A Journey to the Western Isles of Scotland

Highland Scotland was still a relatively wild place in 1773. Maraudingprivateers and slave-ships worked the coasts (seven slavers werereported in 1774 alone). The destruction of Scottish forests was infull swing. The Scottish clan system had been dismantled by Act ofParliament, the population had been disarmed and wearing of the tartanwas prohibited. Scotch whisky was distilled illegally and profusely(Johnson noted the custom of the skalk, or drinking whisky beforebreakfast). The rule of law was by no means properly established, andthe power of the clan chieftains was curtailed but was often the onlyreal authority.