The military is an example of continuity although in very different forms. From the Gallowglass (or Gall Gaeil) mercenaries of the medieval period to armed forces of modern day, Argyll has played a significant role in British military history and politics. During the unrest of the 17th century the local chiefs needed to keep the peace by maintaining their own armed forces.
At the University of Glasgow, Jenny Novotny is currently researching the general Jacobite-era and the material culture from several key collections (National Museums Scotland, Inverness Museum and Art Gallery, etc). Her overarching research theme is the material culture of modern conflict, specifically the ways in which artefacts help us to negotiate uncomfortable topics like war and violence.