Scotland's Enlightenment Freedom of Thought & Speech

 

The Scottish enlightenment has been Scotland's biggest contribution to the world and there were two enlightenments, according to Alexander Broadie, Professor of Logic and Rhetoric at Glasgow university in his book, The Scottish Enlightenment. The first Post Reformation with Scots scholars studying and teaching in Paris, and being leaders in Europe; This resulted from the collaborations between France and Scotland. Scotland had close trading links to Flanders and the rest of Europe, in those days when we had busy sea faring ports. Scotland before union 1707 was a trading and outward looking nation and a leader in Europe, not isolated or backward at all!

Broadie writes about the first Scottish Post Reformation enlightened scholars and that Enlightened thought began with the collaborations between France and Scots in the 16^th century.  The professors at Scotland’s ancient universities studied and taught in Paris with famous figures in philosophy, law and theology. The auld alliance between France and Scotland lasted for over 400 years from 1290 to 1707, and continues to this day.

Because how could the enlightenment of the 1700s just happen - “the discoveries of 18^th century were only possible because Scotland was already strong in sciences, in mathematics, experimenters and informed observers,” 

Scotland is very much a European country according to according to Broadie. He writes that Scotland was culturally as much a part of Europe as France, with the shipping and Scots scholars studying in Europe. ‘The three pre-Reformation, Scottish universities – St Andrews, Aberdeen, Glasgow - have always been strongly oriented towards Europe” ..and that the teaching staff were foreign educated Scots.”

 

Duna Scotus

James Dalyrumple 

The first Enlightenment was led by the scholars such as Duns Scotus (1265 - 1308), Philosopher and theologian;  John Mair (1467 – 1550). Professor theology Paris, who tutored John Knox; James Dalyrumple (1619 – 1695) Father of Scots Law and leading European. George Buchanan (1506 – 1582) Historian and scholar who taught James VI. Father of democracy; and many others.  **The second Enlightenment was in the mid 1700s, led by famous thinkers such as Frances Hutcheson, Adam Smith (Wealth of Nations, Theory of Moral Sentiment); David Hume, historian and philosopher; James Hutton  (1726 - 1797) geologist, naturalist and physician: father of Geology. The Scottish enlightenment is bound up with our country’s identity, and reaches back to the Reformation and beyond to the great cultural achievement of medieval Scotland.”

Some writers however claim the enlightenment began in England (and mention John Locke (1632 - 1704) and then spread to France – is this correct? Then again the term ‘England’ to many world wide is interchangeable for the term ‘Britain’ and Scotland is a mere region of England/ Britain much like Yorkshire or Devon. Does this deliberate distortion of history and geography matter? The BBC certainly view Scotland as a region. I believe it does, as Scots have over the centuries given significant achievements to the world, which in the past century have been ignored and downplayed and with Scots generally made to feel second rate. While the BBC broadcaster clearly has “a region for Scotland” agenda, with no mention of Nicola’s US trip all week on BBC radio Scotland – I’d not have known about her important trip to discuss global issues, if it wasn’t for reading the National newspaper.

Enlightened thought is crucial and our best defence against ignorant and often cruel dictatorships. Populism and dictatorships have been spreading around the world in recent times and are a threat to liberal democracies everywhere. The lack of moral leadership in Johnson’s has been causing a crisis of trust here in the UK. We’re now suffering chaos, no foreword energy planning and the central policy of service industries, based on the city of London. There is no real serious leadership at the centre of this floundering disunited kingdom. 

David Hume

Frances Hutcheson

James Hutton

II  Before the Reformation and enlightenment there was “slavery of the mind” and free thinkers were not only imprisoned but burned at the stake for heresy and for daring to think for themselves and not blindly obeying the authority. The enlightened thinkers believe that ‘thinking for ourselves’ is more moral, creative and superior to suppression and control. “an acceptance of authority, constrains and distorts humanity; and that to think and look for ourselves is morally superior; and means to grow intellectually.” Dictators fear the ‘chaos of democracy” and democracy certainly has flaws. However debates and liberty are also democracy’s creative strengths. 

 

To improve ourselves we must use reason and common sense and to learn the lessons history teaches us. David Hume recognised the need to use reason to fight ‘bigotry and superstition.’ Rulers feared freedom would lead to ‘chaos’ – here in Britain too. When the French and American Revolutions took place late 1700s, the church in Britain preached against the ‘French terror’ and reformers for votes for all men were exiled to Botany Bay (such as the martyr Thomas Muir).

 

There were two main principles of enlightenment – 1. Freedom to think for ourselves. Freedom of thought  2.  The social virtue of tolerance. The Scottish Theory of common sense. And the balance between personal responsibility and responsibility for society and a moral compass. Another key aspect of the SE was that is was a highly social activity with many societies, clubs and debating and meeting places. 

 

Enlightenment reasoning means challenging and thinking for oneself, rather than accepting dictates from a religious or political authority or mass media – how is democracy even possible without critical thought? I used to believe democracy was only possible with a free press, decent education, rule of law, balance of power and a certain level of economic growth. Of course all this reasoning and enlightened thought requires effort! Broadie claims the Enlightenment continues to this day.

 

The Scottish enlightenment’s impact on democracy and reform have been greatly ignored. I only first heard of this incredible history in a talk by professor Tom Devine a few years back, even though I studied higher history at school in Edinburgh, it was all English history we were taught. 

 

George Buchanan

III   A few miles north of me, in the historic village of Killearn, there is a tall memorial to the scholar George Buchanan 1506-1582 and I was curious – who was he and why the tall monument? He was tutor to the young Stewart king James VI and put forward the theory that real power resides with the people -  De Jure Regni apud Scotos, published in 1579 - one of the most important books on democracy and an essential text in our understanding of the constitution and the state. Professor Alan Raich writes on Buchanan, 

“His book follows the Declaration of Arbroath (1320) in saying that all political power resides in the people, and it must reside in the people: and that it is lawful and necessary to resist kings (or all rulers) if  they become tyrants….There were many attempts to suppress his work, particularly by the king he tutored and he foresaw where stupid Stewart vanity would lead. He was a major player in the European cultural context.”

 

The inscription reads – “born Killearn. He was famed in Europe for scholarship and poetry. His witty satire on a corrupt church led to exile and imprisonment in Europe. He travelled widely teaching in France, Portugal and Italy. He returned to Scotland in 1561 to the court of Mary Queen of Scots. He achieved high office as keeper of the privy seal and served as moderator of the church. He taught Mary Queen of Scots and James VI. His advice on the responsibilities of rulers was influential during the 1688 constitutional change and in the formation of the American constitution.” Wisest among the wise.” 

 

That’s the first time I realised Scotland before the union with England, was not a dark, isolated, backward, or ignorant place as often portrayed in both TV and film. The reality actually is that Scotland has given many innovations to the world, not least crucially the theory of democracy and government for the people, by the people. 

Scotland’s European connections are centuries old, dating from 16^th century and beyond – and not only about wars but about our scholars, language, ideas and innovations. Many Scots words are form Flanders and France.. 

Its important to understand the significance of the Reformation and of enlightened thought on democracy and education in Scotland and worldwide. According to Professor Tom Devine, the Scots enlightened thinkers took their philosophy over to America and founded universities there, notably John Witherspoon who founded Princeton– and Scots were some of the America’s founding fathers.  

Freedom from intellectual servitude is celebrated by Robert Burns in 1796 when he lauds the stance of the man o independent mind, in his poem A Mans a Man for a That.  The man o independent mind is aboon them all.

Adam Smith author Wealth of Nations

Saving the Scots Language

Iona Fyfe

There’s the issues of Russia’s recent imperialism invasion of Ukraine, is this cultural genocide or fear of the economic successes of a more democratic Ukraine, or both? Does Putin want to erase Ukrainian culture, language and arts?

In Ireland one of the biggest issues is the Irish language which - unionists are fiercely against. In Scotland its not so long ago that children were belted in class for speaking in Scots, and teachers here were told they would sound ignorant if they spokein Scots! Its about the imperial domination of one culture over another. This is totally fake as Scotland was and is a world leader. Its a disgrace the way Scotland is usually portrayed in films as an ignorant or backward country, when this is a lie.

Why can’t we have both a common language and also celebrate our differences? In Switzerland they have high German in university lectures but speak Swiss German in their breaks.

 

Billy Kay recently gave an address to the Scottish parliament in Scots. to which there was a backlash by Labour politicians, claiming Scots is not a language. He is the author of the book, The Mother Tongue, published in 2006?

 

After the Brexit failures, it is British or English nationalism that is the problem. Suppressions of your culture has a devastating effect and left Scots feeling second class and inferior. I had hoped the days of imperial vandalism and repression were behind us now. 

 

 

**Scots Language recognised

Scots singer Iona Fyfe campaigned recently to have Scots language added on Spotify.

She had noticed on Spotify that there were all other living languages – Welsh, Cornish, Gaelic, Irish,

But no Scots. She contacted Spotify, asking to have Scots recognised also, but was ignored. 

 Then she met a Spotify executive at a music event in America and told him of her request and within a few days Scots had been added. 

Result. Well done Iona!  I took photos of Iona at Celtic Connections and was impressed with her voice. Check her out here –  https://ionafyfe.com

 

 

**Scottish nationalism - doesn’t want a superior voice just an equal one. Its inclusive or civic and about all who want to make their home in Scotland – its about places, unique Scottish geography surrounded by open seas at the edge of Europe and close to our Nordic cousins. 

 

Shetland is a mere 140 miles from Norway -. Orkney is home to the Brognar of Ness – which was an ancient temple, visited by people from all over Europe. 

And also Scapa Flow Orkney, where the naval fleet was stationed in the war. 

Sadly though the Homecoming Scotland excluded Jamaican Scots 2014, we importantly need to reconsider our vast Scots diaspora. 

 

 By contrast the words ‘all in England’ or the English or viewed as more ethnic and doesn’t include all who live in England. According to leading psychologist Stephen Reicher, at St Andrews university.

Its important indy supporters make it clear Scotland’s independence Is not about ‘ethnicity’ but about all who live Scotland.    #¥esScots

Scottish Art and Anti-Scottish lobby

 

The Scottish Reformation 16^th century introduced a democratic structure to run the church and education for all. Scots were the most educated people in Europe. 

However in recent times those recruited to run Scottish arts have been mainly recruited from England, who clearly have no knowledge of Scots heritage, history, language, music or arts. And this is "all designed to imply that Scotland is a dull backwater which has never produced anything of importance.” - writes Paul Henderson Scott in his book Scotland: A Creative Past. This was also a result of the extreme centralising in the UK during the wars of the 20th century.

 

The exception is Celtic Connections, whose artistic director is Donald Shaw from Oban (Capercaillie). In a new improvement in 2022, violinist Nicola Benedetti has become the first Scots (and first woman) director of Edinburgh festival. Nick Barley from Yorkshire, is director of Edinburgh book festival. 

 

- In her article Scotsman Carol Craig writes  of, ‘The Scottish crisis of confidence about Scots feelings of inferiority.”

 

- Crawford Beveridge, first chief executive of Scottish enterprises 1990s, stated that the major problem facing Scotland is “a lack of self-belief.”

 How can this be true in a country that has contributed so much to the world in ideas, inventions, literature and arts? The answer is that education of many Scots has left them in complete ignorance of all of that. London became the main centre of the British empire. Back early 17th century, James Stewart VI of Scotland and England  in a treaty with clan chiefs on Iona, had them agree that their eldest sons would be educated in England.

 

One problem is the number of private schools in Edinburgh (at 25%) and with English students dominating Edinburgh university and St Andrews. #¥esScots

 

 

BOOK – Scotland: a creative past, an independent future, Paul Henderson Scott-

https://blackwells.co.kshop/product/

Politics today is complex

I read that Norway has nine political parties – (re a letter National). This is complex and there are online questionnaires listing say 30 of the main issues that concern people, and after voters rate the issues that matter to them, they can then decide which party to vote for. Coalition government leads to more consensual, co-operative government and NOT “chaos” as put forward by the English Tories.

Back 19^th century it used to be the main concern of the English political parties was raising taxes to fight the French, over territory. Or how to get rich quick. (In the alternative reality, where the Jacobites won, Scotland would be looking for treaties and trade links across Europe. And 250 years ago Burns wrote – of the poison of untold wealth, and how we all deserve equal rights and opportunities. Nothing much changes!)

So this binary two-party, confrontational left or right English political parties, offers too simplistic a choice, with its out-dated first-past-the-post electoral system, that encourages this binary choice.

Meanwhile the English Labour party is seriously spilt between those wanting the elitist status quo and those wanting reform, as the party continues to hark back to the past rather than addressing the pressing issues of the present: and the English Tory party has morphed into Ukip!

The English Tories rather than co-operative, modern government, believe they have to Lord it over others! The Tory word is not its bond either: Johnson only signed the Northern Ireland Protocol to "Get Brexit Done" and get himself re-elected. Most insidiously the British propaganda machine implies an open, fair democracy, when its fairly obvious this isn’t the case.

BoJo claims he wants a high pay Britain by stopping immigration (??) – the real way is by closing private schools and greatly improving education and opportunities for all our children. It appears there is a serious lack of education of both History and Geography generally, never mind Business or Science! In English schools they specialize early to two subjects. In the Scottish system its long been considered important to have a broad education to better understand and have a wider outlook, before any later specialization.

Gerry Hassan writes of a ‘Progressive Alliance” that works seriously for reform of the out-dated UK political system, to get rid of first-past-the-post and embrace a PR (proportional representation) voting system. (This is how Tories can be taken out of government, National Oct 6, 2021) Of course in my view, there is too much tension and strain in this broken system of a “united” Kingdom, of enforcement rather than consent. The English Tories are dismantling democracy and devolution in the UK and working towards ever more destructive centralization. As this Westminster Tory government is not voted for by Scots, this is creating an unsustainable situation.

Today’s Politics is far more complex then in the past - with the environmental crisis, free trade deals, equal rights, security and cyber space, energy supplies, monetary and financial markets, trans rights, child protection, health provision, media and press, education systems, connectivity and infrastructure, industry and business, arts and culture, pandemics, welfare, pensions and social security, economy and tax systems, more I’m sure. Scotland’s independence is not about the English people butabout their out-of-touch ignorant elites.

The words of Burn’s song Scots Wa Hae were not merely about Bruce, but about all freedom fighters against oppression. Kevin McKenna (Its past time to open Pandora’s box) writes of the Tories as ‘extremists’ and of their control of the UK media and Press. Without control of news outlets, many will continue to be fooled by England’s Tory misinformation. And when Scotland gains its independence, we must ban foreign political parties. The biggest issue becomes how can we control the message? “Stronger for Scotland” is not good enough – who is stronger? HOW CAN WE BE “A NATION AGAIN”

History of Scottish Home rule

Dr James Hawes BOOK ‘Speak for England’– LINK interview Independence Live

Hawes expects Scotland to be independent in 5 years after the hard Brexit. In the late 19^th century there were pressures for Scottish Home Rule, which were debated 7 times between 1886 and 1900, House of Commons by the Liberal party. 

Home Rule for Scotland has been pursued since 1889, with many debates in the House of Commons. The Scottish Home Rule bill was passed in 1914, just weeks before the start of the first world war, by the Liberal party – it was recognised that most English politicians had little interest in Scottish affairs. 

 

In May 1914 – Westminster passed the second reading of the Government of Scotland bill 1913, supported by 85% Scotland’s MPs and passed by 204 votes of 159 – the bill established a Scottish parliament with greater powers than at present at Holyrood!

The Scotland Bill 1927 Bill cedes on the principle of self-determination. It proceeded on the basis of Scotland being a sovereign state. The most important reason, lack of interest by English MPs.

It included powers over pensions, national insurance, employment, broadcasting (only defence, Post Office, foreign affairs and coinage would remain under Westminster (real Devo max promised a 100 years later)  A few weeks after this bill passed the First World War broke out and the bill was never implemented. After the war new bills were presented 1920s, but failed because of Conservative opposition.

 

Of the multi national European states, 19^th century – Austria-Hungary, Russian, Ottoman empires – only the UK remains. Multi-national states are unstable (except Spain that only recognises Basque and Catalonia as historic nationalities.

 

Tom Devine 'Rewriting Scottish History', at Edinburgh International book festival 2021

 

In conversation with Alan Little:  “A deeper sense of Scottishness” - Tom Devine Rewriting Scottish History at Edinburgh International book festival 2021

 

Devine commented that Scottish history was hardly studied and shockingly the history of Scotland is less developed than Yorkshire’s. At the ancient universities, any department on Scots history was small, peculiar, introverted, inward looking. A Cinderella project. Wheras British history was considered outward-looking. Alan Little commented that at Primary school it was all Wallace and Bruce - and with no teaching of the evolution of the nation. 

 

Devine said, that today there has been a sea change, with a resurgence in Scottish scholarship, the first time since 18^th century. Scotland has now developed a Constitutive history. A deeper sense of Scottishness. Which came first though? – does the explosion in scholarship predates political development, until 1970s?

He mentioned Canadian historian Rodger Smith, who wrote – “Political constitutive story is crucial – where do people come from, a sense our past, or our mooring threatened with loss. “

 

Devine also discussed the emerging crisis of Britishness with loss of Empire, and that once the union was never challenged. 

 

*The British Empire - “England ruled the empire and the Scots ran it” - came at a time of crisis and cultural revolution, industrialisation, agricultural revolution. Scotland became a place of heavy industry.

 

Scotland was 10% of the UK population but it was around a third of the Empire. Scotland was the world’s second richest country – with immigration from Ireland, Lithuania, Italy, Poland and also the paradox of a great deal of emigration. 

 “no nation has been more connected to the wider world than Scotland’

 

Book What is a nation? Ernest Waldon – Sorbonne, wrote that Nations are based on language, ethnic solidarity, product of imagination, relationship to the past. Scotland’s ties with overseas is very unusual. 

 

*Walter Scott 

Scott reconnected Scotland to its past and what makes Scotland Scotland? Scott began writing poetry to preserve the Border ballads.His writing has Influenced drama, fiction, poetry. At the time the Scots nation was in crisis – identity, sense of self, linkage to the past. Scotland was thought of as parochial, of no value and did not appeal to academics. Scott mixed fact with fiction. At the time 30% of the books being read in France were by Scott. 

“To be literate and civilized you have to read Scott.” 

 

These were crisis times. The enormity of the 5 revolutions in Scotland and the assimilation into England. A hybrid identity of Scottish and British and there was a catatonic shift from peasant life to industrialization. 

History as tragedy, based on the highlands – Scots were perceived as noble, brave and doomed, and  preordained to fail. Like the lament, or the durg…

The poet Edwin Muir 1930 claimed “Scott and other writers were false bards of a false nation.”

 

*Questions.

Devine was asked a few question by the live audience. He was asked if it was a mistake to come out in favour of Scotland’s independence in 2014. His answer was cautious – which included a number of factors and his views would be clear soon. He hoped there would be close connections to the rest of the UK and an amiable relationship with the UK government back in 2014. He said that every historian is biased but that he has kept his impartiality. 

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL BOOK FESTIVAL 2021, Tom Devine with Allan Little: Rewriting Scotland’s History -

https://www.edbookfest.co.uk/the-festival/whats-on/tom-devine-with-allan-little-rewriting-scotland-s-history

During the 20th century, Scotland commonly depicted its own history through the lens of a kind of colourful, tragicomic victimhood. This amounted to a tartan-clad story set against a Highland backdrop and a sense of national self-doubt that has sometimes been described as ‘the Scottish cringe’. Since the 1980s, however, that characterisation has changed, and Scotland has developed a more confident, modernised sense of its history and roots. 

Tom Devine can take considerable credit for this change: the most influential historian of our times, he has been instrumental in helping reframe the nation’s sense of itself. The Edinburgh University Professor of History and Paleogeography speaks to BBC journalist Allan Little about the changing nature of Scottish history. Using some of the most significant moments in Scotland’s story, from the ill-fated Darien Project of the late 17th century to the arrival of the Scottish Parliament two decades ago, Devine and Little discuss the ways in which Scottish history can be revisited to help us find a new sense of self.

 

BOOKS:

TOM DEVINE The Scottish Nation, from Union to Modern day; The Lowland Clearances,

Save our Planet to save Lives

In recent centuries humans have been disturbing the world’s natural habitats and wildlife – destroying forests, depleting fish stocks, burning fossil fuels, polluting our air. There are much fewer butterflies or insects and under many tress there is a dead undergrowth. Now we’ve disturbed the habitat of bats, which has led to several recent world pandemics – SARS, Mers, Ebola, Swine flu and now Covid-19. And this will continue, unless we all change our attitudes to selfishness and growth. 

The world has trillions (yes not billion, trillion!) wealth in secret offshore accounts – what purpose is this money achieving? Meanwhile we have children starving. Things are totally out of balance. There were signs of reform after the war, but since the 80s inequalities have soared to unprecedented levels. 

We need more answers from the UK government. Is Boris Johnson and his Brexiteer, inexperienced team, putting their ideologies before saving lives? If so, is this not criminal? Its been reported they ignored an EU scheme to bulk buy ventilators and now also several opportunities to bulk buy PPE through the EU. Two of my children work in the health service and I worry for their safety in these perilous times. We would not send troops into battle without the proper protections or equipment (or would we?).

Most of our carers are women – nurses, doctors, mothers, care homes, childcare, cleaners – I hope this isn’t part of the reason they are paid less then other jobs? Even our doctors UK are paid a lot less than doctors in other countries. Its time we valued their dedicated work by paying them better and not just by hand clapping.

Germany’s president Frank Walter Steinmeir, urged solidarity both domestically and internationally. He said Germany will only be strong and healthy after this crisis if its neighbours also emerge well. “This crisis is not a war but rather a test of our humanity.” By contrast the UK government uses war like language of a ‘Dunkirik spirit’ or ‘fighting enemies’. England appears to believe as an island through the war we are somehow uniquely special and protected and many here appear to be in shock. We only won the war through co-operating with other nations and without American equipment we would have been defeated. Trump may provide a highly unwelcome narrative, but in the States, its at the local level people make most decisions. The federal government only decides on federal roads, foreign policy. Each state has separate laws, taxes Etc. 

I read Mark Franklands open letter to Nicola Sturgeon on his blog suggesting that world leaders consider a 90% tax on this €30 trillion hidden money, to help pay for the economic cost of  this coronavirus. He suggests it should not be the poor that have to pick up the tab for the cost of this virus with taxes and cuts to services. London is the world’s capital of corruption, illegal money. Also UK government does nothing to protect indigenous business, as other countries do. 

There are many debates on capitalism vs socialism – both are out-of-date with todays realities. We need both - as Sweden, Germany and other countries show. There is good and bad capitalism – it is good to base an economy on small businesses that manufacture or offer valuable services, that give an economy a solid base. What is not good, is to base an economy on the false roulette of financial markets and people sitting on London properties. I don’t want any kind of socialism either, with its central and often incompetent control of an economy. But I would like to see well-being policies of decent childcare, health service, education and infrastructure to support a diverse and innovative business sector. 

Just last year young people took to the streets to begin the fight to save our planet, led by Greta Thunberg. It’s too late for empty words. I believe the only way forward is by small indy nations fighting back against the global elites!  That’s why Scottish Independence matters so much. Its not about some notion of Scottishness, it s about how we are best governed and how our voices can be heard. Reformers have been fighting for this since Burns wrote, a Mans a Man for A That, against those who sell their souls for a pot of gold. In their fights against greed and selfishness. He also wrote – Parcel of Rogues and Tree of Liberty. 

There are signs of hope – more people are cycling, more are reducing meat intake, more work at home, more people want to buy local. Its great to see families cycling on our quiet roads – is this the way forward? Any drugs or vaccines are only short term fixes, we must cure the source of these serious threats. More people die from air pollution, asthma and allergies than ever before.  If this virus has taught us anything, its that we depend on each other. We must urgently save our planet to save our own lives. I look at my grandchildren’s young faces and I hope there will be signs of hope for their lives..

Tom Devine:The English in Scotland talk Edinburgh book festival 2018

Scotland's leading historian looked at the nation's main migrant group, who have outnumbered all other immigrants combined over the last fifty years — the English. 

Devine has co-authored a book on Immigrant communities –  New Scots: Scotland's Immigrant Communities Since 1945. He spoke of one of the most salient issues of our time - English people in Scotland.  

For centuries the Scots have travelled extensively and in France they spoke of “Rats and Scotchmen, you find them everywhere.” There has been Scots mobility into England, America, Caribbean, India, Australasia. There has been a great loss of skills and young for a very long time. A net emigration.  

He commented that the English have contributed a great deal to our universities and that many English people have moved here to avoid the marketization in England. 

At the 2014 Referendum, the English voted 70% no, which compared to the International group, who voted 42% yes. This did not significantly effect the vote he feels, as the English are less then 10% of the population. He says that any abrasiveness between the English and Scottish has more to do with class than ethnicity - or being in bed with an elephant! 

Devine spoke of history education in schools and he recommended to teach Scotland, Britain and world. He was asked about the teaching of history in Scotland. He replied that the history of Scotland has been spotty, pop-up and dysfunctional and not good enough to teach. There has been a revolution in the last ten decades however. 

 Scotland is the earliest state in Europe and went into a partnership with a bigger state. But since 1707 there has been the evolution of a dual identity, both British and Scots since the18^thcentury. However there has been integration, but not assimilation. 

Historians use representative evidence, to get to the norm. 

Devine’s new Book in 2018 is on the Clearances - The Scottish Clearnces: A History of the Dispossessed 1600 - 1900: which discusses the clearances of the Cottars in the Scottish lowlands.  (October 2018)

Jacobites: Myth and Legend

Bonnie Prince Charlie held court in Holyrood for a brief moment 

The last of the Stuarts. Three Jacobite Kings buried St Peters Basilica Rome. One dynasty, two courts. Three kingdoms. Four Jacobite kings. Five Jacobite challenges. Through the mists of time, romance, place, beliefs, tragedy…. I visited the excellent Jacobite exhibition at the Scottish National Museum. 

*Union of the Crowns  - 1603

James VI became King of England, Ireland and Scotland.

Gunpowder plot 1605

Charles I crowned 1633 - 1649

Covenanters 1638

Charles I executed 1649

Roundheads and Cavaliers. Cromwell. – Lord Protector 1653.

Charles II – crowned 1660 - 1685.

James VII 1685 – 1689

Bonnie Dundee

Mary of Modena

I was reading of our history over the past centuries – of our close ties, trade and involvement with Europe – well before the EU and well before the1603 Union of the Crowns.

If you read the monarchy entanglement over that century and into the 18^th century, what a tangled web of intrigue, plotting, alliances, religion, war, deceit, royal marriage There were Roundheads and Cavaliers, Cromwell, 11 years of revolution and over thrown monarchy, Charles I executed, Bonnie Dundee, Jacobites challenges. 

Most histories are written by the victor and this is far crazier than any Game of Thrones!

 

King James VII

Basically(?)  William and Mary, and later Queen Ann (who were daughters of James VII first marriage) had no surviving children, and to have a Protestant monarch, the English parliament sent for George of Hanover (1714) – a descendent of James VI’s daughter). This meant the Stuarts (who had ruled in Scotland for 300 years) and that King James VII was the last Catholic monarch.

James Francis Edward

The wars were over religion and power in Europe. There was the alliance of the Dutch and English navys. Bonnie Prince Charlie held court in Holyrood for a brief moment in September 1745. Its’ a tragic story. The Jacobites made it down to Derby, but turned back and were defeated at Culloden.

Back in 18^th century the British Establishment committed terrible crimes to protect their selfish interests – such as the massacre of Glencoe, repression of highland culture – the wearing of highland dress was forbidden punishable by imprisonment or transportation.

Then bizarrely in 1844 George IV came up to Edinburgh in a shot kilt and pink stockings! –first monarch to visit in 150 years -  and they would now ‘allow’ the kilt to be worn. It was an insult.

Charles I was the second son of James VI. His son was Charles II.  James VII Scotland and II of England was the last Catholic king of England, Scotland and Ireland. He took over the throne after the death of his brother Charles II. He ruled for 4 years and was over thrown in the Glorious revolution of 1688 when he fled to France. He was replaced by his Protestant daughter Mary and her husband William of Orange.

James attempted to reclaim his crown in 1689 when he landed in Ireland. The Jacobite forces were defeated by the Williamites at the Battle of the Boyne in July 1690.

At the time of Union of the Parliaments in 1707, only about 5% of the Scottish population had a vote. It may have been a kind of union, as back then Scotland had a third of the UK population ! Since then the depopulation and wastage of Scotland resources means Scotland now has 8% of the UK population. Scotland is now a colony ruled from London (even though they have allowed use limited power Scottish parliament)

George IV

*1689 first Jacobite challenge

William and Mary 1659 – 1694

*1689 First Jacobite Challenge,

Viscount (Bonnie) Dundee and Battle of Killiecrankie 1689

Battle of the Boyne 1690

Massacre Glencoe - 1692

*Union of Parliaments – 1707

Ann 1707 – 1714

English Act of Settlement 1701

1704 Scottish (Act of security Scotland ) Articles of Union.

1713 Treaty of Utrecht

* Second Jacobite challenge 1708

GEORGE I crowned - 1714

*1715 Third Jacobite challenge

Battle of Sherriffmuir

* Fourth Jacobite challenge 1719

Rob Roy MacGregor

*Fifth and final 1745 Jacobite challenge, Bonnie Prince Charlie

George VI visit Edinburgh 1822. First monarch in 170 years!

Reformation 16^th century.