The Blood is Strong Documentary

[Nathan]

Interesting Grampian Television / Channel 4 documentary from 1988 about the Battle of Culloden, the Highland Clearances and Gaelic Culture.

Intro
http://youtu.be/wC3gGdNPaNk

Part 1
http://youtu.be/sdp5QCrGM3A
*LINK NO LONGER WORKS*

Part 2
http://youtu.be/9TyfznnlMMI
*LINK NO LONGER WORKS*
This is pretty well done and goes more into the history of the Gael than many other treatments on the subject. The documentary is a bit hard on Lord MacDonald and his particular role in the clearances. This may or may not have something to do with the fact that the documentary was written by a Campbell. (jk)

Incidentally, the Hebridean man with the personal memories of the Clearances that is speaking right at the beginning of Part 2 has an accent nearly identical to Gaelic speakers from rural Cape Breton. The closest I've heard from the old country.

Interesting perspective on the Gael here. The Gael is to Scotland as the Scot is to Britain.

[ThistleDown]

Nothing to do with the writer, Nathan. There were issues in the 80s between the Clan Donald and the new societies that had risen in the New World and these came through in the film, at least for those of us who were part of the thing at the time. Thirty years later and not much has changed. Listen closely to the words of Lord Macdonald and of Ellis Macdonald for a glimmer of this. Although Grampian made the film for export it generally speaking did a really bang-up job, didn't it?

[madmacs]

Music by Capercaillie

[creagdhubh]

Music by Capercaillie

Aye, "Alasdair Mhic Cholla." Superb tune.

[frank_a]

We now have the ability to watch YouTube videos on our big wall mounted 55" tele. That is how I watched these two videos, and must say, for being as old as they are, the video was 1/2 way decent on our big TV. I've read a good deal about Culloden, and enjoy history as much for its entertainment value as for its grounding in reality. I found these two videos very entertaining! Thanks for posting them.

Frank

[Nathan]

Nothing to do with the writer, Nathan. There were issues in the 80s between the Clan Donald and the new societies that had risen in the New World and these came through in the film, at least for those of us who were part of the thing at the time. Thirty years later and not much has changed. Listen closely to the words of Lord Macdonald and of Ellis Macdonald for a glimmer of this. Although Grampian made the film for export it generally speaking did a really bang-up job, didn't it?

My Campbell comment was a little tongue in cheek. Does anybody in Scotland still speak like that old timer I referenced? It is indeed a well done film.

[CMcG]

Interesting stuff. The persistence and tenacity of Gaelic identity is remarkable considering the persecution and displacement it has suffered.

[Downunder Kilt]

Thanks for posting the links Nathan. Makes you think of how lucky most of us are today, and how internally strong those of yesteryear must have been.

[TheOfficialBren]

Thanks for posting the links Nathan. Makes you think of how lucky most of us are today, and how internally strong those of yesteryear must have been.

***.
Very interesting stuff. Thank you for sharing.

[creagdhubh]

Thanks for posting the links Nathan. Makes you think of how lucky most of us are today, and how internally strong those of yesteryear must have been.

Indeed!