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6th March 18, 01:10 PM
#1
Historians: please comment / correct
I stumbled upon this online and would be interested in the comments of our best Scottish historians.
Thoughts? Corrections? Comments? I think there's a bias here, but regardless, how useful is it?
http://www.vikingmartialarts.com/vik...by-tyr-neilsen
Rev'd Father Bill White: Mostly retired Parish Priest & former Elementary Headmaster. Lover of God, dogs, most people, joy, tradition, humour & clarity. Legion Padre, theologian, teacher, philosopher, linguist, encourager of hearts & souls & a firm believer in dignity, decency, & duty. A proud Canadian Sinclair with solid Welsh and other heritage.
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6th March 18, 05:47 PM
#2
Well, however it shakes out, I enjoyed reading that.
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7th March 18, 03:42 AM
#3
I lay no claim to be a historian, particularly on the finer points of Norse history in general and Norse/Scottish history in particular. However, I have spent a fair bit of my time in Scotland and quite a fair bit of that time in Sutherland and Caithness, so I think that I am at least able to give my impressions of the piece in question. It is absolutely true the Norse influence is there for all to see, place names and carvings being the obvious examples. Also, Shetland today in particular, is far more Norse than Scottish in general everyday atmosphere and thinking.
I have to confess that I am highly suspicious of articles written by historians with martial arts connections, particularly when distant history is shrouded by the mists of time. Nevertheless, I have to say that the overall impression of the piece is roughly in line with what my impressions of the Norse history are, when connected to Scotland. Whilst the Norsemen were renowned fighting men and rather too much of that is made in the article, I feel , but equally importantly they were skilled navigators and seamen too and peaceful settlement and forms of agriculture of those new areas was a necessity if long term colonisation was to succeed as well and they certainly achieved long term settlements.
Somehow though, I feel the article is written in a somewhat starry eyed way. For example, the Up Helly Aa cellebration as we know it now, is a recent affair in historical terms. I am not sure how far the original(?) ceremony stretches back in history, but as far as I am aware it was introduced sometime in latter part of the 1800's.
Hope these non academic observations help a tad. 
Last edited by Jock Scot; 7th March 18 at 07:14 AM.
" Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.
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7th March 18, 05:01 AM
#4
I completely agree with Jock.
What he is not confessing is that MacLeod means "son of Ljot".
And ljot is Norse for "the ugly one" 
Alan
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7th March 18, 05:19 AM
#5
 Originally Posted by neloon
I completely agree with Jock.
What he is not confessing is that MacLeod means "son of Ljot".
And ljot is Norse for "the ugly one"
Alan
Just what can I say? 
" Rules are for the guidance of wise men and the adherence of idle minds and minor tyrants". Field Marshal Lord Slim.
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8th March 18, 08:19 AM
#6
An interesting read. Thanks FB.
Tulach Ard
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