet Blaze goes three walks a day and even sits at the dinner table for meals.
Watch the video at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/s...isits-24149643
Farmers for free trade
It's easy to dismiss those arguing in favour of tariff-free trade with Australia by claiming they lack experience of farming. Not so for Jethro Elsden, who knows only too well the rigours of the agricultural life - and is all the more supportive of proper competition as a result.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/i-grew-up-on-a-farm-...ff-free-trade/
The Electric-Car Lesson That China Is Serving Up for America
Beijing’s push to build an entire industry from scratch helps inform how the White House should proceed.
Read more at:
https://www.theatlantic.com/internat...ucture/618921/
SNP cover-up exposed as true data on care home horror concealed from public
A SCOTTISH government agency acted unlawfully when it failed to release the full figures for care home coronavirus deaths in Scotland, it has been ruled.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/14...h-Covid-19-NHS
Former deputy first minister Jim Wallace is new Kirk moderator
Former deputy first minister Jim Wallace has been installed as the new moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-57212592
Why Peru is reviving a pre-Incan technology for water
Peru is turning to ancient indigenous techniques and natural ecosystems to keep its taps running, as climate change threatens to dry out its water supply.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2...for-slow-water
Sturgeon hates everything British. Britons encourage Boris to cut off London money tap
BRITONS have urged Boris Johnson to cut funding to the SNP led Scottish government following controversial remarks from first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/14...h-independence
Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs effective against Indian variant
The Pfizer and AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines are highly effective against the variant identified in India after two doses, a study has found.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57214596
Toronto lockdown - one of the world's longest?
Toronto restaurants have been closed to diners for over 360 days since the start of the pandemic, giving the city one of the longest indoor-dining bans in the world.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57079577
The doctor might see you now
Healthcare rationing in the NHS before and after the Covid-19 pandemic By Dr Robert Sutton
Read more at:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56eddde762cd9413e151ac92/t/60acbd082f3a9e62f22f9f0f/1621933323984/
The+doctor+might+see+you+now+-+Dr+Robert+Sutton+-+Final.pdf
The Courier takes on Scottish Government over rising drug deaths, and more
At long last a Scottish newspaper editor appears to have the guts to tackle the Scottish Government on its lamentable record in addressing and attempting to deal with the tragically ever-mounting roll of drug deaths in Scotland - especially among our young folk.
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/HamishMackay572a.html
GB News: New TV channel to launch on 13 June
The new GB News channel is to launch on Sunday 13 June at 20:00 BST, the network confirmed on Tuesday. The new channel will be chaired by former BBC political presenter Andrew Neil and promises to change the face of news and debate in the UK.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-57252833
TENSIONS in the South China Sea have reached boiling point after Beijing showed off its military might by dropping thousands of bombs during live-fire exercises in the contested region.
The South China Sea is a highly contested region and faces competing claims from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Diplomatic relations between the nations are already extremely strained.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...iberation-army
Hospital child deaths biggest scandal of devolution era
A family may not have been told that the death of their child was linked to an infection at Glasgow's flagship hospital, Anas Sarwar has claimed. More than 80 infected children and two deaths have been linked to contaminated water at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-57267384
Liz Truss celebrates bumper Australia trade deal slashing £115m in red tape
BRITISH firms will save a whopping £115million in tariffs when Liz Truss signs a trade deal with Australia next month, the Trade minister told MPs today.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...s-Brexit-trade
Electric Canadian
The Canadian Constitution
Being a series of broadcasts sponsored by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (1938) (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nconstitun.pdf
The Canadian Annual Review War Series
By J. Castell Hopkinds (1914) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...annuawar01.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday morning - the 23rd day of May 2021
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...-23rd-may-2021
Canadian Cook Book
By Nellie Lyle Pattinson, Director of Domestic Science, Eighth Edition (1936) (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/life..._cook-book.pdf
The Canadian Bank of Commerce, London Branch
Historical Sketch (pdf)
You can read this short history at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...ofcommerce.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
Got in her talk for May 26th 2021 - May 26th 2021 Beth's Nursery Rhymes No. 1
You can view this at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/videos.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Hi. I hope everyone is well and enjoying the days of summer which have already arrived here in North Georgia. The good news nationally is that the virus cases are getting fewer - although about 600 people a day are still dying in the USA. That, to me, is still a very worrying number.
I hope you all will enjoy this publication. There is some very sad news this time as we have lost Purdy McLeod and several others from our Scottish community who have joined our Flowers of the Forest. Our sympathy goes out to all their friends and families.
If you know anyone who is producing a Scottish Games from now on through 2021, please ask them to send me their games information and I will print it at absolutely no charge. Especially now when some games have less time than they do normally to notify everyone, it is important to get accurate information out to everyone. Just email me anytime at <bethscribble@aol.com>
There's now a video of Finley, the orphan Scottish Wildcat growing up at Wildcat Haven in Scotland. He is surely growing into a most handsome wildcat as well as a very smart one, from the description the crew at the Wildcat Haven give.
Carbisdale Castle is for sale once again. It seems quite a bargain at 1.5 million pounds, although it is understood there is quite a bit of renovation necessary. It would be a lovely place to live, wouldn't it!
Be sure and keep me updated with your latest and best email address. If you have any genealogical queries you'd like printed, email me too. Just email <bethscribble@aol.com>
tay careful and be safe.
Aye,
beth
You can read this issue 1 at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
Robert Campbell
Mountain Man & Ulster Scot (1804 -1879)
You can read about him and watch a video at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ell_robert.htm
Jigsaw Puzzles
I have made a start at adding jigsaw puzzles due to the old ones no longer working. I intend to add more each week until our collection is back to near what it was.
You can get to the first two at:
https://electricscotland.com/kids/jigsaws/index.htm
A Discourse containing a Summary of the Proceedings of the Directors of the Society
For extending the Fisheries and improving the Sea Coasts of Great Britain since 25th March, 1788 and some thoughts on the present Emigations from the Highlands by George Dempster, Esq., one of the Directors, together with some Reflections intended to promote the Success of the said Society by John Gray, Esq. (1800) (pdf)
An interesting book which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/discourse.pdf
Collectanea de Rebus Albanicis
Consisting of Original Papers and Documents relating to the History of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland edited by the Iona Club communicated by Donald Gregory, Esq. (pdf) Note that this is a book from the time that the letter "s" was written as the letter "f"
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...01clubgoog.pdf
For list of Contents see a small pdf file here at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/contents.pdf
Scotland, its Faith and its Features
Or, A visit to Blair Athol by The Rev. Francis Trench, volumes 1 & 2 (1846) (pdf)
This book contains both volumes and you can read it at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...rathol0102.pdf
Story
Clanship and Chiefs Dress and Arms
by Burke's Peerage & Gentry
Chapter two of an extract from the publication 'The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland', By James Grant. The publication is held at the Odom Library in Moultrie, Georgia.
"Highland clan," says Duncan Forbes of Culloden, "is a set of men all bearing the same surname, and believing themselves to be related, the one to the other, and to be descended from the same stock. In each clan are several subaltern tribes, who own their dependence on their own immediate chief, but all agree in owning allegiance to the supreme chief of the clan or kindred, and look upon it to be their duty to support him in all adventures."
The patriarchal system of clanship thus made the people regard, with unfailing devotion, their chief as the head of their race, and the representative of their common ancestor; While the iron feudal system, which was unknown among them in the earlier ages of Highland history, compelled the people to obey their leader as feudal lord of the lands on which they dwelt.
The introduction of the feudal system was a work of slow progress indeed, beyond the Highland border; for, between it and the patriarchal there was a vital distinction. Under the latter, the land was the common property of the tribe; under the feudal, it was made the personal property of the chief; hence the bloody strife that ensued in 1544, when John of Moidart, the Wallace of the Celtic tribes, came forth in arms against Argyle on the west, Huntly, Lovat and Mar on the east, in the strife that ended in the battle of Blairleine.
It is now generally supposed that there were no clans in the Highlands, till the great Celtic Earls became extinct, early in the 13th century. Before the Earls appeared in history, the various people in different districts were ruled by Maormars; "but Tacitus," says Mr Robertson, "is a clear authority, that in the first century the inhabitants of Caledonia had nobles or leaders among them, who ruled the tribes, and selected the Ardrigh or supreme king, as he states that the choice of Galgacus as sovereign was from among many leaders."
Early in the 14th century clanship seemed to have become pretty well defined over all the Highlands, and by 1587 a distinct and formidable roll of the clans is given in the Acts of the Scottish Parliament under that date; and, despite the oppressive act of the British Parliament in 1747 clanship existed in Scotland till the middle of the 18th century, in as much strength and purity as it ever did in ancient times.
Divided among the more fertile glens, separated from each other, and surrounded by lofty, and in many instances almost impassable mountains, the various tribes were separated by permanent and well-known boundaries. To the denizens or each glen, all within the visible horizon was "a country," as Lord Reay's country, the country of the Gordons, etc. Common interest required the people to have local clan or district governments; their laws were traditional and known to all, while ancestral honours and blood, like the soil they dwelt on, were regarded as the common inheritance of all.
The people of these, then almost inaccessible, regions owned little more than a nominal subjection to the King of Scotland, allegiance to him being always subordinate to that which they yielded to their hereditary chiefs, who ruled them with absolute, but not irresponsible, sway. These clans were always at war among themselves, often viewing the Lowlanders as the common foes of all. An affront or an injury to the most humble individual, from one of another clan was held as an insult to the whole, and too often one never to be forgotten or forgiven. Blood alone could atone for it, and, if not avenged by one generation, the feud was bequeathed as a precious legacy to the next; and there have been occasions, as we shall show, when the extermination of an entire community was not deemed a sacrifice too great for vengeance. Thus, in such a state of society, when men never went unarmed, either to field, church, or market, human life was held exceedingly cheap.
Besides fighting and plundering each other, not unfrequently several clans united, especially on the Borders, and bursting into the more fertile Lowlands, swept off herds, flocks, and the produce of the harvests, into their mountain fastnesses.
To his chief, the clansman bore all the blind devotion of a child to his parent; his obedience sprang from the same law of nature. The clansman, who scrupled to save his chief's life at the expense of his own, was regarded as a coward who abandoned his parent in the hour of peril. His duty was indelible and no feudal grant or human engagement, marriage or death, could be preferred to the service of his chief. Limited to its own glen, each clan increased in numbers far beyond the means of subsistence there; but each little mountain farm was divided and subdivided by the clansman among his children, grandchildren, and so on; but a high military spirit was unfortunately combined with a profound contempt for labour.
The castle of the chief was a kind of palace, to which every man of his name was welcome, and whither all usually flocked in times or local war. The inherent power of the chief, even Dr Johnson admits, was strengthened by the kindness of consanguinity and reverence of patriarchal authority. "The laird was the father of the clan," he adds, "his tenants commonly bore his name, and to the principles or original command was added, for many ages, an exclusive right of legal jurisdiction. This multifarious and extensive obligation operated with a force scarcely credible; every duty, moral and political, was absorbed in affection for, and adherence to the chief."
Next to the love of him, was that of the particular branch from which they sprang, and the law or Kincogish, by which a chief was personally responsible to every member of his clan, was a truly Celtic institution. The idea of reciprocal affection and reaction was fostered with pride, and, under this idea, the warlike onset of the Highlanders as stimulated by resentment and cemented by sympathy from blood, was as impetuous as a mountain torrent.
Even after the commencement of the present century, in the ranks of our Highland regiments the clansmen followed with alacrity their chief, or the sons of their chief, to many a hard-fought field, and we can remember to have heard many an old Highland officer speak with pride and affection of "my father's men," or "our people."
With all its defects and peculiarities, clanship, which gave men a claim upon each other, as of common kindred was a singular and noble institution. "Blessed be that spirit of nationality or clanship," says Andrew Picker (in his now forgotten romance, "The Black Watch"), "or by whatever name the principle may be called, which opens the heart of man to his brother man, and, in spite of the trained selfishness to which he is educated in artificial life, bids the warm and glorious feeling of sympathy gush forth in circumstances of sorrow and of trouble, to cheer the drooping heart of the unfortunate, and prevent his swearing hatred to his own species."
The right of chieftainship was vested in the males alone, and times there were, when a brother was deemed better for the part than a son, as in the case of John of Moidart, when his nephew, Ronald Galda, proposed to have a feudal charter for the land of the tribe.
"When a chief," says Logan, in his "Gael," "entered on his government, he was placed on the summit of a pyramidal cairn, with his people around him. A sword and a white wand were delivered to him, and the bard or Druid recounted his pedigree and the exploits of his ancestors, exhorting him to emulate their example. The ancient chiefs had hereditary standard-bearers, an honour to which perquisites were attached, and, under Sir Donald MacDonald of Slate, one enjoyed these in the 18th century. The Clan-na-Faiter held lands in Bracadale for preserving the Brattichshi or banner of MacLeod.
Three eagle's feathers were the badge of a chief; two of a chieftain, like Breadalbane or Glenmorriston; and one of a gentleman. The staff, which attended a chief wherever he went, was constituted as follows :-
The henchman, who remained ever close to him, and stood behind him at table; his bladair or spokesman; the bard; the piper and the piper's gillie; the gillie-mhor, who bore his broadsword; the gilli-cosfluich, who carried him through rivers; a gillie who led his horse in dangerous places; a baggage gillie, and a gillie-nuithe or running footman.
In battle he had his Leine-chrios (i.e. shirt of mail) or chosen bodyguard, who fought around him.
The Highland force in the field for King James in 1715, as given by General Wade, was 14,140 men. The actual force which fought at Culloden was only 3850, as 3000 were absent, and the MacDonald brigade did not charge. The actual fighting force of the Highlands at this period (irrespective of many small tribes) was estimated, by the Lord President Forbes, at 31,930 men. Had all followed Prince Charles, we should never have heard of his retreat from Derby.
After the battle of Culloden, Government became sensible of the danger attendant on the high authority possessed by the Highland chiefs. Their followers were no longer permitted to wear arms, or even their native dress, and a regular administration of justice was substituted for the patriarchal mode of repressing crimes and redressing grievances. Their safety no longer required a numerous body of men, but clanship for a time prevented any material change in old habits and thought; but, as the ancient proprietors wore out, their successors began to be tempted, by increase of rent to transfer their farms to new tenants, who brought with them a more improved system of agriculture; and, from that time the double tide of emigration and wholesale expatriation set steadily in, and great injustice and cruelty followed.
You can read the rest of this article at:
https://electricscotland.com/webclans/dress_arms.htm
END.
And that's it for this week and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair
https://electricscotland.com/scotnews.htm
Electric Scotland News
I've added a page for MyHeritage to provide more information about their service including their new announcement of a new picture repair and colorization facility. You can read this and watch a video at: https://electricscotland.com/advertisers/index.htm
Scottish News from this weeks newspapers
Note that this is a selection and more can be read in our ScotNews feed on our index page where we list news from the past 1-2 weeks. I am partly doing this to build an archive of modern news from and about Scotland and world news stories that can affect Scotland and as all the newsletters are archived and also indexed on Google and other search engines it becomes a good resource. I might also add that in a number of newspapers you will find many comments which can be just as interesting as the news story itself and of course you can also add your own comments if you wish which I do myself from time to time.
Scotland's most spoiled parrot visits pub, takes day trips and flies on leash
Pampered pet Blaze goes three walks a day and even sits at the dinner table for meals.
Watch the video at:
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/s...isits-24149643
Farmers for free trade
It's easy to dismiss those arguing in favour of tariff-free trade with Australia by claiming they lack experience of farming. Not so for Jethro Elsden, who knows only too well the rigours of the agricultural life - and is all the more supportive of proper competition as a result.
Read more at:
https://capx.co/i-grew-up-on-a-farm-...ff-free-trade/
The Electric-Car Lesson That China Is Serving Up for America
Beijing’s push to build an entire industry from scratch helps inform how the White House should proceed.
Read more at:
https://www.theatlantic.com/internat...ucture/618921/
SNP cover-up exposed as true data on care home horror concealed from public
A SCOTTISH government agency acted unlawfully when it failed to release the full figures for care home coronavirus deaths in Scotland, it has been ruled.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/14...h-Covid-19-NHS
Former deputy first minister Jim Wallace is new Kirk moderator
Former deputy first minister Jim Wallace has been installed as the new moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-57212592
Why Peru is reviving a pre-Incan technology for water
Peru is turning to ancient indigenous techniques and natural ecosystems to keep its taps running, as climate change threatens to dry out its water supply.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/future/article/2...for-slow-water
Sturgeon hates everything British. Britons encourage Boris to cut off London money tap
BRITONS have urged Boris Johnson to cut funding to the SNP led Scottish government following controversial remarks from first minister Nicola Sturgeon.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/14...h-independence
Pfizer and AstraZeneca jabs effective against Indian variant
The Pfizer and AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccines are highly effective against the variant identified in India after two doses, a study has found.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-57214596
Toronto lockdown - one of the world's longest?
Toronto restaurants have been closed to diners for over 360 days since the start of the pandemic, giving the city one of the longest indoor-dining bans in the world.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57079577
The doctor might see you now
Healthcare rationing in the NHS before and after the Covid-19 pandemic By Dr Robert Sutton
Read more at:
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/56eddde762cd9413e151ac92/t/60acbd082f3a9e62f22f9f0f/1621933323984/
The+doctor+might+see+you+now+-+Dr+Robert+Sutton+-+Final.pdf
The Courier takes on Scottish Government over rising drug deaths, and more
At long last a Scottish newspaper editor appears to have the guts to tackle the Scottish Government on its lamentable record in addressing and attempting to deal with the tragically ever-mounting roll of drug deaths in Scotland - especially among our young folk.
Read more at:
https://www.scottishreview.net/HamishMackay572a.html
GB News: New TV channel to launch on 13 June
The new GB News channel is to launch on Sunday 13 June at 20:00 BST, the network confirmed on Tuesday. The new channel will be chaired by former BBC political presenter Andrew Neil and promises to change the face of news and debate in the UK.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-57252833
TENSIONS in the South China Sea have reached boiling point after Beijing showed off its military might by dropping thousands of bombs during live-fire exercises in the contested region.
The South China Sea is a highly contested region and faces competing claims from China, Malaysia, Taiwan, Vietnam and the Philippines. Diplomatic relations between the nations are already extremely strained.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/world...iberation-army
Hospital child deaths biggest scandal of devolution era
A family may not have been told that the death of their child was linked to an infection at Glasgow's flagship hospital, Anas Sarwar has claimed. More than 80 infected children and two deaths have been linked to contaminated water at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital.
Read more at:
https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland...itics-57267384
Liz Truss celebrates bumper Australia trade deal slashing £115m in red tape
BRITISH firms will save a whopping £115million in tariffs when Liz Truss signs a trade deal with Australia next month, the Trade minister told MPs today.
Read more at:
https://www.express.co.uk/news/polit...s-Brexit-trade
Electric Canadian
The Canadian Constitution
Being a series of broadcasts sponsored by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (1938) (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/hist...nconstitun.pdf
The Canadian Annual Review War Series
By J. Castell Hopkinds (1914) (pdf)
You can read this at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/forc...annuawar01.pdf
Thoughts on a Sunday morning - the 23rd day of May 2021
By the Rev. Nola Crewe
You can view this at:
http://www.electricscotland.org/foru...-23rd-may-2021
Canadian Cook Book
By Nellie Lyle Pattinson, Director of Domestic Science, Eighth Edition (1936) (pdf)
You can read this at: http://www.electriccanadian.com/life..._cook-book.pdf
The Canadian Bank of Commerce, London Branch
Historical Sketch (pdf)
You can read this short history at:
http://www.electriccanadian.com/tran...ofcommerce.pdf
Electric Scotland
Beth's Video Talks
Got in her talk for May 26th 2021 - May 26th 2021 Beth's Nursery Rhymes No. 1
You can view this at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/videos.htm
Beth's Newfangled Family Tree
Hi. I hope everyone is well and enjoying the days of summer which have already arrived here in North Georgia. The good news nationally is that the virus cases are getting fewer - although about 600 people a day are still dying in the USA. That, to me, is still a very worrying number.
I hope you all will enjoy this publication. There is some very sad news this time as we have lost Purdy McLeod and several others from our Scottish community who have joined our Flowers of the Forest. Our sympathy goes out to all their friends and families.
If you know anyone who is producing a Scottish Games from now on through 2021, please ask them to send me their games information and I will print it at absolutely no charge. Especially now when some games have less time than they do normally to notify everyone, it is important to get accurate information out to everyone. Just email me anytime at <bethscribble@aol.com>
There's now a video of Finley, the orphan Scottish Wildcat growing up at Wildcat Haven in Scotland. He is surely growing into a most handsome wildcat as well as a very smart one, from the description the crew at the Wildcat Haven give.
Carbisdale Castle is for sale once again. It seems quite a bargain at 1.5 million pounds, although it is understood there is quite a bit of renovation necessary. It would be a lovely place to live, wouldn't it!
Be sure and keep me updated with your latest and best email address. If you have any genealogical queries you'd like printed, email me too. Just email <bethscribble@aol.com>
tay careful and be safe.
Aye,
beth
You can read this issue 1 at: https://electricscotland.com/bnft/index.htm
Robert Campbell
Mountain Man & Ulster Scot (1804 -1879)
You can read about him and watch a video at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...ell_robert.htm
Jigsaw Puzzles
I have made a start at adding jigsaw puzzles due to the old ones no longer working. I intend to add more each week until our collection is back to near what it was.
You can get to the first two at:
https://electricscotland.com/kids/jigsaws/index.htm
A Discourse containing a Summary of the Proceedings of the Directors of the Society
For extending the Fisheries and improving the Sea Coasts of Great Britain since 25th March, 1788 and some thoughts on the present Emigations from the Highlands by George Dempster, Esq., one of the Directors, together with some Reflections intended to promote the Success of the said Society by John Gray, Esq. (1800) (pdf)
An interesting book which you can read at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/discourse.pdf
Collectanea de Rebus Albanicis
Consisting of Original Papers and Documents relating to the History of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland edited by the Iona Club communicated by Donald Gregory, Esq. (pdf) Note that this is a book from the time that the letter "s" was written as the letter "f"
You can read this book at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...01clubgoog.pdf
For list of Contents see a small pdf file here at:
https://electricscotland.com/history/contents.pdf
Scotland, its Faith and its Features
Or, A visit to Blair Athol by The Rev. Francis Trench, volumes 1 & 2 (1846) (pdf)
This book contains both volumes and you can read it at:
https://electricscotland.com/history...rathol0102.pdf
Story
Clanship and Chiefs Dress and Arms
by Burke's Peerage & Gentry
Chapter two of an extract from the publication 'The Tartans of the Clans of Scotland', By James Grant. The publication is held at the Odom Library in Moultrie, Georgia.
"Highland clan," says Duncan Forbes of Culloden, "is a set of men all bearing the same surname, and believing themselves to be related, the one to the other, and to be descended from the same stock. In each clan are several subaltern tribes, who own their dependence on their own immediate chief, but all agree in owning allegiance to the supreme chief of the clan or kindred, and look upon it to be their duty to support him in all adventures."
The patriarchal system of clanship thus made the people regard, with unfailing devotion, their chief as the head of their race, and the representative of their common ancestor; While the iron feudal system, which was unknown among them in the earlier ages of Highland history, compelled the people to obey their leader as feudal lord of the lands on which they dwelt.
The introduction of the feudal system was a work of slow progress indeed, beyond the Highland border; for, between it and the patriarchal there was a vital distinction. Under the latter, the land was the common property of the tribe; under the feudal, it was made the personal property of the chief; hence the bloody strife that ensued in 1544, when John of Moidart, the Wallace of the Celtic tribes, came forth in arms against Argyle on the west, Huntly, Lovat and Mar on the east, in the strife that ended in the battle of Blairleine.
It is now generally supposed that there were no clans in the Highlands, till the great Celtic Earls became extinct, early in the 13th century. Before the Earls appeared in history, the various people in different districts were ruled by Maormars; "but Tacitus," says Mr Robertson, "is a clear authority, that in the first century the inhabitants of Caledonia had nobles or leaders among them, who ruled the tribes, and selected the Ardrigh or supreme king, as he states that the choice of Galgacus as sovereign was from among many leaders."
Early in the 14th century clanship seemed to have become pretty well defined over all the Highlands, and by 1587 a distinct and formidable roll of the clans is given in the Acts of the Scottish Parliament under that date; and, despite the oppressive act of the British Parliament in 1747 clanship existed in Scotland till the middle of the 18th century, in as much strength and purity as it ever did in ancient times.
Divided among the more fertile glens, separated from each other, and surrounded by lofty, and in many instances almost impassable mountains, the various tribes were separated by permanent and well-known boundaries. To the denizens or each glen, all within the visible horizon was "a country," as Lord Reay's country, the country of the Gordons, etc. Common interest required the people to have local clan or district governments; their laws were traditional and known to all, while ancestral honours and blood, like the soil they dwelt on, were regarded as the common inheritance of all.
The people of these, then almost inaccessible, regions owned little more than a nominal subjection to the King of Scotland, allegiance to him being always subordinate to that which they yielded to their hereditary chiefs, who ruled them with absolute, but not irresponsible, sway. These clans were always at war among themselves, often viewing the Lowlanders as the common foes of all. An affront or an injury to the most humble individual, from one of another clan was held as an insult to the whole, and too often one never to be forgotten or forgiven. Blood alone could atone for it, and, if not avenged by one generation, the feud was bequeathed as a precious legacy to the next; and there have been occasions, as we shall show, when the extermination of an entire community was not deemed a sacrifice too great for vengeance. Thus, in such a state of society, when men never went unarmed, either to field, church, or market, human life was held exceedingly cheap.
Besides fighting and plundering each other, not unfrequently several clans united, especially on the Borders, and bursting into the more fertile Lowlands, swept off herds, flocks, and the produce of the harvests, into their mountain fastnesses.
To his chief, the clansman bore all the blind devotion of a child to his parent; his obedience sprang from the same law of nature. The clansman, who scrupled to save his chief's life at the expense of his own, was regarded as a coward who abandoned his parent in the hour of peril. His duty was indelible and no feudal grant or human engagement, marriage or death, could be preferred to the service of his chief. Limited to its own glen, each clan increased in numbers far beyond the means of subsistence there; but each little mountain farm was divided and subdivided by the clansman among his children, grandchildren, and so on; but a high military spirit was unfortunately combined with a profound contempt for labour.
The castle of the chief was a kind of palace, to which every man of his name was welcome, and whither all usually flocked in times or local war. The inherent power of the chief, even Dr Johnson admits, was strengthened by the kindness of consanguinity and reverence of patriarchal authority. "The laird was the father of the clan," he adds, "his tenants commonly bore his name, and to the principles or original command was added, for many ages, an exclusive right of legal jurisdiction. This multifarious and extensive obligation operated with a force scarcely credible; every duty, moral and political, was absorbed in affection for, and adherence to the chief."
Next to the love of him, was that of the particular branch from which they sprang, and the law or Kincogish, by which a chief was personally responsible to every member of his clan, was a truly Celtic institution. The idea of reciprocal affection and reaction was fostered with pride, and, under this idea, the warlike onset of the Highlanders as stimulated by resentment and cemented by sympathy from blood, was as impetuous as a mountain torrent.
Even after the commencement of the present century, in the ranks of our Highland regiments the clansmen followed with alacrity their chief, or the sons of their chief, to many a hard-fought field, and we can remember to have heard many an old Highland officer speak with pride and affection of "my father's men," or "our people."
With all its defects and peculiarities, clanship, which gave men a claim upon each other, as of common kindred was a singular and noble institution. "Blessed be that spirit of nationality or clanship," says Andrew Picker (in his now forgotten romance, "The Black Watch"), "or by whatever name the principle may be called, which opens the heart of man to his brother man, and, in spite of the trained selfishness to which he is educated in artificial life, bids the warm and glorious feeling of sympathy gush forth in circumstances of sorrow and of trouble, to cheer the drooping heart of the unfortunate, and prevent his swearing hatred to his own species."
The right of chieftainship was vested in the males alone, and times there were, when a brother was deemed better for the part than a son, as in the case of John of Moidart, when his nephew, Ronald Galda, proposed to have a feudal charter for the land of the tribe.
"When a chief," says Logan, in his "Gael," "entered on his government, he was placed on the summit of a pyramidal cairn, with his people around him. A sword and a white wand were delivered to him, and the bard or Druid recounted his pedigree and the exploits of his ancestors, exhorting him to emulate their example. The ancient chiefs had hereditary standard-bearers, an honour to which perquisites were attached, and, under Sir Donald MacDonald of Slate, one enjoyed these in the 18th century. The Clan-na-Faiter held lands in Bracadale for preserving the Brattichshi or banner of MacLeod.
Three eagle's feathers were the badge of a chief; two of a chieftain, like Breadalbane or Glenmorriston; and one of a gentleman. The staff, which attended a chief wherever he went, was constituted as follows :-
The henchman, who remained ever close to him, and stood behind him at table; his bladair or spokesman; the bard; the piper and the piper's gillie; the gillie-mhor, who bore his broadsword; the gilli-cosfluich, who carried him through rivers; a gillie who led his horse in dangerous places; a baggage gillie, and a gillie-nuithe or running footman.
In battle he had his Leine-chrios (i.e. shirt of mail) or chosen bodyguard, who fought around him.
The Highland force in the field for King James in 1715, as given by General Wade, was 14,140 men. The actual force which fought at Culloden was only 3850, as 3000 were absent, and the MacDonald brigade did not charge. The actual fighting force of the Highlands at this period (irrespective of many small tribes) was estimated, by the Lord President Forbes, at 31,930 men. Had all followed Prince Charles, we should never have heard of his retreat from Derby.
After the battle of Culloden, Government became sensible of the danger attendant on the high authority possessed by the Highland chiefs. Their followers were no longer permitted to wear arms, or even their native dress, and a regular administration of justice was substituted for the patriarchal mode of repressing crimes and redressing grievances. Their safety no longer required a numerous body of men, but clanship for a time prevented any material change in old habits and thought; but, as the ancient proprietors wore out, their successors began to be tempted, by increase of rent to transfer their farms to new tenants, who brought with them a more improved system of agriculture; and, from that time the double tide of emigration and wholesale expatriation set steadily in, and great injustice and cruelty followed.
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END.
And that's it for this week and hope you all have a great weekend.
Alastair