The shifting Scottish diaspora: Images of home in Alistair Macleod’s No Great Mischief

Headnote

Abstract

This article aims to explore some of the controversial aspects that come up when dealing with the Scottish diaspora. The ambiguous position of the country as opposed to England, as well as the history of imperialism that is to be found in its background are some of the elements that complicate and question its very existence. No Great Mischief, by Alistair MacLeod, is a novel set in Nova Scotia, Canada, whose characters constantly turn to the land of their ancestors, Scotland, in order to find connections and give meaning to their present lives. This article discusses the importance of these acts of re-construction, as well as the relevance of the other 'homeland', Cape Breton, for the characters of this novel and for the elusive concept of the Scottish diaspora.

Keywords: diaspora, Scotland, homeland, myth, colonisation, class, globalization.

Resumen

El objetivo de este artículo es explorar algunos de los aspectos controvertidos que surgen a la hora de tratar con la diaspora escocesa. La posición ambigua del país en relación con Inglaterra, así como la historia de imperialismo que lo acompaña son algunos de los elementos que complican y cuestionan su existencia. No Great Mischief, de Alistair MacLeod, es una novela situada en Nueva Escocia, Canadá, cuyos personajes recurren continuamente a la tierra de sus ancestros, Escocia, para encontrar conexiones y otorgar sentido a sus vidas presentes. Este artículo discute la importancia de estos actos de reconstrucción, y la relevancia de otro 'hogar', Cabo Bretón, para los personajes de esta novela y para el esquivo concepto de la diáspora escocesa.

Palabras clave: diáspora, Escocia, hogar, mito, colonización, clase, globalización.

No Great Mischief is a novel by Nova Scotian writer Alistair MacLeod, originally published in 2000. Set in a small town in Cape Breton, it narrates the lives of a family of Scottish descent, Clan Calum Ruadh. The story is portrayed through the eyes of Alexander MacDonald, who unfolds a narrative line that spans a period of two hundred years: the memories of his own childhood are intertwined with stories and pieces of history about his ancestors that are handed down to him by his grandparents, thus constantly making references to the close and distant pasts. The presence of Scotland is very significant not only for...