Myths and Tales of Ossian: The Shortbread Tin

 

Images of Ossian

Myths and Tales of Ossian

There is strong evidence that the tales of the Odyssey, are based on Greek myths and legends passed down the centuries. But was Homer ever a real person? And rather part of the oral tradition. 

The tales and myths of Ossian by James Macpherson – were collated from many ancient Gaelic legends and stories.  But there are disputes over whether Ossian was ever a real person. 

At a time in the highlands when, after Culloden, the young Macpherson saw the outlawing of Scots language, music, dress and culture. These tales became popular with American presidents and European rulers and inspired the Romantic movement – he was the first Scotch Bard.

The Shortboard Tin - Is a new theatre production for the National Theatre of Scotland and explores the story of James MacPherson, who in 1750, introduced Scotland and the world to Ossian, a third century bard. He collected all the old Gaelic stories, but it was later disputed who the Ossian bard really was. 

There are many other tales, legends and myths. The tale of King Arther or Robin Hood – were they authentic or real? There’s much dispute over where king Arthur actually lived – or who Robin Hood actually was – did he rob the rich to ever give to the poor.

King Arthur is a legendary king of England from medieval stories and folklore. He is known as a brave leader who fought enemies, gathered loyal heroes at the Round Table, and ruled from the magical court of Camelot.

The Legend

• The Sword: Arthur pulled the magic sword Excalibur from a stone to prove he was the true king.
• The Wizard: He was guided by the wise and powerful wizard Merlin.
• The Queen: He married Queen Guinevere.
• The Knights: His brave fighters sat at a Round Table so no single knight was higher than the others.
• The Quest: His knights searched far and wide for the Holy Grail. 

 

 

Is He Real?   Historians cannot prove that King Arthur was a real person. Experts think the stories might come from an early 6th-century Celtic warrior who defended England against invaders, but the tales grew much larger over hundreds of years through poems and books. 

 

• Excalibur and the Lady of the Lake
• Sir Lancelot and the fall of Camelot
• Real places in Britain linked to the Arthurian legend

Also - Robin Hood is a legendary outlaw of English folklore. He was a highly skilled archer and swordsman. He may have fought in the crusades. His lands may have been taken by the evil Sheriff of Nottingham, who assists King John.. He may have robbed the rich to give to the poor. His lover maid Marion,  

Odyssey of Thomas Muir

Odyssey of Thomas Muir

The '''Society of the Friends of the People''' was an organisation in Great Britain that was focused on advocating for Parliamentary Reform and votes for all men.

Muir was a leader of a movement for democratic reform and one of the Scottish Martyrs. 

There is a 90ft tall obelisk at the Calton Cemetery Edinburgh to the martyrs. It includes a quote of Muir’s - 'I have devoted myself to the cause of The People. It is a good cause – it shall ultimately prevail – it shall finally triumph. '

His attachment to the popular party in the kirk, his opposition to patronage, his involvement in student politics and influence of contemporary thinkers. The Reformers worked against corruption, nepotism, favouritism and elitism of landowning nobles who controlled the nation’s parliamentary representation at Westminster. Only 5% of men had a vote.

An organisation called 'Friends of the People' led by Thomas Muir, a lawyer from Glasgow and William Skirving, grew to a national movement. Other societies were also formed in England and Ireland.  

In France Muir met Thomas Paine. The movement met with determined and tremendous opposition in London, Edinburgh and Dublin. The radical but self-consciously legal and loyal campaigns of parliamentary reform were mercilessly killed off wittiin 4 years.

Muir and the other leaders were brought to trial, convicted and sentenced to transportation. Muir; Thomas Palmer, a minster from Dundee; Skirving, a farmer from Fife; Maurice a London wine merchant and Joseph Gerrald, a lawyer from the West indies. They were a diverse group.

Their enforced deportation voyage to Australia was recorded in letters and pamphlets by Palmer (published Cambridge 1798) which recorded the government repression and destruction of political and individual liberties.  

**Muir's Pacific journey on the Otter

After 2 years Muir escaped from botany bay on the French ship the otter, which was records in diaries by first mate, Pierre Francois Peron (published Memoirs 1824 Paris) Memoires du Capitane Peron sur ses Voyages.

His voyage took him to Nootka Sound, Vancouver island to Monterrey, San Blas and on to Mexico City, where Muir requested to be allowed travel to America. But the Spanish refused and sent him back to Spain. 

He travelled then Havana, Cuba and Cadiz, Spain – where he was caught up in a naval battle with British men of war and in the gunfire his face was badly injured.

He travelled to Bordeaux, where he was hailed as a 'Hero of the French Republic' and then on to Paris.

Muir's confidant 1798 was Dr Robert Watson of Elgin, emissary to France on behalf of the United Englishmen and he learned of the United Scotsman, the new revolutionary association which replaced the Friends of the People.

In November 1798, Muir moved secretly to Ille-de-France, village of Chantilly, to await the arrival of Scots compatriots. There on 26 January 1799 he died, suddenly and alone. 

Shortly before his death, he said: We have achieved a great duty in these critical times. After the destruction of so many years, we have been the first to revive the spirit of our country and give it a National Existence. 

Martyrs monument Calton hill Edinburgh