The Honourable Ruaraidh Erskine of Marr and the Prism of Ireland
This paper focuses on Ruaraidh Erskine of Mar (1869-1960), a Scottish nationalist and an influential Gaelic revivalist, and his engagement with Irish nationalism and its representatives. It will touch on the following topics:
- An early Home Rule Education – touring with Parnell (the last tour in 1890; Parnell committing to independence; Herbert Vivian and the Whirlwind)
- Pan-Celticism (links to the Gaelic League; Patrick Pearse; Guth na Bliadhna)
- Becoming a Sinn Feiner (writing for the Sinn Fein Daily over 1907-08)
- “Who Fears to Speak of Easter Week?” (reaction; qualified support; Scottish Review)
- Doing his bit for Ireland – Erskine and the Irish War of Independence
- A Scottish Pearse? (Scots National League; plans for a Fianna na h-Alba; links with Art O’Brien and the IRA)
In conclusion, I will discuss Ireland as a prism driving Scottish nationalism; Erskine’s involvement with the socialist leader John MacLean; and also the historian Bob Purdie and his view of ‘cognitive dissonance’.
Gerard Cairns, independent scholar, Glasgow