From: PattiJoy(a)aol.com <PattiJoy(a)aol.com>
>I have to agree with your comment in that Braveheart may not have given
the
>best perspective on the history of Scotland, but it did not make me
ashamed
>of my heritage. From a romantic view of history, I might prefer the
>Campbell's role was different, but most of us don't get to rewrite
history!
>Good or bad, what the movie did do is draw a lot of attention to
Scotland
and
>its history.
I agree with you about Braveheart: I saw the movie as a ripping great yarn
and thoroughly enjoyed it as just that (forget the historical skipping, it
didn't make the movie for me any less enjoyable), so much so I bought both
the soundtrack and the video.
The spin-off that Scotland has enjoyed because of it has been enormous.
But I am proud of the role of the great Clan Campbell.
The Campbells, as individuals and as a collective clan unit, have
contributed so much to our country.
Unfortunately history is written by those who hold the pen and despite the
facts the Clan Campbell is often illustrated wrongly.
It would seem that it is the thing to blame every ill or wrong deed on the
Campbells.
And while I have no quarrel with anyone, and really am trepidatious about
mentioning this because of the reaction it recieves, I think it prudent to
remember that the MacIains of Glencoe were NOT a bunch of nice, law abiding
people.
The Massacre was a stain on the memory of everyone who took part in it, or
was behind it, but just because that was OTT doesn't mean that the victims
(as a collective unit, not individuals, and certainly not innocent children)
were nice guys.
They were not.
Again that does not excuse anyone who took part, I have to stress that so
that I am not pounced on.
But I wasn't there, neither where you and likely our ancestors were not
either.
So why do we have to have some shoulder of guilt?
The government took a drastic action to solve a very grave problem.
Some of the name Campbell were in their employ to do their bidding.
Incidentally, you could argue that the regiment which is the direct timeline
descendant of that governement troop is the Scots Guards.
Does anyone blame them. Of course not.
There are a plethora of other incidents where despite the Campbells being
unwitting participants, in some cases, or the victims, in others, they cop
the blame.
But you'll note that when written by a Campbell that that same history has a
different, and generally more logical, slant.
Maybe that doesn't sell copies though.
Proud to be a Campbell?
You bet.
regards
Bruce Campbell
Dunoon
Argyll
, without which the Highlands would likely have
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