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The Rest Is History

652. London’s Golden Age: The Ghosts of Culloden (Part 3)

The Rest Is History

Goalhanger

History

4.626.6K Ratings

🗓️ 16 March 2026

⏱️ 65 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

What adventures occurred during Samuel Johnson and James Boswell’s journey into the heart of Scotland? How was their trip a gateway to the history of Scotland’s union with England in 1707? And, was Dr Johnson embroiled in the bloody Battle of Culloden…? Join Tom and Dominic as they travel into Scotland’s dark history, alongside Samuel Johnson and James Boswell, and discuss their fascinating and funny adventures in the Highlands. Advertise with us: Partnerships@goalhanger.com _______ Twitter: @TheRestHistory @holland_tom @dcsandbrook Video Editors: Jack Meek + Harry Swan Social Producer: Harry Balden Producers: Tabby Syrett & Aaliyah Akude  Executive Producer: Dom Johnson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Must remember, do not forget.

0:06.0

Remind me to bring photo ID.

0:10.0

Reminder, set.

0:12.0

Babe, can you make sure I don't forget my photo ID when I vote?

0:16.0

All right, love.

0:17.0

However you remember, you'll need photo ID to vote in the elections in England on the 7th of May.

0:22.3

Don't have ID. Apply for free voter ID today.

0:25.6

Find out more at electoralcommission.org.org.U.K.Slas voter ID.

0:45.7

Hi. I had desired to visit the Hebrides or Western Islands of Scotland so long that I scarcely remember how the wish was originally excited

0:49.0

and was, in the autumn of the year 1773, induced to undertake the journey, by finding in Mr.

0:56.6

Boswell, a companion whose acuteness would help my inquiry, and whose gaiety of conversation

1:02.7

and civility of manners are sufficient to counteract the inconveniences of travel in countries

1:08.8

less hospitable than we have passed. On the 18th of August, we left Edinburgh.

1:16.7

So that was the son of Litchfield, Samuel Johnson. And he is describing one of the great journeys

1:23.7

in all history, one of certainly the most intrepid journeys in all history.

1:29.3

And he's describing it in his book, A Journey to the Western Islands of Scotland,

1:34.7

which is actually one of the great classics of travel literature.

1:38.5

And Johnson, the ultimate Englishman, is describing how, for the first time in his life,

1:45.6

he ventured beyond England's borders.

1:47.3

He goes up to the Hebrides, a journey that in the 18th century would have seemed to the average

1:54.6

Englishman, especially a Midlander like Johnson, to be going to the very ends of the earth,

2:00.2

into the very heart of darkness and the den

...

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