Overview
Winner of the Saltire Society Scottish History Book of the Year AwardIn April 1816 Patrick Sellar was brought to trial in Inverness for culpable homicide for his treatment of the Highlanders of Strathnaver, the most northerly part of the Scottish highlands. In the process of evicting them from their ancient lands he had allegedly burnt houses, destroyed mills and wrecked pastures. There is perhaps no more hated nor reviled individual in Highland history. This outstanding new book, however, gives a balanced assessment of the man, a vivid account of a terrible episode in Highland history, and a riveting narration of a tormented life. Richard's book is an account of Sellar's life and times: that he was ruthless, avaricious, devious and cruel is beyond question. But his letters suggest a streak of idealism: did he really believe that the displaced highlanders would be better off, better fed, educated and housed in their new homes? Have the Highlands in the end become more productive and prosperous? In the course of his fast-moving and gripping account, Eric Richards looks carefully at these vexed questions.
Full Product Details
Author: Eric Richards (Professor of History, Flinders University)
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press
Imprint: Polygon at Edinburgh University Press
Dimensions:
Width: 15.60cm
, Height: 2.40cm
, Length: 23.40cm
Weight: 0.716kg
ISBN: 9781902930138
ISBN 10: 1902930134
Pages: 352
Publication Date: 15 November 1999
Audience:
Professional and scholarly
,
Professional & Vocational
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Temporarily unavailable
The supplier advises that this item is temporarily unavailable. It will be ordered for you and placed on backorder. Once it does come back in stock, we will ship it out to you.
Reviews
Patrick Sellar and the Highland Clearances, Eric Richards' excellent, very fully documented study of the man, helps us to understand him much better...We need to be honest about Scotland in relation to imperialism, Eric Richards' subtle, imposing and highly readable book is of great service in this direction. Patrick Sellar and the Highland Clearances, Eric Richards' excellent, very fully documented study of the man, helps us to understand him much better...We need to be honest about Scotland in relation to imperialism, Eric Richards' subtle, imposing and highly readable book is of great service in this direction.
Patrick Sellar and the Highland Clearances, Eric Richards' excellent, very fully documented study of the man, helps us to understand him much better...We need to be honest about Scotland in relation to imperialism, Eric Richards' subtle, imposing and highly readable book is of great service in this direction. Patrick Sellar and the Highland Clearances, Eric Richards' excellent, very fully documented study of the man, helps us to understand him much better...We need to be honest about Scotland in relation to imperialism, Eric Richards' subtle, imposing and highly readable book is of great service in this direction.
Author Information
Eric Richards was Professor of History at Flinders University and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of the Humanities. His books include The Highland Clearances: People, Landlords and Rural Turmoil (Edinburgh University Press 2000); Patrick Sellar and the Highland Clearances, (Edinburgh University Press, 1999) (Scottish History Book of the Year); The Last Scottish Food Riots (Oxford University Press, 1982); and The Leviathan of Wealth. The Sutherland fortune in the Industrial Revolution (University of Toronto Press, 1973).
