Overview

From droving to driving, heilan coos to long horns, Highland Cowboys explores the links between the two cattle cultures of Scotland and America through music, song, dance, and folklore. The vast number of Scots who emigrated to North America, whether through forcible eviction during the Highland Clearances or voluntarily in the hope of a better life, has been well documented. With them they took their culture, their language, their music and their skills. Cattle droving in Scotland was an established profession from the 16th century, and many such migrants took cowboy jobs in the American West. The medium of music paints a vivid picture of their social and personal lives, and describes a mutual exchange as music crossed and re-crossed the Atlantic creating strong links between the old culture and the new. This unique exploration of the cowboy culture sheds new light on the everyday life of the cattle communities.

Full Product Details

9781913025243

Table of Contents

Reviews

REVIEWS FOR PREVIOUS EDITION Go beyond Hollywood cliche and learn the truth is even more colourful and fascinating. The cattle trade was an international brotherhood and sisterhood whose story has now finally been explored: with humour and sensitivity. TOM BRYAN ... bringing to the forefront Scots who were instrumental in forming the cattle kingdom of the American Wild West. DAVID WILKIE

Author Information

Rob Gibson was born in Glasgow and now lives in Evanton, Easter Ross. After graduating from Dundee University in 1972 with a degree in Modern History he pursued a teaching career until 1995. His second career in politics including working as an SNP District Councillor in Ross and Cromarty. In 2003 he was elected as SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, and is now the vice convener Education Lifelong Learning and Culture committee and a member of Transport Infrastructure and Climate Change committee. Rob is also a lover of traditional music. He has convened the Dingwall-based Highland Traditional Music Festival for twenty years and he has sung in several groups. Currently with the band Ceilidh Menage, he has performed at festivals in Scotland and Brittany.

Tab Content 6

Countries Available