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A
Brief History of Tourism in Scotland
The history of tourism in
Scotland is essentially a literary one. The first "travelogue" of
Scotland, A Description of the Western Isles of Scotland by Martin
Martin, was published in 1698. It has remained in print to the present day and
is still constantly referred to by researchers into Scottish cultural life and
history. It provided the inspiration for Dr Samuel Johnson's tour of Scotland
with his friend James Boswell. Boswell recorded their journey, and Johnson's
observations, in Journal of a Tour to the Hebrides, published in
1773.
 From the late eighteenth
century onwards increasing personal wealth meant that travel was no longer
limited to the aristocracy; two factors pointed these new travellers in the
direction of Scotland: war in mainland Europe which curtailed the traditional
Grand Tour, and the Romantic movement in Literature. James Macpherson had
published Ossian in 1760 which was ostensibly the translations of ancient
Gaelic texts. Napoleon and Goethe had copies of Ossian and its influence
spread rapidly throughout Europe and America. From this time to the present day,
Scotland, especially the Highlands, has been associated with romantic
wilderness.
Mass tourism began in the
nineteenth century under the influence of writers such as Sir Walter Scott .
Everyone who could afford to do so had to visit the scenes of Lady of the
Lake and Waverley. Scott is credited with the invention of
clan tartans and the modern tourist industry. King George IV visited Edinburgh
in 1822, presenting Scott with the opportunity to portray the grandeur of
Scotland's past and present. He was in charge of preparations for the visit and
hit upon a scheme of asking the main clan chiefs to dress "in the
masquerade of the Celtic Society". The visit was a great success with the
city awash in kilts, tartans and bagpipes. The King himself wore a kilt.
However, before this date clans (and remember the clan system was only in
existence for a relatively short period of time and its purpose was to provide
fighting units) had distinguished themselves by for instance, wearing a cockade,
or heather etc. The tartan industry grew strongly under the Victorians and
continues to be a defining element of Scottishness throughout the world.
Tourism is now a major
industry employing people in every part of the country, twelve months of the
year. It generates a great deal of wealth but also an enormous amount of
garbage. As in war, truth is often the first casualty. If you're content to
absorb the entertainments provided by hotels and such like, fine, but the
intelligent tourist knows that no self-respecting local would ever be found
there. It can be almost impossible in a strange country to clear a path through
to the places you really want to see or to get any understanding of the culture
you find yourself in. If you allow Ar Turas to be your guide we will
clear that path for you and help you to get the most from your stay in Scotland.
If you wish to discuss
help with your tour to Scotland, please contact us at enquiries@ar-turas.co.uk
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