The Celtic Magazine, Vol. I No. V: A Monthly Periodical Devoted to the Literature, History, Antiquities, Folk Lore, Traditions, and the Social and Material Interests of the Celt at Home and AbroadVarious
History
The Celtic Magazine, Vol. I No. V: A Monthly Periodical Devoted to the Literature, History, Antiquities, Folk Lore, Traditions, and the Social and Material Interests of the Celt at Home and Abroad
TWO years before Alan's return from America, the Highland Society of
London was instituted for "Promoting objects of advantage to the
Highlands generally; and good fellowship with social union, among such
of its natives as inhabited the more southern part of the island." To
the foregoing summary were also added several specific objects, such as
the restoration of the Highland dress; the preservation of the music;
and cultivation of the Celtic language, &c., &c. An institution for the
support of these objects would have particular attraction for Alan; and
now that he was not otherwise specially employed, he could give some
attention to their promotion. The members of the society were composed
of almost all the men of rank and position belonging to, or connected
with, Scotland. In the list Alan appears to have been elected at a
meeting on 21st January 1782, and with the names of other gentlemen on
the same occasion that of John Home (Author of _Douglas_) is included.
The Act of Parliament which enacted the suppression of the Highland
dress was in force in Scotland during Alan's childhood, and up to the
time of his departure from it, after the encounter with _Morsheirlich_,
so that he had never worn the garb of his ancestors until he had joined
his regiment in America. Its use was still (1782) prohibited in the old
country. Alan and many of his friends became the most active members for
promoting the objects of the society. Having found that one of these was
the restoration of the Highland dress, they formed a committee to
co-operate with a member of the Legislature to have that obnoxious Act
obliterated from the Statute Book. Of that committee the following were
the Executive, and being the authors of the extirpation of this national
stigma, they are entitled to be remembered, by Highlanders especially,
with admiration and everlasting gratitude. They were--Hon. General
Fraser of Lovat (President); Lord Chief Baron Macdonald; Lord Adam
Gordon; Earl of Seaforth; Colonel Macpherson of Cluny; Captain Alan
Cameron (Erracht); and John Mackenzie (Temple), Honorary Secretary.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account