A Wee Bit O' Scottish History Online

These are interesting and valuable online resources for researching Scottish history:

Debate on the 1820 Uprising in the Scottish Parliament
The 1820 Rising (free ebook at Electric Scotland)
White Slavery, What the Scots Already Know
Why Scots Cursed the Damn Yankees
The Act Against Highland Dress
The Act of Proscription 1747
International Civic Heraldry (Scotland)
The Jacobite Heritage (extensive digital archives)
National Library of Scotland's Interactive Timeline of Scottish History
James VI and the Union of the Crowns (National Library of Scotland)

Slainte,
Dianne

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The 'Sanitization' of Scottish History

Warning: if you are offended by educated opinions , you should stop reading right now.

Michael Follon is the author of the excellent blog "The 'Sanitization' of Scottish History". His posts are sharp, thoughtful, articulate and very informative. He has shared with me some of his favorite books on Scottish history, and I would like to pass them along to you:

'WILLIAM WALLACE' by Andrew Fisher, ISBN 0 85976 557 1

'Scotland: The Shaping of a Nation' by Gordon Donaldson, ISBN 0 7153 6904 0, as well as his book 'Scottish Historical Documents'

'The Scottish Insurrection of 1820' by Peter Berresford Ellis and Seumas Mac A'Ghobhainn, ISBN 0 85976 519 9.
From the Preface to the 1989 edition:
'At that time [prior to publication] people were astounded that such an event, resulting in 85 indictments of High Treason, in public executions, in transportations and imprisonments, could have been so effectively eliminated from historical consciousness.'
From the Preface to the 2001 edition:
'the fact that it was an aim of the Scottish Radicals to set up a separate parliament in Edinburgh has been met with skeptical posturing. Yet this was clearly spelt out by Glasgow Police Chief, James Mitchell, in his letters to the Home Secretary, Lord Sidmouth, of March 18 and 29 1820.
and on p.97 -In 1812 the United States had, frustrated by continued English interference in American affairs, restriction of American trade, interference in American freedom of movement and economic policies, declared war on England. The war ended on January 8, 1815, when the Americans won a decisive victory over the English forces. Scotsmen were still considered persona grata with Americans and not really regarded as nationals of the country with which they were at war. Jeffrey [Francis], in fact, was received and entertained by Munroe, the Secretary of State, and even lunched with President Madison, with whom he had a number of discussions on Scottish problems.

''Independent and Free: Scottish Politics and the Origins of the Scottish National Party, 1918-1945' by Richard J Finlay, ISBN 0-85976-399-4.
This book traces the development of the Scottish national movement in the first half of the twentieth century.

If you want a true view of Scottish history, visit The 'Sanitization' of Scottish History'.

Slainte,
Dianne

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Dr. Livingstone, I presume?

The Scottish explorer and pioneer medical missionary, David Livingstone, died on April 30, 1873 in Africa. (Some sources cite the date of death as May 1, but I obtained my information from the BBC Scotland in History , and I figure they would know best).

He was born on March 19, 1813, in the mill town of Blantyre, Lanarkshire, Scotland, into a Protestant family. He was trained as a medical missionary.

His work with the London Missionary Society fueled a British obsession for exploring central Africa and laid groundwork for the discovery of the source of the Nile river. He was the first European to see the famous Victoria Falls in southern Africa.

Livingstone's first assignment by the LMS began in 1841 in South Africa. From 1841 to 1856, he traveled extensively throughout southern and central Africa, becoming one of the few Westerners to make a transcontinental journey across Africa. By all accounts he was a successful representative of the LMS; he understood the ways of the village chiefs and did not force Christianity on them; he preached a Christian message, but let people come to Christianity in their own time.

In 1857, Livingstone, feeling that he had a higher calling as an explorer rather than as a missionary, resigned from the London Missionary Society. Funded by the British government, he returned to Africa as head of the Zambezi Expedition to examine the natural resources of southeastern Africa. This disastrous expedition lasted until 1864.

Sometime in the mid 1860's, Livingstone completely lost contact with the outside world. Interest in his adventures had kept him in the American newspapers and in 1869 the owners of The New York Herald hired Henry Morton Stanley to find Livingstone.

Stanley found Livingstone on November 10, 1871, in a village on the shores of Lake Tanganyika. On August 10, 1872, the editorial of the New York Herald read "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?"

For more information on David Livingstone click here.

Slainte,
Dianne

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The Maine Celtic Celebration

It's never too early to start planning your summer festival schedule. With that in mind, let me remind you to mark these dates on your calendar: July 18, 19, and 20 (2008). These are the days of the second annual Maine Celtic Celebration, held in the beautiful coastal Maine city of Belfast.

Celebrating the cultivation and renewal of the rich Celtic history, culture and hospitality found along the coast of Maine, the festival draws visitors from all around the world. It is a spectacular immersion into the Celtic ( Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Isle of Man, Galicia, Brittany and Asturias ) world of music, dance, athletics and food.

You can find more events like this in the Highland Games Calendar by using the link located at the top of the Links section.

For more information, visit the official site of the Maine Celtic Celebration here.

Slainte,
Dianne

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National Tartan Day 2008
A Proclamation by the President of the United States of America

Americans of Scottish descent have made enduring contributions to our Nation with their hard work, faith, and values. On National Tartan Day, we celebrate the spirit and character of Scottish Americans and recognize their many contributions to our culture and our way of life.

Scotland and the United States have long shared ties of family and friendship, and many of our country's most cherished customs and ideals first grew to maturity on Scotland's soil. The Declaration of Arbroath, the Scottish Declaration of Independence signed in 1320, embodied the Scots' strong dedication to liberty, and the Scots brought that tradition of freedom with them to the New World. Sons and daughters of many Scottish clans were among the first immigrants to settle in America, and their determination and optimism helped build our Nation's character. Several of our Founding Fathers were of Scottish descent, as have been many Presidents and Justices of the United States Supreme Court. Many Scottish Americans, such as Andrew Carnegie, were great philanthropists, founding and supporting numerous scientific, educational, and civic institutions. From the evocative sounds of the bagpipes to the great sport of golf, the Scots have also left an indelible mark on American culture.

National Tartan Day is an opportunity to celebrate all Americans who claim Scottish ancestry, and we are especially grateful for the service in our Armed Forces of Scottish Americans who have answered the call to protect our Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GEORGE W. BUSH, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 6, 2008, as National Tartan Day. I call upon all Americans to observe this day by celebrating the continued friendship between the people of Scotland and the United States and by recognizing the contributions of Scottish Americans to our Nation.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fourth day of April, in the year of our Lord two thousand eight, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-second.

GEORGE W. BUSH

Go to the official White House Press Release.

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This is by no means a comprehensive list, but it is a good start to finding the names of towns in Maine with a Scottish flavor:

Scottish Place-Names In Maine

Albion

Alexander

Argyle

Ayers

Bean’s Corner

Blair Hill

Bonny Eagle

Boyd Lake

Braeburn

Campbell Corner

Chisholm

Cunningham Landing

Davidson

Elliot Landing

Glenburn Center

Glen Cove

Grant’s Turn

Gray

Greenlaw’s Crossing

Hamilton Station

Highland Lake

Knox Center

Mars Hill

McFarland’s Corner

McKeen Crossing

Morrison Corner

Scotland

Sinclair

The Highlands

Thompson Point

Young’s Corner

Copyright MaineScot 2007

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