Highlander and Lowlander

[Ánleifr]

What is the Scottish Highlands (Highlander) and Lowlands (Lowlander) differences and why are they different? Not having ever been to Scotland I assume that the terms has do with geography of the country and religion and political differences?

Thanks.

[Graham]

Leading up to the Clearances. Gaelic Language, Culture, Clanships and Celtic Law. Since the highland clearances and Battle of Culloden, not a huge difference.

[Stars Down To Earth]

What is the Scottish Highlands (Highlander) and Lowlands (Lowlander) differences and why are they different?
Not very many differences, nowadays. The Highlands used to be Celtic lands with a Gaelic language, while the Lowlands were (and are) mostly Germanic. This distinction ended with the Highland Clearances, as Graham pointed out.

The delusion that "all Scots are Gaelic" was our own invention, after we finished up the Highland Clearances. When they were still at large, we called them "wild Irish" and hated their guts. When they were all dead and their kids forced to speak English, we mourned their fate and romanticised them to hell. Suddenly, everyone was singing their praises and wearing tartan kilts.

Since there's not really a clear distinction, the modern Scotland can be pretty much be called a "Celto-Germanic country".


Not having ever been to Scotland I assume that the terms has do with geography of the country and religion and political differences?
Geography, aye. Religion and politics, not really.

[Nglund]

Not very many differences, nowadays. The Highlands used to be Celtic lands with a Gaelic language, while the Lowlands were (and are) mostly English. This distinction ended with the Highland Clearances, as Graham pointed out.

The delusion that "all Scots are Gaelic" was our own invention, after we finished up the Highland Clearances. When they were still at large, we called them "wild Irish" and hated their guts. When they were all dead and their kids forced to speak English, we mourned their fate and romanticised them to hell. Suddenly, everyone was singing their praises and wearing tartan kilts.

Since there's not really a clear distinction, the modern Scotland can be pretty much be called an "Anglo-Celtic country".

Fix'd :swl...

[Graham]

Religion and politics, not really.

Religiously during the Jacobite Risings from 1688 to 1746 . Episcopalian's and Catholic's were pro Jacobite, Presbyterian's supported the opposition.

Highlands were mainly Catholic, but you had Episcopalian clan's and Presbyterian clan's also.

The East lowlands was more Episcopalian. The West lowlands was more Presbyterian.

When the Jacobite's lost, so did the Catholic's and Episcopalian's.
Nowadays most Catholics are from Irish immigrants, most Scots are Presbyterian.

Of course before the reformation, lowlands and Highlands all Catholic.

I'd say there's a bigger difference between an Edinburgh Radge/Toff and the Weegies today.

[Ánleifr]

So I gather at one time the Highlanders were more Gaelic/Celtic and the Lowlanders were more Germanic/Anglo-Saxon/English? So this would explain why the Highlanders and the Lowlanders always fought another, correct?

[Graham]

So I gather at one time the Highlanders were more Gaelic/Celtic and the Lowlanders were more Germanic/Anglo-Saxon/English?
Based on Language Yes, Scots being our English. lowlands being the Anglicised area.

http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21191&stc=1&d=1329924365http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21190&stc=1&d=1329924437http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21193&stc=1&d=1329924726http://www.theapricity.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=21192&stc=1&d=1329924365


So this would explain why the Highlanders and the Lowlanders always fought another, correct?

There wasn't a great deal of animosity between highlander and lowlander. It was more fragmented than that. Family/clans choosing different sides from lowlands to Highlands.

You could also say the Borders folk were different also. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Border_Reivers

Then your have The House of Douglas, Lord of The Isles( Western Isles), Shetland and Orkney.

Never mind all the Battles with England.

[Ánleifr]

these maps are GREAT! Thank you very much!!