The Highlanders of Scotland - Clan Strachan Society

ii8 THE HIGHLANDERS [parti
CHAPTER VIII.
Religion of the Highlanders—The Culdee Church — Its Constitution
AND Form of Government—Poetry—Ossian Considered
AS AN Historical Poet—New Proof of his Authenticity—
Music. .
The Highlanders, like all other people who have long preserved
their original manners and mode of life unaltered, possessed a
peculiarly imaginative character. While their manners remained
in primitive rudeness, while their occupations were still those
peculiar to the early stages of society, the energy of savage
nature displayed itself in the increased power of imagination
and the engrossing influence of fanc}-. But these natural
properties of primitive society were greatly heightened
in the
Highlanders by the wild and romantic aspect of their country,
which exercised a powerful influence on their character; and the
force of imagination over the Highlanders has consequently
displayed itself from the earliest period in the wildest superstition
and poetic fancy.
What the ancient religion of the Highlanders was
giun of the before the light of Christianit}' dawned upon them,
Highlanders. •
i -r^w t i 11
whether the Druidical, as suspected by some, or a
belief peculiar to themselves, would lead to too extensive an
enquiry to ascertain. The direct authorit\' upon this subject is
not great. Tacitus mentions, that when the Caledonian clans
united for the purpose of opposing Agricola, that they ratified
their confederacy by solemn sacrifices. The only other writer
from whom any information can be obtained is Adomnan, from
whom it appears, that the Picts, whom we have formerly shown
to have been the ancestors of the Highlanders, were possessed
of a religious establishment of priests, and that a Pagan religion,
full of the usual ceremonies and superstitions, existed among
them. The most authentic record, perhaps, of the nature of that