Alexander Sutherland – författare

«We have here a masterly, well-indexed and clear account of the evolution of the legend of the Brahan Seer over the centuries, one that will add a contextual depth in understanding to the many sources which give the prophesies attributed to him. Sutherland manages to inform his readers of the way in which tales and traditions were transmitted in Gaelic culture, on the externally generated romantic images of the Highlands as well as their appropriation by the natives.»(Iwan Wmffre, University of Ulster)The Brahan Seer is a legendary figure known throughout Scotland and the Scottish diaspora, indeed anywhere there are people with an interest in looking into the future. This book traces the legend of the Seer between the sixteenth and twenty-first centuries. It considers the seer figure in relation to aspects of Scottish Highland culture and society that shaped its development during this period. These include the practice of witchcraft and prosecution of witches; the reporting of and scientific investigation of instances of second sight; and the perennial belief in and use of prophecy as a means of predicting events. In so doing the book provides a set of historicised contexts for understanding the genesis of the legend and how it changed over time through a synthesis of historical events, oral tradition, folklore and literary Romanticism. It contributes to the debates about witchcraft, second sight and prophecy and the relationship between ‘popular’ and ‘elite’ culture in Scotland. By taking the Brahan Seer as a case study it argues that ‘popular’ culture is not antithetical to ‘elite’ culture but rather in constant (and complex) interaction with it.

It examines the evolution of the cock’s role in religion and sport and, the evolution of cockfighting as a sport, in light of the changing culture of pastimes, the historical development of humankind’s relationship with animals, and the philosophy related to animal cruelty and animal rights.

This book looks at the relationship of the cock and cockfighting in Britain from the Enlightenment through the modern era, showing the societal and culture changes that affected that relationship.

The Brahan Seer is a legendary figure known throughout Scotland and the Scottish Diaspora and indeed anywhere there is an interest in looking into the future. This book traces the legend of the Seer between the sixteenth and twenty-first centuries. It considers the seer figure in relation to aspects of Scottish Highland culture and society that shaped its development during this period. These include the practice and prosecution of witchcraft, the reporting and scientific investigation of instances of second sight, and the perennial belief in and use of prophecy as a means of predicting events. In so doing the book provides a set of historicised contexts for understanding the genesis of the legend and how it changed over time through a synthesis of historical events, oral tradition, folklore and literary Romanticism. It makes a contribution to the debates not only about witchcraft, second sight and prophecy but also about the relationship between ‘popular’ and ‘elite’ culture in Scotland. By taking the Brahan Seer as a case study it argues that ‘popular’ culture is not antithetical to ‘elite’ culture but rather in constant (and complex) interaction with it.