A journal written by a Fifer, educated at the universities of St Andrews and Edinburgh, Nimmo taught at Fortrose Academy, near Inverness, before becoming rector at Inverness Academy.
In 1804, he was involved in carrying out experiments to try and record temperatures deep below the surface of Loch Ness.
Nimmo gave up teaching in 1811 to become an engineer.
Thomas Telford, the famous Scots engineer and architect of the Caledonian Canal, asked him to carry out survey work for the Commission for the Bogs of Ireland.
Nimmo died in Dublin in 1832.
In Alexander Nimmo’s journal we can read about going around Inverness-shire and around the Highlands whilst the massive changes were going on.
The highland clearances started in the late 18th century and continued into the early 19th century, so this journal is very appropriate to be used in high schools up and down the country.
With the highland clearances and migration being a major part in history subject in Scotland and all being witnessed by the author Alexander Nimmo and recorded in this journal. Copies across Scotland should be distributed and used as a mass benefit instead of it being a neglected and yet a very important piece of Scottish history.
No comments:
Post a Comment