52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 28: the Scottish Self-image

speccoll
Thursday 3 January 2013
One of many unrealistic images of highlanders at work and play, in Gaelic Gatherings: The Highlanders at home, on the heath, the river, and the loch, by RR McIan (London 1848), Hen1.2.33
One of many unrealistic images of highlanders at work and play, in Gaelic Gatherings: The Highlanders at home, on the heath, the river, and the loch, by RR McIan (London 1848), (St Andrews copy Hen1.2.33)

For our New Year post it seems appropriate to look at some quintessentially Scottish images. There are some images of the Scots that we prefer to avoid, however, so rather than look for pictures of drunken parties or whisky bottles, we’ve opted instead for a quick look at the way the Scots have portrayed themselves over the last 300 years or so.

a sample of the archetypally romantic view of Scottish scenery, from Scottish pictures drawn with pen and pencil by Samuel G. Green (London, 1886) sDA865.G8)
A sample of the archetypical romantic view of Scottish scenery, from Scottish pictures drawn with pen and pencil by Samuel G. Green (London, 1886) (St Andrews copy sDA865.G8)
s DA865.G8 cover
The cover of Scottish pictures drawn with pen and pencil.

The Union of England and Scotland took place in 1707, and was followed just under 40 years later by the final defeat of the Jacobite cause with the defeat of ‘Bonnie Prince Charlie’ at the Battle of Culloden, which led effectively to the demise of the traditional highland society, the highland clearances and subsequent mass emigration.

In this period there was also a trend in ‘polite society’ towards the adoption of a British identity, partly characterised by the eradication of ‘rough’ northern inflections of behaviour and speech. Obvious association with Scotland or the Scots was seen as parochial and uncouth. Samuel Johnson’s famous comment that “the noblest prospect which a Scotchman ever sees, is the high road that leads him to England” was satirical, of course – but amply demonstrates the received view of any overt display of Scottish identity.

The Dhu Loch, Lochnagar: a rural idyll, from Souvenir of Scotland, its Cities Lakes and Mountains – One hundred and twenty chromo views (London,  Edinburgh & New York, 1891) Hen1.3.12
The Dhu Loch, Lochnagar: a rural idyll, from Souvenir of Scotland, its Cities Lakes and Mountains – One hundred and twenty chromo views (London, Edinburgh & New York, 1891) (St Andrews copy Hen1.3.12).

But of course the identity and aspiration of the Scots did not die in the 18th century. Many Scots left their homeland, but the innate strength of the emigré’s desire for connection with home brought about a rekindling of the very identity which the Union had threatened, and the coincidental flowering of intellectual and cultural activity which characterised the Scottish enlightenment encouraged pride in Scottish achievement. The same Samuel Johnson recognised the continuing national pride: “a Scotchman must be a very sturdy moralist who does not love Scotland better than truth”.

A selection of illustrations from The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, Illustrated by Appropriate Figures… by R.R. McIan Esq.  (London 1845)McG DA880.H76M3.  Not only do these romanticise and formalise the garb, but also attempt to characterise (or caricature?) the behaviour of the clanspeople.
A selection of illustrations from The Clans of the Scottish Highlands, Illustrated by Appropriate Figures… by R.R. McIan Esq. (London 1845). Not only do these romanticise and formalise the garb, but also attempt to characterise (or caricature?) the behaviour of the clanspeople. (St Andrews copy McG DA880.H76M3)

But national pride born out of absence and a fundamentally backward-looking notion of identity led to a view of history and society which was skewed, romantic and full of mawkish sentiment. The writings of Sir Walter Scott (who so ably stage-managed George IV’s visit to Scotland in 1822, and in so doing almost single-handedly created the modern notion of the clan system and the tartan industry) were founded on an antiquarian fervour which was typical of the period. The result was a view of history imbued with romance, which was to be the basis of a popular view of Scottish history and culture which, although not uncontroversial, still infuses attitudes towards Scotland today.

The extraordinary title page of ‘Costumes of the Clans’, printed in Edinburgh in 1892.  Note the romanticised references to the struggles of Scot against English (symbolised by St George) and the use of the sword, dramatically inscribed ‘Culloden’ in gothic script.
The extraordinary title page of The costumes of the clans, printed in Edinburgh in 1892. Note the romanticised references to the struggles of Scot against English (symbolised by St George) and the use of the sword, dramatically inscribed ‘Culloden’ in gothic script. (St Andrews copy sff GT750.A6)

In particular, our tourist industry, which started in earnest with the favour shown to Scotland as a holiday destination by Queen Victoria and subsequent monarchs, still depends on a marketed image of idealised romantic scenery, tartan, pawky working-class humour and traditional home-spun hospitality which are at odds with both historic and modern reality.

A selection of images from The Clans of the Highlands of Scotland(Edinburgh 1862). The formality of dress, the naive caricature, and the primitive nature of the drawing all add to the patronising air of bucolic simplicity which was typical of the 19th century promotion of highland society. (St Andrews copy Hen1.1.36)
A selection of images from The Clans of the Highlands of Scotland (Edinburgh 1862). The formality of dress, the naive caricature, and the primitive nature of the drawing all add to the patronising air of bucolic simplicity which was typical of the 19th century promotion of highland society. (St Andrews copy Hen1.1.36)

So maybe we do still swig the whisky too enthusiastically, but we are not really the be-kilted, maudline haggis-hunting, caber-tossing romantics that we sometimes portray ourselves as!

NR

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4 thoughts on "52 Weeks of Inspiring Illustrations, Week 28: the Scottish Self-image"

  • Dr Karen McAulay (@Karenmca)
    Dr Karen McAulay (@Karenmca)
    Thursday 3 January 2013, 4.25pm

    Fabulous illustrations - very nice indeed. I've just been looking at a donation of Irish songs from the 1940s. Interestingly, although they're "Six Humorous Irish Songs", they're illustrated with a photograph of a man outside a croft, with his donkey bearing wicker panniers - evoking rural Ireland, and NOT a comic image at all. Fascinating stuff - I'm intrigued by the way images and paratext can tell us as much about the cultural history, as the text or music which is ostensibly the book's raison d'etre.

    Reply
  • George Keiser
    George Keiser
    Thursday 3 January 2013, 5.15pm

    These mailings are among the most welcome e-mails I receive each month. As a retired literature professor, I truly love old books and their illustrations, and I am most grateful for the excellent job that you do in your presentation.

    Reply
    • St Andrews Special Collections
      St Andrews Special Collections
      Thursday 3 January 2013, 5.53pm

      Thank you for your lovely comment Professor Keiser, we're glad to have such an active readership!

      Reply
  • Millie Laboy
    Millie Laboy
    Thursday 24 January 2013, 9.15pm

    Reblogged this on EticaProfesionalInformacion.

    Reply

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