The Clans of Scotland Part II

Overview

The influence of clans in Scottish politics reached its zenith during the 16th and 17th centuries, when clan chiefs wielded substantial power, and clans such as Campbell, MacGregor, and Fraser carved their fortunes in a world of alliances and deadly rivalries.

But clan life was also set against the backdrop of increasing tensions with England. Many Scottish clans desired to see Charles Stuart on the throne of Scotland, rather than be governed by a Hanoverian King of England. The Battle of Culloden, fought in 1746 against the British, marked a devastating chapter in Scottish and clan history, and it wasn’t until the 19th century that Scottish culture began to recover. During this period it became celebrated once more through the elements of the societal fabric of the country, from clan folklore, tartans and songs, to crests and mottos which remain at the heart of Scottish heritage.

Join Dr Lauren Mackay for the second, concluding part of a fascinating lecture series, which delves into these pivotal years in Scottish history; from the massacre at Glencoe, to the profound impact of Culloden and the destruction of the clan way of life and, finally, the remarkable revival of Scotland’s unique identity.