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
This is not to suggest that the well to do Highland immigrants were prepared to show great hostility towards their less prosperous brothers, but there was in most communities an absence of the 'clannish brotherhood' that existed before 1746. As much as the Highlanders loved their land, this indignity was enough to make some want to leave. Of course the Highland Scots had been closely connected to one clan or another, but it seems that this clan system was not transplanted in the new world. Practicality was probably one of the other key elements of their character. There were a few Gaelic publications, however, being produced in Nova Scotia during the latter half of the nineteenth century. As a result of this the Highland Catholics were completely Gaelic speaking before arriving in the New World. Ian McKay makes such a point when attacking the myth that Highland Scots brought 'the true spirit of democracy' to the New World with them: . This Gaelic speaking settlement contained both prosperous and desperate Scots living side by side. 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. 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.
Common topics in this essay:
Nova Scotia,
Highland Scots,
Culloden Lowland,
North America,
Middle River,
Irish Gaels,
Ian McKay's,
Nova Scotian,
Scotia Scots,
Nova Scotias,
nova scotia,
nineteenth century,
clan system,
nova scotian,
highland scots,
nineteenth century nova,
century nova,
destruction clan system,
destruction clan,
highland emigration,
beyond traditional,
study highland,
beyond traditional generalizations,
pre 1815 period,
century nova scotia,
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Acceptance Essays
