Highlands Contributed Lots to North American History – Emigrants Took a Bit of Home to the New World
Highlands Contributed Lots to North American History –
Emigrants Took a Bit of Home to the New World
Way back when I was growing up the 7:84 Theatre Company was performing The Cheviot, the Stag, and the Black Black Oil about the history of the Highlands of Scotland. It was a kind of musical drama and dramatised the economic change in the Scottish Highlands, from the Highland Clearances in the early 19th century through to the contemporary oil boom at the time of its first production. The play was mixed with film about the Highland Clearances. The songs were wry rather than funny as were the sketches. It was moving in a kind of 1970s way. I don’t know how I would react seeing it today, but it moved me mightily then.
Tragic Clearances the Americas Gain
But in every cloud there is a sliver of sunshine and the slice of brightness in all the leaving of the Highlands is how much Highlanders contributed t the making of the New World. From every glen they went and in the beginnings were much vaunted fighting men, who would then be valued in the American War of Independence and not only on the colonist’s side. The Clan system was an early export. The British Government banned emigration to North America for the duration of the American Revolution, which ended 1783. After that the US remained a key destination for emigrants until 1909. Across the USA and Canada they were pioneers, taking their music and their culture and a great work ethic.
The Greatest Gift of the Highlands
But of course the greatest gift of the Highlands never left. The ‘Water of Life’ the beautiful mixture of art and science that is whisky. And of course we want you to sample this great gift in some fine glassware and so we have put together some cracking offers.
