Central Scotland post 1746

[Shortfuse]

Hello
I was wondering about the effect that Culloden had on central Scotland. The couple of books I've read tell of the horrendous ongoing
persecution in the Highlands but nothing about the effect if any on other parts of Scotland.
A lot of my family are from the Dunbar area in East Lothian, mostly working at the fishing trade, and I wonder if Culloden had changed
their lives in any shape or form ?

regards to all sf

[Currie]

Hello Shortfuse,

Most of what I know about Scottish history is what I’ve stumbled across while a member of this forum, and what I’ve seen on the television, so I’m probably the worst one to be replying to your question.

There seems to be plenty of information available about the politics, the battles, the soldiers, and the hierarchy, but unfortunately not much about ordinary people’s lives, especially in the Lowlands.

Here are a couple of quotes from the Culloden Wiki. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Culloden

"Charles Stuart's Jacobite army consisted largely of Scottish Highlanders, as well as a number of Lowland Scots and a small detachment of Englishmen from the Manchester Regiment. The Jacobites were supported and supplied by the Kingdom of France and French and Irish units loyal to France were part of the Jacobite army. The government force was mostly English, along with a significant number of Scottish Lowlanders and Highlanders, a battalion of Ulster men from Ireland, and a small number of Hessians from Germany, and Austrians."

and

"The city of Edinburgh was occupied, but the castle held out and most of the Scottish population remained hostile to the rebels; others, while sympathetic, were reluctant to lend overt support to a movement whose chances were unproven."

If all of that is true, and there wasn’t much overt anti government activity by the Lowlanders, then it’s probable that the English were busy enough persecuting the Highlanders. I suspect that, once the main display of military gymnastics was over, life was relatively safe and ordinary enough in the Lowlands, even for the sympathetic Scots, as long as they managed to keep a low profile and stay away from tartan.

I hope that isn’t completely off track.

All the best,
Alan

[johnniegarve]

Culloden was the last act in a civil war against the Stewarts in Scotland which lasted a century from the Wars of the Covenant. Casualties over that period were enormous and most folk were probably glad it was over. A change of landlord for some but bread on the table was the priority. As for the Pretender, fast forward to the shortbread tins.
The Manchester Regiment were left to garrison Carlisle and paid the price. As far as I'm aware there were no Hessians at Culloden, their commander wouldn't let them go further than Perthshire.

Johnnie.

[Shortfuse]

Many thanks Alan and Johnnie for the replies. Your answers are as I thought it might have turned out due, to the lack of information I've been able to source. ( although I've not tried that hard )
It must be an age thing as i'm just as interested in the social history as I am in the genealogy
regards sf

[Falkyrn]

This period also saw the Lowland Clearances which have been described as part of Scotlands Forgotten History.
See http://www.monikie.org.uk/lowland-clearances.htm

[Shortfuse]

Very interesting article, wish I had heard the programme.
regards sf

[Currie]

I had a look around for any trace of a podcast, or whatever, of the 2003 BBC Scotland broadcasts but didn’t have any luck.

However there is video on YouTube of a talk on the subject in Dunedin NZ by Professor Tom Devine. It runs for about an hour. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYU2ibb6 ... ata_player

Alan

[Shortfuse]

Many thanks for finding that Alan. Now all I need is a quiet hour and a large dram
regards sf