The Scottish Clearances, T.M. Devine
The Scottish Clearances, T.M. Devine
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The Scottish Clearances
A History of the Dispossessed, 1600-1900

Author: T.M. Devine

Narrator: Ruth Urquhart

Unabridged: 13 hr 53 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 05/25/2021


Synopsis

Eighteenth-century Scotland is famed for generating many of the enlightened ideas which helped to shape the modern world. But there was in the same period another side to the history of the nation. Many of Scotland's people were subjected to coercive and sometimes violent change, as traditional ways of life were overturned by the "rational" exploitation of land use. The Scottish Clearances is a superb and highly original account of this sometimes terrible process, which changed the Lowland countryside forever, as it also did, more infamously, the old society of the Highlands.

This pioneering book is the first to chart this tumultuous saga in one volume, with due attention to evictions and loss of land in both north and south of the Highland line. In the process, old myths are exploded and familiar assumptions undermined. With many fascinating details and the sense of an epic human story, The Scottish Clearances is an evocative memorial to all whose lives were irreparably changed in the interests of economic efficiency.

This is a story of forced clearance, of the destruction of entire communities and of large-scale emigration. Some winners were able to adapt and exploit the new opportunities, but there were also others who lost everything. The clearances created the landscape of Scotland today, but it came at a huge price.

About T.M. Devine

T. M. Devine is the author of The Scottish Nation, To the Ends of the Earth, Scotland's Empire, and The Scottish Clearances.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Marguerite on May 28, 2020

Professor Devine has written a history of the Scottish Clearances, as opposed to the Highland version, and his is a very different tale from the one made very popular by John Prebble (a book which I have read and thoroughly enjoyed). Devine argues that the clearing of Scottish lands of small holders......more

Goodreads review by Stuart on September 25, 2021

Richly detailed and compelling analysis of the historical and political and cultural and economic reasons for the Scottish Clearances and wide-spread emigration away from the Highlands and Lowlands Like all good historical analyses, this book delves below the superficial attitude that "the Clearances......more

Goodreads review by Zulu on May 26, 2021

This is hardcore history, but not of the readable kind. Clearly, a tremendous amount of research and effort went into this, and as a work of scholarship, it’s outstanding. Contrary to the blurbs on the front and back cover, though, it is definitely not “riveting” or “damn readable” (with apologies t......more

Goodreads review by Paul on September 16, 2019

We have all heard about The Clearances, and seen the ruins of long gone houses up and down the west of Scotland. I have read John Prebble's book on the subject, and Iain Crichton Smith's novel about an old woman being put out of her home. However I didn't really know much detail, where the truth end......more

Goodreads review by Gavin on November 27, 2023

Well, that was thorough and very well documented and researched. Conclusions are very clear, and understandable, numerous factors played roles in the Clearances. This might be the best testament to Lowland Clearances, as I was just as guilty of thinking only the Highlands and Islands were subjected......more