Scottish
Scottish immigration to Nova Scotia in the nineteenth century is an aspect of the province's history which has been shrouded and manipulated by cultural producers and the tourism industry to project a more traditional folk culture. In an attempt to shed new light on the Scottish immigration McKay examines Nova Scotias cultural history as he looks beyond traditional generalizations to the actual basic traits of the Scottish character. In particular, this paper will not simply recount the arrival of the Scottish immigrants, it will compare McKays outlook with other historians on the growth and development of the Nova Scotian society with the acknowledgement of a few of the key elements of their folk-culture and will focus on various themes such as the Scottish emigration, the religion of the immigrants, economic factors, the language, and the arts and recreation of these people In order to understand the implication of their descent, we must first understand the history of the Scots Highlands. However, It is important to note that there is an apparent lack of good, objective material written on the culture of the Nova Scotian Scot, therefore this paper does not purport to be comprehensive or definitive.The Highlanders are the de
scendants of the Gaelic branch of Celts who entered the British Isles a few centuries before the birth of Christ. A substantial number of these Irish Gaels crossed over and occupied the western Highlands and islands of what is modern day Scotland.They introduced to the country their own monastic system, their own clan organization and legal code, their own forms of art, and their own Gaelic language, literature, and music. 1 Up to 1746, the Highlands operated under the clan system, but after the failure of the Stewart rising on the moor at Culloden, the Lowland government undertook the systematic destruction of the clan system. 2 There were many changes within the next few years; among them the clan chieftains were deprived of their role in Highland society and their military power was removed. As much as the Highlanders loved their land, this indignity was enough to make some want to leave. No longer were the clansmen able to live a life of subsistence farming, military service to their chief and cattle rustling. Plagued by economic welfare the clan chieftain now became a landlord and was forced to gain an economic return from the soil. Not only was this a time for political and social changes in the Highlands, it was also a time for economic changes. "In a remarkably short space of time the patriarchal system was replaced by the commercial." 3 The destruction of the clan system and its traditional agricultural society was not acceptable to many Highlanders and as a result, many saw their future in the New World. The first Highlanders to come directly from Scotland to Nova Scotia were those who chose to come, thereby escaping the oppression in the Highlands. In his study of Highland emigration to North America, J. M. Bumsted refers to the pre 1815 period as a 'people's clearance' : ...early Highland emigration to British North America was based upon pride and choice, and that the transplanted Highlander recognised full well that only by departing his native land could he hope to maintain his traditional way of life. 4 Although there were some exception
Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 1397
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)
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