John Alasdair Macdonald's PhD Research
I came back to learning in my late thirties, signing up for a part-time Scottish History degree at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI) – and it turned out to be one of my best life decisions! Fifteen years later (which also included a Masters in British Studies) I completed my PhD studies (see my UHI profile). During the final year of the Scottish History degree and throughout the British Studies Masters, I became particularly interested in the lives of Jacobite Gaels in the post-Culloden period of Highland history from 1746 until the end of the Seven Years' War in 1763 and I was fortunate that the Centre of History at UHI gave me the opportunity to continue my studies into this period through their PhD programme.
Why did you do this?
Learning and researching eighteenth-century Highland history has become my hobby! Everyone has hobbies and this is mine – I genuinely enjoy the whole experience, especially getting lost in the research.
No, seriously... why did you do this at your age?
Honestly, the first answer is the truth!
What did you research?
The social and economic circumstances of men and women from across the Jacobite Highlands, from the embers of the defeat at Culloden in 1746 to the end of the Seven Years' War in 1763.
Why?!!!!
I believed that the resilience, resourcefulness and adaptability of Jacobite Gaels in the post-Culloden decade had been underestimated and downplayed.
How did you do this?
By exploring the familial, social, economic and cultural connectivity of Jacobite Gaels across Gaelic, British, European and imperial worlds.
Eh...?
I believed that by researching the array of networks connecting the Jacobite Gaels, and by demonstrating the depth and expanse of these connections (from local to international), I offered an interpretation of the Jacobite Gaels as more resilient, resourceful and adaptable than history has led us to believe.
And you really enjoyed this?
Absolutely!
Does this research find its way into your tours?
Constantly!