Well strictly speaking if you take it back to 1746 you could just as easily argue that the clearances were as much about Scots fighting Scots ...
No quibble with that, Warbler. It was a real mish-mash of nationalities (an Italian prince (4th generation Scottish descent), French, Irish, Highland Scots, Lowland Scots and English) involved in that, but mostly due to political and religious sympathies.
I'm related to the family that owned Culloden House and who were actually on the side of the English parliament due to their political and - most important at the time - religious affinity. The aftermath of that battle is what has engendered much of the anti-English feeling, due to the treatment of the people of the Highlands and of the prisoners held by the English. Although I'm inclined to think it is not so much against the English themselves as against their government.
The Clearances were another matter, over 100 years later and purely for financial gain. The people were evicted from their homes, often with violence, to make way for sheep.
Societies were set up (one headed by Prince Albert) to "aid" those who wished to emigrate, which were, in some cases, turned into an elaborate scam whereby the people were forced to pay the very landlord who had evicted them, for the privilege of leaving their homes.
Other cases are recorded where the people were told that if their menfolk enlisted for the army, their homes would be safe. Once the men had gone, the elderly, women and children were evicted anyway.
While the evictions can be argued to have been ordered by Scottish aristocrats, the main culprit was a Yorkshireman married to a high-ranking Scottish lady, who carried the blame for betraying her clansmen.
People have long memories because in rural communities so many still have access to elder members of their families, who remember what their grandparents and great-grandparents have told them. I recall my great aunt (then aged 82) telling me in the 80's about the Dukes of Portland and Buccleuch recruiting amongst the men of Caithness for the First World War, appealing to their "sense of history" as "their loyal clansmen" - with very pursed lips, because she was too ladylike to spit!
PS - If you think the Scots have long memories, try the Irish!
Your comparison only makes sense in a football setting.
