Before the Cheviot
As the play’s Masters of Ceremony inform us, the story of the mistreatment of Highlanders begins […] with 1746 – Culloden and all that
. The period of unrest referred to here is known as the ‘Jacobite risings’.
Jacobites
In 1689, the Catholic King James VII (of Scotland) and II (of England) was overthrown by his daughter Mary and her Protestant husband, William of Orange. James was forced into exile, his remaining supporters were known as Jacobites.
James gained a lot of support from Highland clans during this period of religious and political turbulence as:
- many clans were Catholic
- James treated the Highland communities with respect, unlike other monarchs
‘Risings’ against the new King William took place, the three most significant rising occurred in:
- 1689
- 1715
- 1745
the 1745 (‘the Forty-Five) rising, which ended in defeat for the Jacobites, was led by James VII and II’s grandson Charles Edward Stuart (Bonnie Prince Charlie). The government passed the Act of Proscription in 1747 to punish the Jacobite rebels. The act banned:
- tartan and highland dress (except for the Kings army)
- owning and carrying weapons
- speaking Gaelic
Act of Proscription
The Act of Proscription was designed to keep rebellious Highlanders and their clan systems in check. This political suppression of a national culture is skilfully conveyed by McGrath in the opening of the play, as the Gaelic Singer who has been quietly singing a Jacobite song […] takes off her plaid, sits
.
