A History of the Highland Clearances: Emigration, Protest, Reasons

A History of the Highland Clearances: Volume 2 examines the Highlanders' emigrations, popular response, career, trial, reputation, and economic problem during the clearances in 19th-century Scotland.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 558 pages
Publication date: 09 January 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

First published in 1985, A History of the Highland Clearances: Volume 2 delves into the diverse range of communal and intellectual responses to the Highland Clearances, encompassing both contemporary and retrospective perspectives. The book's first section examines the enduring legacy of the two-hundred-year debate surrounding the Highland problem and the significance of the clearances within that context. The second section analyzes the scope, extent, and timing of the Highlander emigrations, exploring the various motivations behind these movements. The third section explores the direct popular response to the clearances, encompassing collective memory, physical resistance traditions, and the career, trial, and reputation of Patrick Sellar, who played a pivotal role in shaping social history, governing ideas, and the mythology surrounding the clearances. The fourth section examines the fundamental economic challenges of the Highlands during the era of the clearances, considering the moral and economic alternatives faced by the community, landlords, and the nation.

Introduction:
A History of the Highland Clearances: Volume 2, published in 1985, offers a comprehensive exploration of the various types of communal and intellectual responses to the Highland Clearances. This second volume in the series delves into the diverse range of reactions to this historical event, encompassing both contemporary and retrospective perspectives.

Legacy of the Debate:
The first section of the book examines the enduring legacy of the two-hundred-year debate surrounding the Highland problem. This debate has shaped our understanding of the clearances and their impact on the Highland communities. The section explores the various arguments and perspectives put forth by scholars, historians, and policymakers over the years, highlighting the complexities and nuances of the issue.

Scale, Range, and Timing of Emigrations:
The second section assesses the scale, range, and timing of the Highlander emigrations. The book provides detailed accounts of the various factors that contributed to these emigrations, including economic hardship, political oppression, and cultural change. It also examines the impact of the clearances on the Highlander communities, both in terms of the loss of land and livelihoods and the social and cultural upheaval that followed.

Popular Response:
The third section contemplates the direct popular response to the clearances. The book explores the collective memory and the tradition of physical resistance that emerged among the Highlander communities. It examines the various forms of resistance, such as protests, rebellions, and evictions, and the impact these actions had on the landlords and the government.

Patrick Sellar's Career:
The fourth section is dedicated to the career, trial, and reputation of Patrick Sellar. Sellar was a prominent figure in the Highland Clearances, serving as a factor, landlord, and advocate for the clearances. The section examines Sellar's role in shaping social history, governing ideas, and the mythology surrounding the clearances. It also explores the controversies and criticisms surrounding Sellar's actions and the legacy he left behind.

Economic Problem of the Highlands:
The final section considers the fundamental economic problem of the Highlands in the age of the clearances. The book examines the various economic factors that contributed to the Highlander's economic hardship, including land degradation, overpopulation, and a lack of economic opportunities. It also explores the moral and economic alternatives that faced the community, the landlords, and the nation during this period.

Conclusion:
A History of the Highland Clearances: Volume 2 provides a rich and detailed account of the Highland Clearances and their impact on the Highland communities. The book offers a comprehensive exploration of the various types of communal and intellectual responses to this historical event, encompassing both contemporary and retrospective perspectives. By examining the legacy of the debate, the scale, range, and timing of the emigrations, the direct popular response, the career of Patrick Sellar, the economic problem of the Highlands, and the moral and economic alternatives, the book sheds light on the complexities and nuances of this historical period.

Weight: 1038g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367514518