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Appendices
Even the phrases "highland" and "lowland" are
unknown to the early writers. Gaelic knows nothing of
these fictitious distinctions. Andrew of Wyntoun is the
first writer to make mention of the former word. In his
Orygynale Cronykil, written about 1420-4,
he uses the
phrase "Scottis hielande men." The word "lowland" does
not make its appearance till another century had nearly
passed away, when Dunbar employed it in his Flyting
with Kennedie. Thus these terms, of which so much
political use has since been made, are purely modern terms
and the invention of English speakers. Philemon Holland,
an Englishman, goes in 1610 a step further, when
he says that "the Scots are divided into Hechtlandmen
and Lawlandmen." 1
Tobias Smollett in 1771 was apparently
the first writer to refer to lowland Scots as "Saxons"
(Humphry Clinker), but Sir Walter Scott has also to be
credited with the diffusion of the racial difference theory.
The Scottish lexicographer 2
sums up some points cor-
rectly when he says: "The difference between the Irish
and the Scots is geographical only and not racial, as the
records of both amply and abundantly prove. Both call
themselves Gaidhail (Gael) in their own language, and
fraternize instantly as soon as English, the language of
disunion, is removed. Any
difference between them is
more imaginary than real and has been invented and
assiduously accentuated for political reasons only, on the
old and barbarous plan of 'divide and rule.' "8
i Camden, Britannia, I, 155.
2Dwelly, Faclair Gaidhlig (Gaelic Dictionary), Herne Bay, E. MacDonald
& Co., 1902, Vol. I, Roimh-Radh (Preface), IV.
s For much of the testimony and evidence contained in the above Appendix
I am Indebted to two articles by H. C. MacNeacail in the Scottish Review
(Autumn, Winter, 1918), written for the purpose of showing that the
inhabitants of Scotland were Celts and not English or Teuton. I had already
arrived at the conclusions given above and had set forth the evidence before
meeting with Mr. MacNeacail's articles. I found much that was new among
his well-arranged testimony and have made use of it here, though my line
of argument is somewhat different from his.
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