Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Scottish Enlightenment
During the period known as the Scottish Enlightenment (roughly 1740-1830) Edinburgh
became known as 'a hotbed of genius.' The philosophers David Hume and Adam Smith
and the sociologist Adam Ferguson emerged as influential thinkers, nourished on genera-
tions of theological debate. Medic William Cullen produced the first modern pharmaco-
poeia, chemist Joseph Black advanced the science of thermodynamics and geologist
James Hutton challenged long-held beliefs about the age of the Earth.
After centuries of bloodshed and religious fanaticism, people applied themselves with
the same energy and piety to the making of money and the enjoyment of leisure. There
was a revival of interest in Scottish history and literature. The writings of Sir Walter Scott
and the poetry of Robert Burns achieved lasting popularity.
The Industrial Revolution
The development of the steam engine ushered in the Industrial Revolution. Glasgow, de-
prived of its lucrative tobacco trade following the American War of Independence
(1776-83), developed into an industrial powerhouse, the 'second city' of the British Em-
pire (after London). Cotton mills, iron and steelworks, chemical works, shipbuilding yards
and heavy-engineering works proliferated along the River Clyde in the 19th century,
powered by the coal mines of Lanarkshire, Ayrshire, Fife and Midlothian.
The Clearances and the Industrial Revolu-
tion had shattered the traditional rural way of
life, and though manufacturing cities and ports
thrived in these decades of Empire, the wealth
was generated for a select few by an impover-
ished many. Deep poverty forced many into
emigration and others to their graves. The de-
population was exacerbated by WWI, which took a heavy toll on Scottish youth. The en-
suing years were bleak and marked by labour disputes.
John Prebble's wonderfully written book
The High-
land Clearances
tells the terrible story of how the
Highlanders were driven out of their homes and
forced into emigration.
War & Peace
Scotland largely escaped the trauma and devastation wrought by WWII on the industrial
cities of England (although Clydebank was heavily bombed over a couple of days).
Indeed, the war brought a measure of renewed prosperity to Scotland as the shipyards and
engineering works geared up to supply the war effort. But the postwar period saw the col-
lapse of shipbuilding and heavy industry, on which Scotland had become over reliant.
