King George II was responsible for the cruel dismantlement of Scottish clans and traditions following the Battle of Culloden in 1746. The next two generations suffered from what is known as "The Clearances." Clans were outlawed; wearing tartans forbidden; Scots not allowed to have weapons; no bagpipes (a weapon of war) and speaking Gaelic discouraged. The Earls of Sinclair (Caithness county) and Earls of Southerland (Southerland county), loyal to the Government, were awarded large segments of land in the Highlands. The Keith's and McKay's were allowed more land than the Gunn's. The old decision to fight for survival was being replaced with flight for survival by so many Highlanders.
