Contempt, sympathy and romance : lowland perceptions of the Highlands and the clearances during the famine years, 1845-1855
This thesis examines Lowland public opinion towards the Highlanders in mid-nineteenth century Scotland. It explores attitudes present in the contemporary newspaper press, and shows that public opinion was divided by three basic perceptions: 'contempt', 'sympathy' and 'romance'. An analysis of the main newspaper files demonstrates that during the Famine years up to the Crimean War, the most prevalent perception was that of contempt, regarding the Gaels as an 'inferior' and often 'useless' race. The study also describes the battle which sympathetic journalists fought against this majority perception, and shows their disillusionment at what they saw at the time was a hopeless struggle. Within the same period, romanticised views are also examined in the light of how the Highlands were increasingly being turned into an aristocractic playground as well as reservation park for tourists, and a theme for pre-'Celtic Twilight' poets and novelists. Through the examination of various attitudes in the press, the thesis also presents the major issues debated in the newspapers relating to the Highlands. It draws attention to the fact that the question of land had already become a point of contention, thirty years before
Fenyo, Krisztina
HN Social history and conditions. Social problems. Social reform ; DA Great Britain
Contempt, sympathy and romance : lowland perceptions of the Highlands and the clearances during the famine years, 1845-1855. This thesis examines Lowland public opinion towards the Highlanders in mid-nineteenth century Scotland. It explores attitudes present in the contemporary newspaper press, and shows that public opinion was divided by three basic perceptions: 'contempt', 'sympathy' and 'romance'. An analysis of the main newspaper files demonstrates that during the Famine years up to the Crimean War, the most prevalent perception was that of contempt, regarding the Gaels as an 'inferior' and often 'useless' race. The study also describes the battle which sympathetic journalists fought against this majority perception, and shows their disillusionment at what they saw at the time was a hopeless struggle. Within the same period, romanticised views are also examined in the light of how the Highlands were increasingly being turned into an aristocractic playground as well as reservation park for tourists, and a theme for pre-'Celtic Twilight' poets and novelists. Through the examination of various attitudes in the press, the thesis also presents the major issues debated in the newspapers relating to the Highlands. It draws attention to the fact that the question of land had already become a point of contention, thirty years before
sympathy romance lowland perception highlands clearance famine year examines lowland public_opinion towards highlanders mid_nineteenth century scotland explores attitude present contemporary newspaper_press show public_opinion divide_three basic perception sympathy romance analysis main newspaper file demonstrate famine years war prevalent perception regard inferior often race study also describe battle sympathetic journalist fight majority perception show saw time struggle within period view also_examine light highlands increasingly turn playground well reservation park tourist theme pre celtic poet novelist examination_various attitude press also_present major_issue debate newspaper relate highlands draws_attention fact question land already become point_contention