The Clearances

[Glamrockdj]

The Clearances are something that is not taught in our schools over here, in fact Scottish history is largely ignored by our schools although there are signs that this is changing.

I know a lot about English history, Russian Revolution etc but no-one wanted to let me learn about my own histroy.

I could be very cynical and give my reasons for why this might be but that will just get us into a debate that I'd rather not get involved in (again)

I agree that some highlanders would have liked to have emigrated to pastures new and seek out a life in the new world, but what about the ones that didn't, there's a big difference from being asked to leave your home and being burned out and left to the elements.

This report comes from some well balanced individuals and is a result of countless hours of research from some very well educated individuals with no particular axe to grind, they also give info from where the info was obtained, well worth a read.

http://www.cranntara.org.uk/clear.htm

[Arlen]

The Clearances are something that is not taught in our schools over here, in fact Scottish history is largely ignored by our schools although there are signs that this is changing.

I was lucky enough to get taught plenty of Scottish history in School.
The reason for that was likely because we had such a multicultural school that they wanted everyone in the school to be able to come together on the one fact of living in Scotland.

[sharpdressedscot]

You know, I think I know a good reason why people don't know much about history. A new friend I met at the Highland Games last weekend told me something that made me think: History classes are nothing but dates and events to people, because that's all they teach and they get bored with it.

To me history is much more than that, it's a part of who we are.

[Ryan Ross]

You know, I think I know a good reason why people don't know much about history. A new friend I met at the Highland Games last weekend told me something that made me think: History classes are nothing but dates and events to people, because that's all they teach and they get bored with it.

To me history is much more than that, it's a part of who we are.

That's my philosophy, aswell. When I start teaching history, I intend to teach more than dates and events. Adding in bits about everyday life in period and anecdotes about the famous personalities of history should help to impress upon students that history is not just a tired old bedtime story- it's real and it's pertinent. Humanising historic people is key... IMHO.

[nightchild336]

I will not act as though I have studied the topic of the clearances extensively, i have done no such thing. i have studied a bit and the things i have read have made my stomach churn. even if only ten percent of the information out there is true it was a atrocity against man inspired by pure evil. to be rack rented out of your own home, and thats if you were lucky. . . pure evil. greed is a terrible thing. it will make love hate and hate destruction if we do not tame it. the reason history should be taught in all of its dark glory is so that we can see the errors made by others and not repeat them. that is of course my opinion only.

[Sheep In Wolf's Clothing]

My favourite history teacher was a very hands on type of teacher. He would bring in artifacts or have the students try to make them
He was also big on research, anything we wrote or made had to have an essay and it had to have 3-6 sorces. I took all three courses he taught. He later went on to win the Governor General of Canada's Excellents in Teaching Award. He changed my life.
Sorry for the hijack but if we had more teachers like "Lord Simons"* I think more students would take history classes.
Sara
*The nick name my class gave him after he turned our football field into 13th century England, mud, cattle, serfs, raids, kings and all!!

[JS Sanders]

Another related book, A Dance Called America by Scottish historian James Hunter, is an account of what happened to thousands of people who left, or were evicted from the Highlands bound for the United States & Canada.

Hunter's book evaluates the impact of these Scots in North America - contributions quite apparent in modern times.

Read Prebble's book 1st, then follow up with this one.

Slainte yall,
steve

[sharpdressedscot]

I will not act as though I have studied the topic of the clearances extensively, i have done no such thing. i have studied a bit and the things i have read have made my stomach churn. even if only ten percent of the information out there is true it was a atrocity against man inspired by pure evil. to be rack rented out of your own home, and thats if you were lucky. . . pure evil. greed is a terrible thing. it will make love hate and hate destruction if we do not tame it. the reason history should be taught in all of its dark glory is so that we can see the errors made by others and not repeat them. that is of course my opinion only.

A very good opinion, if we don't learn from history we (as in humans) are bound to repeat it.


And I shall try to check those books out in my library, they look good.

[sirdaniel1975]

You know, I think I know a good reason why people don't know much about history. A new friend I met at the Highland Games last weekend told me something that made me think: History classes are nothing but dates and events to people, because that's all they teach and they get bored with it.

To me history is much more than that, it's a part of who we are.

I completely agree with that statement. This is why I consider myself a "Self Taught" individual. Even though I have a Bachelors degree, most of what I learned during college was completely my own doing.

Now, I do have some pretty intelligent and genius mentors. Some of which had nothing to do with college and a whole lot to do with Summer and Autumn of 1998 in Franklin,NC.

[SteveB]

History is who we are. On this forum, the history of tartans, kilts and the like are like preaching to the choir. I love the chase called genealogy, and not just for the names and dates (boring) that I can add to my charts. The most interesting facet is the social migrations, whether voluntary or forced. The "Planter Stock" that moved from Scotland to Ireland to help control the natives. The ancestor sold at auction in York, Maine for 2 pounds 3 shillings and 2 pence. Who had an internal sense of engineering to make major contributions to the well being of his new "home". Although neither clan on my signature line's tartan is listed with red yarn, both have plenty of red spilled. My study proves that I am a son of a Witch. One of my ancestresses was accused at Salem, Massachusetts of witchcraft. In the study of American History, I have some who fought against the Crown, and many who stayed loyal to it. As far as learning history goes, the Cr*p that was regurgitated to us in the classroom, was no where near as interesting as the history outside the schoolhouse. I grew up in Lexington, Massachusetts, some what famous with Concord for the shot heard 'round the world, and the beginning of the revolution. Most high school students were pressed into service as guides for people visiting the town and its many historic sites. Each of us would get to learn in depth about the people and the historic sense of the landmark that was "ours" for the summer. We got to dress in period garments, and do a limited amount of role playing. History, both true and continued myth were thus very alive. For each summers preperation i would devour all that the library had on the subject, and then dig through any related sources I could get a grip onto. The summer that I "played" a publican, I had so studied his diaries and account books that for each day, I could reconstruct it as it was in 1775. It was not until I reached fifty that I had researched my own genealogy back to one of the customers of that publican, in 1775.