The Battle of Culloden Moor took place 271 years ago, yet is remembered still. This battle was the last of the Jacobite rebellions -- the risings of 1715 and 1745. The goal was to place a Stuart king back on the throne in place of the Hanoverian kings -- this was to be Prince Charles grandson of King James II (VII in Scotland) in the second rising. The battle was short and devastating, particularly for the highlanders fighting against the government forces (George II). In an hour it was over with about 1500 dead, at least two-thirds were Scots on the Jacobite side. The English troops also included Irish and Scottish lowland clans. The implications of this loss or win depending on your leanings, were immense. The clan seats were destroyed. Wearing tartan -- even owning a piece -- was treasonous. Many Scots were imprisoned and then sold into indentured servitude in Britain and the Americas. The lucky ones were deported through the mass clearances. They traveled to Europe and many came to what is now Canada and the US. This part of Canada, Nova Scotia, saw many of the people settle in the north east mainland and throughout Cape Breton Island. To this day, the Gaelic spoken here is the 'old' style as is the step dancing and fiddle playing, with many residents teaching these in Scotland. Gaelic is also a teachable subject in the Education degree from St. Francis Xavier University. Next weekend, just outside of town, the annual remembrance of Culloden will occur at the cairn, led by families whose ancestors came here after the fall of the Jacobites.
Today is the 35th anniversary of the patriation of the Canadian constitution. The Act (1982) included the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms as well as part of the former British North America Act (1867), but now constitutional reform could occur within Canada. This event was major for the country, though today seems a bit low key even in the news feeds.
So on this day, I did my taxes <smile>, cooked an Easter dinner, and ended the day with a CBS special a Salute to the Bee Gees. I heard a song of theirs with new ears tonight -- thinking of remembering and understanding the past. The lyrics to this song speak to that. The version shared here combines wonderful voices -- with a somewhat historical video. Enjoy!
Immortality -- Celine Dion and the Bee Gees
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