Banished to New York:

… an interesting historical post about the fate of traveling folk in 17th century Scotland Scotland had draconian laws against travelling folk. Hostility towards “Egyptians” took off under King James VI, who was also famously opposed to Border Reivers, Gaelic-speaking Highlanders, alleged Witches, Protestant religious dissenters and tobacco smokers. Edinburgh, 13 May 1682: ‘His Royall […]

Ardnamurchan, Unspoiled Highland Coast

Ardnamurchan (Àird nam Murchan: headland of the great seas), Lochaber, Highland, Scotland. This is a beautiful short film of the westernmost peninsula of the British mainland.

Bagpipes Gone Baroque

As if traditional bagpiping weren’t enough, here are the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards going all Pachelbel for your listening enjoyment. A view of the amazing Scottish country of Scotland. All these photo’s were taken by friends on the Isle Of Skye. Accompanied by the music Canon by The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards. Music Available @itunes.

Sunday Music

A beautiful and sentimental song by Dougie MacLean, a Scottish artist. If you’ve never heard of him you probably know at least one of his tunes. MacLean’s most famous piece is probably “The Gael”, from his 1990 album The Search, which was adapted by Trevor Jones as the main theme to The Last of the […]

Salmon Fishing the Old Fashioned Way

Salmon fishing in Scotland romanticized by R.R. McIan, mid-19th century.

Farquharson

Maybe it’s time to institute Highlander Art Mondays for a while. From James Logan’s The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, published in 1845. Great kilt, bill staff, and some fine pampooties.

A Highland Outpost

A Highland Outpost by John Pettie.

Happy Saint Andrew’s Day!

Let us begin the winter feasting season in the old north. Not just a Scottish or Christian holy day, much of Europe is tied to animal slaughter and feast days to kick off the long dark season. From and anthropological and historical perspective the feast itself is thought to be a Christianisation of Saturnalia and […]

Wandering Minstral

Another painting by the Scottish artist John Burr (1831-1893). An itinerant fiddler plays for a family in a Scottish lane. I can’t help but think the father looking out has a skeptical look; possibly wondering what this will cost in the end. Music and storytelling were a very different commodity prior to recordings and the […]

The Travelling Tinker

A painting by the Scottish artist John Burr (1831-1893). Tinkers were originally tinsmiths or “tinners”. One of many itinerant jobs pursued by a class of casual laborers. These were mostly skilled and specialized crafts like basket making, shoe repair, leather work, and metal work but many poorer workers were migrant farm labor picking hops and […]