Jacobite sanctions to be lifted?

**MacSpadger** · 22nd May 12, 09:09 AM

I know that there is some fascination with the '45 rebellion here, so some forum members may be interested in the news that some Jacobite sanctions are apparantly being reviewed with the prospects of them being lifted.

I don't know if this link will work outside of the UK, but the news item explains all. The monochrome footage comes from Peter Watkins' 1964 BBC drama-documentary on Culloden.

**Father Bill** · 22nd May 12, 09:33 AM

Link works in Canada! Fascinating! Seems to me that we should support this symbolic move any way we can!

**Tobus** · 22nd May 12, 09:59 AM

Interesting idea, but methinks it's a "feel good" idea that will open up a huge legal can of worms. As the article says, the sanctions resulted in titles being taken away and lands forfeited. If those measures are removed/revoked/rescinded, will there be a flurry of descendants claiming rights/lands/titles/monies which now belong to someone else?

Maybe those of you in Scotland can help us across the pond understand this a little better. Who is driving this? Is there a popular push for this? Are there people in Scotland today who really feel "tainted" by what their ancestors did almost 300 years ago?

**creagdhubh** · 22nd May 12, 10:26 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Are there people in Scotland today who really feel "tainted" by what their ancestors did almost 300 years ago?

In some areas of the Highlands, as well as with certain clans and families, the distant past is not so distant. In some cases, this can mean more than simply erecting monumental cairns, plaques, and statues to ancestors who took part in famous and not so famous battles. There are several historical "hot topics" that are still widely discussed amongst the Clan Macpherson, particularly clan members that reside in Scotland. Some of these discussions, in which I have witnessed whilst in Scotland, can become rather heated too. It's all very interesting.

Cheers,

**MacSpadger** · 22nd May 12, 10:48 AM

Originally Posted by Tobus

Are there people in Scotland today who really feel "tainted" by what their ancestors did almost 300 years ago?

I don't know if tainted is an appropriate word, but it's certainly been the cause of fights and arguments at parties and round the dinner table. I've been refused entry to a pub on Skye because of the tartan of my kilt. (Worse, the next pub was miles away. A quick change into breeks sorted it all out. Then I was back in the kilt for an evening's piping, what a palaver.). There remains a degree of bitterness and animosity for some, yes. 266 years ago is a fairly short time in a country with a long history.

**creagdhubh** · 22nd May 12, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by MacSpadger

I don't know if tainted is an appropriate word, but it's certainly been the cause of fights and arguments at parties and round the dinner table. I've been refused entry to a pub on Skye because of the tartan of my kilt. (Worse, the next pub was miles away. A quick change into breeks sorted it all out. Then I was back in the kilt for an evening's piping, what a palaver.). There remains a degree of bitterness and animosity for some, yes. 266 years ago is a fairly short time in a country with a long history.

This is precisley what I was talking about in my last post.

Cheers,

**Tobus** · 22nd May 12, 11:37 AM

Originally Posted by MacSpadger

I don't know if tainted is an appropriate word, but it's certainly been the cause of fights and arguments at parties and round the dinner table. I've been refused entry to a pub on Skye because of the tartan of my kilt. (Worse, the next pub was miles away. A quick change into breeks sorted it all out. Then I was back in the kilt for an evening's piping, what a palaver.). There remains a degree of bitterness and animosity for some, yes. 266 years ago is a fairly short time in a country with a long history.

Yes, I understand that. Just as here in the US, some people get quite belligerent over topics such as our Civil War. But these aren't likely to be fixed by a government lifting of sanctions or somehow reversing policies which no longer matter. Just as a lifting of these Jacobite sanctions aren't going to make all Scots want to hug each other and share sloppy kisses. My question was more to the legal aspects of it. Are there people in Scotland today who are affected by Jacobite-era sanctions, and who are 'tainted' (that term came from the article) politically or legally?

In other words, I'm asking as an American who doesn't know, will this reversal somehow make a difference? Or is it just another attempt to make every government in the world apologize for what it did in the past?

**creagdhubh** · 22nd May 12, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by MacSpadger

The monochrome footage comes from Peter Watkins' 1964 BBC drama-documentary on Culloden.

A superb wee 'mockumentary.'

Cheers,

**TheBrus** · 22nd May 12, 10:23 AM

I remember reading some time back that there are one or two key supporters who would theoretically stand to inherit titles if the attainders were lifted. Does this law still affect peoples' right to own and purchase property? stand for elected office?

**English Bloke** · 22nd May 12, 10:49 AM

I too wonder what the motivation might be.

Being a Cameron doesn't seem to have held this chap back much... So what public office are the descendants prohibited from? If not from the highest office for a Commoner, in the Land?