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Studentship/Scholarship/Bursary Grant

Research Proposal



University of Aberdeen



Cheryl L. Garrett







The Demise of Northern and Eastern Scottish Clans in the Early Modern Period





Every culture’s history has origins in political, economic, military, spiritual and social influences. The disintegration of the clan system in the Scottish Highlands had a wide-ranging impact on many different histories. Much has been researched and written about the Central and Western Highland Clans and the famous figures they spawned. Less has been studied and documented about the Northern and Eastern Clans and what factors led to their clearance from the Highlands. The proposed research question endeavors to specify the most significant of these factors contributing to the clearance of the Northern and Eastern Scottish Clans. The particular research timeline is from approximately 1587, when James VI became James I and ascended to the throne of both Scotland and Britain through the end of Jacobite influence and open rebellion in the mid to late 1700’s. Through an in-depth analysis and quantification of archival economic, religious and social documents, this researcher will clarify the motivations of clan elite and powerful non-clan peoples that resulted in dismantling clan structure. New findings and analysis of largely ignored historical data will add newly accessible information to Scotland's collective history benefiting those wishing to understand their heritage and further understanding of the role of Scottish history in the modern world.

During this time Scotland was virtually two nations – Highland and Lowland. In these years the Lowland Scots discarded Gaelic for English, acknowledged British rule with less resentment and were more accepting of the Protestant faith. James I attempt to persuade the Highland chiefs to support Protestantism met with resounding failure. The Highlanders refused to capitulate to any form of religious rule from the English Parliament, continued to speak Gaelic and in later years became the staunch supporters of the exiled Stuart monarchs, whom they considered the true rulers of Scotland and England.

Known as Jacobites, these Scots were loyal supporters of James VII, whom the English compulsorily removed due to absolutism and James' open support for Roman Catholicism. Though the Jacobites disagreed, the English installed William of Orange, considering his rule legitimate because he was married to James' daughter Mary. During this period, England attempted to thwart Stuart restoration goals in Scotland and used the Jacobites to overcome variances in Highland religious persuasions and gain widespread Scottish support. Though Jacobites managed to organize several rebellions over a 60-year period, their efforts never salvaged their influence in any part of Scotland and completely disintegrated within years after the final major battle at Culloden in 1745. The research will attempt to distinguish those Northern and Eastern Clans who were aligned with the Jacobite persuasion and discuss their reasons and methods for attempting to reinstate the Stuart monarchs before their ultimate defeat.

Researched areas will further include economic factors and covenants; societal organizations designed to improve Scottish life; annexation and restitution of lands; and bank and trade ledgers. Due to the economic devastation during Scotland’s early modern period, many of the clan elite and other powerful leaders, who would have held clan structure together, were vulnerable to economic pressures and could not financially maintain the familial and clan ties that had bound them for generations. Religious and economic forces caused many Highlanders to abandon their ancestral homes for other countries. Population growth combined with other factors pressuring clans to disband and scatter. Self-interested clan elite lined their own coffers by commercializing estate management, a particularly insidious method of forcing out impoverished clans.

The research will survey a large section of contemporary literature reviews dealing specifically with early modern clan systems. Texts relevant to the research topic and the Northern and Eastern Scottish Clans will be referenced and mined to refute assumptions, as well as refine and add dimension to the research. The prevailing views of contemporary literature will be tested by comparison with any new findings to further develop an historical understanding of the impact of clan disbursement on modern Scottish culture and on other nations that absorbed the displaced people. Compilations of findings will cap the research. These results will present the research findings in measurable forms to allow comparison to other studies or findings and to demonstrate the validity, vulnerability or possible disingenuousness of previous research results. Reports of findings will be designed to allow peer review and possible publication. This research will to add to the collection of historical information producing viable, measurable and currently relevant results with an innovative perspective.