The making of the modern Scottish Highlands, 1939-1965
Subtitle: withstanding the 'colossus of advancing materialism'
By: John A. Burnett
Series: Ulster and Scotland -- 11; Ulster and Scotland (Series) -- 11.
Publisher: Four Courts Press
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Dublin
Language: eng; gla
Number of pages: 310
ISBN-13: 9781846822414
Subjects: Economic conditions; History
Description: "The period between 1939 and 1965 was a critical juncture in the history of the Scottish Highlands and Islands--a phase when war, welfarism and the planned integration and reconstruction of the British economy dramatically impacted upon the Highland 'way of life'. This is the pivotal moment when the modern Highlands were created. In public debate and the internal communications of government and non-government agencies, the process of social construction was the subject of passionate and conflicting observations, sometimes lucid and trenchant, often emotional, by a raft of commentators from both within and beyond the region. By bringing out these 'voices' this original and detailed study exposes a range of tensions associated with the region's continued cultural decline and in doing so it dispels many of the persistent and still current myths about the Highlands. Sharing characteristics of similar peripheral European regions trying to arrest cultural and linguistic decline while stimulating economic and social development, this book has a direct relevancy to current developments and debate over the future of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland and beyond."--Publisher's website.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 283-297) and index.

Includes poetry in Scots Gaelic.
Table of contents: title: Introduction; title: Image and reality: the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, 1745-1939.  Economic and social perspectives on the Highlands and Islands, 1745-1939; title: The idea of Highland culture, 1745-1939; title: Governing the Highlands, 1939-1965. Reconstruction, regeneration and regional development: government approaches to the 'Highland problem', 1939-1965; title: Voices 'within', laments from 'below' the Highlanders themselves. 'The English way and the wrong way': social philosophy, political policy and the 'view from within'; title: 'Cùm a' Ghaidhlig beò': the Gaels' response to the 'colossus of the advancing materialism'; title: Conclusion.