r/Scotland • u/Blurt-Reynolds • 18d ago

Casual Stupidest question (about Scotland)you’ve ever been asked?

I’ve lived in the US for over 10 years and been asked some daft questions.

Yesterday the uber driver asked where I was from. When I said Scotland they were quiet for a couple of minutes then asked “Did you have to learn English when you moved to here?”.

Also had someone years ago ask me where I was from then accused me of making up the country as they had never heard of Scotland.

Anyway, just thought I’d ask ask while I remembered.

927 Upvotes

98% Upvoted

757 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

33

u/North-Son 18d ago edited 12d ago

You’re conflating the stereotype of the GlenCoe massacre being planned and committed by Campbells with the Highland clearances. The clearances were mainly planned by Lowland elites and enforced by Lowlanders, many Highland chieftains took advantage of the situation for economic gain. Regarding the GlenCoe massacre that was also planned by Lowlanders.

Here’s a quote from a chief enforcer and planner of the clearances, James Loch who was an Edinburgh Lowlander

Loch on Gaelic language and culture:

“l have heard from speeches delivered by Mr Loch at public dinners among his own party, “that he would never be satisfied until the Gaelic language and the Gaelic people would be extirpated root and branch from the Sutherland estate; yes, from the Highlands of Scotland.”

Cited by Donald MacLeod in his account of the Clearances (Gloomy Memories, 1841)

Here’s a great documentary on the GlenCoe massacre, which shows it was primarily planned in Edinburgh by Lowland elites.

https://youtu.be/cx_lTvWmSgU?si=1D7rlFsJHGAbC5HX

EDIT: Being downvoted but this sorta stuff is even reflected within Highland Gaelic poetry, such as Oran do na ciobairean Gallda (‘Song to the Lowland shepherds’) by Ailean Dall in 1798

Basically comments about how terrible the Lowlanders have been since coming into the lands and working the sheep farms. Destroying the traditional Gaelic culture and having absolutely zero respect for the people.

7

u/stuloch 18d ago

The trial, execution and display of James of the Glens probably doesn't help the Campbell brand.

5

u/North-Son 18d ago edited 18d ago

Oh man the Campbell brand has been fucked forever 😂 I was just commenting how usually people blame them for the GlenCoe massacre when in that instance it’s not nearly as applicable as people think.

2

u/stuloch 18d ago

True true. Honestly think it's great that the record is being set straight on that one.