Enlightenment, Romanticism and War

The terms 'Enlightenment' and 'Romanticism' are absent from the main text of The Claudians, yet they are crucial to understanding the period in which Claudius Buchanan and John Claudius Loudon lived. The Enlightenment, with its emphasis on reason, scientific inquiry, and the pursuit of knowledge, laid the intellectual foundation for much of 18th century culture, influencing moral and social campaigns rooted in idealism rational thought and humanitarian ideals. As the 19th century dawned, the Romantic movement emerged in response, prioritising emotion, individualism, and a deep connection to nature—values that resonated with Loudon’s visionary approach to landscape design and urban planning. Although the terms are not explicitly mentioned, the interplay between Enlightenment rationality and Romantic sensibility is woven throughout the lives and work of the two cousins missions to reform cities, gardens and the conditions of life in India. In the late 18th century, Scottish culture was shaped by the interplay of three major influences: Enlightenment, Romanticism, and War. See  The Claudians: gardens, landscapes, reason and faith: John Claudius Loudon and Claudius Buchanan, Tom Turner (Kindle, 2024)

Edinburgh was the leading city during the Scottish Enlightenment. In the late 18th century/ It became known as 'the Athens of the North' due to its flourishing ideas and contributions to various fields like philosophy, economics, medicine, science - and landscape design. Read more, on Gardenvisit.com, about Modernism, Enlightenment and Design.

More about Enlightenment and Romanticism’s Impact on Scottish Society

The Scottish Enlightenment was one of the most significant intellectual movements in Europe. It spanned the late 18th century and was characterized by a strong emphasis on reason, scientific inquiry, and progress. Key figures such as David Hume, Adam Smith, and Dugald Stewart advanced ideas in philosophy, economics, and ethics. Edinburgh became a hub of intellectual exchange, where thinkers focused on improving society through reason and empirical evidence. This movement significantly influenced modern fields like economics and sociology, particularly through Smith’s The Wealth of Nations, which laid the foundation for modern capitalism.

Towards the end of the 18th century, Romanticism began to emerge in Scotland, partly as a reaction against the rationalism of the Enlightenment. Romanticism emphasized emotion, nature, and the individual’s connection to history and tradition. Robert Burns, Scotland's national poet, embodied the early Romantic spirit with his celebration of Scottish rural life, folklore, and nature. Writers like James Macpherson, with his "Ossian" poems, also contributed to the Romantic fascination with Scotland’s ancient past and rugged landscapes. This movement encouraged a renewed interest in Scottish culture, history, and identity, contrasting with the universalism of Enlightenment thought.

The late 18th century was also a time of war and political turmoil. The Jacobite Risings earlier in the century had already left a deep mark on Scottish society, and by the late 1700s, Scotland was involved in the Napoleonic Wars alongside England. The French Revolution and the subsequent wars in Europe shaped political thought in Scotland, fostering debates about liberty, democracy, and national identity. Many Scots served in the British military, and the country’s participation in global conflicts further influenced its social and economic structures.

Scotland’s Role in Global Conflicts

The Napoleonic Wars and earlier Jacobite Risings had significant social and political impacts on Scotland. The country’s involvement in global warfare contributed to major shifts in national identity, especially through military service and economic changes. These wars influenced the Romantic fascination with heroism, personal sacrifice, and Scottish traditions, which became central themes in literature and art. The cultural aftermath of war, alongside Enlightenment rationality and Romantic sentiment, played a vital role in shaping Scotland’s intellectual and artistic movements in the 18th and 19th centuries.