In the past year the motion picture industry has released two major films on Scottish history that magnified interest in Scottish culture and history. So it's not surprising that a new book has been published concerning the Highlanders of Scotland and commemorating the 250th anniversary of the landing of Prince Charlie among the western isles in 1745.
"Highlanders" is a magnificent coffee-table-style book that covers major sections of Scottish Highland history. Author Fitzroy Maclean is more than passingly interested in this history he passionately details - he is a part of it. Maclean is a knight of the Order of the Thistle and a relative of the Maclean chiefs, headquartered at Duart, one of the many Highland clans that played significant roles in the history that unfolds in his book.In the prologue, Maclean tells how his own fascination was piqued at an early age as he listened to the seannachies (clan historian-genealogists) telling the history of the great Highland chiefs and clans. But it is almost with reverence that the author describes his wonder upon inheriting chests and volumes of Maclean papers. Among them he found a miniature portrait of Bonnie Prince Charles Stewart, a portrait that would have brought great punishment - even death - to its holder in 1745-1748.
As I read through the book, I was dismayed that "Highlanders" doesn't mention St. Patrick's possible attachment to the Highlands. Most histories that mention Patrick state he was born in Wales or England; but after serious study, several researchers have discovered he was likely born outside present-day Dumbarton, near Glasgow. From there, Patrick was taken to Ireland as a slave for seven years. He escaped to become a priest and return to the land of his captors. As a missionary, Patrick's approach was to teach local chiefs and kings and watch as entire villages followed them into the faith. An early convert, St. Columcille (Columba), would leave Tirconaill, Ireland, and set up a monastery on the tiny isle of Iona, Scotland. With his kindred (relatives), St. Columcille brought Christianity to the Highlands. And, as Maclean points out, his symbol can still be seen in the heraldic arms of the Highland chiefs: a hand holding a cross, showing that the clan chiefs descended from the kindred of St. Columcille.
From the early Celtic history of the Highlands, Maclean passes over the struggles involving King Duncan I and MacBeth, stories savagely butchered by Shakespeare. He even passes over the bitter fighting of Sir William Wallace, the subject of Mel Gibson's film "Braveheart," who gained much of his support from the Highlands. Instead, Maclean goes directly to the great King Robert the Bruce and his victory at Bannockburn in 1314. Maclean then expertly tells of the emergence of the Highland clans, the many clan feuds and the power, glory and fall from the throne of the Stuart Dynasty. He also explains how Bonnie Prince Charlie tried to regain the throne in 1745 and was defeated at Culloden in the tragic Highland Clearances.
"Highlanders" is not only an interesting book to read and study but makes lavish use of scenic photos, portraits and illustrations, lending invaluable touches to Scottish culture, traditions and history.
Now, if only some writer would show the same energy as Maclean does in "Highlanders" to tell the other two sides of Scottish history: the political intrigue of the great Scottish Lowland families and the feuds and constant warfare along the Scottish borders with England.