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The late C18th and early C19th disruption of Scotland through such agents of change as the industrial revolution, the changing agricultural economy and the creation of large Highland estates, replacing the old ‘run rig’ and crofting use of the land, was ‘revolutionary’. It thus had a profound effect on Scottish society especially that of the Highlands and Islands.
One of the consequences of such a social and economic disruption led to the emigration of large numbers of Scots to various parts of the world including North America, New Zealand and Australia. In addition to the few items of luggage which they carried with them, all brought, to a greater or lesser degree, what has been called ‘cultural baggage’.
Memories, music, song and story all accompanied these emigrants from Scotland. What they brought with them was nothing less than many aspects of their culture. Initially these memories brought a measure of both pain and comfort expressed in verse and story. Those from the Scottish Highlands and Islands retained an authenticity from being composed in Gaelic.
The selection of verse and prose in this collection provides an emotional timetable covering the periods of leaving, journeying and settling. Initial homesickness and sense of loss gradually gave way, for many, to work, family and life adjustments. Many of these experiences made their way into verse and prose and, from the Highlanders, in their Gaelic tongue and often within a context of traditional story-telling.
