The First Highlander: Major General David Stewart of Garth

[figheadair]

The First Highlander: Major General David Stewart of Garth 1868-1829 by James Irvine Robertson.

I've just finished this very interesting little biography of Stewart of Garth whom perhaps more correctly cold be described as The Last Highlander. I had not appreciated just how influential and connected he was and how much he did to try and preserve the traditions of the clan system at a time of agricultural improvements that lead to the clearances.

The book is easy reading, full of fascinating anecdotes and essential reading for anyone wanting to understand how and why the clearances took place at the same time as the Highland Revival was being fully embraced by the chiefs, many of whom were completely remote from the people and culture they sought to champion.

I had not appreciated how influential Stewart was to the founding of the Highland Society of London’s tartan collection. It was he that organised the chiefs to submit a piece of their ‘true clan tartan’ in 1816. At the same time it is clear that he was in thrall to the belief of the time that there had been clan setts pre-1745 despite being a Gaelic speaker and having travelled the Highlands without finding any proof to support the hypothesis. A good read and a spur to delve into his sketches.

[Orvis]

Mr. Robertson's biography of Stewart of Garth sounds like a fascinating read. I'll have to acquire a copy.

I understand that Stewart of Garth was also jointly responsible (along with Sir Walter Scott) for stage-managing the tartan extravaganza associated with the 1822 visit of King George IV to Edinburgh. During that visit the King wore full Highland dress at a ball, which ignited the movement among notable families (even Lowland and Border families) to have a "clan" tartan to identify with and wear, and that movement evolved down to our own time.

I first read Stewart of Garth's "Sketches" in the early 1990's when I was searching out information on the 77th Regiment of Foot (1st Highland Battalion, or Montgomery's Highlanders, raised in 1757), and found "Sketches" as a two-volume set in the Cornwall, Ontario, public library. Despite the book's inaccuracies (IMHO, much of which was the result of the memory of an elderly gentleman trying to recall information from his youth), I believe the book is worthy of re-publication today and would be very useful with annotations by experts correcting any factual errors in Garth's text.

[figheadair]

I understand that Stewart of Garth was also jointly responsible (along with Sir Walter Scott) for stage-managing the tartan extravaganza associated with the 1822 visit of King George IV to Edinburgh. During that visit the King wore full Highland dress at a ball, which ignited the movement among notable families (even Lowland and Border families) to have a "clan" tartan to identify with and wear, and that movement evolved down to our own time.

Absoultely right. Garth didn't really have much time for Glengarry by all accounts whom he regarded with distain partly because the latter was playing the Highland Chief, revelling in and inventing history at the same time as removing his tenants from the land.

The numbers of people that turned out in Edinburgh to see the King was staggering - 50,000 to watch the procession

I first read Stewart of Garth's "Sketches" in the early 1990's when I was searching out information on the 77th Regiment of Foot (1st Highland Battalion, or Montgomery's Highlanders, raised in 1757), and found "Sketches" as a two-volume set in the Cornwall, Ontario, public library. Despite the book's inaccuracies (IMHO, much of which was the result of the memory of an elderly gentleman trying to recall information from his youth), I believe the book is worthy of re-publication oday and would bevery useful with annotations by experts correcting any factual errors in Garth's text.

I tend to agree. Without any real evidence Garth was seduced into the idea of clan tartans suggested in a letter of 1814 from Andrew Robertson, a fashionable miniaturist of the time. This lead to the formation of Highland Society of London's Collection.

[Dale Seago]

The numbers of people that turned out in Edinburgh to see the King was staggering - 50,000 to watch the procession

Wowsers, I hadn't realized it had been such a big deal at the time. I'd say that on balance, despite a lot of inaccuracies and downright ridiculosities, we have a lot for which we can be grateful to both Garth and Scott.

[figheadair]

Living in a small flat with too many books I thought that it would be fun to see how far we could get my copy to travel. It also has the benefit of sharing history in a little book not commonly available off the shelf.

I propose passing it on to someone whom in turn will pass it on to the next interested party and so one. The only requirement is that the next recipient agrees to pass on the book to whoever would like it next.

Dale, I've already confirmed with Orvice that he will forward it to you if you are interested. Who's next? Express your interest by posting a request on this thread.

Perthshire to Virginia. And next?

[JSFMACLJR]

I'd like a go at it!

[madmacs]

Me too... Though it might be odd reading a book on paper again...

[Sir William]

When I stayed at a B&B in Inverness a few years ago my host loaned me his copy when he heard I was interested in history. I was only able to skim it as we were only in town a few days and I spent more time out of the room than in it. I now have my own copy and need to give it a serious read when I have a chance.

[Nick the DSM]

I'd like a flip through too.

[figheadair]

I'm ashamed to say that the book is still sitting on my desk. In my defence, I've used it in preparing the revised edition of my 1819 KPB.

I came across this just yesterday - http://www.jamesirvinerobertson.co.u...anscripts.html

It contains much of the source material and looks like a valuable historical source.

I should be finished with the book soon.