Scotland after the '45
After the failed Jacobite Uprising of 1745, Scotland entered a new period in History. The future looked bleak for the followers of James - after two failed attempts it didn't look likely that any of them would live to see their rightful king restored. Scotland was firmly under the rule of King George II
The wearing of the tartan, which had been encouraged by the Prince as a way of unifying the Jacobite army was outlawed from 1746 onwards. Tartan was seen as a symbol of rebellion that needed to be stamped out. Scots Gaelic, the playing of the pipes, whiskey and other Highland traditions were banned along with any images of the "Young Pretender" or artefacts symbolic of Jacobite support. In the face of this oppression, the Highlanders developed secret symbols and subtle ways of communicating solidarity with fellow supporters.
The aftermath of Culloden saw the degeneration of the Clan system, under which tenants would pay for their land not with money, but loyalty to their Clan Chief. Now though, their military service was no longer required and they had no rights over the land on which they lived. They were cleared off in droves and a period of mass emigration took place.
The latter half of the 18th century saw turbulent social and economic change, civil unrest and many forms of hardship for the Scottish People.
© West Highland Museum 2004