MacDonald Clan Leader 1845

There are many things we can learn from Scotland through the careful analysis and research of this postcard. For one, we can determine the condition of the surroundings and the castle, albeit through the altered lens of its creator. At its historical point in time we can conclude that the city of Inverness was lush and contemporary with its sophisticated infrastructure. The creator framed the city in this way to attract potential visitors, thereby increasing the rate of tourism in the Scottish highlands, in which the publishers store resides.

We can also learn about the condition of the natural landscape from this artistic depiction of the city. In the distance we can see the mountains that make the rural highlands of Scotland. From this we learn that this area was uninhabited and void of any buildings.

The border of the main image features the names of six significant clans and their respective Tartans from Scotland. The clan Fraser is strongly associated with Inverness and its surrounding battles in which its leader fought in the wars for its independence. The clan is related to the Castle featured in the postcard through their endeavour of taking it over for the Queen. The clan was also involved in many wars between the MacDonald clan which is also featured in this postcard known for its numerous members and its involvement in the wars of Scottish independence. Each of the clans mentioned in the postcard are especially known for their association with the Jacobite rising in the effort to gain power over the British.

The Scots have also maintained a strong relationship with the Netherlands as proven through military support and relationship between leaders. This is backed by the proof that tours have been made through Scotland by the Dutch at this time based on the stamps and markings made on the back of the postcard.

Loch Lomond in the Highlands

This postcard tells me that its use at the time was to promote Scottish history and culture by educating others about the landmarks and the popular clans. Its use of framing and selective beauty is reason for many travellers at the time to make the visit and tour thereby making an increase in tourism as a reason for its production. Through an analysis of the contents at the back I can conclude that this postcard was used as a means of communication through even places as distant as the Netherlands. This means that the contents at the front were read and known by those from around Northern Europe giving reason to believe that many tourists from Scotland at this time were from around that area.

The postcard also tells me of the value of such sources through an education of the impact of Scotland on locations outside of eastern Europe, and its overall intention of increasing the rate of tourism in these places. This would not be known without the careful analysis of such ephemera thereby losing a piece of culture and history.