Thanks for this, John. Land ownership is a huge issue here in Scotland, where we have the most highly concentrated pattern of ownership of any country besides, apparently, Brazil. The Highland Clearances had a powerful and lasting impact, and well-meaning 'rewilding' and carbon offsetting projects seem set only to consolidate this further. Land reform was a high priority for the Scottish Government and although some changes have been made, they have fallen far short of aspirations.
I'm currently reading Chris Smaje's "A Small Farm Future" and he makes some really good points about how changes in land ownership have deep and long-lasting environmental and political impacts.
I lived in Ireland a long time where the potato famine is very much perceived as a crisis caused by English land grabbers. I love these more concentrated stories of history. The impact makes it less obscure and other. Nice angle into land ownership issues.
I love how what family stories can make history feel more personal--of how the politics and context at the time directly affected a family, continues to affect their descendants. It was absolutely colonization what happened in Scotland--and it's heartbreaking to read about how systematically culture and traditions was stamped out. And I also hadn't known of the potato famine in Scotland--grateful to have read more about this, and how these systems continue to impact so many lives.
I love family history John. That's an impressive insight into your family line. I have never heard of the potato famine outside ireland but it makes sense their diet and weather conditions being similar.
This is a fascinating read John specially because you dated the history along side your family tree and their personal journeys. I see a lot of research and hard work here. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, I am on to the next chapter.
And the Highland Potato Famine ! Wow I had no idea that is an actual world event that propelled migrants from the highlands into the new world. So interesting!
Thanks for this, John. Land ownership is a huge issue here in Scotland, where we have the most highly concentrated pattern of ownership of any country besides, apparently, Brazil. The Highland Clearances had a powerful and lasting impact, and well-meaning 'rewilding' and carbon offsetting projects seem set only to consolidate this further. Land reform was a high priority for the Scottish Government and although some changes have been made, they have fallen far short of aspirations.
I'm currently reading Chris Smaje's "A Small Farm Future" and he makes some really good points about how changes in land ownership have deep and long-lasting environmental and political impacts.
I lived in Ireland a long time where the potato famine is very much perceived as a crisis caused by English land grabbers. I love these more concentrated stories of history. The impact makes it less obscure and other. Nice angle into land ownership issues.
Great to find this important work!
I love how what family stories can make history feel more personal--of how the politics and context at the time directly affected a family, continues to affect their descendants. It was absolutely colonization what happened in Scotland--and it's heartbreaking to read about how systematically culture and traditions was stamped out. And I also hadn't known of the potato famine in Scotland--grateful to have read more about this, and how these systems continue to impact so many lives.
I love family history John. That's an impressive insight into your family line. I have never heard of the potato famine outside ireland but it makes sense their diet and weather conditions being similar.
This is a fascinating read John specially because you dated the history along side your family tree and their personal journeys. I see a lot of research and hard work here. Thank you so much for sharing this with us, I am on to the next chapter.
And the Highland Potato Famine ! Wow I had no idea that is an actual world event that propelled migrants from the highlands into the new world. So interesting!