Volume 3 - Electric Scotland

HIGHLAND PASTURAOE. 103
their allegiance to Scotland after 1266, but that inde-
pendence was irregular and incomplete. In that state
they again resemble Normandy, in having no longer any
connexion with their original country. Such was the
independent kingdom of the Islands, It had the right
to have preserved that independence better and longer :
but it seems to have wanted the power. The indepen-
dence of the interior Highlands was far less perfect; and,
as far as history can discover, was never more than that
of distinct families or dynasties. There was here no
such general union or extended dominion as in the west.
I am also correct in saying that the Celts, or the original
inhabitants of the Western Islands, or of somewhat more,
were a governed people. They also stand on a parallel
with the French of Normandy, or with the Britons under
the Heptarchy. With the Scottish people and kingdom
that conquered the Picts under Kenneth and founded a
new kingdom of Scotland, this sketch does not inter-
meddle, and this view does not interfere. If that is to
be considered a Highland kingdom, then assuredly it
was an independent one from Fergus to Kenneth. In
that case there have been two distinct Highland king-
doms, at diflerent dates, and of different characters. But
it has not been the custom to call the kingdom of Fergus
a Highland kingdom.