Scots in the American Revolution

The role which Scottish immigrants to the American colonies played in the Revolutionary War is a topic that has fascinated scholars for the past two centuries and more. Was there any rhyme or reason to why some of the Scottish settlers supported the rebellious colonists and why others — particularly those from the Highlands — remained loyal to the very Hanoverian government which had so crushingly defeated them at Culloden? Professor Alastair Crawford here gives a modern appraisal of the factors influencing which side the Scots supported. Then, in Distinguished Highlanders Who Served in America, J. P. MacLean gives short biographical sketches of the best-known Scots serving on both sides of the conflict.