Elizabeth Ritchie, MA, MPhil, PhD

Scottish emigration to Canada, 1783-1851

Catholic-Protestant relations in the Scottish Highlands

Education in the Scottish Highlands

Highland Evangelicalism

Gender and the Family in the Scottish Highlands, 1750-1850

My main research interests lie in the social and cultural history of the early nineteenth-century Highlands, with an especial focus on religion, education and the family. In addition, I am developing a research project on how emigration to Canada affected family life for Scots from 1782-1850. I am happy to supervise PhD students in any aspects of the social and cultural history of the Highlands between 1700 and 1900, or in the history of Scottish emigration to North America in that period. I especially enjoy work that involves fieldtrips and collaborating with local schools, organisations and heritage groups.

Unless otherwise stated, topics refer to Scottish History, with a special interest in Highland History

• Rural history
• Agriculture and landscape
• Clearances
• Emigration, 1700-1950
• Internal migration, 1700-1900
• Religious history, 1700-1900
• Social and economic history of women, 1700-1900
• History of the family, 1700-1900
• Scots in North America, 1600-1950
• Scottish identity in North America, 1600-1950

High School classes:

- 'Highlanders and Slavery'

- 'Scottish Emigration to Canada'

Frequent speaker at local history, heritage and U3A societies

Local history mini film project, Goslpie Inn (2015-16)

MacKay Country Oral History Workshops (2014-15)

Bettyhill Adult Education weekend (2013)

Conference organisation:

- Land and People in the Northern Highlands Conference (2014)

- John A. MacDonald and the Scots Canadian connection (2010)

Board Member:

- Historylinks Museum, Dornoch (2013-present)

- Women's History Scotland (2012-present)

- EDINA Statistical Accounts (2011-15)

Historical Consultant for:

- Clearances iphone App (Timespan Heritage Centre, Helmsdale, 2012)

- Dunnet and Canisbay Community Council Local History Scoping Project (2010-11)