Bludie Harlaw
Bludie Harlaw

Author: Ian A. Olson

Publisher: John Donald

Published: 2021-11-02

Total Pages: 210

ISBN-13: 178885540X

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In the summer of 1411, the ageing Donald of Isla, Lord of the Isles, invaded mainland Scotland with a huge, battle-hardened army, only to be fought to a bloody standstill on the plateau of Harlaw, fifteen miles from Aberdeen, a town he had threatened to sack. One of the greatest battles in Scottish history, described by hardened mediaeval chroniclers as 'atrocious', 'Reid Harlaw' left some 3,000 dead and wounded. Dismissed by Scott as a 'Celt v. Saxon' power struggle, it has faded from historical memory, other than in the north-east of Scotland. Written records in Latin, Scots, Gaelic and English are presented in their original form, and with transcriptions and translations. Two major ballads are analysed, one contemporary, and one fabricated over 350 years later - which is still sung. Lowland views dominate, because of the loss and destruction of Highland records, notably those of the Lords of the Isles themselves. The histories themselves fall into two groups - those written at or around the time, and those composed some 300 years later.These later accounts form the basis of most modern descriptions of the battle, but they tend to be romantic and highly imaginative, creating noble order where chaos once existed.

The Little History of Aberdeenshire
The Little History of Aberdeenshire

Author: Duncan Harley

Publisher: The History Press

Published: 2019-03-29

Total Pages: 191

ISBN-13: 0750991135

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Duncan Harley takes the reader on a grand tour through Aberdeenshire's fascinating and rich history, culminating in a collection of stories and facts that will make you marvel at the events this county has witnessed. Read about the Beaker People, blue-painted Picts and the Roman legionnaires who tried, but ultimately failed to subdue the local populace. William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Donald Trump inhabit these pages alongside tales of Bloody Harlaw, the Herschip of Buchan and the battle of Mons Graupius. Discover the painter priest of Macduff, the English Dillinger, the famous diggers of Inverurie's George Square and the strange tale of how Lawrence of Arabia 'got his scuds' over at Collieston. The Little History of Aberdeenshire is guaranteed to enthral both residents and visitors alike.

Religion and National Identity
Religion and National Identity

Author: Alistair Mutch

Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Published: 2015-03-23

Total Pages: 264

ISBN-13: 1474403441

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What is the enduring impact of Presbyterianism on what it means to be Scottish?Presbyterianism has shaped Scotland and its impact on the world. Behind its beliefs lie some distinctive practices of governance which endure even when belief fades. These practices place a particular emphasis on the detailed recording of decisions and what we can term a 'systemic' form of accountability.This book examines the emergence and consolidation of such practices in the 18th-century Church of Scotland. Using extensive archival research and detailed local case studies, it contrasts them to what is termed a 'personal' form of accountability in England in the same period. The wider impact of the systemic approach to governance and accountability, especially in the United States of America, is explored, as is the enduring impact on Scottish identity.This book offers a fresh perspective on the Presbyterian legacy in contemporary Scottish historiography, at the same time as informing current debates on national identity.Key Features:A novel focus on religion as social practice, as opposed to belief or organizationA strong focus on Scotland, but in the context of BritainExtensive archival work in the Church of Scotland records, with an emphasis on form as well as contentA different focus on the Church of Scotland in the eighteenth centuryOffers a detailed focus on local practice in the context of national debates