The Library of Charles Fraser Mackintosh, MP, 1828–1901

Abstract

Charles Fraser Mackintosh was closely associated with the city and county of Inverness, particularly as a Member of Parliament. He advocated education in the Gaelic language and was involved in the Highland land question on the side of the crofters’ movement. He published a number of works on the history of the Highlands, but, of perhaps more lasting interest, he collected a library of considerable Highland interest which still exists in the public library of Inverness.

Of crofters, Celts and claymores: theCeltic Magazineand the Highland cultural nationalist movement, 1875-88

“…Regularly described as an imperialist, Fraser Mackintosh was the only crofter candidate to adopt Liberal-Unionism in 1886. 196 There was a certain inevitability to this, given his espousal of the view that the Gaelic revival could be used 'as a vehicle for establishing the respectability and British identity of the Highlander'. 197 In 1880 he urged Highlanders to become valuable subjects of the empire: 'While I desire to see the fire always alight in the Highland home .…”

“…and become a source of wealth and happiness to their locality'. 198 Fraser Mackintosh felt that his allegiances were to both the Highlands and the empire, and his example demonstrates that the two identities could be mutually reinforcing. He sought the improvement of Highlanders and pursued it through his involvement with the cultural nationalist movement, believing that a stronger Highland nation would be better for the empire.…”

“…In finding the Irish agitation repugnant, although it was based on principles nearly identical to the Highland movement, Fraser Mackintosh revealed his view to be founded on a conception of Highland exceptionalism. 199 By supporting Liberal-Unionism, which according to Kidd was advocated mainly by those fearful of the implications of Irish home rule for the empire, Fraser Mackintosh confirmed his unionist-nationalism. 200 Home rule groups did not rely directly on Celtic ideas during the period being examined in this article, but in the eighteen-nineties certain individuals fundamental to the emergence of the Scottish National party, such as Theodore Napier and Ruaridh Erskine, called for Celtic revival and 'the restoration to Scotland of her Celtic system of Government and her Celtic culture'.…”

“…Charles Fraser Mackintosh expressed similar ideas for a Highland nationalism in the eighteen-seventies. 168 A founder of the Gaelic Society of Inverness and its 'chief' for the first five years of its existence, Fraser Mackintosh advocated turning the society into an association focused on Highland land reform: 'It would be right, here in the capital of the Highlands, a society which should emanate a desire for the collection of much that is interesting from a glorious past, and for furthering and fostering efforts for the amelioration of the present'. 169 Fraser Mackintosh was the descendant of Jacobites and understood the importance of historical identity to the present.…”

“…169 Fraser Mackintosh was the descendant of Jacobites and understood the importance of historical identity to the present. 170 He made a point of addressing his rural constituents in Gaelic, and during his 1882 campaign Mary Highland nationalist and only possessed radical views that pertained to the Highlands. Unlike those who went on to join the Labour party, he was not motivated by concern for oppressed labourers; he did not care for the Lowlands; and he was openly hostile to the Irish, whom he viewed as a felonious breed compared to the noble Highlanders.…”