Scottish Clearances

[Father Bill]

This always happens to those who write "about" rather than "of" events. Note that historians claimed that Tom Costain was just a novelist. Novelists said that he constrained himself too much with history. Costain said he was writing "historical fiction." Similarly, Dan Brown's interesting writing (DaVinci Code etc.) has been criticised for its theology and inaccuracies despite the fact that he spends a lot of effort explaining that his books are novels, fiction, and just that, no more.

*Sigh*

[English Bloke]

... The imported Sussex Downs sheep were not hardy enough and died in their hundreds...

Thufferin' Thuccotash... Those darned pesky English. Even their sheep can't be trusted!!

[JonathanB]

This always happens to those who write "about" rather than "of" events. Note that historians claimed that Tom Costain was just a novelist. Novelists said that he constrained himself too much with history. Costain said he was writing "historical fiction." Similarly, Dan Brown's interesting writing (DaVinci Code etc.) has been criticised for its theology and inaccuracies despite the fact that he spends a lot of effort explaining that his books are novels, fiction, and just that, no more.

*Sigh*

Peebles and Brown are totally different things. Peebles was writing history: Culloden, which I read earlier this year, is based on lots of detailed research. He can well be criticised, but what he certainly does is show the amount of human misery for the lower ends of the social scale. Even if you are not a Marxist, you still need to take account of that.

I found that link to a criticism of him very interesting. I can remember watching a showing of the film of Culloden at school.

Peebles' Marxism shows in his contempt for royalty. Fair enough for Bonnie Prince Charlie and Butcher Cumberland and even Prince Albert at Balmoral, but to sneer at Elizabeth I at Tilbury (I may have the body of a weak and feeble woman...) just because she was wearing a red wig, isn't just unfair, it's sexist.

[Aussie_Don]

Thank you for a link to a series of incredibly
interesting videos. I'be always suspected that
my ancesters may not have been directly involvedi
In "the clearances". There's nothing there to
suggest otherwise, but the story, as presented,
is definitely interesting.

The most intertesting thread in story is the
rationale for why persons of Scottish decent
might be a bit "left wing", shall we say. One of
the early experiences that I had here in Australia
was as a member of the Electrical Trades Union --
I attended a meeting, addressed by a bloke with a
Scottish accent, who prefaced his remarks with,
"Comrades!!"

As somone who grew up in the USofA, I first wondered
how I'd wandered into Soviet land (this was the 80s
after all) And later I recognised it as a statement
of militancy and solidarity.

-Don (who may be sailing close to the wind on alowed
communication here at X-Marks) But the historical
question of the politics of "ordinary" Scotts seems
to be an interesting question.)

[Father Bill]

Yes, my apologies. I wasn't suggesting that Brown was the same thing, just that there is a spectrum of writing along which criticisms of the melding of opinion, imagination, and fact can arise.

[Nathan]

It turned out to be a two edged sword. The vast profits from sheep rearing just did not materialise. The imported Sussex Downs sheep were not hardy enough and died in their hundreds.

My understanding was that it was the heardy Cheviot sheep that was rugged enough to withstand the Highland environment that lead to the boom in the Highland woolen industry and the Clearances. Peat, Kelp and wool production replaced subsistance farming. Please help me understand how the Sussex Downs fits into this as I clearly have an incomplete picture.

[A Hay]

BBNC, you might find this video overview interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7aXt...F02C0B53D5CC01

Dale, thanks for posting the link. I looked at it today and found it was very interesting. Particularly enjoyed the additional info on Sir Walter Scott.

[Chas]

My understanding was that it was the heardy Cheviot sheep that was rugged enough to withstand the Highland environment that lead to the boom in the Highland woolen industry and the Clearances. Peat, Kelp and wool production replaced subsistance farming. Please help me understand how the Sussex Downs fits into this as I clearly have an incomplete picture.

When the process started there were not enough Cheviot sheep, but there were lots of Sussex Downs. When a new breed is introduced into an area there is always a proving time. They had to go through at least one complete breeding cycle, before they could be sure that they had the wrong sheep and it wasn't something wrong with their technique. In the mean time the harsher weather was killing them and they were being replaced. The adverse weather was not seen initially as a deciding factor.

[Jock Scot]

When the process started there were not enough Cheviot sheep, but there were lots of Sussex Downs. When a new breed is introduced into an area there is always a proving time. They had to go through at least one complete breeding cycle, before they could be sure that they had the wrong sheep and it wasn't something wrong with their technique. In the mean time the harsher weather was killing them and they were being replaced. The adverse weather was not seen initially as a deciding factor.

Well , well, I did not know that! I can well imagine Downland sheep not being hardy enough for the Highlands though. I learn something new every day.

[creagdhubh]

BBNC, you might find this video overview interesting:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P7aXt...F02C0B53D5CC01

Love that series!