May I clarify one or two points from my interview (Row breaks out on Culloden anniversary over claim 'British redcoats acted like Islamic State')?
Regarding dress codes, the Act for the Abolition and Proscription of the Highland Dress spelled it out. Wearing the "plaid, philabeg, or little kilt, Trowse, Shoulder belts, or any part whatsoever of what peculiarly belongs to the Highland garb" was forbidden. This included "tartan or party-coloured stuff". The Act became law in 1746. Highlanders from all sides deeply resented it. Distinctive Highland dress was no 19th-century invention.
The penalty for breaking this law was to be "imprisoned for six months for the first offence" and "transported for seven years" for re-offending. If this is not another attempt to "extinguish cultural particularity" for political ends, what is? Some differences between 1746 and 2017 may be of degree not kind.
Leading historian Allan MacInnes used the word "genocide" to describe the pacification of the Highlands. The equally eminent Murray Pittock took issue with him. He thought the actions not systematic enough, and prefers the term "ethnic cleansing". He quotes a man who demanded a government enquiry into what he called, in 1750, the "Neronian atrocities" of 1746-47.
I apologise to soldiers, past or present – and to Professor Devine – for any glib parallels between 1746 and 2017. I’m aware that making historical comparisons is often contentious, but may offer insights into motives and events. Rebellions were as messy then as now.
Sarah Fraser
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel