Lowland/Scotch-Irish/American Colonists vs. Highlanders.

**davidlpope** · 14th November 16, 07:25 PM

I stumbled across this article today while following a rabbit trail relating to Thomas Jefferson:
https://www.jstor.org/stable/2009151...n_tab_contents

It's a short but interesting article that points out that American colonists who were the descendants of Lowland Scots and the Scotch-Irish were, in most cases, supporters of the Revolution. They were often at odds with Highlanders who often supported the Crown.

This was the case with the Revolution in North Carolina. The Highland broadsword charge at Moore's Creek was met by the musket fire of backcountry militia, many of them Scotch-Irish. Similarly, in the Mecklenburg region, Scotch-Irish militia fought against Montgomery's (77th) Highlanders.

It's ironic, then, that descendants of Lowland Scots and Ulster Scots in North Carolina have adopted the trappings of Highland culture (tartan, kilts, bagpipes) as a means of celebrating their own heritage.

**The Q** · 15th November 16, 01:33 AM

It should be remembered that at various intervals between European mainland wars and the Jacobite rebellions that there were lots of spare soldiers looking for a job.
there were even Jabobite soldiers and officers serving in the Government army in the Americas.

**Tarheel** · 15th November 16, 04:51 AM

There is certainly a varied history in N.C. There are the Scots that were also Quakers (my family being one) that supported neither side in violence but kept trade with both sides.

Even some of these had family members that fought for one side or another in wars since ... um ... the beginning of time. I am, as well as one member from every generation (as far back as 1740) have served proudly in the military. We take the burden of civil responsibility for our family upon our shoulders.

Wearing the kilt seems natural for a Scotsman (highlander or lowlander) but only a few of us can don a Quaker hat with ease.

**Jock Scot** · 15th November 16, 05:09 AM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

-----------

Wearing the kilt seems natural for a Scotsman (highlander or lowlander) but only a few of us can don a Quaker hat with ease.

You must be joking!

Its only in very recent times----the latter part of my lifetime----- has the kilt been accepted by some Lowland Scots. There are still places in the Lowlands where the kilt is regarded with vicious scorn.

I kid you not.

We in the Highlands often have considerable difficulty to this day, in listening to Lowlanders claiming the kilt as theirs and giving out kilt attire advice----often incorrect------ without a rather cynical smile at best and not a little disbelief!

**Tarheel** · 15th November 16, 05:50 AM

I, have again, made a broad statement that needed clarification. This is the reason I look to the guidance of the Rabble. With my family removed for so long from the Highlands, I can only speak of the family feelings as I have grown up knowing them.

**Luke MacGillie** · 15th November 16, 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by davidlpope

This was the case with the Revolution in North Carolina. The Highland broadsword charge at Moore's Creek was met by the musket fire of backcountry militia, many of them Scotch-Irish. Similarly, in the Mecklenburg region, Scotch-Irish militia fought against Montgomery's (77th) Highlanders.

The 1st Highland Battalion, AKA the 62nd Regiment of Foot, AKA the 77th Regiment of Foot, Montgomery's Highlanders had been disbanded since 1763, so how exactly was someone fighting against that regiment in in the 75-83 period?

**Jock Scot** · 15th November 16, 05:57 AM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

I, have again, made a broad statement that needed clarification. This is the reason I look to the guidance of the Rabble. With my family removed for so long from the Highlands, I can only speak of the family feelings as I have grown up knowing them.

You are not alone, we see it all the time on this website. Which is precisely why the Scots think as they do on a very contentious subject on this website that has recently drifted away.

**davidlpope** · 15th November 16, 06:32 AM

Originally Posted by Luke MacGillie

The 1st Highland Battalion, AKA the 62nd Regiment of Foot, AKA the 77th Regiment of Foot, Montgomery's Highlanders had been disbanded since 1763, so how exactly was someone fighting against that regiment in in the 75-83 period?

Yes, thanks for the correction. When I posted last night I was working from memory. Not a good idea so late at night. Read "71st Regiment of Foot, Fraser's Highlanders" in its place.

Good primary source material here:
https://books.google.com/books?id=nX...ctures&f=false

**davidlpope** · 15th November 16, 06:35 AM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

I, have again, made a broad statement that needed clarification. This is the reason I look to the guidance of the Rabble. With my family removed for so long from the Highlands, I can only speak of the family feelings as I have grown up knowing them.

The funny thing is that the "kilt as a pan-Scottish cultural icon" movement started well after most of America's Lowland and Scotch-Irish immigrants left the UK. So, the tendancy here in the South to embrace "Scottishness" is an anachronism, at best.

**Luke MacGillie** · 15th November 16, 07:16 AM

People want to belong to a tribe, its just something hardwired in our brain.

It's what drives people, myself included, to fixate, over emphasize, pick any synonym you wish on our connection to a tribe.

With a large push by the Native Tribes of North America to take back their history, to drive out any an all who have not been living within the culture their entire lives, other tribal connections that Americans have come to the forefront. Celts of all types, not just those from Scotland are a "Safe" place where people can exercise their desire to be part of a tribe, normally without any nasty accusations of cultural appropriation.