Episode 7 of The Frontier Partisans Podcast is up.
It occurred to me as I hit the Glencoe Massacre of 1692 that I was recording on the 329th anniversary of the event itself. The bleak, snowy day outside my window set the mood quite appropriately. A terrible tale, and, as usual, more complicated than the version we usually get.
In discussing the armament of the Highland warriors, I mentioned the distinctive Scottish steel-bodied pistols that were weapons of men of status. Here’s what they look like:
Scottish pistols owned by the Mohawk war chief Joseph Brant. Quite the 18th century status symbol.
I am particularly enjoying creating these episodes. The history is so rich and so wild — it is endlessly fascinating.
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The Highlander was ever a frontiersman. Art by Robert W. Griffing.
Matthew says
Great podcast. I’ve always been interested in the Highlanders but don’t know much about them.
As you know, I am reading Robert E. Howard’s and H. P. Lovecraft’s letters to each other about the values of civilization vs. barbarism. It’s interesting to hear about the English and Scottish wars in light of that.
JimC says
Thanks Matthew. Howard was in my thoughts as I did this one. We know where HIS sympathies wold lie…
Matthew says
About the civilization vs. barbarism, I am not certain that one is better than the other (both undoubtedly have their strong points), but I always thought that Howard made stronger arguments than Lovecraft. Of course, both mentioned in their letters that there isn’t a firm dividing line between the two.
Quixotic Mainer says
I can never get enough of the highlands! Thanks as always.
I’m hoping Col. Fraser’s travelogue show will help me convince the wife we should hang a targe up with the coat of arms.
Paul McNamee says
Good episode. Looking forward to hearing about the Highland Scots’ experiences in colonial North America.
JimC says
Thanks Paul.
GPeterson says
Alex Beaton wrote a beautiful, haunting ballad on the tragedy of the MacDonald clan. It’s called simply, “Glencoe.” Easy to find on youtube.
JimC says
Thank you.
David Wrolson says
About halfway through the podcast. Hit the Highland games part of the Glencoe Massacre and have to laugh at the “Throwing the Caber.” Not sure if you hit the McAuslan Highland Games story, but he caught wind of his men trying to cheat by soaking the caber, but they couldn’t figure out how to switch it out.
Between the 2 podcast series, I read “Born Fighting.” I figure that is kind of required material (LOL) for here.
Also just finished “The Twelfth Man” on Netflix per your rec. Yes, the story was good, but I have a thing for Norwegian girls or girls here of Norwegian descent-so I really enjoyed the “Gudrun”, the blue-eyed blonde who was presented as having a thing for Baalsrud, scenes.
JimC says
I thought that the film portrayed Gudrun’s intensity of feeling very well.
Yes, “Born Fighting” is pretty much mandatory reading.
Jean says
Beautiful pistols and you are doing a great job will all of this. Thank you for sharing.
JimC says
Thank you Jean. Much appreciated.
Greg Marshall says
A high school friend of mine was a MacDonald. When he was in the airforce he dated and cohabited with a woman named Campbell. My friend’s dad was not at all happy. This was in the 1970s, in western Canada.
We Scots are at least as good as the Irish at nursing our grievances.
JimC says
No doubt. I have it on good authority that the legendary Serbian penchant for holding a grudge is a real thing, too.
Matthew says
Well, the Simpson’s has a bit about the Scots
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2q0T7QXETs
Intellectually, I don’t believe in holding grudges, but I find that easier said then done.