HISTORY

THE

THE

OF

HIGHLAND

CLEARANCES

BY

MACKENZIE,

ALEXANDER

WITH

NEW

P.S.A.,

INTRODUCTION

BY

MACPHERSON,

IAN

"

P.
132-134

WEST

Truth

J.

is stranger

M.

than

P.

fiction."

O'CALLAGHAN,
NILE

STREET,

GLASGOW.

Soot.

1883.

Edition

Kir
:

stt
-

-(
-

revised

1914.

and
altered

Edition,
Second

"

CONTENTS.

EDITOR'S

PREFACE,

INTRODUCTION,
SUTHERLAND

"

Mackenzie

Alexander
The

James

Mrs.

OF

ROSS-SHIRE

Kin

Sutherland

the

on

of Garth

Clearances,

the

on

19

Clearances,

Sutherland

Sutherland

Clearances,

I,och

on

Sutherland

Improvements,

Beecher

to Mrs.

Stowe
Beecher

Harriet

PATRICK

the

on

SELLAR,

Sutherland

Stowe

32

Clearances,

the

by Donald

41
52

69

Clearances,

78
88

Macleod,

-115

"

Glencalvie,
The

the

on

Harriet

Reply

on

Sage

Stewart
Miller

Hugh

TRIAL

Donald

Rev.

General

Mr.

Eviction

128

of the

Rosses,

134

tail,

143

Coigeach,

144

Strathconon,
The

Black

The

Island

Mr.

Alexander

Isle,

of Lewis,

I/ochcarron,

144

146

Mackenzie

the

on

Leckmelm

Evictions,

147
149
161

The

78th Highlanders,

The

Rev.

Dr.

John Kennedy

on

the

Ross-shire

167

Clearances, 169

INVERNESS-SHIRE"

Glengarry,
Strathglass,
Guisachan,

170

193

Glenelg,
Glendesseray and

187

Locharkaig,

5712U6

194

196

VI.

THE

CONTENTS.

HEBRIDES"

Uist,

North

Suisinish, Isle

Boreraig and
A

Contrast,

The

The

Skye,

and

Island

ARGYLLSHIRE

of

Uist

South

Barra,

of Rum,

202
212

213
222

"

Island

228

of Mull,

Ardnamurchan,

232

Morven,

Glenorchy,
BUTESHIRE

198

235

237

"

Arran,

240

PERTHSHIRE"

Rannoch,
Breadalbane,
NOTABLE

DICTA

The
A
The
A
Mr.
A
Mr.

Highland
Wizard

Alfred

254

North,

Historian,
Wallace,

An

Evicting Agent,

An

Octogenarian

the

Emigrants,

of all Parishes

in

271
274

1831, 1841, 1851, 1881, and

in whole

Argyll,

Caithness,

263

264

Cromarty,

259

"

Population
Perth,

Gael,

STATEMENT

of

APPENDICES,

by First

254
255

Endured

Chamberlain,

Joseph

247
253

the

Economist,

Hardships

of

Russel

French

91

245

Sheriff,

Continental

Maclachlan,

Dr.

Showing

242

"

Rev.

STATISTICAL

and

or

in part in the

and

Ross

Inverness,
Sutherland,

ties
Coun-

278-282
283

EDITOR'S
TO

PREFACE
SECOND

EDITION.

History
MACKENZIE'S
thrilling
with

of

its

of

out

by

occurred

the

which,

early

among

the

interest

tenure,"

readily

introduce

to

"

them
for

Sutherland

Stowe,

author

Mr.

James

large

shortly
the

in

first

Clearances
of

"

would

Uncle

took

of

be

follow

place

undoubted

the

efforts

now

in Scotland.

task

the

of

At

re-editing.

first appearance
it to

fresh

irrelevant

matter

articles.

because

it is

separate

form.

by
Tom's

Donald

omitted

are

time,

the

of

is
the

Beecher

Cabin," and
on

to

There

Harriet

Loch, principal factor

of

out

proposed

vindication

Mrs.

the

thorough

"

and

of

pretty

of

mass

Memories

for space,

present

great upheaval

century,

the

several

Gloomy

considerations

included,

Eneas

points of view, having changed

subject

to

the

question

since

excise

to

of

undertook
or

the

at

it has

Mr.

copyright,

who

land

campaign

expediently prepared.

story

those

the

decided
"

be

crofters

slight measure

reprint

land

nineteenth

the

settle

to

Macleod's

by

in

the

circumstances,

revision
and

that

utilityto

request

work,

the

might

Highland

and

put forth

no

of

holder

movement,

"organised
of

time

long

current

an

as

system

re-issue

recognised

The

Asquith

the

narratives

for

been

publisher, Stirling, that,

juncture,

his

of

view

present

to

Mackay,
He

Mr.

the

against

incredible

eviction, has

In

print.

described

in

and

Clearances,

Highland

almost

and

oppression

the

of

another

Sutherland

viii.

EDITOR'S

during

Estates

There

out.

of

pictures
The

are

PREFACE.

time

also

given graphic

these

evictions

by

the

to

relating

each

to

of

added

are

dealt

with

Ian

in

and

for

Henderson,

Club,

London,
interest

he

the

read

ready

ever

of

cases

give

doubt

is the

Ross

To

that

providing,
would

the

History

but

he

was

suggestions

when

of

most

of

labour

the

always

the

promptly

so

Henderson.

the

courtesy

be

taken

he

Publisher,
rendered

sometimes

all works
be

did

only

shown

Messrs.

by

Co., Ltd., publishers, Wick,

to

and

from

in

Mr.

mitting
per-

Sage's

Domestica.

Regarding

expense,

Mr.

Library

Not

with

assistance

Mr.

to

kindest

one

me,

connected

valuable

due

care,

H.

proofs.

the

over

the

offer

and

J;

National

scrupulous

advice

extracts

mention

the

with

arose.

"

Memorabilia

of

Dr.

are

undertaking.

greatly appreciate

Daniel

thanks

the

cheerfully given by

and

not

were

indebtedness

and

manifested

memories

pleasant
editing

in

proofs
to

accounts

descriptions

my

kindly looking

secretary
who

liveliest

the

which

M.P.,

sincere

very

John

been

has

and

acknowledging

Macpherson,

Fullarton, London,

Special

Sage.

first edition.

pleasure

Mr.

to

Donald

grouping together
of Clearances

number

word

book

particular county,

in the

I have

of

extent

realistic

Rev.

the

carried

were

and

the

of

general arrangement

altered

removals

the

the

of

service

thoroughly

at

of
in

be

may

my

task

permitted
very

considerable

reference

accurate

and

trouble

which

endeavouring

easy

I
to

reliable.

to

by
and

considered
make

this

INTRODUCTION.

is

IT

that

with
I

write

should
of

reprint

Highland
print,

which

easily

understand.

commanded
and

It

in

authenticated

history.

in

land

of

great

with

of

accounts,

north,

of the

land

reprint

obligations

deep

in

secure

and
of

acuteness

the
evil

Many
of

the

other
the

the

of

in

have

deeds

power
but

those

in

page

islands,

the

to

or,

that

indeed,

peared
ap-

terrible

days

that, when

problem

tion
specific atten-

tl*s

Highlands,

under
of the

enterprize
good

enough

to

of

account

the

intensified

the

and

stituted
con-

history.
with

ownership
say

have

Highlands

associated
land

it is safe

once

Highland

been
of

reliable
at

land-hunger

blackest

countries,

which

events

monopoly

limits

form

and

or

year

all,therefore,

been

have

who

accessible

an

conditions

public spirit

others

and

publishers

the

to

are

story
is still

last

great

and

the

We

appear.

the

on

his

and

the

and

appropriate

towards

recent

past

of those

whole,

as

their

within

the

the

of

imaginary,

centred

are

country

now

less

peculiarly

of

clearances

the

stories

true

and

sane

his

Within

or

directed

should

of

mind.

minds

in this

been

has

be

it is

men's

again

once

loves

who

Highlanders,

crisis
book

no

as

days

more

to

and

the

his

in

purporting
in the

race

will

experience

Highlander

wrongs

many

the

passionate attachment,

embedded

deeply

the

to

time

agrarian

great

The

done.

native

two

the

of

out

Highlander

of

the

kenzie's
Mac-

as

appearance

esteem

first

the
of

appealed

It

has

the

for

this

been

long

by

the

measure

book

its first

written

was

accounts

Highlanders

years

great

collected

it

recalls

who

request

welcome

to

has

It

the

to

valuable

and

Clearances.

anyone

accede

introduction

short

interesting

so

that

pleasure

great

abuse

the
in

nowhere

anywhere

this

and

within
else

at

INTRODUCTION.

X.

time

any

in

the

Napoleonic
and

it is

fellows

came

that

gratefulcountry

and

the

sacred

and

possessed
them

far

well

so

in which
young

the

in the

destroyed, and

and

invader

the

had
in

now

regarded these
quarrel." Well
expressed it :

soil

found

fightingat
of their

their

as

friend

my

grave

of

soldiers, but

holdings

has

battles

of hired

very

still virgin ground,

only

the

stake

and
the

Ye

charge

'Tis

but

And

when
you

Well

But

come

done,'
we

the

the

cannot

brave
the

who

men

in

pipes

good

you
the

of

heard

are

fightfor your

own,

land.

fight is done
back

the

over

they say,
give you

foam,

'

you
a

are

home.

mand
com-

the

MacBride

Mackenzie

lads, that

my

for

And

the

when

think,

Don't

'

of

remnant

Who

their

country,

"

"

time

history, they had

they had defended

was

foreign lands

chieftainess

character

of

reach
"

of old that

; from

the waste

holdings,

mountain

of their
not

the

beyond

were

men

their

had
been
patriotism and honour
humble
dwellings," says Hugh Miller,
who
rearing ] it was they themselves

own

their

that

of

Their

immemorial,

kept
ruthless

greed
his hirelings,but

desecrated

homes

were

and

in their little fields from

broken

the

left behind

the

or

were

law
"

of their

were

had

homes

moral

violated.

landlord

the

find, not

to

that

care

had

from

in

It is true, of course,
of these brave
many

taken

they

of

for British

war-scarred

and
had

immune

of the

"

wounded

helpless ones
and

savagery
hearths
every

back

those
of the

won

ever

discredit, that

eternal

more

during

and

empire

in the colonies.

and

ever

stirringstrains

achievements

noted

wars

an

for the

should

districts

very

to the

marched

been

all the

that

in these

gaining

most

becomes

the

in

always

race

remembers

raised

ever

bagpipes,were

arms

This

one

regiments

years

It has

brave

mitted
com-

than

property

been

deeds

days.

that

them.

to

finest soldiers who

the

in those

too, when

remarkable,
very

of

of astonishment

submitted

foul

more

name

of Scotland

matter

have

or

sacred

the

Highlands
a

blacker

have

good and

true,

INTRODUCTION.

'

glen

And

bad

for the

And

the

who

for

centuries

does

free

which

useful
the

"

land.

assumed

the day

But

the

and

law, if

moral

soil

the

and

arm

days when

they

indefinable

some

"(

after the

came

to

that

lands

right to
right

own

were

chief, who

the

their

These

knew

They

these

enigma

an

every

land, they had

ancestors.
to

By

with

cot,

tilled those

had

ancestors

defended

been

remain

Highlands.

of the

of their

right to

the

law

that
were

know

not

of the
'

calibre met

of that

men

untrammelled.

had

enjoy,

smoke
game
of the crofter's boy.'

song

their

which

deer,

the

is the

and

the

by

birds

cruelty might well

and

one

lived

the

the

hardships

for

want

we

And

silence with

The

not

hill

the

For

XI.

Forty-

longer assets to the chief.

wanted
broken.
His
territorial
He
jurisdiction was
of
the hills
and
the lonely silences
not
men,
money,
instead of merry
laughter and prattleof children singing
And
these men
bore the change
graces by the wayside.
Five

which

when

men

meant

so

The

Highlands
sense.
religious
of the
the

the

strict

as

with

noble

"

of the

was

estate

will show

whose

that

working
had

out

on

their

another

them

what

two

"

of

power

by

perusal of

mean

These

use

the

many

their faithful
men

were

"

in

realitythe servile tools

they feared, and whose

powers
In their

were

which

power
in them.

all their troubles

inflicted

And

of the

they received.
of their earthly lord and

people

the

deep
teachings

oracle of truth, and the

of God
of the ways
to

right.

was

exception or
"

stern

meaning

vested

support
those

the

the

happened

believed

the

deep impress on the social life

of the Highlands.
garded
They re-

literature

to follow
pages that are
of these ministers made

flock

with

left its

minister

What

patience. Why

permeated then as now

They lent a willingear to
of the Gospel, who
wielded

interpreterof

man.

with

them

to

were

which

the

even

no

much

ministers

iron hand

and

were

interests

own

they assured

master,
but

in
the

ment
part of the punish-

Providence

redemption ! This
significance.In

and

in the

attitude
many

course

of

of the ministers

parishes they

INTRODUCTION.

Til.

the

were

and

only persons
able

so

called

were

used

upon

benevolence

"

were

ennoble

to

educated

were

the
express
to endure.

to

their pens

and

who

enough

which

wrongs

their

their voices

But

write,

to

people
silent

were

idle,except, indeed, when

they
the
character, the prestige,and

were

the

of the

evictingtyrant !
If they
thus
were
comparatively passive in their
others
In
white-washing," there were
openly active.
Miller's

Hugh

"

words.

Ever

since

the

planning

of the

fatal

ruined
Sutherland, the noble
experience which
family through which it was
originatedand carried on,
had betrayed the utmost
jealousy in having its real result
made
of special pleading have
been
public. Volumes
written on the subject. Pamphlets have been published,
laboured
reviews
with

articles have
statistical

"

the

would

not

the

could

have

gnawing

be

now

If the

altered

in

widely-spread

been

have

accounts

littleless abundant

year

inserted

surveillance.

utmost

of the press

been

the

watched

over

misrepresentations
fact, famine

of

matter

vitals of Sutherland

the

its predecessors,nor

than

in

would

content
oppressed people be feeding their disamid
present misery, with the recollections of a
and
happier past. If a singularly well-conditioned

dejected

district of country

wholesome
wide

ulcer

that

the

public
there
And

eye

or

Mrs.

sore

has

that

been

least been

then

he

goes

language

influence

of

on

And

Harriet

triumphs
"

has
much

no

"

to

say,
a

that

It has

district

the

York
the

Beecher

in the

Cabin," with

so

be

one

confessed

the
up from
been
little done
for its cure,
for its concealment."
done

English opinion

is doing in New

it must

woe,

into

converted

carefullybandaged

removed

miles, and

Skye."

been

has

and

if there

at

thousand
what

of wretchedness

has

Gaelic
the

and

Stowe,

American

knowledge

said

that

an

of three

ocean

British public know

what
of

is

from

environment
of the

doing

Sutherland

fresh

the

effectuallyfrom

more

than

than

House

been

Gaelic

of

better
in Lewis

inveigles
her

"

Uncle

literary
Tom's

language which

it was
separated so effectually the district in which
from English public opinion,but in which
guage
lanspoken
alone
likely to be expressed, to
grievances were
"

INTRODUCTION.

write
"

Memories,"

people outside

well-merited,
"

of the

if short,

whose

and

marvellous

she

An

how

even

generosity of
that

the

Readers

her

as

unbiassed

an

gracious benevolence

the

he

demolishes

put forward
of

was

type of white- washer

worse

observer

spiritsof
receiving

completely Donald
nobilityof character,

honour,

ever

the

broken

lover of

is now

mentioned

not

was

circle in which

will notice

I/och, who

disinterested

It

and

justice will

and

does, forsooth, in

hearts

every

insipidtable-talk.
James

the

she

were
hospitality

"

name

and

courage,

when
the

Clearances

M'Leod,

was

This

grovellingapology.

Sunny

the

Xlll.

of Sutherland.

House

factor for the then

the

was

Duke!
The

landshire

and

ones,

of them

of all the evictions

notorious

most

in this

there

though

volume,

the

Since

months,
evicted

have

from

proofsof

all

had

are

letters

the recklessness

accounts

many

during

from

these

new

and

has
tale.

last few
of

descendants

the colonies with

over

the Suther-

of which
gruesomeness
do not
tell the whole

bye-word, they
this question was
revived

become

were

the

conclusive

and

severitywhich characterised
A factor visited a township in western
them.
land,
Sutherand went
towards
the house
of the great grandmother
of one
He
her
she
met
as
correspondent.
was
returning from
milking the cows
carrying a wooden
vessel of milk.
use

with

his

Brutally he snatched
"

words,

it," and

for

drowned

then

drove

the

ever

her

and

it from

her

her, and

fire of her
children

to

hearth
search

to

foothold
through great privation for some
on
rugged
beside
the
When
this factor died,
western
sea.
ground
his body was
carried through another
township. The
but slight,
for they rememsympathy of the people was
bered
his cruelty. An old woman
expressed the general,
but hitherto suppressed, feelingof the community
when
she
cho

said,

"

samhach

Cha

deach
sa

chaidh

am

maor
e

an

riamh

troimh

(" The factor

peacefully as he

duigh

through this township so

to-day ").
If, as Hugh Miller says, there has been no lack
essional white-washers, there
has equally been
went

bhaile

na

"

never

went

of prolack
no

INTRODUCTION.

XIV.

of

true, from

testimony, straight and

in bitter

people,
the

at the

race

does

hands

not

in

loved

who

himself

found

another

neither
"

Scots

the

full of the

compelled

of

wilderness

like Mrs.
who

his
of

Grant

drove

fathers led ; and

Blackie

viewed

lived and

the

none

better, and

with

truth

cruelty

It
had

has

for

of

who

house

drink

of my
claret

later

day have

"

said,

"

the

and

and
her

people

of the

were

in

"

in the

county
in

some

way

arbitrarilysubjected.

were

chiefs of the old school

Gaelic, change is the best

place from

would

rather

of the

new

that

you
whom

be

to

Islay

because
work

the

their feelings,

bard

taken

written

the

drink

spiritof
punch

the

in the

type of so-called chief

O

man

God

them

Four-footed

Take

They

as

people than be enabled by their hardships to

own."
in my
Well might a good Celt of a

To

Woe

all,as well

that feeling
express
in the language of the

to find that

had

heroes

once

rightto

no

change

of

They knew

kindly use them,

giveth
them
in thy
Stewardship over
for thy pleasure ;
Not

See

where

their

Professor

like

in any
vigorously denounced

his

to them

death

scholar

fearlessness

to which

chief

"

their

and

make

would

whom

men

bards.

them.

not

departed, that

word

Gaelic

I know

blow

was

of

bitterest note

among
it was
with

and

people. And
Highlands who
the

The

was

unprejudiced writers
the rapacity of those

how

bitterly

by the

lived

people,and

"

depopulated glens

fought.

truest, is sung

their

rapaciouschief

descendants

how

Johnson,
traditions,

Dr.

Highland spirit,and
and emigration,"
rents

estate

the

county.

one

even

nor

I/aggan bemoaned

away

This testimony

old

"

remark,

to

befel

cruelty that

how

place

dissatisfied at hearing of rack

was

the

over

of mercenary
landlords.
class nor
from
from one

come

shown

have

lamentation

of the

hearts

the

who

choose

short

for

span,

clan

people."
bard.

of

glens

He

seeks

and

hillsides reft of

to

arouse

our
men

dignatio
into

fight and of children who might sing to Nature

God.
Clearly his patrioticsoul is sorely bur-

INTRODUCTION.

dened

the cold iron that

terribly bitter.

soul

looks

he

"

around

spiritis

that

hills that

he

hears

loves

beauty,

strains, which

of the

"

his

were,

"

believed

airs

When

He
describes the
carnage.
wonderful
of diction ; he
grace
of marvellous
shieling songs

shieling songs

for their

days that

his

and

two

were

into it has made

indignatioversus."

thinks

with

or
"

has entered

Facit

of blood

song
and

and

XV.

contain

from

came

their

have

to

the

soft, siren

many

in

source

land,"
fairy-

good folk of the

long ; he is soon

hills.

back
things do not tempt him
of all to him
the
sorest
again to the point that was
desolate glens and the hillsides
left to be garrisoned by
the lonely shepherd." Some
of the poets were
sportsmen
like Duncan
Their
M'Intyre.
grievance was
always
the
lowland
against the sheep, and
shepherds, who
for filthy lucre
desecrated
the hills which
their
were
birthright and who
spoke an alien tongue which frightened
But

these

"

"

the

even

echoes

laws were
sportingrights(after
enacted)
game
became
soon
more
profitablethan sheep, and it is amusing
of to-day attempting to show
to find controversialists
that
took place on account
evictions never
of deer forests.
It
and

Deer

was

the

not

Evictions

fault

of the

landlords

that

did

they

not.

took

at the
place for the object that was
moment
most
made
profitable. The Napoleonic wars
sheep runs temporarily more
profitable; but the moment
there was
more
profitto be obtained from sport and deer
forests, then deer forests were
to a large extent
tuted
substifor sheep runs.
To-day there are over three million

in Northern

acres

and
over

one

fit for

small

Deer

alone

devoted

Forest

Commission

hundred

seven

The

must

notice

that

grazing lands also, otherwise

interests"
represent the landlord
it will also be remembered
that

place

for

grazing

purposes
holding in Scotland is not

holding in England.

In

reader

feel

and

being
must

of

number

evictions

quite the

England

as

acres

"

critics who
may

serves;
pre-

scheduled

acres

casual

this vast

these

to

thousand

small-holdingpurposes.

includes

took

1892 the

million

beware, and

But

in

Scotland

edly
avow-

aggrieved.
primarily

further, that
same

it consists of

as
a

small

number

INTRODUCTION.

XVI.

of

which

acres

referring,of
of

some

So that
that

they will
could

said

rock, he
to

be

the

if you
will turn

that

visit the

industrious

and
can

most

give

Highlands

to

and

features

"

of the

Clearances

"

has

one

been
a

only got
and

with

cess
suc-

fronted
con-

were

of the

One
the

was

might

It has

in this way
which
they

fight against the ills with

by an ungratefullandlordism.

to

what

only

hard-working

sought

If

possessionof

secure

how

see

have

peasantry

produced out of
impossible places !
garden,

purposes,

smile.

be

very

pictures of deer

see

small-holding

the

hills for the township.

suppress

man

it into

often

very

and

fit for

be

to

realise what

to

appear

said

understand

now

with

am

it consists

country,

uninitiated

the

when

are

land

in moorland

outrun

; in Scotland, I

forest

deer

of cultivated

large common

men

to the

course,

acres

forests

cultivation

under

are

worst

in which

method

perpetrated. Examples will be found in these

pages of sick people being carried out of their houses, and
left on the wayside when
their houses
in flames, and
were
the present locations
of some
of the crofters are
minders
grim reof the extreme
privations suffered by the people
they

were

who

settled in them.
these

and

had

people
build

to

Perched

themselves

hillside,and carve
industry, and under

enormous

famine, the miserable

evidence

as

emigrate,

from

patches

and

the

the

of barren

the

constant

of land
The

sufferings of

and

valleys,
turf

and

with

land

of

menace

which
others

those

lands,
moor-

inland

from

out

of their labours.

rocks
the

shelters

of the

stones

to

driven

were

the

on

remain

forced

were

who

day
to-

survived

well-nigh baffle description. The horrors of the small

emigrant sailingships of these days, and particularlyon
these

occasions
of

when

comfort

and

sufficient food,
and

landed

the

on

the

by

of

tale

frozen
hostile

of

packed together regardless

decencies

of

equalled only by

were

desolation
a

annals

the

were

struggle for existence

be assailed
and

people

of

lands

that

of the

life,and
the

terrible

awaited
north

without

tions
priva-

those

of Canada,

who
to

Indians, the rigoursof the weather,

It
unfriendly country.
barbarous
action
unequalled
an

agrarian crime.

is altogether
in

the

INTRODUCTION.

And

need
be

never

written

do

"

In

of

their

of

mass

Highlands
poetry,

of

need

deserted

subject

the

historical

speculation,

is

should

These

of
and

but
are

the
the

but

to

fairy

for

ground
for

experiment

sound
will

summons

of

Sir

J.

an

lenting
unre-

have

been

I.

the
and

if

the

through
remain

Walter

the

of

professors

But,
may

of

romance

the

economical.

pibroch

been

Meantime,

unjust.

and

words

by

found

be

has

have

Highlands
population,

day

one

the

the

come,

region,

of

will

Tory,

typical

the

who

one

dispossessed

selfish

become

may
or

it

will

what

as

inhabitants,

which
as

than

superfluity

the

shortsighted

add

instances

many

avarice,
as

other

too

not

than

more

regarded

drained,
whole

XV11.

hour
the
swered."
unan-

Scott.

MACPHERSON.

HIGHLAND

20

banished

oppress^, ^bd
and
:

CLEARANCES.

cold-blooded

without

compensation by greedy

proprietors, who

ilanids
anil.'thear
to the ancestors

owed

their

of the very

position
they

men

were

treatingso cruelly.

now

The

motives

of the

landlords, generally led by southern

factors worse
than
in most
themselves, were,
cases,
pure
and they pursued their policy of extermination
self-interest,
with

recklessness

remorselessness

and

unparalleled
anywhere
Gospel
charity was
preached
except, perhaps, unhappy Ireland. Generally,
law
and
either
justice, religion and
humanity, were
in many
totally disregarded,or, what
was
cases
worse,
converted
into and applied as instruments
of oppression.
short of the musket
and
the
Every conceivable
means,
used to drive the natives from
the land they
sword, were
loved, and to force them
to exchange their crofts and
a

else where

the

of peace

and

"

homes

brought originallyinto

"

cultivation

built

and

for wretched
by themselves, or by their forefathers
the barren
rocks on the sea
patches among
shore, and to
depend, after losingtheir cattle and their sheep, and after
"

having

their houses

ground,

and

about

uncertain

the

on

burnt

in the

that

their

of

produce
of

ears

or

the

razed
sea

to the

for subsistence,

people, who, in many

instances, and especiallyin Sutherlandshire, were
totally
unacquainted with a seafaring life,and quite unfitted
its perils.
with
to contend
What
true
in
was
generally of the Highlands, was
the

of

county

That

case

Sutherland

carried

unfortunate

county,

made
another
eye-witness, was
were
literallyburnt out,

the

to

according
The

Moscow.

and

greatest

every

treme.
ex-

to

an

tants
inhabi-

contrivance

and

ingenious and
unrelenting cruelty was
eagerly
lives were
adopted for extirpating the race.
Many
sacrificed by famine
and
other
tions
hardships and privaof
their
all, emigrated to
; hundreds, stripped
the

Canadas

especiallyof
in

the

being
who

and

other

the

young
and

Lowlands
skilled

had

workmen,

lived

in

parts of America
; great numbers,
and athletic,sought employment
in England, where, few of them

they

were

comparative

obliged
"

affluence

even

farmers

in their

own

SUTHERLAND.
country

to

"

their

where
rendered
and

could

who

soil which

induced

were

offered
mild

orphans, with
of leaving
think

not

them

prevented

resort

to

language,

for

with

want

them

outside

the

the

their

make

to

world.

impunity.

of natural

They

The

in

allotments

the

The

rocks.

Highlanders

resistance

rapacity

English

leaders, made

grievances

and

it impossible

known

to

therefore, maltreated

were,

ministers

of their
alone

which
has repeatedly set bounds
to the
revenge
of landlords
in Ireland.
Their ignorance of the
and

aged

attachment

barren

determined

that

them

wretched

and

moors

manners

of their ancestors,

ashes

the

munities
com-

The

those

whose

religioustraining of

and

nature

wild

the
of

accept

the

on

number,

contained

to

simple
ridicule.

and

and

helplessness, and

the

to

and

language

widows

infirm, the

their

labourers, in

common

objects of derision

them

families

with

compete

21

generally sided

with

the

oppressing lairds,who had the Church

patronage at their
and for their sons.
The professed
disposalfor themselves
ministers of religionsanctioned
the iniquity, the foulest
deeds
were
glossed over, and all the evil which could not
"

be

attributed

natives

the

themselves, such as severe

famines, and consequent
disease, was
by these
seasons,
pious gentlemen ascribed to Providence, as a punishment
to

for sin."
The
from
the

into

their native

turning
soil

first half of the

effect

severity
the

of

system

and

in

the

out

the

throughout

nineteenth

county

of

that

the

century

inhabitants

Highlands during
has

Sutherland

revoltingcruelt}^than

Highlands, and

ancient

in any

been

with
other

carried

greater
part of

though the Countess-Marchioness

and
her husband,
the Marquis of Stafford, were
by no
of humanity, however
devoid
atrocious and devoid
means
of human
the acts carried out in their name
feelingwere
by heartless
underlings, who
represented the ancient
tenantry to their superiors as lazy and rebellious,though,
they maintained, everything was
being done for their
this was
will
done
How
advantage and improvement.
be seen
in the sequel. South
duced
introwere
countrymen
for sheep farms
and the land given to them
over

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

22

heads

the

of the

native

These

tenantry.

strangers

were

made

with
all sorts of
justicesof the peace and armed
in the
to act
authority in the county, and thus enabled
harsh
and
most
tyrannical fashion, none
making them
afraid ; while
the oppressed natives
pletely
were
placed comat their mercy.
They dare not even
complain,
for

were

the

law?

their oppressors

not

The

also

parish ministers, with

seventeen

exceptionof the Rev. Mr. Sage, took

that were,
exhorting the people to
their cries of distress,tellingthem
from

came

the

their

for

ministers

have

been

horrid

But

these

uses

The
families

from

fifteen

some

which

to

in

way

Farr

and

they

permitted

were

their

plenishing,leaving
in the

ground from
their
pull down

which

to

old

build

new

to

cases

during

ones,

sleep under

the

they carried

autumn

and

phemous
blas-

and

what

elsewhere

in

ejection of
with

ninety

smaller

their

remove

paratively
com-

provided

were

distant
to

us

high calling.

1807, by
Lairg. These
miles

let

and

commenced

were

ishment
punthese

help noting,to

the

seventeen

or

of

cruel

such

office and

clearances

mild

for

as

their account,
cannot

one

sacred

Sutherland

sufferings

Father

in Sutherlandshire

men

prostitutedtheir

all their

that

forgiven

conduct.

the side of the powers

submit
and
to stifle

Heavenly

rendered

single

the

transgressions. Most

past

since

have

hope they

of their

hand

of

administrators

the

cattle

for

lots,
and

unprotected, however,
evicted.
they were
They had
crops

houses,
which
open

period they

timber, and
had

of heaven.

canopy

with

away,

the

remove

in many
In the

what
great difficulty,

remained

of their crops,
but the fatigue incurred
cost
a
of them
their lives,while others contracted
diseases

few
which
and

shortened

In

of

stuck

1809

to

them
their

several

during the

remainder

of their

lives,

days.

hundred

were

evicted

from

the

parishes

Clyne, and Golspie, under

of much
circumstances
greater severitythan those already
described.
Several
driven
to
were
means
by various
leave the country altogether,and to those who
could not
be induced
and bog were
offered
to do so, patches of moor
Dornoch
Moor
and
Brora
Links
on
quite unfit for culDornoch,

Rogart, Loth,

"

SUTHERLAND.
This

tivation.
in

1811, the

was

divided

into

The

country

runs.

to

look

got up

evicted

the

among

manufactured

by

fear.
The
with
farce

of

Castle

the

to

read

was

while

and

the

the

they

few

were

soldiers

and

their

lives

certain

hour.

and

time

misfortunes

be

were

had

however,

desired

the

assiduous

were

of the

people

the

dismayed
in

manner,

false

cleared

the

creatures
poor
of their
selfish

"

went.

America,
After

whither

long

all the
of

and
to

of

in the

God,

eternal

make
1812

most

the

large
able
peace-

foolishlybelieving the
and
dishonest
spiritual

teaching
the mark
! The
Earl
guides save
personally to the district,allured
people to emigrate to his estates
North

clergy

that

fore-ordained

were

parisheswere

hearted,
brokenThe

the

districts of these

absolute

and

preaching
"

in

effect

most

their fate.

to

of Heaven
vengeance
damnation
all those who
would
on
presume
resistance."
the
At
term
May
slightest

them

came

nothing could be laid to their

almost
immediately set at liberty,
back
ordered
Fort
to
George.

became
They
quietly submitted

denouncing

British

They

through, the Riot

gone
sheepish, innocent
Highlanders
must

frighteningthe people into

submission.

all this

at

farce

demonstration,

cowing

and

of

prisoners,but

made

charge,
The

afraid

were

men
gentle-

for from
Fort
sent
George.
military were
marched
Dunrobin
to
2ist
Castle,
Regiment was
of ammunition.
A
artilleryand cartloads
great
for
the
sent
was
by the
people were
performed ;

peaceably, but
were

of these

Some

came

The

factors

Act

strangers who

trumped-up story was

the interlopers was
pursued
Kildonan, and put in bodily

of

one

natives

of the

some

they

tenantry.

that

on

with

tracts.

that

cry

and

overrun

was

extensive

annually until,
the people were
ejected
advertised as huge sheep

which

large farms,

these

at

carried

was

process
from
land

23

and

of

Selkirk, who
of the

many
on

the
whole

otherwise

Red

went

evicted

River

in

ship-cargo of
disastrous

deceived
and
deserted
themselves
they found
Earl, left to their unhappy fate in an inclement
of
wilderness, without
protection from the hordes
any
Red
Indian
bv whom
the district WPS
infested,
savaees

passage
by the

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

24
and

who

and

finallymassacred
to
managed
escape,

and

notorious

in the

the
to

of

month

quit at

summonses

the

remnant

arrival
who

large portion of

and

term,

hands.

own

received

tenantry

few

the
In

notices

days after the

greater portion of the heath

his orders, set on
fire.
By this cruel

served

by

was,

small

into his

old

ensuing May

were

pasture

took

he

Kildonan

and

March

the

save

their

and

spring of 1814

of Farr

parishes

them,

on

all

travelled, through immense

forests
trackless
Canada.
to
Upper
Mr. Sellar was
at this time
sub-factor,

difficulties,across
The

their

of

them

plundered

the

cattle

belonging to the old tenantry were

left without
food during the spring, and it was
impossible
to dispose of them
at a fair price,the price having fallen
after the war
now
a prisonerin Elba,
; for Napoleon was
and the demand
for cattle became
temporarily dull, and
reduced.
To
make
much
matters
prices very
worse,
proceeding the

fodder

this spring, and

the
unusually scarce
people's cattle depended for subsistence
solely on
was

spring grass
which

which

this year

himself
later

had

Highlands.
trust

myself

what

is much
in

removals

timber

the

when

he

ejectment

describe

to

his

had

tenants

be

factor who
into

would

possession

in the

them.

after
so

that

more

in the

hands

He

says

allowed
erect

summary

The

of the

immediate
and

houses

on

mode

was

factor

himself, and

new

adopted
were
by
engaged
by the

were

As

the

their

sufferers

children.

witness
eye-

former

away

men

commenced

now

an

In

"

otherwise

or

give

I shall

to carry

able-bodied

their cattle
the

I cannot

descriptionby

"

dwellings to

now

away

distance,

now

again commenced,

words.

own

been

general house-burning that

aged and infirm, the women
were

heather, but

the

came

was

language.

own

to

in my

valuable

more

allotments, but
by setting fire
a

burnt

among
by the

even
by cruelties hitherto unknown
Atrocities were
perpetrated which

of their old

time

of

work

the

May

accompanied

at

out

on.

In

this

been

benefit

the

reap

sprouts

poor
the

the

the
lands

were

sheep farms, and as the people made

resistance, they expected, at least, some
indulgence

occupied

as

to
no

in

SUTHERLAND.
the

of

way

permission to

till

buildings

after

look

therefore

was

May

term-day,

and

set

people,
timber

their

fire to

with

growing

the

their

made

other
while
mean-

tion
consterna-

after

The

to

preserve
devastators

the

the

pull down

to

heads.

began

; but

own

Their

their

over

others, then

was

and

immediately
was

houses

and

remove,

crops.

greater, when

and

which

gradually

commencement

women

their houses

occupy

could

they

25

old
the

ceeded
proall before

greatest celerity,demolishing
in a
all the houses
them, and when
they had overthrown
ber,
Timlarge tract of country they set fire to the wreck.
other
article that could not be
furniture, and every
the

consumed
was
instantly removed
by fire or otherwise
carried on with
The proceedingswere
utterly destroyed.
reckless cruelty. The
the greatest rapidity and the most
cries of the

victims, the confusion, the despair and horror

of the one
painted on the countenances
party, and the
exulting ferocity of the other, beggar all description.
At

these

as

by

sworn

been

Sellar

present, and

was

witnesses

several

apparently,

his subsequent

at

trial,

deaths
ensued
Many
alarm, from
fatigue,and cold, the people having
instantly deprived of shelter, and left to the mercies

ordering and
from

Mr.

scenes

of the

whole.

directing the

Some

elements.

old

took

men

to

the

woods

and

in a state
rocks, wandering about
approaching
in this
to, or of absolute, insanity j and several of them
situation lived only a few days.
were
Pregnant women
in
taken
premature labour, and several children did not
To
their sufferings.
these
scenes," says
long survive
Donald
an
Macleod*, "I was
eye-witness,and am ready to
substantiate
the truth of my
not only by my
statements,
to

the

"

own

testimony,

but

present at the time.

it is almost

individuals
I

of which

that

of

In

such

useless

to

notice

very

others

many
scene

of

who

general

particularisethe

suffering was

the

shall, however,

by

great
few

of the

and

were

tion,
devastaof

cases

universal.

extreme

cases

myself an eye-witness. John Mackay's

her house, in
wife, Ravigill,in attempting to pull down
I

was

Author

of

"Gloomy

Memories,"

etc.

26

HIGHLAND

the

absence
the

through

roof.

air and

open

husband,
She

was

view

to the

house

and

exposed

infirm

over

him, and

rain

until

William

death
the

at

put

turned

burning

and

wife's
years

of

the

of

circumstance, and
Sellar

'

replied,
long let

burn/

house, and

little shed, and

from

with

was

the house

removing

of the

She

The

mother

1816

Court

of

Sellar

raisingin

made

he

connection

these

with

honourably

was

against him.

Loch

came

1814

down

character

to

be

factor

into

power.

Mr.

Young,

was

hailed

the

the
were

were

not

immediately
Sutherland

Evictions

were

vented
pre-

I shall

and
never

Within

at

all

five

before

the

and

firesidering
con-

surprising

the grave

charges

after, however,
estates, and
carried

out

Mr.

from

of the same
1820, pretty much
those already described, but the removal
of
the chief factor, and
Mr.
Sellar from
power

to
as

on

to

set

homicide

acquitted of

Almost

too

proceedings, and,

circumstances, it is
"

lived

flames

the

Inverness,

culpable

"

he ceased

at

Justiciary,with

all the
that

charged

was

he

daughter
assisted the neighbours

of

out

old

placed in

was

smoke, presentinga pictureof horror which

forget,but cannot
attempt to describe."
days she was
a
corpse.
In

poor
when

woman's

old

fire,and

on

formed
in-

carried out

was

100

until Mr.

they
great difficulty

was

her

she

his

of this

house

wait

to

be got out.

firingit also.

arrived while
in

it

was

in which

before she could

nearly

witch, she has

immediately

old

Fire

the blankets

lying

for removal,

unfit

of

was

the

them

on

was

house

of

arrival, I told him

her, the

her

fire to

set

condition

Damn

"

in flames

his

in

being

woman

to

prevailed

On

came.

and

of the

family being present.

the

about

persons

unroofed

the house

Chisholm, Badinloskin, in which

mother, an old bed-ridden
woman
none

Macbeath,

exposed to the wind

period to his sufferings. I

pullingdown

age,

of his

out

Donald

had

old man,
in that state

was

was

elements.

bed-ridden

and

present

the

to

in

taken

exposed to the
by-standers. Donald

state

fever, was

timber, fell

the
preserve
in consequence

of all the

Garvott, lying in

Munro,

to

in that

labour, and

premature

an

of her

CLEARANCES.

with

1819

and

delight by

the

whole

remaining popula-

28

HIGHLAND

and

combustible

other

hundred

houses

shelter.

horrible
"

Macleod,

or

follows

as

time

to

work

three

no

strugglingto
of

the

"

confusion

and

given
people strivingto

the

at

of

reach

persons
sick and

them

; next,

of their effects.

roaring

time

same

the

remove

children, the

affrightedcattle,hunted

extreme

were

removal

valuable

most

and

women

the

fire should

the
the

save

the

was

; the

describes

present,

was

for

helpless before

cries

who

consternation

property

the

set

were

were

scene

The

little
or

material

given ruthlessly to the flames, and

food
occupants pushed out in the open air without

their
or

CLEARANCES.

by

the

The

of

the

yelling

and fire,altogether
dogs of the shepherds amid the smoke
that completely baffles description it
presented a scene
cloud
A dense
of
to be believed.
required to be seen
smoke
enveloped the whole
country by day, and even
far out to sea
extended
; at night an awfully grand but
terrific scene
tensive
presented itself all the houses in an exdistrict in flames
I myself ascended
at once.
a
about
in
the
eleven
o'clock
height
evening, and counted
hundred
and
two
of the
fifty blazing houses, many
"

"

of which

owners

were

but

personally knew,
in

of the

out

or

flames

present condition

whose

I could

"

lasted six days, till the

reduced

days
she

ruins.

landing-place by

in the
at

the

whether

"

conflagration
dwellings were

During

actually lost her way

approached the shore, but

The

of the

whole

smoking

or

tell.

not

boat

reach

to

ashes

to

all of whom

relations, and

my

of these

one

dense

smoke

as

enabled

night

was

lurid

light

of

the

flames."
whole

The

nearly
into

their

lost

agreeingto

humanely
had

just
came

miserable

unloaded

on,

and

condition

the

whole

in
take

they

cargo

men,

intense.

of
nine

women,

souls

sloop,

in the

them

were

hundred

small

parish converted

suffering was

Over

"

Kildonan, numbering
families, were
utterly

The

reason.

Caithness

to

passage

storm

and

out,

solitary wilderness.

Some

he

burnt

and

of

three

souls, except

2000

rooted

inhabitants

of the

the

days

master

hold, from

quicklime.
at sea

and

took

which
A

head

in the most

helpless

chil-

SUTHERLAND.

29

Several

died

up together, with
and
in consequence,

for the

rest

of their

huddled

dren

family

whose

where

he

refuse

scattered
from

the

dust

the

among

and

rats

in

shelter

starvation

from

kept

was

Mackay,
fever, carried
to this

twenty-five miles

took

man

invalids

Donald

severe

of

distance

old

Another

vessel.

man,

One

days.

provisions.

any

became

others

sufferingfrom

was

of his children

two

barely

mill,
meal

by lickingthe
floor, and

the

on

vermin

other

meal

tected
profaithful

his

by

George Munro, the miller at Farr, who had

them
with
of his family down
fever, had to remove
that state to a damp kiln, while his home
was
given to
collie.

And

flames.

could

who

not

of the

sense

General

all this

be

was

done

in the

of

name

considered

tyrants

of

about

in

six
in
the

proprietors
ordinary

the

term.

Stewart

Garth,

after

year

the

perpetrated in Sutherland, writes with regret

the delusions practised
of the unnatural
proceedings as
and
public-spirited
(by his subordinates)on a generous
been
have
so
perseveringly applied,
proprietor,which
if
all
that it would
as
feelingof former kindness
appear
cruelties

"

the

towards

native

tenantry

ceased

had

exist.

to

To

small,
spot of moorland, however
sufficient for the support of a family ;
considered
was
has been given to
lavish encouragement
while the most
ings,
with the erection of buildall the new
tenants, on whom,
the
improvement of lands, roads, bridges, "c.,

them

any

uncultivated

been
expended since 1808
upwards of "210,000 had
this proof of unprecedented
(in fourteen years). With
mate
lamented
that an estiit cannot
be sufficiently
liberality,
of
from
of

the

character

of these

misrepresentationof
judging from the conduct
the

brought

into the

character

which

world, where
have

secured

poor

people

interested
of

the

persons,
men

same

they obtained
the esteem

was

and

name

taken

instead
when
and

approbation

and rank, and, from

their talents
high in honour
and experience,perfectlycapable of judging with correctness.
With
such
proofs of capability,and with such
for carrying on
materials
the improvements and
taining
mainthe permanent
prosperity of the county, when

of

men

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

30

full exertion

hardy, abstemious
of their faculties by

there

be

occupied by
cannot

them,

resemblance
been

permitted

their richer

regard

grounds

let to

were

population
labour

of

near

soil,

the

lots of land

and

valleys

whole

shore,

sea

to

doubtedly
un-

He

higher
native

where

they
by

subsistence

earn

on

considerate

and

the

the

to

had

people would
good purpose."

when

lavished

sums

sheep-farmers,the

the

small

on

too

whole

every

that

driven

was

crowded

were

show

vast

humane

answered

to

on

goes

bearing

cultivators

of the

such

as

prosperity of

have
then

share

successors,

the

to

remain

to

moderate

receivinga

that

potato-gardens of Ireland, they

the

to

to

on

management,
proper
of placing
if instead

done, in situations

been

has

as

question but

easily led

race,

little congenial to
the latter so
sea-fishing,
and
And
these
habits
their former
one
experience.
lots are
He
two
acre
or
represented as improvements !
in a country, without
then asks how
regular employment
and

"

"

or

manufactories,

two

The

acres

is that
is

sea-shore
thatched

while

of

thing

"

the

over

was

be

supported
impossible, and
to

the

in

and

or

now

two

pining on
starved

calculation

one
cows

or

quence
conse-

the

with
thickly studded
starving inhabitants,"
land

the

and

respectable tenants, who

their lives in the enjoyment

the

exercise

of

hospitalityand

charity, possessing stocks of ten, twenty,

breeding cows, with the usual proportion of
are

one

Ancient

greater part of

abundance,

the

is

coast

with
cottages, crowded
capital, usurp
strangers, with
swain.

on

district,where

of this

whole

accessible, the

dispossessthe
passed

family is

or

two

of bad

acres

for

and

this

and

thirty

other

stock,

land, with

one

accommodation

is

made, that they must support their families,

of their lots, not
from
the rents
and
the produce,
pay
but
from
the sea.
When
the herring fishery succeeds,
they generally satisfythe landlords, whatever
privations
but
suffer
when
the
they may
fishingfails,they fall in
;
arrears

and

are

sequestrated

and

their stocks

rents, their lots given to others, and

families turned
adrift on the world
; but

the

circumstances,

he

concludes,

"

we

sold

they

and

in these

cannot

to pay

their

trying

sufficiently

SUTHERLAND.
their meek

admire

patient spirit,supported by

and

of moral

influence

powerful

31

and

the

religiousprinciple."

beautiful

The

equal

Strathnaver, containing a population

heartless
Kildonan, had been cleared in the same

to

manner.

Macleod, after a considerable absence,

he attended
returned
divine
to his native Kildonan, where
he found attended
service in the parishchurch, which
by a
1828, Donald

In

congregationconsistingof eight shepherds

and
thirty
twenty
numbering between
and

late for the first

the

became

hearers

raised

most

attacked

Bangor

excited, got up
chorus

with

their

end

it with

his native

what

made

only

to his

aspect

timbers

Inn

in

the desolated

Strath

her

on
"

chan

O,
"

"

timber

Oh,
of

eil

ach
sad

only

well

church,

ground,

are

and

turned

into

its

while

the

after the

year

her

sgiala
news,

attended

kennel

no

Sutherland

the

news,

bronach

sad

news

kirk

evictions,
when
!
!

for Robert

she

sgiala
I

have

covering the

the kirk-yard where

seen
; I have
mouldering filled with tarry sheep, and

Sage'sstudy

dwelling for a foxthe parish,travelling

for

home

return

our

next

presented

The

at Altnaharra

friends

burnt

and

Altnaharra,

at

well-known

was

of

one

woman,

"

the

construct

the

to

into

asked

bronach

parish.

converted

replied

as

existence

rooted

was

razed

was

the

"

house

hunter.

longer in

no

native

own

to

"

improvements

minister's

was

Strathnaver

necessary,

conveyed

through

trast
con-

large and devout

gation
congreof
formerly in the parish church

general conflagration,and

the

during

longer found

inn

which

of the

of Farr

Church

population of

fine

similar

seen

seats, and
Their masters

valley.

Parish

The

was

the

on

howling.

crooks,

four-

the

painfuland shameful scene, and

he had
previously experienced

the

member, for many

years,
that worshipped

out

when

worse

contemplate

the

of

of the service

"

out,

in too

to
howling continued
j the yelping and
of the service."
Donald
Macleod
And
retired

matters

to

given

was

dogs

minister,

came

conclusion

at the

infernal

them

Macleod

family.

but

psalm,

fine old tune

footed

the

of his

members

three

their

the

"

"

"

and

Gunn's

our

Mr.

dogs,

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

32
and

I have
"

head

seen

crow's

THE

REV.

I shall
It

brieflysum

was

very

of

paroxysm

grief.

THE

ON

capacity

of tutor

in

of
Sheriff-Substitute
MacKid,
Kirkton, in the parishof Golspie.

Robert

I remember

what

up
short

in the

year

lived at

Sutherland, who

chimney

CLEARANCES.

for about
of Mr.

family

the

SAGE

DONALD

SUTHERLAND
I remained

Gordon's

James

she fell into

after which

in

nest

time

previous

of this

to

period.

residence

my

in

"

MacKid'

Sutherland
ance
Clearfamily that the first
took
place. This consisted in the ejection from
of several
of the
their minutely- divided farms
hundreds
Mr.

"

Sutherlandshire
in

been
This

desolation

sweeping

but

it fell most

was

the

dealer

of

William

one

land-improver.

Sir Archibald

ancient

It
corn-

indigence, but

in

Morayshire

sea-shore, and,

date,

sand

which

and

worthless

it had

like

been

drifted

had

an

of Thundertown

Dunbar

property
upon

Kildonan.

ingenious turn of
calculator.
After
realisingsome
he
pounds by corn-dealing, purchased from

of

the

of

parishes,

successful

memorial
im-

tenements.

many

from

rose

of taste,

naturally a man
shrewd
mind, and
a
was

hundreds

over

Young,

He

time

mountain

parish of

the

on

from

had

extended

heavily

device
and

aborigines, who
possessionof their

small

less
value-

called

Inverugie.

many

propertiesof

its surface.

It

For

lay

more

with

covered

completely

upon

and

sea-

this small

he

paid a correspondingly small

price about "700 but, tasking his native and vigorous
to better
genius for improvement, he set himself at once
spot

"

his

"

bargain. Making
he

up,

and

turned

in

the

the
it

made

thus

in
the

question

north

the
ears

their

of the

immense

as

of

sand
one

plough

down

of the

involved
with

him

scientific

him

of

and

struction,
peculiar con-

the

rich

old

productive

most

This, with

county.

however,
it became

use

other

necessary

in debt

\ but,

how

to

improver

Stafford

family, who,

wealth,

were

racked

pay
of

properties
provement
im-

just as

it,his praise
land

reached

in connection
with

soil

the

with

anxiety

SUTHERLAND.
to

improve their Highland estate.

been

had

successful

so

thought

he could

estate.

Young

It

such

had

Young

of

name

his

as

legal agent

by

his

and

accountant

ejectment, added fuel

almost
the people rose

of

and

officials

the

combination

as

assuming

was

among

at last

so

county

the

to
en

and

accordinglysent
erected

for the

at

the

brutally

and

people.

the

factorshipa

of

man

capacity
who,

estate, and

conducting

flame.

It

was

the process
said that

the

that

constables

their lives threatened,

and

represented
peasantry was
alarming an aspect that the Sheriffthe

under

was

from

necessity of calling

the
A

and
of

of soldiers

detachment

Fort-George,

Dornoch,

commencement

magistrate of

with

taken

among

masse,

military to quellthe riot.

was
as

resisted

were

of the

Depute
in the

in

unprincipledrecklessness

of

right

the

on

been

the

on

sides

left bank

in the subordinate

acted

its
the

on

south

the

had

in the

as

of their inhabitants.

tumult

associate

just at

and

suddenly

so
a

into

of office

bear

to

on

cleared

were

excite

Sellar,who

of

Sutherland

was

Marrel

to

ejectment

and

to

as

the

north

Dalcharn

for their

out,

on

brought

to Caen

fell sweep,

one

promptness,

carried

Young
Inverugie they

property,

whole

Kildonan

from

measures

of

depopulating system

first

The

Strath, from

river, and
bank, were, at
The

equally so
the

was

Kildonan.

the

estate

Sutherland

the

on

commencement.

of the

be

William

As

system, during his tenure

This

commissioner

parish of

on

but

not

the

introduced

Sutherland.*

the

33

every

civil

powder

zine
maga-

preparationmade

war.

But

the

chief

shrewdly suspectingthe origin

back
himself
of these reports, ordered
the militar}',
came
the people, and
partial
alone
instituted a cool and imamong
enquiry into their proceedings. The result was
that the formidable
riot,which was
reported to have for
of Young
its objects the murder
and Sellar,the expulsion
of the
*"

county,

store-farmers, and

Clearances
Sutherland

"

the

burning of

Dunrobin

Castle,

in some
had, however, been effected
parts of
previous to this period, although to a smaller
From
extent.
of the
river Oykell, for
along the banks
families
instance, many
were
evicted, in the
1780.
year
(Statement by the Rev. Dr. Aird, of Creich).

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

34

after all

of
only to this, that a certain number
the
people had congregated in different places and had
of oppresgiven vent to their outraged feelingsand sense
sion
in rash
and
It could
be
not
unguarded terms.
Sellar
proved that a singleact of violence was committed.
amounted

laboured

hard

criminality of
The

these

peasantry,
the

by
cast

of the

and

of country

sheep farms,
Cluness

of

as

"

of which

Cracaig, and

world,

the

other

treated

were

nothing but
while

men,"

to

the

tract

large

William

to

Reid

Mr.

to be

into two

in lease

given

was

utterly failed.

divided

was

in the

mother

he

for

feet of

depopulated

one

but

good

as

under

and

in the

any

soil

trodden
thus

father

my

proceedings,

fine

as

owners

out

involve

to

from

Northumberland.
The
the

reckless

of their

expulsion
from

tenantry
Sutherland
of their

their

in the

peasantry
them

as

I sat

Achness,

violent

and

sullen
its

of

fireside

the

when

in

years

so

roar,

approach

the

climax

the

before, but

Highland
send

tempests

which

out

did the advancing

various

by

memory

experienced,
rude, little parlour at

my

tidingsof the

the

and

yet recall to

oppression. I can
thrillingsensation

and
at

deep

only

of the ancient

As

give notice

of

single acts
deep

north.

many

storm

the

of

of the last remnant

upon
attached

much-

estates,

not
1819 was
oppressionfor many

of

system

resolved

long-standingand
widely-extended

Clearance

the extinction

before

lordly proprietors had

meditated

removal

of

from
flock first reached
me
headquarters.
poor
the beginning of October, 1818.
might be about

It

my

from

tenant

the

the middle

residence
He

rent.

of Mr.

Young,
informed,

was

neighbours,that
not
1819, would
lay
under
was

the

of the Strath

the rent
be

been

commissioner,

the

authorised

and

for the

Rhives,

to

paying

it

as

Strathnaver

and

in

his
his

tell

to

half-year,ending

demanded,

of

districts

had

May,

determined

was

to

Kildonan

Upper

first announced
intelligencewhen
standing
indignantly discredited by the people. NotwithThis

sheep.

their

clung to the
(the Duchess

knowledge

hope
of

that

the

of
"

Sutherland)

clearances

former

Ban-mhorair
would

not

they

Chataibh

give

her

con-

"

36

HIGHLAND

the middle

market,

by

November,

and

got

legal warning

fathers

with

1818, sold my cow

furniture
conveyed

my

father's horses

my

the

of

CLEARANCES.

and

leave

to

for

of

Ardgay

Kildonan

to

The

people received

the

homes

own.

my

at the

ever

of their

that apparent
indifference
stupor
which
is often the external
aspect of intense feeling. As
they began, however,
awaken
from
the
to
stunning
effects of this first intimation, their feelings
found
vent,
and

much

was

they

sort

struck

with

their

expressed

acknowledged

sentiments.

dictiveness,but

be
in the

received
selves" and
Those, however, who

sight of

curses

of

such

to

them

few

in number

and

defenceless

in

not

"

flock

right earnest.

the

middle

child"
on

of

from

them

knew

they

heightsof

quit their

not

whither.

of

and

tenements

For

few,

them.

should

build

the

ground,

Upon
houses

at

the

same

at

fishermen, although
set
were

foot

on

driven

of them

knew

the

shore

on

these

the

lots it

their

at

week's

about
and

woman,

go

of

many

"

miserable
doled

expense,

out

as

cultivate

and

them

to

as

Thither, therefore, they

As

warning.

whither

provided

poor
last

occupying themselves
had never
great majority of them

in their lives.

not

at

time

boat
a

my

poorest hut to
intended
that they

was

own

very

came

some

patches of ground along the shores were

lots, without
aught in the shape of the
shelter

were

of the Naver,

the mouth

to

still

April,and

man,

"

portion
the

was

To

of trial

all

were

jected
sub-

culpable

most

dozen.

hour

Farr

to

the

and

of

character

in the month

was

it, that

the

day,

one

It

dark

the

and

deep

last, however,
a

hand.

exalted

punishment

than

them-

His

such

indulged in

more

vin-

or

who
persons
reckless
more

the

These

solitary

anger
humbled

breathed

The

divine

matter.

at

of the

treatment.

them.

over

not

of

to

Gospel

heads

all ages, and

while
this

even

suspended

the

fully realised

impenitent in
excesses,

the

in the

they

strangers

were

on

God

pious

truly

chastisement

the

ennobling impressions of
them

The

indicative

heard

in which

ways

of God
mighty hand
and
religiousconferences

prayers
expression could

muttered

different

the

the

their

In

"

go,

with

unless
a

for the
their

rest

most

neighbours

temporary

shelter

SUTHERLAND.

37

be allowed
not
day of their removal, they would
and
in the
the bleakest moor,
to remain, even
on
miles
of twenty
around.
air, for a distance
open
On the Sabbath, a fortnightprevious to the fated day,
I preached my
in Achness, and
the
valedictory sermon
the

for, on

thereafter

Sabbath

felt by my

were

self and

be among
experiences of our
for the

had
sward

on

The

bid

of

farewell.

us

cost

home

of

reference

to

difficultywas
illustrate

peculiarityof

the

how

and

enforce

reference

with

to

most

to

As

me.

the

natural
every

heard

one.

Old

were

attractions

the

pulpit had
of this

almost
had

pointed
I

my

should

it involved

began.

of itself
Achoul

sore

beyond

which

service

all

"

land

feelingstill

great truths

to

sat

The

sermon,

right opposite

fell upon
his venerable
nance,
counteimpress of eighty-sevenwinters, I was

my

deeply affected, and

I preached and
the
and

my

congregation was

impressive

bearing

uttered

the

which

circumstances, but

eternity. The

to

aspect of the

very

restrain

our

yards

with

their

which

text

and

in view

still-

unusually
woodland,

was

pain

me

few

native

unite

to

caused

selected

and

anxiety, but

parting, they

endurance.

"

The

us.

us

preparations for

My

much

me

beside

morning

"

green
romantic

antique,

swept past

fondly linked, appeared

scene

at

"

bled,
assem-

beautiful

dale, water
long dwelt, and

so

we

I^angdale, where

hill,and

had

we

associations

always

and

of

to the

ing
overwhelm-

most

Strathnaver

place

Sabbath

mountain,

which

among

so

In

close

of the Naver

eastward.

fine, and

to

the

at

eminence

an

flowing waters

our

lives.

and

frequently preached before, on

Gordon's
overhung by Robert

little cottage
the

the bitterest

time,

last

the oldest

by the people from

to

youngest,

occasions

Both

Ach-na-h-uaigh.

at

eye

could

scarcely articulate the psalm.

sentence
people listened, but every
in

opposition to the tide of our

feelings,which, setting in against us, mounted
higher and higher. At last
step of our
progress

all restraints

was

The
compelled to give way.
preacher
ceased
All lifted up their
to speak, the people to listen.
voices, and wept, mingling their tears together. It was
indeed the place of parting,and the hour.
The
greater
were

38

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

number

parted
of the

land

h-uaighe

of their

farms, and

agent, had

those

whom

that

in the

other

I had

them

among

the

who

prospect
leases

had

law

Sellar, the factor and

Mr.

to remove.
power
of the week

no

each

the

to

consideration

the

ministeringstill to

of

behold

people of Ach-naalthough somewhat

affecting,

scarcely less

by

to

adieu

living. My

was

alleviated

again

never

day of the
Clearance
At
Strathnaver
a
Tuesday.
(1819). It was
an
early hour of that day Mr. Sellar,accompanied by the
escorted
Fiscal, and
by a strong body of constables,
sheriff-officers and
work
at Grumothers, commenced
The

middle

brought

the

on

first inhabited

township to the west

Achness
district. Their plan of operations was
about
the cottages of their inmates, giving them
the

more,

hour

the

set

pack

to

up

cottages
without

adhered,

and

At

She

followed

had

marches,

and

his death

was

clear

half-an-

To

furniture, and then

this plan they ruthlessly

obstacle
slightestregard to any
carrying it into execution.

the

might arise while

lived
Grumbeg

that

to

the

off their

carry

fire.

on

of

soldier's

widow,

husband

her

in

Munro.

Henny

all

campaigns,

his

battles, in Sicily and in Spain. Whether

the field of battle, or the result of fever
on

helpmeet attended
him
his spiritfled, closed his
to his last hour, and, when
followed
his remains
to their last resting-place.
eyes, and
she returned
the place of
After his death
to Grumbeg,
she was
her nativity, and, as
utterly destitute of any
of support, she was
means
affectionatelyreceived by her
or

fatigue,I forget ;

friends, who
and

grass

built her

for it.

but

The

his faithful

small

cottage and gave her a cow

din of arms,
orders, and counter-

from

counterheadquarters, marchings and

and
advances,
marchings and pitched battles, retreats
the leading and
were
nearly unceasing subjects of her
winter
She was
a joyous, cheery
evening conversations.

orders

old creature
and
old
were

brimful

;
of

so

inoffensive,moreover,

good-willthat

could
Henny Munro
it merely for the

gratitudewith

which

it

was

and

contented,

so

got acquainted with

all who

only desire
warm

and

to do

her

good

turn,

hearty expressionsof

received.

Surely

the

factor

SUTHERLAND.
his followers

and

they could

residence

the

were

soldier's

the

widow.

well

asked

that, as her neighbours were

be
furniture, hers might
free

be

they should

curtly refused.
was
shepherd who
to

purpose,
the
on

till she
she

told, with
off within

trumpery
The

poor

had

and

address

herself
and

placingthem at the gable of

her task
accomplished than
ignited,and

rose

soon

unfortunately

wind

stools

did

the

torch

there

of

her

burned.

of her

bodily

dragging
door, and

No

sooner

was

applied,

was

combustible

dence
resi-

take

be

at the

cottage.

for

own

not

work

out

refused, and

the remains

her

services

it would

the

allow

remain

to

till

request

to

his

was

if she

to

the

material, speedily

up

in the

blew

direction

of the

furniture,

it, speedily reduced

flame, lightingupon

the

also

their

rapidly,first a dense cloud of

The
thereafter
a
bright red flame.

there

and

smoke,
and

of very

hut, built

widow's

loch,

This

to task

only

chests, beds, presses,

her

his

half-an-hour

widow

strength,

offered

to

first

with

This

them

oath, that

an

She

remain

to

besought

of the

it away.

carry

up
valueless

most

allowed

furniture

the

stood

earthly all.
so
occupied

present and

opposite shore

could

was

then

remove

and

it for her.

remove

She

was

that

still her

to

or

approached

Henny

the coarsest

"

be, but

Henny,

as

attendants

that

own

could

her

iron-hearted

his
of

been

for her furniture

plead

to

and

old

After the
they did.
emptied of their inmates, and
lighted up into one red blaze,

treated

rafters had

and

Sellar

Mr.

have

not

know

personally

not

at Grummore

cottages
roofs

did

39

it to

ashes.

their

In
was

An

township

the next

widow

aged

reduced
neither

to

lived

such

walk

nor

in that

any

She
with

attempt

there
of

to

move

her

her

Rhimisdale

family,
some

been

time

the

weakness

bodily

could

She

having
was

been

so

with

His

she could

Mr.

for many
stiff that

pain.

acute

Matheson,

by

been

only, night and

confined

attended

removed

that

become

had

of Samuel

before.

evict ors.
fire-raising

by infirmity,had

who,

posture, her limbs

the mother-in-law

was

by

lie in bed.

; and

Strath, Ceann-na-coille

the

reached

state

day, sit in her chair

years

down

progress

and

Sellar

treatment

had,
from

of

her

and

others

into

trouble, but

was
"

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

40

more

once

the

wife

good

much

revered.
and

of

Rhimisdale,"

In

her

house

and
to

such

miles

least ten

They

They

suitable

told

were

could

passion,
com-

removing
Strath,

provided

be

they should

that

on

at

of conveyance.
for
to remain

allowed

conveyance

neighbours
their

life of

means

be

might

was

and

of the

end

lower

the

as

she

days till

two

her.

that

first that

very

to her

danger

the

township,

her

family

Her

evicting

the

strong claims

off,without

implored

the

among

of catechising

freshed
signally re-

When

operations in

imminent

diets

been

converse.

flames.

distance

held

and

prayer,

widow's

the

as

she

God,

or
Raomasdail,"
she was
called, was

I have

house

was

to the

Bean

power.

their

consigned
represented the

only

his

commenced

be

her

in

Sellar

Mr.

of

Providence

the

for

brought

had

"

Christian

her

aged widow's
to

in

now,

meetings

by
party

occasion

that

on

have

for

thought

on

before, and that she must

immediately be removed
be ordered
to do
by her friends, or the constables would
it. The
therefore, raised
good wife of Rhimisdale
was,
ket,
by her weeping
family, from her chair and laid on a blanthat

the

of which

corners

in

strongest youths

the

were

held

up

place.

All

this

meekness,

and

while

streaming

with

tears, her

with

suffused

was

the

of

eyes

smile.

pale
The

four

by

bore

she

of her

miles

fever

were

gentle countenance
change of posture and
and

of which

the

died

she

few

the

most

within

she fell asleep. A

destination, when

supervened,

with

attendants

her

rapid motion of the bearers, however, awakened

intense
ceased
till
pain, and her cries never
few

of the

ing
burn-

months

later.

During

proceedings,I

these

occasion

house, but

ensuing

visit the

to

had

of

thither, I passed through the

burning.
ghastly !
studded

The

gone,

banks

with

but

cottages,
Of

the

of the

all the

now

the

walls, built of alternate

my

way

campaign
hideous

was

the

the

met

houses,

On

of the

and

father's

immediately

Tongue.

scene

lake

at my

week

spectacle presented

The

desolation.

the

on

manse

resident

was

of

and

river,formerly

eye

thatched

as

of

scene

roofs

were

layers of turf and

SUTHERLAND.
remained.

stone,

The

still slumbered

flames

in their
of smoke

spiralcolumns

41
of

the

ruins, and
; whilst

preceding

sent

here

into

up

week

the

air

gable, and there a

by the fire burning within
long side-wall, undermined
them, might be seen
tumbling to the ground, from which a
of smoke,
cloud
and
then
a
dusky flame, slowly sprang
The sooty rafters of the cottages, as they were
being
up.
filled the

consumed,
odour.

which

one

of

dressed

that

injury of

power,

up in a
without

STEWART

OF

SUTHERLAND

in which

few

so

conciliatorymeasures,
would

what
been

families.

It

consequences

few

their

and

little brief

feelingor

to

extent

authority,"
restraint, to

GARTH

ON

THE

instituted

similar

ments,
improve-

to have
people were
a share,
degree of tenderness, beyond

shown

to

strangers, were

to

have

the

towards

hereditary supporters of their

however, unfortunately the natural
was,
of the measures
which
were
adopted, that

of liberal

men

of the

been

have

expected

the

CLEARANCES.*

part of those -who

the

vividly represent

more

"

offensive

most

his fellow-creatures.

GENERAL

On

and

grinding oppression, and

man,

will exercise
the

heavy

short, nothing could

In

horrors

the

air with

feelingscould

execution.

be induced

to undertake

The

respectable gentlemen, who, in

had
with the
formerly been entrusted
so
cases,
many
of Highland property, resigned,and
their
management
places were
supplied by persons cast in a coarser
mould,
and, generally,strangers to the country, who, detesting
the people, and
ignorant of their character, capability,
and
obstacle, and
language, quickly surmounted
every
hurried on the change, without
the distress
on
reflecting
of which
it might be productive, or allowing the kindlier

feelingsof
tenantry.

landlords
To

attempt

acceptable tenants,
*"

Sketches

to

of

operate in favour
a

new

required
the

of their

system,
little time

Highlanders."

First

and
and
edition.

ancient
become
a

little

HIGHLAND

42

things which

indulgence,two
be conceded

them

fertile and

the
and

others

been

policy of

"

in

to

little

is

of
and

or

of this

they

who

their former

to

pay
afford.

found

was

in

and

with
on

down

to

lots of

When

the

landlords,

but

when

the

This

profitable,that

so

with

or

usual
two

the

cutting

the shore

wretched
Ancient

cottages,

respectable
ment
enjoy-

of life in the
of

exercise

hospitality

of ten, twenty, and

proportion of other
acres

over

of bad

thirty
stock,

land, with

one

a
and, for this accommodation
families
their
that they must
support

cows,

of their

rent

on

the

one

is made,

the

prosecuted

spectable
re-

let to the

small

on

habits.

starving
passed the greater part

starved

and

the

extensive

an

district,the sea-coast, where

abundance,

calculation

of

crowded

were

inhabitants.

pining

two

people.

is from

"

charity, possessingstocks
now

the

higher grounds were

drawn
population was

lots

into

breeding cows,
are

of

sequences
con-

subsistence

congenial

with

tenants,

ment
settle-

their

dread

habits

and

accessible,is thickly studded

crowded

cultivated
un-

by labour
(where all are
the latter
few employers) and by sea-fishing,

and

whole

on

whole

their

farms

down

land

valleys and

the

earn

labourers

and

measures,

of their situation

sea-shore, where

land,

the

these

county

the

shepherds,
the

country,

form

to

were

intelligent clergyman

the

When

they

condition

the

and

so

which

followingaccount

parish

portions of

limited

from

removed

left the

some

not

particulardistricts have been

population has, in some
gross numerical
however,
preserved. Many judiciousmen,

on

The

should

thus, while

desolated, the
the

resolved

was

immediately

farms

offered
on

it

were

cultivated

were

; and

doubt

they

moors,

manner,

CLEARANCES.

the
this

lots, which

the

land

cannot

herring fishery (the only fishery

coast) succeeds, they generally satisfy

whatever

privations they

may

suffer,

fall in arrears,
and
are
sold to pay
the rents, their

fishingfails,they

sequestrated, and their stock

their families turned
lots given to others, and they and
adrift on
The
the world.
herring fishery, always precarious,
has, for
and

of years,
been
people are reduced

succession

this class of

very
to

tive,
defecextreme

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

44

imagined
property

how

proudly
with

pasture, stocked
of

he

be, when

may

property which,

feels, however

man

has

horses, and

corn,

than

more

and

attachment,

is connected.

He

considers

in

station

land

spot with

the

to

himself

him, by
which

he

independent

an

society far above

in

and

species

cows,

other, binds

any

ties of interest

placed

spot of arable

his

small

son,
per-

day

the

of existing
labourer, who has no stake in the permanency
circumstances, beyond the prospect of dailyemployment
*

his

founded

independence being

he has

interest in the welfare

an

which

he

although

the

is every
him

his

renders

day in his view

; his grass

and

of the

property
he

secure,

more

growing

sees

feed

horses

and

and,

great, it

be

not

may

his cattle and

corn

property,

state, by supporting

property

own

of the

value

permanent

on

around

ripening;

his property is visible to all observers, which

is calculated
in general consideration
to raise the owner
; and when

passing
and

friend

his

cattle, his

himself

exerts

and
the

case

the

case

neighbour praises

or

to

those

heart

support
laws

swells
and

which

to

his

with

thriving crops
pleasure, and he

preserve

render

it

that

in many
parts of the world; such
in Scotland, and
is still in many

ment
govern-

Such

secure.
was

is

formerly

parts of the

wish
who
to see
castes
Highlands. Those
only the two
of capitalists
and day-labourers, may
smile at this union
of independence and
But, that the opposite
poverty.
is daily quenching the independent spiritof the
system
fact, and gives additional
Highlanders, is an undoubted
of those who
duction
strength to the arguments
object to the reof the agriculturalpopulation, and
regret their
removal
to the great towns,
and
to the villagesin preparation
in
It is

some

parts of the

painful to dwell

this

country.

subject,but as information
of honour, judgment, and perfect
communicated
by men
veracity, descriptiveof what they daily witness, affords
the best means
of forming a correct
judgment, and as
these
gentlemen, from their situations in life, have no
immediate
interest in the determination
of the question,
beyond what is dictated by humanity and a love of truth,
their authority may
be considered
undoubted.
as
on

SUTHERLAND.

of the

exhibit
the

settlers

the

on

letter from

notwithstanding their
have

economy,

of

their

money

they

were

for

families
able

miserable

from

the

in the

for the

crop

The

months.

three

and

strictest

and

sufficient

derive

to

people

lots

labour

utmost

yielded them

not

"

abject poverty,

most

Their

helplessdistress.

most

support

as

wretched

these

that

of the

symptom

every

moors,

friend, as well

allotments, he says

new

tell you

scarcely need

already quoted, is of this description. Speaking

the extract

"

of

followingextract

The

45

little

of their

sale

purchase of
necessaries, and is now
wholly exhausted.
Though they
all their scruples about
have
therefore, overcome
now,
ardent
leaving their native land, and possess the most
intolerable
evils
desire to emigrate, in order to avoid more
been
much
have
of starvation, and
encouraged by the
has, therefore, been

stock

favourable

already

the
pay
families

they

their

from

possibly

cannot

their

and

transporting themselves

thither."
"

countrymen

that

said

been

It has

take

to

Highlander

old

an

of

care

his fears

warned

for the

themselves,

When

Ross-shire."

reached

had

of

expense

in the

received

they have
in America,

accounts

countrymen

expended

were

his
law

excited

apprehensions of change, he could not well

of civil order, and
the
anticipatethat the introduction
in an
of legal authority, which
extension
enlightened
the prosperityas well as promote the
age tend to advance
by

vague

security of
either

the
the

or

nation, should

signalsof

been

have

would

among
down

the
the

of

means

permitted

were

age

to

been

have

from

banishment

lowering the
-With

remain.

his countrymen
their native country,

to

condition
more

of those

who

it

might
an
enlightened
beneficial changes
reason

principlesof

expected that the

have
gradually introduced
ancient
harsher

them

for

have
; that they would
features of their character,
race

habits

better

suited

to

the

softened
and

pared
pre-

cultivation

of a pastorallife.
freedom
soil,than the indolent
be its
of this, the new
Instead
system, whatever
may
been
intrinsic merits or defects, has, in too many
cases,

of the

carried

into

execution

in

manner

which

has

excited

the

and

strongest
of those

breasts

indignant sensations

most

who

do

distress

and
of

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

46

not

of the

overlook

which

resulted, and

have

pursuit

eager
The
few.

the

to

the

the

venience
present incon-

the
in the

many,

prospective advantage

in

quences
conse-

between

contrast

present and past condition of the people, and between

their present and
past dispositionand feelingstowards
their superiors,show, in the
most
striking light, the
the

of

impolicy

innovations

rapidity,
attempting, with such unnatural
which
it would
require an age, instead of a

and
the
accomplish in a salutary manner,
without
inflicting
great
impossibilityof effectingthem
misery, endangering morals, and undermining loyalty
to the king, and
authority.
respect for constituted
A love of change, proceeding from the actual possession
of wealth, or from
the desire of acquiringit,disturbs, by

few

an

to

years,

ill-directed

influence, the

effectual

and

gradual

gress
pro-

of

benefiting
improvements which, instead
of capitalalone, should
the man
equally distribute their
advantages to all. In the prosecutionof recent changes
tants
in the north, it would
that the originalinhabiappear
of those

were

which
the
no

was

man

in the system
thought of, nor included
to the landlord,
to be productive of such wealth
of capital,and the country
that
at large, and
never

"

native

be

could

intrusted

found

hardy enough

plans

which

to

act

friends

and

therefore, called in, and

in
inhabitants, who,
some
mandates

ejectment of
neighbours. Strangers
whole
glens cleared of
instances, resisted

(although legally executed), in

ancient

had

hitherto

had

ever

attributed
their

been
to

been

from

kind, and

attached
the

their

and

homes,

their
were,

their
these

hope
to

of

which

less
people, blamepoverty and ignorance
believe

that

to

whom

harsh

they themselves

faithful.
and

such

superiors,who

honoured

acting agents,

indignationwas

the

of

These

in every
their
respect, save
of modern
agriculture,could not

proceeded

was

execution

the

preserving to their families their

all were
enthusiasticallyattached.

measures

perhaps, none

or,

part in the

with

commenced

unfortunate

with,

to

directed
principally

The

whole

was

therefore,
; and, in some

them,

SUTHERLAND.

obstinate, that it became

vi et armis," and to have
the orders
of ejectment, happily long obsolete,

instances, their resistance

to

recourse

mode

by settingtheir houses

so

This

fire.

on

the

the

to

of their

fathers,

forcible

and

so

homes

speciesof legal

last

peculiarlyconclusive
stubborn
Highlanders, with

proceeding was
even

was

"

to enforce

necessary

47

all their

that

ment
attach-

compelled

were

to

yield.
the

In

tenants,
in

two

houses

separate

sums,

Some

of the

at

for that

of

their

houses

their

liberal

succeeded

land,

and

The

removals

the

they

build

to

were

being given
owing to this that they
built
till they had

remove

stations.

also allowed

were

assistance

no

to

stroyed.
de-

houses

the

compensations
stated

are

been

to have

which

improvements

lowed
al-

have

ejectments of the ancient

highly eulogised both in pamphlets and

those

inhabitants

which

on

expense,

recent

for

allowed

ejected tenants

new

more

of

fractory
removing recompensation (six shillings),

was

reluctant

in the

this mode

Perhaps it was

more

on

more

own

purpose.

the

were

small

allotments

small

of

first instances

summary

are

newspapers.

Some

people

may,

be

however,

inclined

to

doubt

the

for
called
advantages of improvements which
lenient measures
frequent apologies; for, if more
been
would
have, perhaps,
pursued, vindication
and

unnecessary,

This

Lord

been

have

might

trial

was

Advocate,
raised

characterised
which

by

the

trial of

of the

one

such
had
been

acting agents

avoided.

brought

forward

at

in

of
consequence
in the
country

the

sheriff of the

the

of the

instance

the

loud

cry

of

dignatio
in-

against proceedings
"

county

as

conduct

the
country." But
disgraced any
trial ended
stood
(as was
expected by every person who underthe circumstances)in the acquittal of the acting
agent, the verdict of the jury proceeding on the principle
that
he
acted
under
legal authority. This acquittal,
diminish
the generalfeelingof
however, did by no means
has

seldom

culpability;
to

quarter

it only transferred
too

high

and

the offence

too

distant

from
to

be

the

agent

directly

48

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

affected

by public indignation, if,indeed, there be any

so
elevated, or so distant, that public indignation,

station

or
later, reach, so as to
justly excited, will not, sooner
touch
the feelings,however
obtuse, of the transgressor
of that law of humanity
written
on
upright mind,
every
and
heart.
deeply engraved on every kind and generous
It must, however,
be a matter
of deep regret, that such
line of proceeding was
a
pursued with regard to these
brave, unfortunate, and well-principled
people, as excited

sensation

of

powerful

horror, and
only to be

of

conviction

removed

by

culpability,

appeal to a
criminal
It is no
less to be deplored that
court.
any
sanctioned
conduct
by authority, even
although productive
of ultimate
advantage (and how it can
produce
advantage beyond what might have been obtained
any
of conciliation
and encouragement
by pursuing a scheme
is a very
have, in the first
questionable point), should
humane
instance, inflicted such general misery. More
so

as

would

measures

good

undoubtedly
and

purpose

had

have

such

enlightened humanity would

of depopulated
glens and
alienated
from their superiors,and,
of their
the

too ready
feelings,

their

the

honourable

as

is the

of their country, although

irregularin their habits, and a
gave

maintained

the

prosperityof
so

birth, and

them

honour,

is it conceivable

degraded, while

soldiers maintain

an

their

the

who

and

of the

forth in the
described

now

burthen

people

brothers

honourable

they be

the

on

lands

their forefathers

rejectthem.

now

should

at home

who

sons

character

and

wealth

the

promoted

of those

that

\ and

called

which

on

and

the ancestors

ments,
regiwhen

character

soldiers, when

as

into

times

acknowledged

service

But

to

of their country, to exhibit

that
and
their
to
country

to

districts

of these

which

opinions hostile

in former

defenders

the

among

conduct

zeal

same

profession. Such

as

exacerbation

themselves

respected chiefs, to embody

enrolled

men

in the

interests

with

pursued,
stead
have
suggested, instarving peasantry,

imbibe

to

every

been

of their country, we
still have
should
high-spiritedand loyal people, ready, at the nod of

best

seen

answered

course

an

as

an

The

be

become

people

SUTHERLAND.

ought

to be

not

evidence

incapacityor immorality

with

reproached

better

without

49

than

If it be

unfeelingcalumniators.

and

if this virtuous
raise

to

honourable

and
and

and

cause,

how

if at home

But

they

of

of all characters,

thus

fallen,and

so

be

must

the

its authors

in character, how

low

associate

or

in

paralleled
un-

their

left in

in barracks

with

troops

with the lowest

quarters, or billets,
of

people, instead

of the

British

improvement which is produced by

they
profession,as for example, when

soldiers,and

become

of the

be the

must

difference

buted
contri-

powerful
of
responsibility

the

are

has

thus

and

great

heavy

are

and

however,

so,

character

of all Europe,

prejudiced

which

race,

the

uphold

peasantry in the eyes

suddenly fallen, how

of their

that

mingling with

native

society as

should
these
Why
presented,
so
Highlanders be at home
degenerate as they are reand as in recent instances they would
actually
And
the cockade,
to be ?
why, when they mount
appear
are
they found to be so virtuous and regular,that one

they

thousand
and

of Sutherland

men

five years

from

homes

such

different

together, at

1759 to 1763, from

1798,

without

These

men

an

1779 to
of
instance

performed

perfectsatisfaction of
so
unexceptionablein
embodied
period, when
accordingto the words

been

have

all the

and

four

embodied

periods,

distant

1783, and

from

to

1793

military punishment

duties

of soldiers to

the

their commanders,
and continued
their conduct
down
to the latest
into
of

the

93rd regiment, that,

general officer,
distinguished

"

Although the youngest regiment in the service, they

might form an example to all : and on general parades
for punishment, the Sutherland
Highlanders have been
"

ordered
not

to their

necessary

General

quarters,

for such

Stewart

adds

"

as

examples

followingin

of his

were

soldiers."

honourable
the

of this kind

the third

edition

Sketches, publishedin 1825 :

The great changes which
have taken place in the above
excited
others, have
parishes of Sutherland, and some
a

"

and

warm

of
persons

general interest.

capitalwas
lamented

While

the liberal

applauded by all,many
that its applicationwas
so

ture
expendi-

intelligent
much

in
D

one

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

50
direction

in this

share

allotted

was

the

,' that

ancient

tenantry

expenditure ;

and

for the

settlement

had

population who
were
placed in

future
been

that

situations

so

small

so

their

numerous

farms, and

and

in many
respects
first instance, great

new,

unsuitable, certain that, in the

distress, disaffection, and
hostility towards

so

"

and

with

government,

d minution

no

portion

of the

from

removed

have

to

were

the

lords
land-

of that

spirit

of

independence, and those proper principleswhich had

hitherto
be
the inevitable
distinguishedthem, would
So

result.

sudden

habits, and
the

and

circumstances, and

of

independent
day-labourers,could not
public.
state

Anxious

to obtain

same

communicated
with

connected

in, and

changes.

their

fail of

made

the

station,

being reduced
of

to that

tenants

of

from

cottagers and
notice of the

arrestingthe

this interesting

on

minute

ful,
enquiry, caretime, to form no opinion on intelligence
by the people of the district,or by persons
would
terested
them, and who
naturally be inprejudiced against,or in favour of those

the

was

the

change

the best information

subject, I early
at the

universal

most

desirous

for the

published

with

them

had

more

best information

regard to the
character, capability, and principlesof the people, exhibited
to my
a perfectcontrast
own
personal experience
and knowledge of the admirable
character
and exemplary
as

statements

conduct

of that

portion of

country

; and

I believe

that

the

of worthless

sons

principle

moral

"

conduct

themselves

be

up

held

indeed,

as

it

an

as

as

they
in such

example

information,

to

given by various

statements

that

left their native

improbable,
parents,
have

impossible,

nay

without

been

religiousor

described

an

honourable

to

the

manner

British

the
were

carried

Forming
and

of

nature

from

my

But,

much

publicityhad
explanatory of, and in

so

to

as

army.

of these

beyond

could

"

proceedings, that little more

was
what
these publications afforded, to
the plans, and
the manner
in which

been

cation
vindisary,
neces-

show

they

into execution.

opinions,therefore, from

information

communicated

those

by

statements,

persons

not

im-

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

52

have sufficiently
rents, the tenants
proved the unstable
and fallacious nature
of the system
which
they, with so
much

plausibilityand
delusions, practised

on

towards

tenantry,

and

it not

been

by

got established

perseverance,

high-minded, honourable
of the evils produced by so universal
individual, not aware
of a whole
a movement
people. Every friend to a brave
and
valuable
must
race
rejoice that these evils are in
of alleviation by a return
of that kindness
and
progress
had
formerly been
so
protection which
conspicuous
that

been

have

interruptedhad

which

to

of

race

have

than

more

prosecuted, within the

parts of the Highlands, with

many

and

antipathy

unfortunate

the

to

for

could

never

delusions

those

alluded,

once

been

have

which

which

and

in
last twenty
years,
a
degree of assiduity

inhabitants

altogether

remarkable.

MILLER

HUGH

THE

ON

SUTHERLAND

CLEARANCES.*
So

much

Sutherland
is

been

has

already said about

evictions

sickened

intended

with

the

greatly

we

horrid

the

make

to

that

the
as

of these

present record

but
it is

reader

length

"

It is

:
"

by
"

Sutherland

homes
*

earl

the

Leading

cruel

has

inhabitants
articles

on

of

possibleto

now

legalpower

tacksman

as

having

occupied
no

use

the

considered

are

they have
or

that

unjust usurpation

count

the

throughout

the

"

declares

is

atrocious

especiallyas his remarks

largely embody
of the able and
philosophicalviews and conclusions
writer
in his great
Sismondi, who
seeing French

which

it

shall yet place before the reader

able
at considerthis National
on
Hugh Miller's observations

it,we

Crime

fear

narrative, but

proceedings,not only in Sutherland

whole
Highlands, as complete as
make

disastrous

these

for

more

of

Sutherland

so

no

man}''

right
his

and

to

county,
as

it

was

it is

"

work

by

than
is.

land
A

ages.

expel

the

an

of

the tenant

right to

and

far-

...

from
a

their

king

to

SUTHERLAND.

expel from

his country
Miller introduces

Hugh

reference

the

to

opinion of
There

of

pen

is

volume

late

taken

wealth, and
in this

and

the

The

with

up

condition

the

greater

portion of

the

years

a
ago,
from

work

of

part

is

there

of

writer

the

first

territorial

on

cultivators

the

his

"

discussions

of

Sismondi,

de

by

work, and

politicaleconomy,

on

M.

reputation.

European

Frenchman's

work

kingdom."

Sutherland

on

Clearances, thus
five
Paris, about

at

singularlyingenious
the

his remarks

celebrated

appeared

of his

inhabitants

the

Sutherland

the

53

of the

soil ;

prominent place

which

perhaps few Scotch readers

would
of a
through the medium
expect to see introduced
state.
foreign tongue to the people of a great continental
assigned

to

subject

find this

We

far

beyond

of the

case

not

hesitated

to characterise

to

its results.
in darkness

at

as

see,

to observe

of

nearly thirty years,

The
experiment of the

to be

be

Europe.

in the

made

the

ten

if

as

years

ago,

delicate

rather

being divulged ;
than

now

made
and

what

family
yet

civilised

that
of

aware

and

how

noble

the

man

and

the

on

was

not

Its details

Cobbett
the

the
who

happy

deeds

how

proclaimed

late Duchess

When

exposure.

only

of

eye

unlike

done

beginning,after

are

corner,

her

country,

own

justifiablein itself

once

in

our

and

her great and singularly

effects we
but beginare
ning

worst

It is curious
and

it very

on

entire

an

of Sutherland

Duchess

experiment, whose

known

are

language, devoting

forming a judgment
in
politicaleconomists

decision of
harsh

of his

and

tenants,
have

limits

the

the

to

essay

works

philosophicwriter, whose

simply

nothing
all

was

lapse
house-tops.

intended

would

seems

the

over

experiment

was

to

ill bear

referred

on

if

as

the

it,
startled,

proprietrixwas
secret

in

the

more

world

to

eve

of

evident
is to

be

accomplished,

it is

ultimately to produce.
In a time of quiet and good order, when
in
law, whether
the right or the wrong,
is all-potentin enforcingits findings,
the
which
the
philosophic Frenchman
argument
employs in behalf of the ejected tenantry of Sutherland
is
In

argument

an
a

time

of

at which

proprietorsmay

revolution, however,

when

afford
lands

to smile.

change

HIGHLAND

54
their
it

be

might

rather
who

would

be

effect.

most

the

to

found

facts

able

wise

formidable,

proprietorin

than

easy

line of argument
thus
runs
Under
the old Celtic tenures

the

ones,

sufficiently

"

to

age

few

class

it with

urge

elaborate

an

new

unsettled

an

doing justicein

reasonings of

to

irritate the

and

oppress
in such circumstances

It is not

and

give place

somewhat

conciliate

to

families

old

least,to lead

at

so,

and

owners,

CLEARANCES.

sentences

] but

essay

"

the

"

it

be

only tenures,

remembered

of Sutherland
the
Lords
through which
derive their rightsto their lands,
the Klaan, or children
of the soil,were
the proprietors of the soil
the whole
of Sutherland," says
the men
Sismondi, belonged to
"

"

"

"

of Sutherland."
absolute

very

tacks of land

Their
monarch

to

reward

not

the

Now,
has

the

had

clan
"

inhabitants

"
"

them,

less useful

military sense,

not

itself ;

from
or

more

thus, in

different

the

away

diminish
he

was

in the

chief,

right to expel from

of his county, than
a king to
of his kingdom."
inhabitants
no

from

expel
"

of the

proprietor,and

them

could

and

monarch,
gave

themselves

showed

property

their homes
"

took

though he could
punish the clan, he

or

He

was.

But

war.

least

he

their

was
"

his officers,
or

according as they
in

chief

his country the

the Gaelic
tenant,"

more

continues

the

Frenchman,
did he forfeit,on
any

been

conquered ; nor
after occasion, the rightswhich
he originallypossessed
in point of right,he is still a co-proprietorwith his captain.
To a Scotchman
acquainted with the law of property as
it has existed
the Highlands, for the
us, in even
among
never

last century, and

the view
more,
to

native

of

prescriptionand

everywhere

Continent, in

the

custom

are

centuries

else for at least two

extreme

seem

may

found

many

not

however,

so,

parts of which

ranged,

not
"

side of the

"

on

the

land,"
Switzerchief, but on that of the vassal.
which
in so
sembles
Sismondi,
respects resays
many
in
its
its lakes, its mountains,
Scotland,
habits
of its
and
climate, and the character, manners,
likewise
at the same
children, was
period parcelled out
If the Counts
of Kyof lords.
number
small
a
among
burgh, of Lentzburg, of Hapsburg, and of Gruyeres,
"

"

"

SUTHERLAND.
had

been

find

themselves

years

ago.

for

have

been

flocks

Swiss

of

Earls

the

Some

taste

same

the

at

which

in

English laws, they would

dition
present day preciselyin the conthe

by

protected

of them

improvements,

sheep.

peasant
laird

the

of

guarantee
it has

that

the

make

to

law

has

this

the

for

room

given

perpetuity,it

extended

had

have

republicswould

several

Alps,

twenty

were

perhaps

and

while

But

Sutherland

would

expelled from

of

55

the

to

tish
Scot-

is to the

in

guarantee

the

British

empire, leaving the peasant in a precarious

The
situation.
clan, recognisedat first by the captain,
"

they followed

whom
ad

vantage,

then

as

his

as

in war,
and obeyed for their common
his friends and relations,then as his soldiers,

finallyto regard
allow
for

country
interest

his

so

soon

as

he

but

no

"

of

he

has

he

may

their

whom

chance
per-

common

he

finds

longer

come

has

the

it for

his

to

force may

home,

when

soil

the

on

advantage,

keep them."
Arguments like those

at

as

remain
own

expel

to

power

as

to

his

farmers,
hired labourers, whom

vassals, then

the

be felt
as

have

we

very

on

of Sismondi, however

Continent, would
said, in only a time

the

foundations

of

their

much

be formidable

revolution,
be unfixed,

of

society would

and

re-construct
or
opinions set loose, to pull down
pleasure. But it is surely not uninterestingto

how,

in the

of events,

course

which, in the view

that

mark

of England

law

very

at

of the

has done
the HighFrenchman,
land
less, and the Highland chief so
peasant so much
much
than
of
more
justice,is bidding fair, in the case
Sutherland
its rude equalisingremedy
at least, to carry
the years
1811 and
1820, fifteen
along with it. Between
thousand
from
would

inhabitants

of this northern

their

inland farms,
snug
in vain seek a precedent,

history of the Irish massacre.

But
though the interior
into
of

by

were

for

means

ejected
which

we

except, perchance, in the

of the

desert, in which

district

there

county
are

was

many

thus

proved
im-

thousands

habitations, let it not be supsheep, but few human

posed
in
the
reader
that
its general population was
by
this from being the case,
So far was
degree lessened.
any

56
that
of

the

of 1821

census

1811

of

population
population

than

of

Sutherland

before

wretched

fringes
and

the

the

enabled

now

the

ancient

make

her

kingdom

must

shall

selvage

to

the

family

will

and
of

"

give

make

county both
British laws, unlike

it

shores,

such

an

ment,
arrange-

Highlander,

poor

clumsy

own

way,

southern
and

then

fringesthe seatitled proprietorof

the

on

found

which

deep poverty

avenge
his mother's

the

us

merely

western

penalty. The
a
poor-law

the

of Sutherland

coasts

and

to

not

suffering that

and

poverty

rights of the

pay

has

been

has

stepping in, in its

of

eve

her

the sea-coast, and in

she left it compressed

its eastern

on

which

maugre
the
on

of

present
thousand, its

late Duchess

interior and

selvage

county

law

The

census

the

county

population

fashion.
the

by

the

over

] and

The

change.

circumstances

comfortable

into

hundred

exceeds,

its

"

increase

an

two

the

depopulated
arranged after a new
spread equally over
very

showed

more

been

is

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

his

and

error

If

own.

our

Switzerland, failed miserably

in her day in protectingthe vassal, they will more
than
in protecting the lord.
fail, in those of her successor,

politicaleconomists

Our

their

reducing
in

of

those

shall

the

arithmetical

few

an

regarding

arguments

Sutherland, into

have

opportunity of
improvements
which

terms,

tyro will be able to grapple with.

is but
There
comfort, however,
poor

the

merest

one

sees

mischief

ruined, that

country

have

which
are

old

continues

enough

state, when
most

and

at

was

possess

in

time

unacquainted with it now,

dejected people,that wear

this remote
attention

it

seems

but

with

one

of the

passed, at
its hills
its

two
*

we

melanchol}*

life in their comfortless

out

sea-shore.

and

among

nor

district of the kingdom

which

tion
infatua-

the

extreme

Scotland, and

considerable

the

of Sutherland

case

happiest

not

on

advantage.

own

We
its hereditary lord.
in its original
the county

the

once

the

very

remember

to

periods,a

cottages
the

how

exemplary districts

several
are

it

to

their

signal in

showing how
purpose
this ruin has been, and
We

when

perpetrators of the

the

it to

ruined

not

know,

to

The

problem

is not

at all

beginning

to

solved

in

unworthy
draw, but

SUTHERLAND.
is

which

restricted

not

to

kingdom,

one

or

even

continent.

one

of

living
they fare
much

regard

depend

must

specimens of

Highlanders
been

whole,

the

variously
from

the class selected

on

and

circumstances

to

question has

The

condition

economic

the

was

Sutherland

of these

"

reader,

the

with

condition

the

as

asks

what,

But
"

already

57

means

did

How
answered

them

among

much, too, taking for granted

"

condition
his own
on
honesty of the party who replies,
circumstances
the
in life, and
his acquaintance with

the

people of Scotland generally. The

poorer
in which, for a month
its less genial localities,

of the
had

in the

summer

previous year

fast

was

the

when

season,

running

of

stock
and

out,

county
two

or

grain from

the

the
the

on

crops

people experienced
considerable
a
degree of scarcity such scarcity as a
feels when
he has been a fortnight
in the South
mechanic
the Highlander had
of employment.
But
resources
out

ground

yet ripened for

not

use,

the
"

in these

his wild

his cattle and

nettle.

the

which

seasons

he

times

such

have

eaten

with

up

as

food

as

broth

little oatmeal,

of the

proof

Highlander's condition,

of the

could

nettles, mixed

Sutherland,

ruined

change which has

extreme
hardship

as

by

adduced

had

He

not.

and
the mug- wort
of the
the advocates

potherbs,such

been

It has

has

mechanic

the

that

of

made

had

have

or

at

ing
expedient of bleeding his cattle, and makit is quite true
And
into a sort of pudding.
the blood
in the habit
Sutherlandshire
the
that
Highlander was
to the

recourse

at

times, of having

such

not

less true, however,

that

the

regarding his condition,

that

must

there

people
make

eat

dishes
of the

tests

the

than

of

famine

legs of frogs,or
With
snails.
regard

hind

if it

as

just as little
were
alleged

in France
in
to

the

when

Italy when
the

is

It

they

fort
general com-

their old condition, there are better

from
of food
the kind
drawn
they

people in
be

can

occasionally ate.
Sutherland

now.

little below

average

there, but

be

always

is

statement

conclusive

food.

such

to

recourse

the

The

Every

hears

year

in which

in other

country

often

country

never

districts,is
heard

the
a

of dearth
crop

year

of dearth

in

falls

of famine
in Suther-

58

HIGHLAND

land

then.

its small

There

inland

were

farms

Their

circumstances

found

full

has

the

to

soil ; and

circumstances
the

by

not

which

on

But

and

effected

mode, if

does

Sutherland,

back

sad

this

on

altered

period

hopeless regret.

and

this ruinous

how

"

or

rudely precipitated

look

with

happier

lives in the

so

yet said how

not

in

were

world

the

way

strongly attached

now

not

enjoyment

have

we

they

there

were

of them

in

people more

one

landlord, who

of comfort

was

develop itself,and
Never

of

holders

little money.
their moral
nature

such, that

people, or

the

among
saved
not

had

who

witnessed.

contented

few

very

were

to

room

rarely

more

CLEARANCES.

revolution

aggravationsof

the

the

speak, still fester in the recollections

of the people, or how
thoroughly that policy of the lord
of the soil,through which
determined
he now
to
seems
complete the work of ruin which his predecessor began,
we

so

may
"

with

harmonizes

however,

its worst

disastrous

of

providence

change
in

God,

and

details.

it dates

befell the

which

noble

the

which, though
be regarded as pregnant

We

first relate,

must

place, in

took

of

family

Sutherland,
back, may

fully eighty years

with

disasters

the

the

wards
after-

which

county.

The

into
noble
countess
a
marriage of the young
English family was
fraught with further disaster to the
There
are
Englishmen quite intelligent
county.
many

perceive

enough

to

cottage

of

whose
be

of but

stood

turf, and

judgments

in
have

shown,

farms

and
a

at

it

sort

Egypt,
the vast

Empire
means

all

Great

with

The

an

wealth

on

was
a

to

as

of

county

perhaps

j but,

as

our

any

stone,
would

of men,
other
trict
dis-

descriptions

stood

of

high as a county
marriage of the countess

of eyes upon
face of things.

different

the

period than

no

smoky

respective inhabitants

set

new

of Russia

Peter

by

cottage

Sutherland,

cottages.

county, where
a

this

between

whitewashed

their

on

British

the

brought
quite a

little value.

higher

difference

the

it,
"

eyes

It seemed

accustomed
a

to

wild, rude

and
all had to be set right,
wrong,
small scale, that had just got another
"

civilize it,
"

or

sort

of barbarous

at its head.
Even
energetic AH Pasha
of the Stafford family
and great liberality

60

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

far

beyond

mountain

the

invader

in

now

soil

foreign

stillvirgin ground, in which

the

flagrant,the
suggested by
revolution

most

suffer the

of

regarded
quarrel. To

in the

the

in

convention

Chartist

in the

who

men

fraught with
injustice. Were

seemed

of

not

country,

stake

monstrous

some

most

be

time

of

it to

proved
im-

might be still further

really a piece of great waste

Sutherland

it

that

of their

men

command

the

fighting at

their

as

scheme

that

"

lands

them

their young

; and

grave

soldiers, but

holdings

then, the

battles

the

hired

of

very

them,

well

only

their chieftainess
character

was

found

had

these

so

defended

had

"

the

they possessed their

history,had

holdings, they

of old that

were

of

reach

was

of

revenues

so

extensive

to

district to be squandered

be better
individual
it would
to
that
by one
appropriate them to the use of the community in general
in general might be still further
that the community
from
benefited
of the said individual
by the removal
Dunrobin
he might be profitably
to a roadside, where
and that this new
employed in breaking stones
ment
arrange"

"

"

could

not

be

be

entered

whit

would

not

more

indignant by

of Sutherland
The

reader

scheme

by the

the

"

view,

Duke

whit

landers
High-

the

were

of his

scheme

noble

rendered

or

than

in

keep

must

soon

astonished,

more

the

too

on

predecessor.

unexampled in Britain for at least

perpetrated in the clearingof Sutherland,

atrocities

were

there

speciesof

at least

passive resistance

people (for active resistance

some
degree provoked them.

receiving orders,
become

marched

fishermen

regiment deploys
doubt

we

orders

not, have

were

unwilling
a

part
as

In

to

of the

review

on

been

obey \
means

illustrative

the

month

day, the

the

through

severities

We

of the

process.

of March,

1814,

the

on

which

atrocities
But

in

and

sea-coast

Highlanders

which

part of the

with

fewer.

distinct, the
and

the

to

much

was

none), which
the Highlanders,

readiness

the

the

on

century

was

Had
down

ultimately secured.

was
case

very

with

there

if

therefore, that

would,

though
were

the
very

formed

merely
ence
obedi-

necessary

shall instance

single

largeproportion of

the

SUTHERLAND.

Highlanders of

Farr

land,
parishes in Suthersummoned
in the following
to quit their farms
were
In a few
on
days after, the surrounding heath
May.
which
they pastured their cattle and from which, at that
the sole supply of herbage is derived
season,
(forin those
northern
districts the grass springs late, and the cattlein the
feeder
the
spring months
depends chiefly on
fire and burnt
that
There was
set on
heather), were
up.
which
deem
allowable
sort of policy in the stroke
men
in a state of war.
The starvingcattle went
roaming over
burnt

the

perforce.

dreaded

of the

Most

term-day

destroyed

before

law

the

it

term-day
their

at

the

legalterm,

to

entered
houses

left

fire to

the

of home

deaths

Many
and

In

one

shelter, and

and

in

of

The

work

when

the
been

had

the eye

Highlanders
dwellings,

poor

their

in

engaged

even

the

to

of demolition

of the

heads

tants.
inhabi-

of

human
not
a
country
then, the more
effectually

re-erection,the destroyers
were

left

exposed

ensued

set

people deprived

the

day

said to have

are

while

them

the

standing,and

wreck.

home,

pasturage

and

pass.

tract

prevent their temporary

to

of
Many
remained,

were

from

property

over

extensive

dwelling was

eat.

factor
with
a
party of men,
the
commenced
district, and

numerous

the
an

to

men

The

disturbing

ere

head,
In

distance

still the

pulling down

able-bodied

on.

suffered

was

began.

then

at

came

was

but

nothing

greater part of what

condition, the Highlanders had

in this latter business

of

found

the

in miserable

though

Kildonan,two

pastures, and

perished, and

them

sell

and

61

to

from

the

elements.

alarm, fatigue,

cold.

cruelties, and
and

MacLeod

corroborates

then

author

Our

in detail the

atrocities,

personal hardships described by Donald

proceeds : But to employ the language of
"

Southey,
"

Things
At

And

every

than

as

famous

in this instance

the children
more

such

the

of the soil

nine

years

these, we know,
victory."

victory of

was
a

must

be

the lord of the soil

signaland complete.
population of fifteen

In

over

little

thousand

62

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

individuals
its

to

sea-coasts

inland

from

removed

were

districts

interior of Sutherland

emigrated

had

or

the

into

converted

The

America.

to

deserts

through
which
take a long day's journey, amid
the traveller may
ruins that stillbear the scathe of fire,and grassy
patches
its
aslant
when
the
betraying,
evening sun casts
long deep
shadows, the half-effaced lines of the plough.
After
the Disruption sites for
at
pointing out how
Miller
churches
were
refused, Hugh
proceeds : We
land
have
exhibited
to our
readers, in the clearingof Sutherof ruin so thoroughly disastrous, that it
a
process
it more
might be deemed
scarcely possible to render
complete. And
completeness,
yet with all its apparent
of a supplementary process.
To employ one
it admitted
of the strikingfigures of Scripture,it was
possible to
been
had
grind into powder what
previously broken
into fragments,
inhabitants
to degrade the poor
to a
which
that
still lower
level than
on
they had been so
of a not
cruelly precipitated, though persons
very
of
mind
it
have
found
difficult
cast
to say
original
might
of Sutherland
the Duke
has been ingenious enough
how
to fall on
exactly the one
menting
expedient for suppleproper
were

"

"

"

their

situation

present

stillremained
broken

or

ennobles.

lower

Sabbath-days
and

the

poor

to

future

in

circumstance

mere

and

deteriorate

and

had

been

ingredientsin the first process ; but there

for the people,however
reduced
to povert}^
in spirit,all in religionthat
consoles
and

influences

All

could

that
as

ruin.

; and, under
the
of

scene

with

round

came

the

teachings of

oppressed looked

being,in which

oppression. They

their humanising
the

longingly

there

is

gospel,
forward

poverty

no

or

still

their
possessed, amid
misery,
it was
something positively good, of which
impossible
and
hence
the
to deprive them
derived
to the
ability
;

present lord

ruin

signalthe

more

These
the

of Sutherland

harmonise

deepening and rendering

accomplished by his predecessor.

but

too

interior of Sutherland

cottages of its
items.

No

sea-coasts

sites

are

of

to be

was

well

with

the

cleared, and

erected.

The

granted in

the

in which

mode
the

plan

improved

has

its two

district for Free

SUTHERLAND.
and

Churches,
The
and
of

long.

with

May

the

in this way
his Grace
and

which

present
of

items

the

to

his

light.

there

But

darker

The

attach.

in this

laws

kind.

district,and

unhappy

its intercommuned
intimation

has

of

cotters

poor
tenants-at-will

are,

there

\ and

them

but

ministers.

such

who,

at

that,

to

the

in the

shall not

the

Duke.

seventeenth,
say that the
It is the fortune
mis-

around

creep

them

who,

when

even

they

do

menial

natures, and
of their masters.

intimation

the

has

much

not

very

the

impress

thus

of

exaggerate
do

We

emanated

not

say,

from

the

exemplary Sutherland; but this we

say, that an
of the
minister
Protesting Church, who
resigned

Duke
shire

worldly
travel,

all for the

that

long journey

in return,
than

that

which

he

he
of

had

his

to

attached
and

taking shelter
partaking of any other
by

carried

risk ; but
removal
landshire

people

had
principles,

forty-fourmiles outwards,

furnished

at any

of

of his

might preach

without

Willinglywould

amount

sake

all this without

and

roof, or

We

whatever

to

and

therefore, that

his

in the

it is to

; and

intention

the

act

toleratingScotland

as

there

returned

again

anticipatetheir wishes ;
of anticipating
times, doubtless, instead

low

own

that

business

misinterpretthem
mistaken, impart
their

from

men

have

free and

century,

emanated

whose

creatures

his

The

inform

afford

can

supplementary

are

of Charles

got, in the nineteenth

has

of

creatures

of

ably

seats

entertainingand shelteringa Protestingminister,

inevipenalty of ejection from their holdings must

the

to

chief

people be eventually
the portion of the plan

Grace's

great majority of cases,

been
much
pains taken to

crime

prolonged

the

connect

is

in the
has

winters

the

"

isters.
min-

Church

and

Such

somewhat

for Free

neighbouring counties, dreary

ministers

not

out

worn

to

is severe,
which
roads

the

"

population

and

dwelling-houses

no

climate

stormy,

63

the

slender

with

him

store

from

under

much
cover

refreshment

of
his

as

provisions
new

home.

Highlanders have received him

knowing from experience what a Sutherpoor

means

hardship
should

the

lately
people,

be

he

rather

than

made

the

preferred enduring any

that the hospitalityof
occasion

of their

ruin.

64

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

already adverted

have

We

extended

had

she

because

with

his

principles;

venerable

and

of

amount

cases

such

as

The

the

was

oppression of
not

be

have

we

smaller

these

found

are

is

father.

which

to

meannesses

procured

the

not

the

on

acter
petty char-

more

but

when

little

very

hostilitycan stoop in
a
feeling of surprise.

ducal

hapless district,impress with

for instance,
the parish of Dornoch

site

What

level ?

ordinary

fortunately

many

circumstances,

this
In

for

consistency
that that aged

stand

to

had

who

it in

own

and

in the

expected

of the

one

man,

shown

lady's

because

home

longer enjoy

no

and

man

may

the

over

could

he

roof to

his

manse,

land
Suther-

home

venerable

and

"

lady of

her

of her

shelter

the

Protesting clergy, an aged

quitted the neighbouring
years,

of

case

ejection from

with

threatened

to the

sole

most

there

landowner,

Sir George
lieving
gentleman, be-

this
and
Pontyzfield
himself possessed of a hereditary rightto a quarry,
Duke's
the
which, though on
long
ground, had been
resorted to by the proprietorsof the district generally,
Gunn

Munro

instructed

before,
its

If his

the

How
that
of

are

are

direct interest.

But

fain

is not
force

himself.
can

have

or

belief.

so

Did

Established

would

such

not

The

the stones

the

case.

It

can

be

no

Free

hated
at

least

heard

even

hostilityso

In

have

The
has
the

add

had

returned.

his Grace

of

connection

no

low

people

secret

have

We

two

the

church
been
course

therefore

determined,

different ways,
we
people of Scotland

entertain

Presbytery, it
Presbyterian of

be

the

for

in both

opinion, and

himself

so

stoop

can

regard for

building previously erected

account

to

we

prohibited

stringentinterdict arrested

could

the

and

which

stones

been

quarry

its erection.

portion of

pulled down

to be

and

Grace

of

expense

the

that

the

it the

prevent
arisingin the district,he could

from

Church

had

this occasion

on

from

take

to

Never

but

use.

to

'

builder

the

needed.

he

of

been

has

from

terms

generous

his Grace

where

is

probably

the

since

which
with

that

he

Establishment.

into which

long

intense

very

he would

deserted
he

by

pursues

religiousmotive

prosetytising
spiritthat

misleads

SUTHERLAND.
his

Grace.

Let

in the

however

way

of

with

his

motive,
circumstances, it

may

interest

the

that

make

to

desirable

home

little

as

his

of the

as

coast

the

Scotland,

over

with

covered

inhabited

what

by

coming

the

welfare

as

now

the

interests

the

to

seem

may

important clearing
forgotten that a poor-law

and

be

seems

more

and

ruined

yet fall

may

are

straggling village,

vast

one

assessment

of Sutherland

shores

the

impoverished

an

not
It may
of the district

the sea-coast

adverse

or

it is quite
ago ; nay,
be led to regard the clearing

that

"

happy

population

Grace's

may

it not

present

years

better

the

Let

two.

hangs

that

the

his

rather

imputing

in his

and

of Scotland.

people

predecessor thirty
his Grace

fact than

of Sutherland

clearingof

possiblethat
of

seem

interior seemed

the

place,

particularlyhis Grace's

county

prejudicial to

clearingof
of

not

The

first

present views,

interest that

increase.

should

embodying

the

to

be his Grace's

in the

remark,

us

65

people,
weighty
"

so

and
that

profits accruing to his Grace from his large

in supporting his
sheep-farms may
go but a small way
It is not in the least improbable that he
extra
paupers.
live to find the revolution effected by his predecessor
may
taking to itself the form, not of a crime, for that would
be nothing, but of a disastrous and very terrible blunder.

the

extra

"

"

There

is another

consideration

the

completion of
the

noble

carried

and

having

fatal

been

of the

been

made

the

over

with

the

it

prove

not

Ever

since

ruined

the

misrepresentationsof
matter

land,
Suther-

special
subject, pamphlets
of

Volumes

careful

"

inserted

been

have

been
If

surveillance.

press could
would
be
not

the

the

jealousy of

utmost

articles have

most

worthy
un-

originated

was

statistical accounts

of fact, famine
in a year
vitals of Sutherland

the

which

the

on

published, laboured
"

watched

which

public.

written

widely-spreadreviews,

in

may

reader.

experiment

family through
have
betrayed

its real results

pleading have
have

on

the

which

remark

have

altered
the

gnawing

little less abundant

than

would
the dejected and
oppressed
predecessors,nor
be
their
amid
discontent,
people
feeding
present misery,

its

with

the

recollections of

happier past.

If

singularly
E

66

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

well-conditioned

and

wholesome

been

converted

woe,

it must

been
done

the
up from
little done for its cure,
for its concealment.

that

into

be

wide

one

confessed

Church

Free

wound

and

has

of wretchedness

and

ulcer

that

bandaged

district of country
the

public eye,
has

there

be

has

much

been

remembered

it

insert

to

fully
care-

if there

that

"

at least

Now,

threatened

been

has

sore

tent

into

this

said

that

the

It has
keep it open.
Gaelic language removes
district more
a
the influence of English opinion than

been

thousand

better

what

public know
is doing in

at

least, of the

thick

what

so

miles, and

is

Skye.
obscurity
the

in New

doing
And

or

that

hence

that

has

one

which

to

threatens

to

cause,

has

had

has

been

translate

her

he

in
give them currency
might possiblyenough
such

general improvement

into

wrongs

general mart

be

silent

no

of

The

sions
oppres-

Free

Church

English, and
of opinion.

Sutherland,

yet
which

part of the

house-buildingas that
improvements of a later plan.

somewhat

apt

and

render

thus

avail.

She

do

has

for Sutherland

Cobbett
what
of

shake

which

power

had

did

he

not
not

circumstances

proprietor,in
power

than

Continent
that

that

of

an

to

lessen

Free

betray

to

effect

live

this

to

even

cause

of the hitherto

little
of the

despotic

the

it

absolute

is, perhaps,
be

jealous of

threatens, it may
so

he

struggled

in

vest

district, a

most

; and

to

hard

combination

attempt.

conspired

northern

which
And

district

She might
long weighed them down.
what
Cobbett
promised to do, but what
character
enough to accomplish, and

proprietor should
it.

in the

be

so

even

element

formed

might

of the

state

diversion

She

of such

misrepresentation of

the foundations

have

possess

real

the

laborious

might

people,and

"

of

schemes

She
first

the

nor

Egyptian

to

grations
spectator of confla-

characterised

which

which

the

and

endure,

subjected.

the

those

as

to

Lewis

miseries

the

long enveloped

so

Highlander

poor

than

of three

ocean

an

British

the

York

effectually from

Scottish

despotic

more

of the

monarchs

great wonder

no

the

introduction

seem,

to

of the
Church, and, though no member
himself, declares warmly in its behalf.

materially
exclude

the

ment
EstablishCertain

it

68

HIGHLAND

troops of

CLEARANCES.

ruthless invader,

terrible the

imagination of

with

see

we

of the

much

invest the evils of

poet could

how

when

aggravated by pitiless
barbarity. Fertile as
that imagination was,
there
however,
might be found
circumstances
new
to heighten the horrors
of the scene
war,

"

circumstances
of the

retreat

ruins

at

Macleod,

of

one

have

We

and

in

and

heard

the

laid

bare

night-time,into

retained, from

had

The

practicalcomment
from

; and,
the

served

materially to
They were

vexatious

thus

to

be

add

from
who

Many
to relieve them

few

mouldering

were

in

the

arid

the

more

shepherds

entrusted,

distress

of their

to

they

unhappy

as

under

to

money

bed
and

or

Egypt

"

bayonet.

obliged
portable

were

bodyclothes,
men

rampart

the invincibles

Highland

give

of their few

rings,and

the fatal
of

of

instances, of brave

sands

recollection,where
before

been

by depositingsome

and

trespass-money, came
already impoverished landers.
High-

no

distressingstill,watches,
not

of the

had

form

the

had

articles of value, such

relics,in

cattle

getting continually impounded

fines,in the

wrung

few

the

intelligent
enough
of the change
nature

the

the

to

found

was

sheltered

harshness

interior

tree,
of

in time

were

on

the

of the

care

or

were

wandering, especially

better

animals

poor

whom

masters.

the

of

Many

bush

by

the

by

coast,

western

to keep
difficulty

extremest

fertile interior.
effected

the

an

on

life

ebb.

the

by

sweeping sea-winds,
blighting spray ; and it

in

wrecked

and

they

or

vessel

some

the

to

which

read

twenty-five
people blackening

unsheltered

"

of the

the

family

of

they might sustain

that

matter

and

of

crew

extreme

the

to

distance

of the famished

sea-weed

exposed

tempest,

coast.

whose

Mackay,

allotments, especiallyon

barren

to

named

the

on

the

smoking

the

allotments

his back

on

inhospitablecoast,
their

their

to

man,

shores, like the

shell-fish

from

in

"

greater conflagrationreferred to by
all lying ill of fever, who
had to carry
two

of his sick children

the

invention

of the

were

miles.

of

reach

Highlanders

cottages

heard

time

the

the

Sutherland

of their

have

We

beyond

on

of

that

pins
"

the

at New

more

only
bones

whose

Orleans,

spot of proud

Napoleon

Their

or,

first

went

down

efforts

as

SUTHERLAND
fishermen

people unaccustomed
exposed

much

long

of

roll

first lessons
and

on

It lies open,

have

the

on

; but

the

though

but

extreme,

however,

to

and

could
boatman

more

his

take

to

casualties
The

to the

be

not

of the

waves

West

ous
numer-

were

Highlanders
experiment was
younger

objectionsthan

other
it

LOCH

JAMBS

MR

the

to

and

far, at least, it succeeded.

so

urged against

been

iron-bound,

North

unpractised

rural

of Sutherland,

shores

coast

There

the loss of life great, many

became
expert fishermen.

in the

harsh

and

for the

perilous seas

Eastern

Atlantic.

the

The

sea.

the

on

open

"

from

expected

together,are

tracts

Ocean,

German

of the

the

to

for immense

be

might

what

were

69

the

on

which

those
of

score

manity.
its inhu-

SUTHERLAND

ON

IMPROVEMENTS.*

No

of

country

Europe

period of

at any

its

history ever
improvement

formidable
obstacles to the
presented more
of
of a people arisingout of the prejudices and feelings

people

To

themselves.

the

tacksman,

it is

the

clear, from

already been stated, such a change could not be

agreeable. Its effect being to alter his condition, and
him
from
state of idle independence, in habits
a
remove
of equality with his chief, to a situation, although
almost
hood
fully,if not more
respectable,yet one in which his liveliand
to be obtained
industry,
was
by his exertions
in
instances
and
by an application to pursuits,
many
the occupation
which were
by him considered as beneath
of a gentleman, although leading to real independence
could
and
arrive at in his
wealth, to a degree he never
it be agreeable to him
could
to
Nor
originalcondition.

what

has

lose that
exercised
*An

command
without
of the

Account
of

and

Stafford, by

Sutherland

Rees,

Orme

control,

he

Brown,

lyondon

1820).

had

his sub-tenants

over

the Estates
on
Improvements
Kinloch, General
James

Estates.
"

influence, which

Printed

for

hitherto
and

of the

Agent

Ivongman,

de-

Marquis
of

the

Hurst,

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

70

it

pendants ; while

at

was

with

variance

feeling

every

cated.
prejudicein which he had been brought up and eduof no
It required minds
ordinary cast to rise
of no
common
superior to these feelings: and men
required,to
understanding and vigour of intellect were
off habits so opposed to active industry and exershake
tion.
and

From

certain

determined

and

individuals

it is from

and

opposition to
expectationhas

This

for.

looked

with

that

them,

change

any

been

not

real

disappointed \
persons

false

malignant

those

and

been

have

nected
con-

presentatio
re-

loudly

so

of

by motives

Actuated

extensively circulated.

be

to

was

of this class, and

proceeded, which

have
and

class, therefore,

of this

set

personal nature, regardless of the happiness of the

the great object of the
people, whose improvement it was
landlord
an
to effect,they attempted to make
appeal in

mere

of

favour

of

set

people

who

were

in order

objects of their commiseration,

if

for their

them,

possible,reduce

of the

of

state

whole,

or

of the

] for the bulk

selfish purposes,
which
they had been
own

no

true

means

active improvers of Sutherland

of the most

ful
sheep farmers, and as skiland enterprising
are
equal to any to be
agriculturists,
gence
with
in the kingdom.
They have, with an intelli-

views
with

marked

presented for their

exertion

the

of

landlords

the

much

foresight and

Sutherland, four
the county of Moray,

natives

are

from
from

two

Caithness,

one

the

are

two

the

them
scene

ing
; second-

zeal,

utmost

of the

Out

prudence.
on

of

from

adoption

with

twenty-nine principaltacksmen
are

reflects upon
alacritythe new

with

embraced

highest honour,

of active

as

liberalityof feelingwhich

and
the

by

men
greater part of this class of gentle-

natives, who, both

are

met

the

they might,

that

degradation from
just emancipated. This was, however,
that

to

before

never

estate, seventeen

Northumbrians,
from

two

Roxburghshire,

Midlothian, and

one

from

the Merse.

So strong, however,

that,
and

even

to

those

the

were

who

were

control of the tacksmen,

which

attached

them

prejudicesof
subjected

this mode

strongly

to

it.

to

the
the

of life had
He

people,
power
charms

extended,

in

SUTHERLAND.

degree, to the

some

from

the

cast

upon

chief.
the

with

of

The

continued

them,

simple and

accustomed

the

to

who

work

such

were

poorest fare.

an

was

pation
occu-

of any
sort
contented

labour

They

were

he received

outdoor

deemed

men

to their habits.

adverse

the most

of the

burden

females.

those

familiaritywhich

same

The

unworthy

being most

respectableof

more

him, the

placed under

71

Like all mountaineers,

life of

irregularexertion, with
attached
with a degree of

of

sloth, they were

enthusiasm, only felt by tLe natives of a poor country,
their own
to
glen and mountainside, adhering in the
of their fathers.
to the habits and homes
strongest manner
intervals

deemed

They

no

comfort

worth

the

possessing,which was
regular industry ; no

price of
improvement worthy of adoption,if it was
of sacrificing
the customs,
at the expense
be

to

purchased

the

at

of their ancestors.

homes

though
the

place

sea-shore

in

of their

at the

new

cattle

remove

and

brought

up,

dwelling was

situated

on

strath, or

neighbouring glen, as it cost them to

equal to transportingthemselves
across

The

leaving the
these feelings

effort to

of their native

mouth

obtained

or

So strongly did

operate, that it cost them nearly the same

born
from
the spot in which
they were
the

to be

make

an

even
tion
exer-

the Atlantic.

which

they reared on the mountains, and

the sale of which
of
they depended for the payment

from

their

rents,

were

of

the

poorest description. During

scanty sustenance, with much

they procured a
toil and labour, by roaming
in winter
they died in numbers
summer

the

over

mountains

for the

; while

of

want

support ;

they universally
notwithstanding a practice, which
of the
adopted, of killingevery second calf, on account
of winter

want

at times

in the

keep.

To

amount,

that,

parish of

Kildonan

hundred

head

of

such
in the

spring of

alone,

cattle,and

did this

extent

an

more

two

than

calamity

1807, there

hundred
two

cows,

hundred

died

five
small

horses.
As

soon

as

the

works,

undertaken

under

the

of the

Parliamentary Commissioners, opened

of removing successfullythe obstacles which
way

of the

improvements

of the

people,steps

direction

prospect

stood
were

in the
taken

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

72
to

model

new

caution

The

utmost

and

plans

were

with
further

had

of
undertaken
of the

the

combined

with
be

always

which

he had

much

so

taken

to

It is

country.

cuted
exe-

aid

To

effect

he

had

done

The

upon

had
of

he

credit

success

defatiga
ability and inthe charge of

the

which

the

were

direction,
contend
with,

to

executed

and

mencement
com-

his

under

direction,and

the

own

he

proof

which

the

indefatigable

and

Sutherland.

into

best

with

his

of

difficulties

the

zeal

of

in what

estate

the

nor

so,

applicationwas
Inverugie, in the

mind

active

carried

measures

weighed,

gentleman superintended the

which
vast
improvements

those

on

doing

matters,

exhibited

This

in

tenderness.

Esq.,

Young,

been

estate.

own

and

these

of Elgin, whose

industry

must

of

William

to

county
his

anxiety

arrangement

made

maturely

more

never

more

possessions.

extensive
these
arrange
and deliberation was
used

and

performed

he

of

advantage

only doing justiceto his merits

to say,

the
that

rapidity of the earlier improvements was

owing in a
principaldegree to the impulse and action inspiredby his
Mr.
and
enterprising mind.
intelligent
resigned
Young
the

his

superintendencein 1816,

of the

of Sutherland

estate

factor,

Francis

Mr.

tham,

expectations
has

he

manner

in which

assistance

from

local management
entrusted
to the present

whose

executed

the

to

good

situation

he

received

at Tren-

holds.

now

fully justified by

details of the

the

and

temper

management

been

have

he

the

immediate

him

recommended

These

was

Suther,

in the

judicious conduct

when

the

most

late

cordial

the

ments,
arrangeable
and

Mackay, late of the 26th

from
Foot, the factor of Stratlyiaver, and
Lieutenant
George Gunn, of the Royal Marines, Chief of the clan
Gunn, factor of Assynt.
These
in

and

gentlemen

which

which

Captain John

they
laid

were

the

careful
exertions

in

arrangement

equal

enforced

have

of the

coast

the

towards

promoting
which

was

and
made

credit

and

for the

down

cultivation
conduct

deserve

for the

promoted

extension

of the

manner

the

plans

fisheries

side, as for their kind

people.

Mr.

carrying into
for

the

and

Suther's

effect

every

encouragement

SUTHERLAND.

73

of the fishingstation and villageof Helmsdale" requires particularcommendation.

It is well known
that the borders of the two
kingdoms
inhabited by a numerous
population,who, in their
were
and

the

success

resemblance

considerable
those

and
that

population

and

removed,

it had

that

for

been

length

of time

districts of
the northern
comprise
southern
parts of Scotland, that such
which

the

to

were

with

sheep.
proved by the

mountain

of those

farmers

the stock

experienceof

covered

were

of

irregular

people

the

the

out

burden

belonged,

land

mountains

the

but

unnecessary,

the

whom

proprietorto
So

only

not

crowns,

arose

of that

maintenance

the

rendered

event,

which

transactions

subsequent

of the

union

the

When

of Scotland.

Highlands

in

existed

which

that

to

society,bore

of

general structure

and

pursuits,manners,

tracts,
and

England,

situations

the
were

of this speciesof
peculiarly suited for the maintenance
stock.
Taking this example as their guide, experience
and
western
still further proved, that the central
had
for
were
equally well calculated
Highlands of Scotland
the

end.

same

Reasoning
of

climate

its

and

to

sea,

was

it

this

from

Sutherland, owing
more

that

this county

of

of

Perthshire

held

effect, and

out

heights

the

tion
eleva-

still further
to

adopt

such

pursued with

this

to

the

success

parts of the kingdom.

in both

succession

The
to

being

been

had

better

inferior

The

encouragement

every

which

course

same

contributed

its mountains

of

district,

even

was

than

management,

Inverness-shire.

and

of the

arms

this latter

than

fitted for this system

by

intersected

moderate

fairlyconcluded

was

to

being considerably

much

observing that the

its vicinityto the ocean,
and

success,

of those

the Cheviot

Hills, when

also the natural

renders

them

Alpine plants, which

they

herbage of
still more

are

put under
to

sheep,

of Sutherland,

the mountains

suitable

mon
com-

are

this mode

of

occupation.
the

On

found
and

to
an

first
have

abundant

the cotton
melting of the snow,
been growing rapidly ; it forms
food

for

sheep, until

about

grass
a

the

is

healthy

begin-

HIGHLAND

74
of May,

ning
short

CLEARANCES.

which

at

interval, the

time

it is in seed

hair

deer

; when,

after

its place, starting up

takes

almost

of
instantaneously, and forming, in the course
week
(if the ground has been
recently burnt,

one

and

the
the

to

be

weather

mountains.

favourable),

This

plant

varieties of bents, until the end

again begins

grass

time

second

comes

which

the

heather

into

and

in search

As
that
the
the

the

the

was

of man,

is there

Nor

converting

continue

for

could

into

them
the

be

no

fitable.
pro-

concluding,
indeed

and

of

calculated

for

for

the

unfit
as

the

to

sheep walks,

time

same

doubt

ease,

priety
pro-

provided

situations,
industry, they could

settled

of their honest

in

livelihood, and add to the general mass

wealth, and where they should not be exposed
of those

recurrence

so

moss,

decent

of national
the

pry

part of these

any

therefore

reason

there

people could be at
where, by the exercise
a

cotton

the

every

the

obtain

the

heating plants

parts of the estate

much
as
county of Sutherland, were
maintenance
of stock
as
they were
of

and

with

mountainous

habitation

to

July, when

with
roam
sheep cannot
food, rendering the whole available and

over

of

there

which

several

with

flower, in September, after

more

until the frosts of winter.

mountains,

of

cover

green

grows

spring, and

to

terribly afflicted

mountains.

It

to determine

how

was

this

privations,which
them,

of

matter
was

to

so

situated

when

frequently
the

among

important consideration,

be accomplished.

The

local

of those
vantages
adpeculiaritiesof the county presented none
in disposing of, and
absorbing the surplus
population, which the borders of the two kingdoms, and
the southern
and
sides
eastern
highlands had enjoyed. Beit had made
no
approximation to the state in which
the rest of Scotland
was
placed, when those changes were

carried into effect.

career

of

It had

improvement

which

splendidlydistinguishedthe
remained

separated

language,

from

It had

long

by

stillin the midst

stood
had

remarkably

of the

and

kingdom ;
habits, prejudices,

rest

its

so

of that
so

and
and

all around.
been

known,

that

the

coast

of Sutherland

76
their

from

them

be

omitted

which

ground

in this

them,

requested of these
minds

the

of

this

step,

interests

and

prosperity, as

It

was

cated
communi-

That

with

the

them.

It

explaining, that

dictated

of

officers.

the

nothing
ministers,
districts

the

plaining
ex-

of

particularly

was

gentlemen, that they would

impress
the people, the propriety of agreeing

of

and

them,

people by

statements,

connected

proprietorsin adopting

upon

to the

written to,
newly arranged, were
the intentions
fully and explicitly,

be

to

were

to

the

them,

to

respect, the different

principaltacksmen

the

and

written

by
the

by

to

made

were

personally, or

might

necessarilyaccrue

completion.

communications

These
factor

would

that

advantages

mate

to

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

of

out

arose

the
real

well

for

as

which

motives

regard for their

provemen
the general im-

estate.

distinctlyadmitted,
that the people should

it

that

to

not

was

be

pected,
ex-

immediately reconciled
it was
than
to them.
to expect more
Such was
possible
it
if
this
to hope for.
that
But
was
was
so
represented,
fully felt, and so clearly admitted, that the landlords
been
have
must
strongly and conscientiously impressed
with the necessityand propriety of the measures
adopted,
as
tending directlyto the happiness of those placed under
their protection. These
representations had the desired
be more
effect, and nothing can
praiseworthy, or deserve
the conduct
of the people
to be applauded, than
more
on
quittingtheir originalhabitations ; for although they
left them
with much
quiet,
regret, they did so in the most
orderly,and peaceable manner.
If, upon

occasion, in the earlier

one
a

of the

to the

feelingof a contrary
entirelyfrom the misconduct
to

have

as

the

quietness
different

the

recommended

was

of persons

enforced

description. As

contrary

interference

of these

people returned
poor
and
All
the
repose.

account

and

nature

rangements,
ar-

laws, in place of infusinginto the minds

people,feelingsof

however,

of these

years

momentary

exhibited, it arose
whose
duty it was
obedience

be

to

drawn,
withwas
persons
their usual state of

giving a
absolutely false,

statements,

of their conduct,

soon,

are

SUTHERLAND.
and

their

libel upon

These

from

on

and

that

to

reside

could

that

given

the

coast, such
from

down

come

Those

oatmeal.

slices

and

down

and

watch

the

fried.

In

order

by

made

advanced

Those

country

of

obliged to

were

with

to

the

recourse

they afterwards
had

little
still

mixing

and

bleeding them,

who

purpose

lived in the

who

nettles,thickened

of

to

for the

cattle had

had

reduced

cut

into

little money
came
beach, in order to

the
slept all night upon
that they might
boat returningfrom the fishing,

in time

be

who

were

Those

the

of

made

of their

so

cattle

no

oatmeal, which

with

blood

the

of

expedient

wretched

more

had

shore.

the

on

broth

subsist upon

was

were

as

situations

remote

more

and

1812-13

bounty

the

hills in hundreds,

the

gathering cockles

of

great, that after

fisherpossessed of, to the men

wretchedness

Their

still continued

seasons

through

them,

to

pawning everything they

on

Bad

so.

period they suffered the extremes

misery, notwithstanding every aid

of human

landlords.

in the

them

latter

be

pired,
ex-

calamity fell with

This

mountains.

the

the

and

doing

population,which

the

great severity upon

of want

tacks

of crops continuing to produce the

effects they had
constantly occasioned

among

1816-17.
During

of

opportunity

an

portion of

to

different

the

as

been

have

failure

the

miserable

same

period,

that

acter.
char-

peaceable

in 1807, and

commenced

afforded

and

years,

and

conduct

good

arrangements

carried

77

obtain

to

part of what

been

had

exertion

alleviate this misery, every

To
those
who
Stafford.
Lord
to

the

to

money

of above

amount

caught.

had
three

was

cattle

he

thousand

pounds.
To
the

supply
country

to

pounds. Besides
to

each

consideration

the

the

writer

settle with

estate

be

is at

of this
the

no

nearly

Stafford
:

the

head

in order

that

management

no

into

thousand
money

pains nor

arranged

of his
should

nine

meal

distributed

wanting, it was

statement,

local

cattle, he sent
of

amount

the

might
who

had

which, Lady

parish on

gentleman

who

those

that

the

Lordship's affairs,
go

and

to

the

Dunrobin

to

clergymen,

78

HIGHLAND

what
his

best and

the

was

CLEARANCES.

Lordship's relief.

Reay,

alleviate

to

such

hills,it

the

the

upon

of those

Their

taken

were

of

distresses

distributing

his

by Lord

still remained

who
those

While

people.

who

had

among

been

settled

occupation, as fishermen,
not
only independent of that which
duced
prothem
misery of their neighbours,but enabled
new

them
the

at the

the

of

way

means

hardly feltby

was

coast.

rendered

Similar

distress

the

was

effectual

most

time, in

same

degree, to

some

become

contributors

their

able to
support, both by the fish they were
also by the regular payment
sell to them, and
of their
While
it need
these
rents.
hardly be stated, that
wretched
sufferers not only required to be relieved, but
of what
lord.
failed entirelyin the payment
they owed the landtowards

HARRIET

MRS.

BEECHER

STOWE

SUTHERLAND
As

CLEARANCES.*

ridiculous

those

to

THE

ON

stories

Sutherland, which have

prints in America, one

found

religiousdenomination,

and

about

their way

the

Duchess

into many

of

of the

only to be here, moving in

society,to see how excessivelyabsurd they are.
All my
through Scotland, and through England,
way
from
I was
day to day, with people of every
associating,
with

been

national
with

of the
had

Presbyterian

been

some

have

with

of

way

If in

speak

of defence

certainly should
no

would

; but
allusion of any
sort, as
any
for.
explainedor accounted
in the

heard

of and

shadow

manner.

heard

"

the

with

free

I have

the

Presbyterian ;

Baptists.

least
I

churchmen

and

circles I have

the

of life.

rank

every

church

freelyspoken

land

accusations,
in

and

all these

In

and

dissenters

Quakers

has

Sunny

the

canvassed,
foundation
have

have

alluded

I have

if there

Memories,"

and

if there

for any
such
it recognized

heard

other, such

noble

great and

warm

to

friends
the

subject

actually never
was
anything

1/etter xvii.

as

heard
to

be

SUTHERLAND.
As
which

side of

the

on

she

been

has

known

people,

reformation,

corn-law

and

wide

the

generous
that I have

I have

heard

her

affabilityof manner,
feelingsof others spoken of

and

her

and

through Scotland

moved

take

to

of

leader

Lord

reform.

subjects. Everywhere

in all these

interest

to

always been

has

popular

of the

time

the

during
particularly

been

has

brother,

Carlisle,her
and

which

belongs, is one
popular rights and

duchess

the

family,

Howard

the

intimated,

before

have

79

kindness

of

heart,

attention

to

the

England

her

marked

as

characteristics.

Imagine, then, what people must think when they find

in respectableAmerican
prints the absurd story of her
and ordering the
out into the snow,
turning her tenants
cottages
would

to

of

go out.
if you
ask

been

made
it on,

make
a

fire

on

because

their heads

over

they

not

But,
have

be set

to

such

how

an

up, whether
that
I answer
made

movement

father, in the

year

that

great movement
Scotland, when

the

there

is the

it is the

the

by

story could

absurd

least foundation

exaggerated report
land's
of Suther-

present Duke
which

1811, and

ever

was

part of

passed through the Highlands of

of civilisation
advancing progress

it necessary
to change
began to make
establishments.
military to agricultural

the

estates

from

England and
it profitableto adopt
chiefs found
Scotland, the border
that
their estates
system of agricultureto which
upon
their hills were
adapted, rather than to continue the
Instead
of keeping
of military retainers.
maintenence
garrisons,with small armies, in a district,they decided
could profitablycultivate the
to keep only so
as
many
after the

Soon

The

land.
an

army.

them

to

movements

of

union

the

effect of this, of
It threw

seek

for

which,

to

society,this

to

be

carried

was

into

home
in
at

was

course,

of

people out

many

of

crowns

elsewhere.

like

disbanding

employ, and
Like

many

forced
other

beneficial
results, are
first vehemently resisted,and had
their

effect

in

final

some

cases

by

force.

As

of
counties
said, it began first in the southern
after the union of the English and Scottish
Scotland, soon

have

80

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

one
gradually crept northward
county
after
another
yielding to the change. To a certain
for
it progressed northward,
the demand
as
extent,
absorbed
labour
in the great towns
the surplus population
in
it
the
but
when
to
extreme
came
Highlands,
;
this refuge was
now
wanting. Emigration to America
became
the resource
; and the surplus population were
induced to this by means
such as the Colonization
Society

and

crowns,

"

recommends

now

and

for

approves

promoting emigration

Liberia.

to

The

first farm

estate

that

1811-12, and

The

completed

in

Sutherland

The

of Scotland.

regard
from

to

which

that

bleak

and

them

near

labour

They

in the most

the

to

of

sea,

two

the

been

from

removed

lots

had

They

the

given

fertile spots, where,

for

them
of

payment

in

course

population
provided in other

had

more

allowed

of

want

Sutherland

the

they had
in

and

more

of roads,

different

mountains.

or

years

without

change,

sea,

the

want

industry, they might maintain

and
had

by
adopt

circumstances

uncultivable

portion

northern

of this district from

distance

parts of Scotland, where

in

made

was

1819-20.

are

it necessary
the
location

made

towns,

great change

communication

unfrequent

Sutherland

the

on

parts of the kingdom, the total

advanced
the

estates

The

formed

so

1806.

in

was

was

themselves.

preparing for
Timber

rent.

by

for

the

their

other facilities for assisting

given, and many
their change.
is Mr. Loch.
The general agent of the Sutherland
estate
of Commons
In a speech of this gentleman in the House
the second
Bill, June
on
reading of the Scotch Poor-Law
the following fact with regard to the
12, 1845, he states
houses

was

of the

management
from
"

1811
can

state

sixpence of
the

on

to

1833,
as

from

rent

has

Sutherland
which

improvement of
thousand
pounds."
Mr.

Loch

goes

on

certainly can

speak for itself

to 1833, not
one

fact that, from 1811

been received from
that

contrary, there

and

during this period,

estate

been

has
the

sent

people, a

in the

same

county,

but,

there, for the benefit

sum

speech

exceeding sixty
to

"

say

There

81

SUTHERLAND.
is

of

set

no

people more

industrious

Thirty

since

Sutherland.

there
Their

county.
been

have

morals

have

to the

improved

and

of

change

which

to

added

many

in

land

the

to

acres

the shore.

placed upon

were

habits

those

as

have

they

thousands,

since they

Previous

were

believe

cultivation
"

to

abandoned

hundreds,

they

the

great extent ; at the present

very
is not, I believe, an
illegalstill in the

distillation
illegal
moment

years

people of
engaged in

than

referred,they

I have

hardly anything else.

and then, exposed to all the
also, every now
In
the years
famine.
difficulties of extreme
1812-13,
the misery that it was
and 1816-17,so great was
necessary

exported
They were

send

to

cattle, and

few

very

for their

oatmeal

down

nine

thousand

pounds, and

But,

since, industrious
settled

were

within

overtaken

has

that

habits

Their

the

condition

people.

and

such

fishing,no

they

calamity

then

was

of

amount

introduced,

were

of

reach

them.

supply to the
was
given to

low

so

they were
obliged to bleed their cattle during the
of meal they
winter, and mix the blood with the remnant
from them
starvation.
had, in order to save
that

"

Since

the

then

has

country

fish, in particular,which

the

that
improved so much
they exported, in 1815,

(which,previous to
villagealone, Helmsdale
three
to five thousand
1811, did not exist),amounted
hundred
and
eighteen barrels of herring,and in 1844
from

one

thirty-seven

hundred

five

thousand

barrels, giving employment

nine

hundred

of the

county,

about

to

ninety-four

and

thousand

three

extends

people.

This

in which

fifty-sixthousand

the

whole

barrels

were

over

cured.
11

Do

let

be

me

supposed

requiringattention

cases

by

or

not

; but there
those under

be

can

it

no

him, that

to

say

be

must

so

taken

means
are

that

not

there

in

not

are

large population

by

bestowed

landlord,
that

upon

tenantry.
"

It has

(the duke) to
pounds. Now,
Sutherland

said that

been

kirk

one

in the

proper,

the

the

contribution

session for the

eight
amount

by

poor
parishes which

of the

the

heritor
six

but

was
are

called

contribution
F

of

82

of Sutherland

Duke

the

pounds

so

because

his

charity

the

people ;

and

which,

to

and

the

I may

regularly
"

thinks

manner

he
of charity which
is settled on them, for it is

four

and

hundred

he

that

beneficial

more

is forty-two
but that sum

amount

say,

is above

sum,

landlord

the
in

session

small

very

given

distribute

can

is

kirk

the

to

That

a-year.

merely is

"

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

gives
given

fifty pounds

a-

year.
"

Therefore

the

far from

being correct,

of

is the

what

fact.

are

in every

way

portion

of

No

been

have

that

statements

made,

so

exaggeration
kingdom has

an

the

prosperityso much
; and if the honourable
member
(Mr. S. Crawford) will go down there, I will give
him
facilityfor seeing the state of the people,
every
whether
and he shall judge with his own
my
eyes
sentation
reprein

advanced

be

them.

with

now

and
is

but
particulars,

other

many

The

through

go

trouble

I will not

I have

statements

quite ready

am

could

correct.

not

them

to prove

great

the

House

are

ate,
accur-

made
in any

that

way

necessary."

published a pamphlet, in which

he has traced out the effects of the system pursued on the
Sutherland
estate, in many
important particulars.
very
from
this that previously to 1811
the people
It appears
The

has

Loch

Mr.

same

generally sub-tenants

were

high

middlemen,

to

exacted

who

livery
rents, and also various perquisites,such as the deof poultry and eggs, giving so many
days' labour

in harvest

time, cutting and

and

carrying peat

for

stones

building.
Since
at

the

people have

greatlydiminished

exactions.

these
the

1811

rents

three
and

For

pounds,

seventy-two
of rents

of rent, and
instance, in two

pounds.
has

were

amounted,

on

six

from

all

parishes,in 1812,
ninety-

and

only

another

In

tenants,

released

five hundred

in 1823 they

and

immediate

rate

thousand

one

were

become

nine

hundred

parish

an

average,
the houses

the

to

duction
re-

thirty-

turf
1811
Previous
to
were
per cent.
of the poorest description,in many
huts
instances
the
cattle being kept under
the same
roof with the family.

Since

1811

large proportion of

their houses

have

been

extent,
civilization.
1808

In

defective

so

; and in 1808
side of Sutherland
on

cultivated
the

1811

Before

exhibits

these

by
there

planted,

people

at

Before

In

had

there

1845

cows,

there

and

from

to

extent

on

distance.

of woodland

acres

only

have

sold

the

to

Before

1829

cattle of

but

died

in the

parish of

more

these

were

in winter

than

Kildonan

and

description,

profit,as many
example, in the spring of 1807, two
cattle, and

the

exports of the

the

inferior

an

ponies ;

some

in

blacksmiths

two

forty-two blacksmiths

were

of

; for
five hundred

ponies died

to be obtained

were

of black

pickled salmon,
of food

added

rate, have
greatly increased their
improved their domestic
arrangements.

consisted

sources

of any

thousand

sixty-three carpenters.
county

woodlands

no

thinnings of which, being

the

1811

county.

been

have

acres

modern

moderate

and

comfort

fall of

improvements.

were

estate, and timber

Since that time many

principlesof

best

the

to

the

been

district of land

extensive

an

thousand

several

land

arable

often, in

necessary

was

of Sutherland

the young
Scotch firs to feed the cattle
Now
the coast
hay had to be imported.

according

agriculture;

coast-side

of the

it

that

down

to cut

snow,

cultivation

the

shoe-

unmistakable

an

some

sold to
blacking was
of advancing
evidence

all of which

shops, in nearly

was

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

84

two

carious
prefor want
hundred
hundred

Since

alone.

that

of Sutherland,
pursued by the Duke
of cattle, pigs,and modes
in introducingimproved breeds
have
of agriculture,
produced results in exports which
About
tell their own
forty thousand
story.
sheep and
hundred
and
fleece of wool
one
are
ported
exeighty thousand
barrels of herring.
annually J also fiftythousand

time

the

The

measures

whole

fishingvillageof

since that time.

It

now

Helmsdale

contains

from

been

has

thirteen

built

to fifteen

with slate, and several streets with

curing yards covered
houses
similarly built. The herring fishery,which has
been mentioned
as
so
productive, has been established
affords
three
since the
to
change, and
employment
thousand
nine hundred
people.
Since

1811, also, a savings-bank has

been

established

SUTHERLAND.
in

of

parish,

every

and

patron

which

of

Duke

the

Sutherland

have

savings

the

and

treasurer,

85
is

been

very

considerable.
education

The

of

subject

the

been

schools),of

rebuilt

repaired
legallyrequired for such
females,

young

education

'

which

build

to

will, upon

an

schools

to contribute
; and
aid of salaries to the

the

in

and

grass

education

cost

annually

1845

he

made

There

five medical

gentlemen

receive allowances

whom

attendance

the

on

hundred

two

hundred

poor

from

houses,

pounds
pounds
garden and

with

arrangement

an

persuasion,will
education.
religious

are

parochial

the

two

Free

of the

committee

and

parts of the

teachers, besides

child, of whatever
of moral

for

schools

several

schoolmasters'

and

average,

each

is

of
sewing and other branches
in 1844 he agreed to establish

are

county
schools, and

cow's

of

support

what

of Sutherland

Duke

the

to

have

exceeding

expense

and
taught
General
Assembly schools, in such
without
the
as
were
sphere of

twelve

in

an

sides
Be-

greater number

the

I suppose,

answer,

purposes,

which

at

(which

at

the

to

the

been

has

people

of Sutherland.

Duke

which

or

contributes

of the

children

deep interest to
parochial schools

district

our

of the

Church, whereby
be

on

beyond

the

reach

estate, three of
of Sutherland
for

the

the Duke

districts in which

in the

no

they

reside.
farmers'

association, or
agricultural

An

under

formed

which

the

tenantry,

patronage of the Duke

the

proprietorsin

other
are

members,

flourishingstate.
Johnston

to

They

which
have

visit Sutherland

the

club, has been

of Sutherland, of

county,

is in

and

the

very

recently invited
and

larger

active

and

Professor

give lectures

on

cultural
agri-

chemistry.
The
one

total

thousand

populationof

the Sutherland

hundred

seven

and

estate

is twenty-

eighty-four.

To

of so large an
estate, of course,
charge and care
systematic arrangements ; but a
require very

the

have
must

talent

the forte of the English.

for system seems
to be rather
into three districts,and each
The estate is first divided
district

is under

the

superintendence of

factor, who

86

HIGHLAND

communicates
Besides

with

the

this, when

during

duke

the
of

portion

CLEARANCES.

duke

every

of his tenants

whoever

wishes

through
is

wishes

the

is
estate, which
receives on
Monday

on

he

year,
to

general agent.

him.

see

Their

plaints
com-

in

writing ; he takes them

into consideration, and gives written replies.
Besides the three factors there is a ground officer,or
in the
sub-factor, in every
parish,and an agriculturist
Dunrobin
to
district, who
gives particular attention
of farming.
instructingthe people in the best methods
or

The

factors, the

all work
of

to

one

presented

are

the

agriculturists,
They teach the advantages

end.

common

draining ;

officers,and

ground

of

ploughing deep, and

forming their
ridgesin straightlines ; of constructingtanks for saving
The young
farmers
also pick up a great
liquid manure.
deal of knowledge when
or
working as ploughmen
labourers
The

the

on

head

immediate

more

of the

grounds

Loch, has been kind

agent, Mr.

estate.

enough

to

put

into my
hands
a
general report of the condition of the
he drew
estate, which
up for the inspectionof the duke,

May

12,

1853,

in which

and

he

minutely

goes

of every
part of the estate.
of the former
anecdote
Duke

the

over

condition
One
show

the

spiritwhich

has

influenced

of

estate.

In

management
much

sufferingon

Sutherland

of

the

the

parishesto

it

found

was

of

amounted

had

they
with

who

tenants,

opportunity they
become

object of
at

the

nominal

to

agent

the

Duke

look

into

food

should

amount
.

same

take

cottages

people.
the

rents

It

ber
num-

They

with

that

was

of

two

title
in

shown

was

on

the

surprise

leave.

manner

sole condition

keep

to

hesitation

no

in the

the

on

without

of

ministers

the

and

were,

industrious
duke

there

was

eight families, or
though they had no
legal

; and

them

and

settled

hundred

hour

supplying
were

there

seasons,

desired

who

when

in their lists of poor.

To his
there were
located
the estate
on

persons
where

remain

chief

in their

family

send

who

to

thousand

people,

that

people

his

the

1817,

of bad

account

down

sent

condition

to

the

will

of Sutherland

the

on

the

those
first

sea-shore,

the

of his poorer

constant
tenants

*7

SUTHERLAND.
led

What
facts

in America.

industriously circulated

in

these

London,

stories,which

of these

containingsome

account

by mail, while

I received

that

was,

particularlyto inquire into

more

me

There

been

had

ful
dread-

were

practisedin the process of

the tenants
to change their places of residence.
following is a specimen of these stories :
and burning
I was
present at the pullingdown
of cruelties

accounts

an

ing
induc-

The

"

"

Badinloskin, in which
woman
old, bed-ridden

of William

Chisholm,
lying his wife's mother, an
house

hundred

one

near

I informed

present.

till Mr.

wait
the

'

The

replied,
burn/

let her
and

Fire

firingthat

from
while

also.

house

the

paper,

With
"

can

was

Sellar is accused

that

She
the

set

to

of

long ;

too

the

to

house,

in flames

were

I shall

which

you

forgetbut

never

five days/'
of Sutherland
has

Loch, the

sent

to

agent,

me,

wherein

some
cruelty towards
Sellar tested, by bringing an

says

in the

fact stated

of

of acts

smoke,

died within

only thing like

the

and

flames

the

Duke

this story, Mr.

to

extract

newspaper

them

daughter arrived
assisted the neighbours

fire,and

on

state

now

notice

I must

fire to the

old woman's

The

describe.

to

regard

lived

carried

was

of
out
removing her mother
presentinga pictureof horror which

attempt

set

unfit for removal.

has

she

in

cannot

to

be got out.
She was
placed in a little
with great difficulty
they were
prevented

it was

shed, and

she

of

arrival I told him

immediately

was

in which

could

she

was

family being

prevailed on

condition

witch

old

blankets

the

before

being

about

his

On

came.

old woman,

poor

He

the

Sellar

of the

none

persons
circumstance, and

of this

house

of age,

years

of the

Mr.

of the

action
people. This Mr.
He
against the then Sheriff-substitute of the county.
The
for heavy damages.
obtained
Sheriff,by
a verdict
slander
the
whom
was
propagated, left the county.
Both

since dead."

are

Having, through Lord Shaftesbury's kindness,

benefit

the

of Mr.

permitted

am

reply.
"

In

He

make

to

says

addition

Loch's corrections

to

little further

received

this statement,
extract

from

his

"

to

what

was

able

to

say

in my

former

88

HIGHLAND

received

from

measures,

who

of

the

of the most

one

travelled

newspaper,

will

conclude

that

by saying

he

editor

as

written

had

on

formed.
entirelymisininterest in the subject, I
the
nothing could exceed

that

much

so

of the

opposers

of Scotland

regrettingall

convinced

take

you

determined

the north

to

letter

subject, being
As

CLEARANCES.

he

was

prosperity of the county during the past year ; their

stock, sheep, and other things sold at high prices; their
of grain and
so
never
turnips were
good, and the
crops
potatoes

paid

better

instance
is

free from

were

than

of the

and

habits

improved
that

of the
do

they

As

farmers,

an

house

no

requirea

not

been

have

rents

known.

ever

built for them

now

bath

hot

water-closets."

From

this

results.

long epitome

introduced
and

the

her

grace

had
in

1806, the

accusation

married

were

to the

been

the

far
so
purpose
As to whether
view

it is

an

bad

with

the Duchess

one,

it,since it was

her

year

grace
Sellar,dates in

six years

following

old.

The

first
born

was

1811, when
Sutherland

completed in 1819, and her grace was

till 1823, so that, had the arrangeduke
ment
in the

world, it is nothing

to

the

is concerned.

she
the

been

have

same

or

worst
as

do

to

againstMr.

five

was

arrangements

which

nothing

were

the

gather

can

you

First, if the system

of Sutherland

not

was

all disease

is

arrangement

stated

speak

sublime

almost

for

bad

one,

themselves.

instance

of the

the
To

facts
my

benevolent

of superiorwealth
in shortening
and
employment
power
the struggles of advancing civilization,and
elevating in
few years
whole
to a point of education
a
a
community
and
material
prosperity,which, unassisted, they might

have

never

REPLY

obtained.
TO

MRS.

BEECHER

county
*

the

1812

of Sutherland

From

Canada

year

in

enlarged
1857.

"

edition

BY

MACLEOD.*

DONALD
From

STOWE

to

1820, the whole

whose
of

"

inhabitants
Gloomy

interior of the
were

Memories,"

advancing
published

in

89

SUTHERLAND.

rapidly in
by

nature

the

most

agricultureand education, who

the
bravest,
exemplary training were
existed
and patrioticpeople that ever

the science
and

moral

"

few

admitting a

even

only sin

the

of

body

notice that

raised

be

the

birth

in due

were

; their mountains

corn

shortest

the

on

where

"

might and would

emperors
whole
fertile valleys and

kings and

of ; and
where
which
them
gave

them

bring against

could

could

men

all the

and

Loch

Mr.

excise laws,
rest of their

did violate the

of them

which

enemies

avowed

of

straths
with

with

hill-sides studded

and

possible
be proud

waving

season

sheep

felicity,
happiness,and true
rejoicing,
pietyprevailed; where the martial notes of the bagpipes
cattle

and

sounded

glen

; where

mountain.

to

converted

to

marvellous

say,

to

to be

heard,

nor

the

in

glen, from
eight years

the voice of

solitarywilderness, where

is not

praisingGod

mountain

from

reverberated

and

image of God

man

upon

with twenty
set a compass
; where you can
it full
with
miles of a radius
it, and go round
upon
cumferenc
within the cirof land
acre
stretched, and not find one
to be

man

seen

which

has

thirty years, except

all under
Tongue,

of

advancement
Return

eulogy
to

on

brute

animals.

me

the Duchess

conviction, I think

to the

of
you

beginning of

your

be convinced

and

is the

This

elaborate

if you

Sutherland, and
should

last

the

civilization,is it not, madam

with

now

few

mute

"

in the

plough for the

parishes of Lairg

under

come

open

are

that

never

in the American,
circulated
English, or
published nor
stories about
Scotch public prints any ridiculous, absurd
tions
lucubraAn abridgment of my
her Grace of Sutherland.
of the public,and you
is now
in the hands
may
use
perfacts (stubborn chiels).
I stand
them.
as
by them
in this country (Canada),
I can
them
to be so even
prove

readers will find

of living witnesses, and my
accusations
against her
that, instead of bringing absurd
to
in some
instances
endeavoured
Grace, that I have
the public odium
her and
her predecessorsfrom
screen

by

their

cloud

own

Moreover,

policyand
there

with

is
the

the

doings of

thirty
House

years

their servants
since

of Sutherland

began

merited.
to

postulate
ex-

for their short-

HIGHLAND

90

CLEARANCES.

sighted policy in dealing with their people as they were

doing,and it is twenty years since I began to expose them
Donald
attached
MacLeod,
publicly,with my real name,
of the public paper
where
it
to each letter, sending a copy
appeared, directed
in the

may

easily believe

view

to

were

baffled.

find

written

But

the

raise

an

when

liable

as

of

first
in

them,

of it to

Mackenzie,

of

libel,
these

as

was.

paid $4

to

1841,

In

us.

5oc., for
I sent

of Sutherland,

requesting him

to

it,

peruse

anything offensive
did

reply,nor

the

venture

never

present Duke

his Grace

did peruse

or

expect it ;

it.

his chief commissioner

Loch,

Mr.

libel

splendid style, which

note

received

satisfied that

am

could

if it contained

never

publishers of

pamphlet,

the

with

constitute

againsteither

damages

know
I

untrue.

if untrue,

responsible for

or

his Grace

me

aware

Sutherland

of

of

one

to

let

copy
W.

of Sutherland.

in my
letters,but they
that each
letter I have

editors, printers,and

complimentary

yet I

the

published my

mail

and

Duke

closely watched,

was

subject would,

action

binding

well

am

House

with

were

papers

that

false accusation

one

the

on

I knew

by

the

to

exposing and remonstrating letters were

published
his preand
Edinburgh papers, where the Duke
decessors
had
their principalScotch law agent, and you

These

and

by post,

posted a
to

Mr.

his chief

lawyer in Edinburgh ; to every

of their underlings,to sheep farmers, and ministers
one
in the county
of Sutherland, who
the depopuabetted
other
of them, and
lators, and I challenged the whole

or

would

MacLeod
with
the

could
own

had

impunity,

calumnious,
as

be

absurd

spent long
if they could
I agree

falsehoods
?

and
ere

now,

get

with

me

you

"

so

many

that

the

like

years

against such
I tell you,

No,
would

you

Donald

to

escape

publishing
personages
if money

establishingtheir

without

they would

cooked

Can

circulatingand

been

he

sinner

poor

for

punishment,
guilt,that it

my

shame

allowed

of Sutherland

House
secure

that

unhallowed

made.

I have

statement

believe

other

any

justifiedtheir

aid and

literaryscourges who
doings,to gainsay one

considered

be
eat

me

in penny

well-

pies

for them.
Duchess

of Sutherland

is

HIGHLAND

92

Being

morning

every

in the

hundreds

assertion.

the

out

pullingdown

Chisholm.

old

once-comfortable

lamentable

horrifyingand
I may

high-cheek-boned, respectable
better

without
the

centre,

her

mouth

smoke
and

in her

tooth

her
wide

heaved

to

deep

most

and

tall, robust,

once

had

who

skin

hollow

seen

speak ;

nor

see,

at

their sockets,
of

among

distress

be

could

the

distance.

only

Oh

"

God,

air, her

pure

laid down

When

floor of the

bare, soft, moss

roofless

I will

shed,

forgetthe foam of perspirationwhich emitted

This
the palliddeath-lookingcountenance.
covered
a
madam,
worthy of an artist's pencil,and
scene,
conspicuous place on the stages of tragedy. Yet

and

never

call this
their
the

chief actor,
for

verdict
it will
stretch
cover

upon
such

heavy

not

against
damages.

yourself,and
you." If you

which

unreliable
one-tenth

hand

here

the

recollects

from

me

who

was

the

well of the

respectableman,

bed

executive,

is too

and

I cannot.

witness

I have

at

in the

I have

Free

to

evidence

can

slaughtered

elder

but

short to

Cabin

old

short

and

narrow

circumstance.
an

you

subterfuge ;

Uncle Tom's
your
(as I said before),who

novel

as

the

obtained

and

information

grandchild of the

examined

coveringtoo

took

of your

What

purpose,

the

sources

sheriff

"

founded

you

the

of

Loch,

Mr.

Sellar,the head

that

you

the

answer

the

who

told

action

an

ridiculous

was

found

stories which

respectable prints, because

into

way

brought

of the

specimen

in

meeting

teine, teine
to

nessed.
wit-

scarcely be

which

from

more

panied
extraordinary degree, accomfrom her lungs,comparable
sound

of thunder

sound
the

upon

of her

sight in

understood,
Oh, Dhia, Dhia,
she came
God, fire,fire." When

the

flames

cheek

"

to

the

standing upright

nose

articulations

in

agony,

by

taking

flames, uttering piercingmoans

and

bosom

burnt

hear,

of

out

her

open,

hands

woman,

her

mouth,

sunk

eyes

of

neither

could

days ; who

of the

could

skeleton

the

say

in this

out

dwelling,

scene

are

burning

amidst

humble

though

there

me

and

got my

from

woman

know

will bear

who

the

at

was

poor

evening.

and

Canadas

of William

house

CLEARANCES.

from
believe
at

my

woman,

not

far

Church,

Sellar's trial,at the

SUTHERLAND.
Assizes

Spring

opportunity, madam,

and

hundreds

infamous
over

would

pleasure

tight-made boxes,

meal

in

and

when

this fiendish party found

they would

and

would

set

meal

fire to

dogs, cats, hens,

as

back

thrown

form

in human
As

to

from

one

who

the

or

any

flames

escape

patch
dis-

yells.

and

breaking to

air.

When

they

watch

any

of the

from

the

flames,

caught

poultry ; these were

grand sport for

demons

"

determined

most

that

he

this

received

Grace

of the

opposers

sures,
mea-

editor of

as

written

that he had

that

convinced

"

of Scotland

in the north

regrettingall
madam,

his

letter which

travelled

being

their

called,

brink, and
box

the

see

not

of the

newspaper,

tell you,

the

to

vaunted

the

to

were

were

shrieks

house, they would

making

animals

domestic

of

preserved their

the

to

with

mixed

the

some

quantity of meal,

any

them

grand sport

at

cases

they

as

precipice amidst

the

considered

atoms

and

it between

carry

it down

such

chests,

or

while

additional

an

in many

declivities,and

upon

their

people's houses

The

for

and

pretty steep precipices. They

far from

was

half-drunk

or

of

ashes

hellish amusements

the

leaders

their

to

burning

and

soot

I,

ance
appear-

the

by torch-grease and

for themselves

get up

generallybuilt

It

with

hands

you

which

constituted

who

cemented

observe

to

Had

the wild ferocious

"

kept continually drunk

sweat,
work
; and
own

them

seen

gang
face and

burning houses,

the

work.
five of my
of seeing the scenes

have

more,

party, covered

will find

you

four and

the

of the

in 1816, which

of Inverness,

in letters

narrated

93

the

on

misinformed,"

was

did

man

not

travel

ject,
sub-

I may
to

the

of Scotland, as editor ; his name

was
fanatic specuMulock
to Scotland
Thomas
a
lator
; he came
lucrative
of money,
in search
in literature
a
or
north

or

in the north

situation, vainly thinking that

to

every

immortal
in him

editor

Scotland.
of

Miller

Hugh
he met

in

more

he

than

the

He

be

would
first

dictator

attacked

the

Witness, Edinburgh, but

his match.

He

then

went

to the

pamphlet, and by settingit up

a
in a literarystyle,and in better English than I, he made
in the
northern
promising appearance
splendid and
north, got hold

of my

first

HIGHLAND

94
for

papers

expected
without

time

some

I found

Highlanders
was

and

instead

in

he

the

him

of

expressing

money

hotels, head

up

longer

any

up, and

myself
sterling. When

get, he

to

was

hard

was

and

Edinburgh

unsparingly,and
of such

that

out

all he

that

that

keep

not

thirty pounds

to

and

in,

that the

out

prospect of being paid for the past

the

twenty

found

he

would

taverns

future.

; but

coming

not

was

inns, and

CLEARANCES.

for the

or

of the

few

from

him

sent

he

that

saw

tail upon
gratitude,he abused

at

turned

once

his

regretted that

he

ever

us,
us

in behalf

wrote

hungry, moneyless class. He smelled (likeothers

hoarded
suspect) where the gold was
up for hypocrites

we

and

flatterers,and

Grace

be

would
from

expect
doubt

worth

it was,
got wide

then

times

ten

started

and

for the service he

Paris, and

much

as

as

afterwards

warning
is

he

No

to

quit

rendered

Napoleon

gendarme

not

was

in

France

of him

became

What

sent

his service

notice that

after

to

in my

humble

own

the

Sutherland, and
small, that

the

leads

etc., the
in

with

few

brief

he had

not, but

to do.

likely

very

for

way

destruction

and

victimised

on

the

of selfish

of

misery which

of Sutherland.

aggrandisement
blind

the

consider

largescale by
no

and

annals

inevitable

and

by being enthralled
I have

of havoc

my

demonstrating to the Dukes

Highland proprietors,
great

all other

path
by sure

riches, influenced

make

style,with higher aims, wishing

themselves.
and

him

in crushing

longer required, and

I know

past days darkened

prepare

ruin

in

other Metternich.
Loch, or some
dictatingto young
feelingsof hostile vindictiveness, no desire to inflict

those

write

any

to

few days, which

chastisement, no desire to
mind, pourtraying the scenes
n

could

he

English paper

an

republicanismduring the besiegingof Rome,

Emperor presented him with a gold pin, and
days

his

to

circulation.

to France

went

apologising letter

one

Highlanders all his lifetime ; and I

for his apology for the sin of misinformati

the

not

He

that

by

hesitation

an

in

and

to

oppression
the

and

misguided

pressors
op-

the

Duke

results,yea

incurably

wicked

and

of

wrong
counsellors

saying,had

himself

system,
and

his Grace

vants.
ser-

and

SUTHERLAND.
his

95

one-half

predecessors bestowed

of the encouragement

they had bestowed

strangers on the aborigines a
upon
hardy, healthy, abstemious
people, who lived peaceably
in their primitive habitations, unaffected
with the vices
of a subtle
civilization,possessing little,but enjoying
devoted
much
to their hereditary chief, ready to
; a race
"

by his counsels

abide

profitable in

race

and

peace,

loyal, available in war

; I say, his Grace, the present
of Sutherland, and his beautiful Duchess, would
Duke
be
in the British dominions, their rents, at
without
compeers
least doubled

be

; would

safer

than

Palace

is in

she

; every

days

in defence

blood

and

man

in the

ready, as

her

of yore,

of their

chief, if

strath

them

meet

at tne

be

would

drop of their
required. Congratulations,
martial
to

entrance

of the

notes

glen

every

and

in Sutherlandshire,

greeted,

accompanied, surrounded, and

proceeded, by the most
grateful,

they
devotedly attached, happy, and
as

existed

but

; yes,
desolation and

the

noble

ever

far

and

the last

the

to

or

Buckingham

Sutherland

of
to shed

rejoicings,
dancing
pipes,would

Balmoral,

at

Bnglish home,
son

and

Queen Victoria could,

as

be, in her Highland residence,

can

invasion

from

secure

Castle

in Dunrobin

annoyance

as

but

alas ! where

the

cries of famine

the ruins

pair

bravest

of

peasantry
is

there
and

that

nothing now,

want,

to meet

comfortable

dwellings
will be seen
the landmarks
of the furrows
and
ridges
which
food
the
of
the
to thousands,
yielded
footprints
before,
arch-enemy of human
happiness, and ravager
after, and on each side, solitude, stillness,and the quiet
"

once

"

"

of the grave,

shepherd,
Surely we
Sutherland

disturbed

fox-hunter, and

or

have

that

from

received
has

of the

that

1811

people

and
extent

1833, not

that

county

there
sum

"

:
one

bark

by

and

victimised
; and

speech

yellsof a
collie dog.

the

of

Marquises

for it in his

to

the

incredible

and

sent

the

duped

June 2ist, 1845

from

been

been

words

own

Commons,

admit

must

extraordinary
I/och's

at intervals

only

we

in the

Dukes
to

have
House

of
most
Mr.

of

state, as from facts,

sixpence of rent has been

can

; but, on the contrary, there

for the benefit and
improvement

exceeding sixty

thousand

pounds

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

96

think

sterling." Now
been

has

expended.

of the

rental
have

county

from

then

1811

of this immense

you
I am

to

exceed

figures,and
"1,320,000 expended upon

to

which

I think

"60,000

1833, twenty-two

above

at the

them

certain, but

not

would

wealth

the

; you

year

leaving

years,

the

sum

total will amount

the

self-styledSutherland

to pre; add to this "60,000 sent down

serve
the
of those
lives of the victims
improvements
death
out
total will turn
by famine, and the sum

improvements
from

shape of "1,380,000.

in the
the

of Sutherland

house
the

convert

county

surely

It

immense

an

into the state

the

cost

heads

of money

sum

described

I have

of
to

it in

part of this work

former

should

You
for what
Duke's
Duke

of the money
drained
from
most
purposes
coffers yearly are
expended since he became

proprietorof Sutherland, upholding

and

policy.

be

(and I challenge contradiction).

surprised to hear and learn, madam,

There

are

no

fewer

than

of water
bailiffs in
by the name
receive yearly salaries,what
doing,think

the

the

Loch

who

are

county,

who

seventeen

known

the

the

Protecting
the operationsof the Loch policy,watching day and night
the freshwater
lakes, rivers, and creeks, teeming with the
finest salmon
and trout
fish in the world, guarding from
the famishing people, even
during the years of famine and
dire
ware,

you

had to subsist upon

distress,when
weeds, seamany
and
shell-fish,yet guarded and preserved for the
of

is still more
English anglers and what
heartrending, to prevent the dying by hunger to pick up
of the dead
fish left by the sporting anglers rotting
any
amusement

of
the smallest
lake, creek, and river sides, when
be considered
them, or a morsel, would
by hundreds, I
thousands, of the needy natives, a treat j but
say
may
found
they durst not touch them, or if they did and were
out
to jailthey were
conducted, or removed
summarily
from
his Grace's domains
be understood, these
; (letme
ment,
gentlemen had no use for the fish,killingthem for amuseon

the

only

they required for their

the factors ; they were

what
to

own

use,

not

and

plimented
com-

permitted

to

them).

cure

You

will find, madam,

that

about

three

miles

from

SUTHERLAND.
Dtmrobiii

97
of the

Castle there is a branch

which

sea

extends

six miles, where

shell-fish,called
will find two
Here
mussels, abound.
sturdy men,
you
called mussel bailiffs,
suppliedwith riflesand ammunition,
and as many
Newfoundland
dogs as assistants,watching
the mussel
from
the
scalps, or beds, to preserve them
people in the surroundingparishesof Dornoch, Rogart, and
Golspie,and keep them, to supply the fishermen, on the
opposite side of the Moray Firth, with bait, who come
up

the

there

about

county

every

and

year

take

nutritive

shell-fish,when

would

thankful

be

cravings of

the

for

away

thousands

of tons

of this

many

hundreds

of the

people
pacify

diet per

day

will find

You

nature.

of them,
that

to

tunate
unfor-

the

native

fishermen, who
a
yearly rent to his
pay
Grace for bait, are only permitted theirs from the refuse
left by the strangers of the other side of the Moray Firth,
and if they violate the iron rule laid down
to them, they
are

entirelyat

been

an

on

cold,

instance

of the

of two

of the

frosty day

snowy,

of the

appointed by
from

mercy

the

boisterous
the

the forbidden

ground,

fishermen's

could

reach

not

one

took

and

was

There

wives

gather bait,

to

sea,

factors

underlings.

has

going

but

count
ac-

on

place
they required

what

observed

the

by

of

some

One

like tigers.
bailiffs,in ambush, who
pursued them
came
up to her unobserved, took out his knife, and

cut

the

the

straps by which

basket

the

or

creel

on

her

back

weight on her back fell to the ground,

and she, poor woman,
big in the family way, fell her whole
frost.
and
Her
length forward in the snow
companion
turned
round
to see
what
had
happened, when she was
was

the

suspended ;

pushed back with

their baskets
ordered
prisoners,
to assist
wet
came

as

him, and

she was,
a

women

appear
condition

force that

and

mussels

one

of them

kept

among

distance
upon

such

of

the

the

she fell ; he then

to atoms, took them
to

other

frost and
three

were

left

superiorbailiff
hours standing,
for two
until the superior
snow,

standing

After

short

sultation
con-

of the

led, like convicted

before Lycurgus Gunn,

were

both

call his

miles.

enormity

pled
tram-

crime, the two poor

criminals, to Golspie,to
and

before

in

that

their

own

deplorable
doors
G

in

98

HIGHLAND

the

until

snow,

Marshall

judgment,
pronounce
houses
this
to go into your
leave this villagefor ever,
must

you

of

bait

bailiffs

are

had

the

delayed

expel

to

they would

week

the

but

bait.

the

or

this day week

the

of winter

longer

of the

whole

heavy
the

depend

to

fish

they

snow,

villagers

them,

among

fishing, and

the

and

ultimately

families from

two

that

so

for

upon
could

not

specimen of the injusticeto and

Golspie fishermen, and of the people

This

is

forbidden

of the

of the

abounds

in cockles

shell-fish,
fortunately for the poor

people, not

branch

other

when

are

for which
the Duke's
purposes
is expended
in that
quarter. If you
go, then,
side of the domain, you
will find another
other

money

and

and

You

are

middle

the

subjugation of the
at large ; likewise

Kyle,

night ;

get bait, having nothing

subsistence
without

village

Being

to.

they

verdict

"

to

strictlyprohibited from
from
the Little Ferry until you
leave ; my
decree
tended
strictlyatrequested to see this my

fishermen

taking

it convenient

found

Gunn

and

appear
allowed

to

CLEARANCES.

by a Loch
people were

the

ukase.

of the

some

fortunate

diseases

vegetables,
their

made

The

unknown.

kind

shell-fish
in

rarity, and

of distress,

years

hitherto

them

neighbours

were

in the

the primary
being considered
be perpeople thought they would
mitted

exchange

to

But

principallylivingupon

amongst
appearance
of meal
absence
of any
cause,

which

shell-fish,various

and

sea-weeds,

sea,

for

Caithness,
far the

so

with

meal
to

their

more

such

fish
shell-

whom

understanding

went

them, that the Caithness boats came

up loaded
meal, but the Loch embargo, through his underling

between

with
in

Tongue, who
once
placed upon
with

home

the

watching their movements,

was

it

',

Caithness

the

meal, and

the

Duke's

boats

had

was

to

people might

at

return

live

or

have
madam,
Now,
die, as they best could.
steeped
you
the English language to find
brains, and ransacked
your

for your
panegyric on the Duke, Duchess,
and
family of Sutherland.
(I find no fault with you,
knowing you have been well paid for it.) But I would
refined

terms

briefly ask
time

and

you

(and

talents in the

others
same

who

devoted

would
strain),

much

of their

it not

be

more

HIGHLAND

ioo

Dunrobin

Castle, and

CLEARANCES.
has

appeals presented
fishermen
from

of

her

to

heard

so

cating
suppli-

many

husband

by

liberty to
Golspie,soliciting

Little Ferry Sands

the

and

seen

the

poor
mussels

take

bait their nets

liberty
of which
they were
deprived by his factors,though paying
yearly rent for it ; yet returned
by his Grace with the
brief deliverance, that
he could
do nothing for them.
Can

I believe

from

to

this is the

that

same

"

who

personage

can

set

Dunrobin

Castle, her own

Highland seat, and
after travellingfrom
direction
ride in one
it, then can
over
thirty miles, in another direction forty-fourmiles, in
circuitous route, sixty
another, by taking the necessary
fertile glens, valleys, and
miles, and that over
straths,
burstingwith fatness, which gave birth to, and where were
reared for ages, thousands
of the bravest, the most
moral,
and
that
boast
of ;
virtuous,
religiousmen
Europe could
out

ready

to

rise in

to

at

man,

animated

defence
with

patriotism and

the

then

fightingfor.
these

over

love

battle contest

had

men

warning from their chiefs,

and
king, queen,
country ;

their

of

irresistible in the
valiant

moment's

extensive

can

tracts

victory ?

tell her that

in the

chief, and

their

country, a home, and

But

for

to

chiefworth

she

these

But

can

ride

now

interior of the

county

without

seeing the image of God upon a man

travelling
these roads, with the exception of a wandering Highland
shepherd, wrapped up in a gre}T plaid to the eyes, with a
collie
and

dog behind

to

marshal

the

over

him
his

dreary

Add

camel's

tups.

tract

carrier,but these
or

as

are

a
as

drill

There

to

train his

happen

may

rare

as

lonely
pelican in the wilderness,

in

the

soldiers would
to
flight,

tups
*;

to

The

save

feed

In

their
the

question

inhabited
America

ten

put

this
and

thousand

own

carcases,

invaders
may

of them

Australia

stag

themselves
of French
a

disorderly

leaving their

ewes

and

at

one

the

people, who

those

arise, where

country

to

Arabia.

their

few

of

deserts

English sportsmen, with

hounds, pointer dogs, and servants, and put
and their bravery together, and one
company
this

to

ewes

travel

to

geologist,a tourist, or

caravan

convoy

sergeant

period,
most

of

have

them

?
gone
will be

SUTHERLAND.

services

of their

need

no

and

family

Sutherland

The

found.

101

nation

the

they did:

; hence

'had

r,egar"J

nut
.

patriotism or loyalty, and disregarded tii-eir-past

became
services.
Sheep, bullocks, deer, and
game,

their

valuable

more

words

other

than

skeleton,of them

moors,

barren
groups
upon
in the most
precipices,
ished,
impover-

cliffs and

among

together in motley

shore, huddled

sea

in
or
remnant,
is to be found
along the

Yet

men.

condition
degraded, subjugated, slavish, spiritless,
that human
beings could exist in. If this is really the
in the highest,peace
has
on
Glory to God
lady who
"

good will

earth, and
denies

slave

the

obligations

joys, rights, and

"

the wife from

will of the master,

from

is

who

so

which

statute

marriage, with

all its

which

separates, at the
the husband, the children

advise

I would

parents,"

the

of

sanctity

the

view, and

American

the

religiouslydenouncing
"

in

men,"

to

sea-skirts

in God's

her

to

name

Sutherland, her own

Portto
Helmsdale,
estate, beginning at Brora, then
Eddrachillis,
skerra, Strathy, Farr, Tongue, Durness,
and Assynt, and learn the subjugated, degraded, impoverished,

take

round

tour

the

condition

uneducated
sea-beaten

and

let her

all their

of

the

their condition

misery

and

is bettered

miles in length,
with her husband,
; for the

is lying unmolested

want

of

spiritless
people

hundred
coast, about two
with similar zeal remonstrate

that

that

of

cure

for

in the fertile

his control
valleys above, and all under
; and to advise
his Grace, her husband,
to be no
longer guided by his
Ahitophel,Mr. Loch, but to discontinue his depopulating
which

schemes,

have

separated

many

wife

which
caused
to meet
husband, never
many
and
and
that
sons
death,
separated many
"

to

never

that

each

see

of Mr.

mandate

Sutherland

estate,

banished

from

the

such

ungodly
Let

us

were

law
see

was

what

by

Loch, which
under

county

illegitimateconnections
what

; and

other

few

all

and

; for it has

years

issues
ago

her

premature

daughters,
to

withdraw

forbids

pains
and

means

from

"

marriage on the
penalties of being
already augmented
fiftyper cent above

before

this unnatural,

put in force.
the

character

of these

ill-used

people

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

102

Highlands!"

"

Stewart of Garth, in his

General

was

of

words

the

:In

-says

Sketches

of the
officer

general

the
reviewed,
were
once
93rd Sutherlanders
by 'whom
They exhibit a perfect pattern of military discipline
"

rectitude.

moral

and

the

In

be
punishment would
pernicious." "Indeed,"

as

of such

case

ful
disgrace-

men

be

it would

as

unnecessary

General, ''so remote

in regard to them, that
the idea of such
a
measure
was
when
punishments were to be inflicted on others, and the
their execution,
to witness
troops in garrison assembled
the

of

presence

their

in

being
nature

When

Cape

uncalled

of Good

anxious

Hope

church, and
soldiers

the

to

into

of

elders

their

and

Sabbath,
This

reverend

appeared
Town

in

last

of the

all of whom,

pattern
corps.

They
a

sum

so

far

pious
of

read

men

men.

to

"1200,

prayers
men

and

paid
clergyman

of

of

performed

Church

every

week."

the
letter

which

October,

elders and
know

can

The

the

three
heart

was

behaviour

good
to

the

regiment

their Bibles and

their money

equal

reading

in

1814,
Cape

Q3rd Highlanders left

them
156 members
among

were

morality, and

They
saved

as

their

Sutherland

Thorn, in

including three

church,

life,were

there

month,

of

Established

Herald

the

When

of

religiousservice

divine service

Mr.

Christian

the
"

thus

writes

gentleman,

at the

of

tenets

meetings through

prayer

soldiers.

advantages

engaged

had

of the

ritual

the

agreeably to

that

congregation, appointed

and

of Scotland,

the

themselves) to

stipend (collectedamong
the Church

the

number,

own

of

stationed

the

one

parade,

on

themselves

formed

customary

crime

to

honourable
were

pensed
dis-

was

examples

enjoy

to

check

as

agreeably to
there being no

the

garrisonexcept

the

for,

Highlanders

religiousinstruction
national

as

for such

necessary

Sutherland

the

Highlanders

of terror

effects

case

not

were

Sutherland

the

with, the

the

says

observed

deacons,
from

the

certainly
to

all other

the Sabbath.

7000 rix dollars,

non-commissioned
officers

do

good.

privatessaved for books, societies,and for the spread

of the Gospel, a sum
unparalleled in any other corps in
the world, given in the short space of eighteen months.
and

SUTHERLAND.
Their

had

example

colonists
revived

in

heathen.

modern

times

of those

some

Another

of

letter
of

"

granted

Gaelic

to

were

Africa."

in

us

mittee
Com-

the

to

Society (fourth

School

arrived

93rd Highlanders

The

the

certainly believe

kind, addressed

the

both

on

apostolicdays

ever

earth,

on

similar

Edinburgh
report),says :

annual

If

been

have

to

effect

general good

the

and

103

they immediately received orders to

England, when
proceed to North America
; but before they re-embarked
made
for your
mitted
collected
the sum
society was
up and reto your
amounting to seventy-eight
treasurer,
the
addition
In
to
this," says
pounds, sterling."
in

"

General,

immortal

noble-minded,

"

of them

such

had

as

did not
forget their
parents and friends in Sutherland
destitute condition, occasioned
by the operation of the
fire and
faggot, ?ms-improved state of the county."
the

During

quartered at
period the regiment was
lodged in one bankingupwards of "500 was
short

Plymouth,
house, to be remitted
sent

sums

of

the

the

Post

do

credit to

Office

and

from
the

by

individual

an

of

peasantry

country.

who

"

continues

soldier.

inconsistent,"

strange, and somewhat

appear
the same
when
the General,

It must

of many
officers ; some

exclusive

Sutherland,

exceeding "20

sums

like these

Men
"

through

to

men

so

are

professionof an eager desire to promote and

moral
virtues of the people,
the religiousand
preserve
from
the lead in removing them
should
so frequentlytake
where
principleswhich have attracted the
they imbibed
in their

loud

notice

of

of

and

Europe

placing families
in

as

Ireland,

poverty, and
contented,

that

an

what

they

can

in their

children, who
become

in the

the

honourable

men

on

patches

It is

only

Highlands
intercourse
of Sutherland

example, worthy

of

to

teriorat
de-

potato ground

degradation,
parents and

when

moral, happy, and

are

instil sound

lead

with

pregnant

system

disaffection."

of families

heads

"

which

measures

principlesinto
with

the

have

the

world

their
may

already been,

imitation

of all."

unavoidable
help being grieved at my
and
of these
abbreviation
heart-warming
heart-stirring
which
ornament
should
mantel-piece
extracts,
every
I

cannot

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

104

library in

and
refer
last

other

to

(though
"

in his

to shame

it

as

"

"

similar

which

work

religionand moral virtue

sophistical
professionof a

in

the

among

How

or,

calumniator

bygone

country

silence and

should

vile,malignant

every

Millar of the Witness,

is

and

was

I could

; but

weight

Mr. Hugh
least),

the

Sutherland
ruined

be

can

of

authors

not

of Scotland

Highlands

the

of

Highland
in their

who

years,

put

desire to promote the temporal

sordid
of the people, had their own

spiritualwelfare
cupidity and aggrandisement in view
and

in all their

unworthy

lucubrations.
the

At

correspondent wrote
are
making their
for

here

are

be

to

found.

It

raise
and

as

men

many

ordered

assist the

so

as

of

about,
staff

and

'

Send

your

! boo

done

us

any

Sutherland

deer,

'

to

The

harm/
was

fight the

been

understand

plete
com-

tended
at-

were

what

they

recruitingproprietors
ominous

cry

and

of

'

Maa

bullocks, and,

rams,

of his Grace

success

deplorable;

it has

to

dogs, shepherds,
Russians, they have never

your

roes,

Highlands

proclamations

the
the

war,

advertised, by placards,

imitating sheep

your

War

Crimean

to the

but

to

came

with

of

Secretary

for the

"

these

cases

saluted

gamekeepers

and

they

most

so

nobles

people ;

when

were

! boo

maa

could

they

The

yet.

in

the

officers of rank

many

the

to, but
were

as

predictions

Your

Highland proprietors,to

our

proprietorsin doing

failure

meetings

that
all

war

last, great demands

Russia, but
they are not

to

seems

with

"

at

appearance
go

Russian

the

follows

as

to

men

corresponded

has

of

commencement

believe

you

had you
him.
seen
poor old man
his
last letter I told you
that
my
Mr.
Loch, and military officer,was

the Duke
would

of

have

pitiedthe
"

In

for the

last six

weeks, and

failed in

head

missioner,
com-

in Sutherland

gettingone man
self
to enlist ; on
gettingthese doleful tidings,the Duke himleft London
for Sutherland, arriving at Dunrobin
about
the
ten days ago, and after presentinghimself
upon
of Golspie and
streets
Brora, he called a meeting of the
inhabitants
of the parishes of Clyne, Rogart, and
male
well attended
Golspie ; the meeting was
; upwards of

SUTHERLAND.
were

with

military staff
people gave them

the

and

his

chair.
and

Three

clerks took

their

took

at the

seats

the

table,

notes, and
bulky packages of bank
dressed
adplatefuls of glitteringgold. The Duke
the
people very seriously,and entered upon
with Russia, and the danger of
going to war
down

loosened

spread

; his Grace

hearty cheer

four

or

; his Grace in his carriage,

factors appeared shortly after \

hour

at the

punctual

400

105

out

the

necessity of

Czar

allowingthe
of

to have

more

than

power

he holds

what

cruel, despotic reign in Russia, etc. ;

and her government,
rulers
likewise praising the Queen
of Great
in need
and nobles
Britain, who stood so much
the tyrant of Russia, and
of men
to put and
keep down

already ;

foil him

in

Turkey.

In

cheered,

the

his clerks

his

his

wicked

schemes

Duke

told

ready

were

independently
many

people ;
and

after

they

suddenly

rose

was

suddenly
man,

the

asked

and

Duke,

and

to

the

for the

response

to-day, so

near

the

After

spot where

at

but

made,

to

the

the

clerks,

the

people

when

he

of their

reply ;

no

as

moving

follows

:
are

maternal

old

an

towards

enough,

near

proposals
your

at last

reply ;

no

approached

something

your

down

sat

among

looks

observed

staff,was

Grace's

vancing
ad-

Still standing,his Grace

; but
he

any

privatepurse,

own

appearance,
the cause
was

he

grave.

cause

when

what

there

enter

long time looking at

proposals

his

the

asked

of the

his Grace

addressed

rather

movement

no

indignant

up

leaning upon

was

last his anxious

at

silence

the

there

sittingfor

non-attention

give him,

government

somewhat

enlist in the

bounty.
sillyflattering
decoyments, he

him,

at

assumed

it

the

result, but

the

see

of

his

that

men

of all those

would

would

who

often

was

names

would

get "3, all from

would

corps,

who

clerk

the

then, "6 sterling those

other

the

everyone

which

able-bodied

the

that

93rd Highlanders,

possession of

take

address,

young
down
to take

willingto enlist, and

and

his

concluding

to

"I

am

meeting

he

sorry

here

grandmother,

fifteen
by giving forty-eighthours' notice, marshalled
hundred
of them
she
the nine hundred
to pick out
men
for it,and a grievous cause,
required, but there is a cause
and

as

your

Grace

demands

to

know

it,I

must

tell you,

106

HIGHLAND

as

see

no

else

one

Grace's

Your

fathers^ for

responded
which

bear

in this

assembly to do it.
predecessors applied to our

and

former
fathers
occasions, and our
upon
to their call ; they have made
liberal promises,
men

neither

of

inclined

are

mother

them

nor

little wiser than

CLEARANCES.

to-day

in mind

performed ;

you

we

are,

think,

we

fathers, and we estimate your promises

the value of theirs, besides you
should

our

at

that

predecessors and yourselfexpelled

in a most
cruel and unjust manner
from the land which
fathers held in lien from
family, for their sons,
your

us
our

your

brothers, cousins, and

to

the

Americans,

lands

and

you

I do

assure

to

now

that

county,

that

hands, than

Castle

and

of

with

to y2ur

call,had

them.

How

where

found
sense

they

the

at

could

not, and

are

comfort

fight,you

supply

beef, and

mutton,
Whether
to

hands

his Grace

I know

the

was

for

the

throughout
should

wonder

served

out

those

the

and

glens

find

hundreds,

fully
respond cheeryourselfkept faith

expect

of them

will

who

The

find

to

which

men

to be

are

fightwith plenty

Duke

rose

added

but

not, I cannot
say,
his
Grace
reply
very

at it ?

to

be

Highlands
How

many

their 21, 22, 25, and

the
of

the

to

or

whole

put

up,

of
on

field."

certainty this

of your

ruins

correspondent

my

evident, it

or

venison.'

left the

hat, and

few

the

his

at

of the county, has more

by chaff to the field of slaughter ;
find men
to
have, though you cannot

you

can

you,

Grace

next

and

parents and
3^our

session
pos-

House

parents, yourself,

Your

meet

your

the rubbish
among
than to be decoyed

one

reply

to

men

take

treatment

worse

fiftyyears.

thanmen.

of Russia

of Stafford

experienced

these

prevailingopinion

Czar

expect

kill

to

; and

value

more

desolated
commissioners, have
of Sutherland, where
should
you

thousands

yea,

his

the

over

animals, which

your

straths

but

last

brute

it is the

should

not

have

we

for the

family
and

could

we

Irish

the

of far

that

handed

were

dignity, and

dumb

rear

Grace

your

of Dunrobin

term,

up

parents consider

your

this

their

Turks, French, and

devoted

are

keep

to

parents

your

relations,which

old
one

man's

thing

is

deserved.

prevailing feeling

Scotland, and

thousands

26 years,

of them

fightingfor

who
who
the

io8

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

pulleddown, his wife and family turned

only permitted to live in a hut, from which an

of abode
and

female

their

his Grace

yet he

carried

was

pauper

; there

churchyard
and

out,

was

could

young

roll for

the poor
be guilty of such low

not

told of

did it in his

days before to the

sheltered,
family were

few

registeredupon

names

was

the

it,but took

no

It is likewise

name.

old

support ;
rascalityas this,

cognisance of

those

said that

man

this

who

got

furlough of two weeks to see his wife and family before

he was
the factor heard
going abroad, and that when
the ground officer of the parish of
coming, he ordered
soldier, and not
allow him
to see
nor
speak to his wife, but in his (the
had
We
at the
time, in the
same
officer's)
presence.
of John Macdonald,
of the name
parish, an old bachelor
he upheld, independent
who
had three idiot sisters,whom
MacLeod,

Rogart, named

of any

of relief ; but
factor, envied this

source

notorious
he

was

he

summoned

was

factor

doomed

to

and

Seeing

he

and
into

it, and

When

he

them

out

before

the

drove

came

up
the

upon
The
home.

away

removal

away

with

to

factor

or

farm, and

haul

them

no

poor

purpose

day,

as

the

devil if

to the

his

the

cart,
idiots

three

Dunrobin

Castle.

door, he

capsized

to

Gunn's

The

yoked

he

to

the

alternative, two

other

no

to

term

Glasgow,

him

George,

term.

the

on

had

day of his
got neighbours to help

days

next

Loch, but

away

America,

of

bachelor's

poor
at

Grace

the

favourite

remove

walk

to
"

him,

told

choosed."

he

to

petitionedhis

fellow

watch

to

about
wheeled
and
green, and
three idiots rinding themselves

went

upon

top of one another so sudden, they raised an inhumananother

like yell, fixed into one
to fight,and
scratched,
terrific that Mr. Gunn, his lady,
so
yelled, and screeched
the

his daughters, and

all the

clerks and

servants

were

soon

for they
to no
they hearkened
reason,
their fightingand
had
themselves, but continued
none
after
music.
inharmonious
was
Messenger
messenger
after John, but of no
sent
use
; at last the great Gunn
overtook
and
did
himself followed
him, asked him how
about

he
"

them

come

kept

; but

to leave

them

his sisters in such

while

had

He

replied,

land

to

support

state

piece of

SUTHERLAND.
them

have

; you
along with

for

out

John

that

assurance

molested

of the

time

barren

he

was,

it

comfortable

who
an

that

night,

the

most

for

end

of

dutiful
of

her
upon
of her
assistance

parent
the

kept

did

brothers, who

told

her

that

the

farm

wished

to

that

see

jaundice, and
journey, which
at her

was

until his
among

incessant

labour,

made

visible

years,

; yet by the

liberal

sight of

loose

not

for

her

a
foreign strand), Ann
upon
in the best of order, no
doubt

farm

she

was

let to

She

her.

told the
was

bed

to

allowed
not

keep

to

in store

at

officer she
ten

in

be removed
and

another,
was

only

again,more

to

time

that
could

miles.

urgent than

that

not

it after her

for her

day after her father's funeral, the officer

and

and

(though

expecting that she would be

parent's decease, but this was
very

heart

mother's

the

be numbered

constitution

tender

care

to

re-commenced

thirteen

than

Ann's

confined

could

Murray

one

had

who

much

after

was

labour

only

afflictions,after

her

daughters, yet her

more

the

one

miles

two

required day

to

it

sons,

by

one

mother,

so

they made

was

it

got

young

within

The

was

ill,and

Ann

but

barren-like

sons

Ann

took

she

an

removed

was

entirely under

attention

Ann's

; and

inroads

was

that

left

took

father

period

Murray

been

respectablegirl

perseverance,

parents.

put

Though

their

the

give

to

has not

and

of industrious

was,

palsy, was

death

months

the

;I

if he would

father

years' suffering. Shortly

decease.

had

However

and

result

the

daughter's

death, the

and

labour

family left ; and

until

twelve

nine

cultivate.

to

with

of

her

to

\ but the young

are
(and four of them

sit)\

remained

after the

them

home

country

attack

carry

faggotremovals,

of the wholesale

of hard

by dint

can

home,

whose

raisinga family

and

of where

them

Murray,

moor

was

left the

you

be removed

not

them

what

fix, and

(inCanada)

me

of Ann

name

lot of

he would

beside

here

during the

in

take

yet.

as

I have

I cannot

was

John took

his sisters,
so

take

Gunn

then

me,

of them

make

myself, but

market."

labour

from

land

that

land, and

the

look

must

taken

109

; the
to

came

few

her

weeks,

Factor

Gunn

afflicted with
undertake

the

day the officer

use
before, and made
Next

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

no

of

When
she
extraordinary threats ; so she had to go.
like a trooper, and
appeared before this Bashaw, he swore
damned
her soul, why she disobeyed his first summons
;

she

excused

herself, trembling, that

another

volley of oaths

told

to

her

her

with

; and

Highland tyrant,

not

article of furniture,

nothing

crop

everything
have

to

other

allowed

farm.
she

told

in

America,

of

there

him

she

that

determined

was

she

laboured

She

went

for, and

sell

single

husbandry, cattle,
brother, who

neither

was
nor

mercy

house, and

crop,

or

clothes

body

own

was

the

becomes

every

farm, belonged to her and her

the

and

well

to her

over

and

week, for

next

nor

her

that
what

brother

the

(the factor)intended to hand over

never
helped her father or mother
that

estate

away,

but

Seeing

thingbelonging to

brothers

take

to

implements

was

justice for her,

the

unwell

was

her response,

met

threat, which

to be handed

was

the

threats

herself from

remove

conduct

and

she

he

her

farm

the
while

whom

and

he

effects

in trouble

should
other

to

; and

enjoy

not

brothers

what

paid

for.

and

of business, advertised
got the advice of a man
sold off,in the face of threats of interdict,
a sale,and
and came
she was
to Canada, where
warmly received by
in Woodstock,
and can
brothers, sisters,and friends, now
tell her

tale better

than

believe that his Grace

these

as

I have
once

but it was

here

taxman

the

most

hills in

No

can.

would
done

within
of

in his

miles

ten

the

county.

under

his expense
his roof.

among

the

at

; and
Mr.

mountains

more

Ross

and

William

Mr.

Ross,
cupied
oc-

the

stalking
principaldeerOften
have
the English
marriage with the Suther-

Irish lords, connected

in
lands, dined and took their lunch
and

doings

Sutherlandshire, who

farm

and

nor

name.

of me,

Achtomleeny,
convenient

such

countenance

ever

think

could

one

to

at William

than

haunts

passed the night

well
acquainted

once

being

Ross's table,

so

of the

deer,

was

often

engaged as a guide and instructor to these noblemen

on
their deer-stalking and fishingexcursions, and became
a
real favourite with the Sutherland
which
enabled
family,
him

to

erect

improve

his

superiorbuildingsto the
farm
in a superiorstyle ;

common
so

that

rule, and
his

moun-

SUTHERLAND.
tain-side farm

of

short

nothing

was

in

Highland paradise.

unfortunately for William, his nearest

neighbour,one
Ross's
Mr.
Major Gilchrist, a sheep farmer, coveted
underhand
schemes
to secure
vineyard, and tried many
hearken
would
the place for himself, but in vain.
Ross
But

to

of his

none

Factor

proposals.

prepared

Ross

William

; and

Gunn

memorial

Ahab

But

was

chief friend of

got notice of removal.

Ross

of

late Duchess

first and

to the

hand.
Grace
Her
Sutherland, and placed it in her own
into the factor's office, and
told
read it, instantly went
him

William

that

Ross

while

tomleeny

lived

he

close behind

Grace's

the

Gunn

with

afterwards,

it,and
on

then

his

and

at

William

so,

"

paid a

and

it

the

spring
and
Ross

Ross

she

few
was

was

to

return

carried

days after
served

give

it to

to

during her

was

with

from

Achtomleeny, and he
petitioned the present Duke,

had

Castle, when

apply to her
favouring him.

and

give him
having no other
to

some

other

resource,

for

He

left

; in the
back
to

beginning of

interred

in Dornoch.

Dunrobin

his

to

show.

commissioner,
to

them,
Gunn

lot of land, which

William

of removal

summons

Loch, and related the whole circumstances

to no
Factor
told that
avail, only he was
ordered

Grace

Her

nothing

and

Grace's

to

of

mask

the

never

year

his

got it in his hand

granted cheerfully.

was

put it in

visit to Dunrobin

advised

Factor

to

ran

keep it till I read

smile
a tiger-like

never

molested

not

was

and

came

good speed to-day,

came

you

but William

of rent, under

next

ground-officer
was
reading her

need

with

and

bowed,

Ross,

I will

and

you,"

I believe

Gunn

that

William

"

she

Dunrobin

corpse,

it to

return

year

reduction

Ross

would

you

rate, and

any

of it ;
he
However,

Next

and

officer, David

William,

glad

am

Factor
did

"

face, said,

again.
life.

him,

of factors

reach

of his hand, and

out
paper
it. Ross
followed, but Gunn

pocket, saying,
me

while

and

deliverance, the

snapped

factor

the

the

graceful

William

peace."

but

departed cheerfully ;
followed

out

in

William, go home

of the

Ach-

on

same

with

Ross,

to

now

are

the

wrote

it back

petition,and handed
smile, saying ," You
now,

and

from

to be removed

not

was

accepted

He
Mr.

but
was

he did
of it to

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

H2

loss of cattle,buildingand repairing

his loss ; for between
and fiftypounds sterminus
hundred
ling,
houses, he was
one
of his means,
the
and substance, from
from
till he removed
removed
Achtomleeny
Canada.

Besides, he

for melioration
and

had

written

agreement

leavingfor America,

was

William

cent.

in Canada

sit at

in his old age

can

or

comfortable

to

mise
pro-

ments
improvewas

William

was

learn

to

that

give him
join his family
not

as

comfortable

bed, with greater

of mind
and
clearer conscience, among
his own
a
ease
dutiful and affectionate
children, than the tyrant factor
will among
his.
I know
well as any
did, or ever
ever
as
a

table, and

it to

with

left them

Ross

\ but he

they would

then

was

which

house

building at Achtomleeny,
valued
at "250.
by the family surveyor
always promised to get it,until they came
he

he

himself

for all the farm

valuation

or

time

sleep on

as

the

tell me,
that this is but
thousand
I could
enumerate,

and

benevolence

one

can

two

or

one

cases

the

where

of

out

liberality

abused, and

of his Grace, and of his parents, were

in the
that to their patron's loss.
You
see

above

that

case

reduction

of

rent,

Gilchrist, would
not

The

be

the

highest to

the

the

to

for

plead

factor's favourite, Ahab

the

benefit

reduction

obtained

unhallowed

advised

was

that

so

have

and
would

William

of Naboth

he

got

Ross's

provemen
im-

his rent, which

on

otherwise.
of factors

crew

and

from
officials,

the

grade, employed by the family of

corrupt portion of the public press on

lowest

Sutherland, got the

their side,to applaud their wicked
of improvement
the only mode

Highlands

of Scotland.

auxiliaries

in

doings and

schemes,

civilisation

and

in

as

the

got what is stillmore

to be
lamented, all the Established
ministers, with few
exceptions,on their side ; and in them they found faithful
hold

whole

They

crushing

the

have

people.

congregation by

the

Any

of them

could

hair

of

heads

their

if they offered to resist the powers

that be,
hell-fire,
until they submitted.
If a singleindividual
resisted,he
over

was

denounced

from

dangerous man
depart as quick as he
a

the

pulpit, and

in the
could.

considered

wards
after-

community \ and he might

or
Any man,
men,
may

SUTHERLAND.
violate the

of

laws

113

violate

God, and

of

heaven,

ing
heeded, and has nothto fear ; but if he offends the Duke's
factor,the lowest
of his minions, or violates the least of their laws and regulations,
it is an
unpardonable sin. The present Duke's
doubt
mother
no
a liberal lady of many
good parts,
was
be
attached
the
much
to
to
and seemed
natives, but unfortunately
for them, she employed for her factors a vile,
often

as

he chooses

as

unprincipled

enemies

avowed
of the

the

to

gross

minister

dined

The

him.

favour
minded

and

his

whole

his

do

can

man

it is

that

make

To

an

go

learned

said

before, fill
of

an

with

hard

from

in the

the

of him

deter

of their

volume.

family

heir,

to

enslaved

are

he will

to

punish

others.
what

conduct, would,
instance

For

of Sutherland

feast is ordered

thing

is done

whatever
or

his

entrusts

foolish

most

factor,

little

very

myself personally,and

others
a

the

he

people

the

to

simple, narrow-

affairs

the

"

refuse

not

himself

considered

now

I knew

have

birth

factors, and

example

detail what

marriage

is

petitionhis Grace,

to

him, for it will

could

concerns

pecuniary

own

affairs to

much,

who

committed

he

present Duke*

gentleman,
about

even

that
outrage was
with
the factor, and

the

however

and

their

were

people,
complaints
of the Gospel to ascertain the
justified,
complaints, and the factor was

of

correctness

never

write to the ministers

would

so

who

crew,

hearken

would

she

; he is

laws

the

"

as

When

place, or

takes
for

I
I
a

the

Sutherland

the

plenty of
eatables.
The day of feastingand rejoicingis appointed,
and heralded
throughout the country, and the people are
people, consisting of whisky, porter, ale, and

enjoined
and

in marshal

adulterated

terms

whisky

to
are

assemble

"

forwarded

barrels
to

each

of

raw

parish,

are
sugar, and that is all. Bonfires
The
the tops of the highestmountains.

adulterated

some

raw

to be

prepared

on

by family officers to carry

poorest of the poor are warned
the materials, consistingof peats and
tar barrels, upon
their backs

wretched,

; the scene
half-clad
*

Macleod

is lamentable
and
wrote

to

see

groups

of these
these

ill-shod, climbing up
this in

1854.
"

ED.
H

HIGHLAND

H4

CLEARANCES.

mountains

with

their

done, there

is

denial, the evening of rejoicingis arrived,

and

the

The

barrels

no

loads

at

their

taken
whisky are
large tubs, a good

out

people

assembled

are

of

into

poured
looking sugar
is employed
long cudgel

is mixed

with

stir it about

to

all sorts

to

with

the
of

clachans.

field,

open

abominable-

sturdy favourite

flail handle,

be

must

different

amount

it, and

work

the

; however,

or

some

of

drinking implements are produced,

tumblers, bowls, ladles, and tin jugs. Bagpipers
of the factor,
set up with
are
great glee. In the absence
called the ground officer,and in some
the animal
instances
the parish minister, will open
the jollification,
and
show
deal with
this coarse
to
an
example to the people how
After
the first round, the respectable portion
beverage.
of the people will depart, or retire to an
inn, where
they
but
the drouthies, and
can
enjoy themselves
ignorant
youthful, will keep the field of revellinguntil tearing of
faces comes
clothes
and
fists and
to be the rule
cudgels
until king
supplant jugs and ladles, and this will continue
"

'

Bacchus

enters

brawlers

and

snoring

into

enter

the

assistance

hushes

With

is sent
to
flourishing account
absentee
family in London, who

affair

the

the

must

people

liberal-minded

the

place

of

cheese,
never

are

with

bill that
for

money,

London

bought,

; and
the

taken, the bill

deceived, and

world,

and

world

will say how

such
good and

and
most

to

about

the
how

happy
noble,

the

are
patrons themselves
ordinary
extrareport that, however

to

them

roast

beef

and

on

the

mutton,

rent

day,

bread

in

and

Edinburgh ale, which

was
tasted
by the people, they will consider
used
cognizance
great economy
\ no
is accepted, and
discharged, the people
the proprietors injured.

porter
nor

editors,

nothing

comes

and

them
could

they

knows

live under

who

patrons

their commissioners
is

be

highly-pleased

so

The

conducted.

was

of

many

co-operation

and
the

sound

to

which

the

heroic

most

combatants

from

death,

factors, ministers,

of

the

rejoicing,where

themselves.

extricate

never

of
with

contracts

and

ferocious

most

field

the

on

field

the

n6

HIGHLAND

occupied by

the

turned

are

CLEARANCES.

said

without

out,

whereby they

persons,

shelter, as

or

cover

themselves

aforesaid,

greater part of their different crops is lost and

of the usual and necessary
commodation
acdestroyed, from the want
and

the

securing and manufacturing the same

;
and the wantonly
settingon fire,burning, and otherwise
destroying,or causing and procuring to be set on fire,
burnt, and otherwise
destroyed, growing corn, timber,
for

and

furniture, money,

possession of

lawful

punishable.
said Patrick
or

Sellar

1814,

or

on

one

heinous

guiltyof

nature,
of

it is, and

are

and

tenants

the

other
and

poor

severely

verity, that
said

in the

or

crimes,

the

you

of

or

one

actor, or art in part ; in so far as you

the I5th day of March,
Sellar did, on

Patrick

said

of

true

of them,

more

the

Yet

said

the

crimes

are

persons,

effects,the property,

other

other

or

of the

days of that month,

or

April and May immediately following,and on many

of March,
April and
during the said months

of

sions
occa-

May,

burn, or cause
and procure
John Dry den and John M'Kay, both at that
time shepherds in your
service, to set on fire and burn a

wickedly

and

maliciously

set

fire and

on

miles in length
of heath
and pasture, many
great extent
and breadth, situate in the heightsof the parishesof Farr
and Kildonan, in the county of Sutherland, and in particular
in the lands of Ravigill,Rhiphail,Rhiloisk, Rossal,
Rhimsdale,
Garvault,
Dalcharrel,
Truderskaig, and

whereby

many

aforesaid

were

in consequence
; and many

with
and

the
with

James

M'Beath,

the

thereof

reduced

of them

were

then

great distress and

for the

tenant

particularlyWilliam
Donald

\ John
in Rhimsdale
in

of their

use

aforesaid

tenants

lands

poverty
obligedto feed their cattle

Grant, and

Hugh

in Rhiloisk

M'Beath,

corn

to

in the

for their cattle, and

deprived of pasturage

their seed

then

others

and

tenants

potatoes intended

M'Kay,

tenants

of

Rhiphail

families,
Gordon,
all then

M'Kay,
Gordon

and

Hugh

aforesaid

; Donald

aforesaid

Murdo

in Truderskaig
John M'Kay, then tenants
And
aforesaid.
further, you the said Patrick Sellar did,
of the
the 13th day of June, 1814, or on one
or other
upon
days of that month, or of May immediately preceding,

M'Kay

and

SEU,AR.

PATRICK

OF

TRIM,

117

July immediately following,together with four or

assistants,proceed to the district of
more
your
persons,
and
and
there,
did, then
above-mentioned,
country
of

or

violently turn,
their

habitations,

number

people dwelling there

a

feeble

old

residing in

then
turned

for several

place, lay

travel

to

to

thereby,

being so
upon
habited
inthe nearest

nights thereafter

and

days

or

years

; who,

aforesaid
able

being

not

out,

of four-score

age

Rhiloisk

M'Kay,

Donald
particularly

; and

of the

man

of
out
to be turned
procure
and
of the tenants
poor

or

cause

or

shelter,to
or
cover
vicinity,without
his great distress,and to the danger of his life. As also,
in
then
tenant
Barbara
M'Kay, wife of John M'Kay,
in the

in the

woods

Ravigillaforesaid,who

was

at the

her

bed

bruised

by

confined

moreover

severely hurt

to

and

pregnant, and

time

of

in

consequence
fall ; and
you

the

was

being
said

notwithstanding the
give orders that the
said
Barbara
be instantly turned
should
out,
M'Kay
whatever
the consequences
might be, saying, That you
have
the house
would
pulled about her ears
; and the
said John M'Kay
was
accordingly compelled, with the
Patrick

Sellar did, then and there,

entreaties of the said John M'Kay,

assistance

of

wife

her

from

time
did

last

and

women

bed, and

the

to

country

some

imminent

the

of

her

mile
life

said

the

you

across
:

As

Patrick

the

also,
Sellar

assistants
your
procure
out, of his bed and dwelling,in Gar-

out,

or

aforesaid, to turn
vault aforesaid, Donald
at

nearly

danger

above-mentioned,

forciblyturn

in bed

her

carry

lift his said

neighbours to

time.

and

cause

Munro,
And

lad, who

young

further,

the

you

said

lay sick
Patrick

Sellar,did time aforesaid,wickedly and maliciously set on

and procure
fire,burn, pull down, and demolish, or cause
assistants
aforesaid to set on fire,burn, pull down,
your
and

demolish

great

barns, kilns,mills, and

by

the

tenants

of country

and

number
other

other

dwelling-houses,
buildings,lawfully occupied
of

inhabitants

the

in the

said

district

particular,the houses, barns, kilns,

William
mills,lawfully occupied by the above-mentioned
said
Gordon, James M'Kay,
Hugh Grant, in Rhiloisk aforein Rhimsdale
aforesaid ; As
John Gordon
; and
; and

in

n8

also, the barns

then

kilns

and

Alexander

occupied by
in

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

tenants

in

John M'Kay,

Manson,

residenters

or

Rhiphail aforesaid, lawfully

there

and

barns

; the

others,

Ravigill aforesaid, lawfully occupied by John

Murdo

kilns

and

and

M'Kay,

there
and the
others, then tenants
barns
and kilns in Garvault
aforesaid, lawfully occupied
then tenants
there
by William Nicol and John Monro,
As
fully
also, the house and barn in Ravigill aforesaid, lawoccupied by Barbara M'Kay, an infirm old widow,

M'Kay,

fourscore

nearly

sell three

of

of her

five cattle

herself,her

support

of

years

and

age,
at

who

value, in order

under

an

from

being destroyed

crop

obliged

was

the

to
to

want

also, the greater part of the houses,

trict
disbarns, kilns, mills, and other buildings in the whole
time aforesaid,
of country
above
mentioned, was,
and
molished
defire, burnt, pulled down,
maliciously set on
Sellar, or by your
by you, the said Patrick
assistance or by your
orders, whereby the inhabitants
barn

her

lawful

and
cover

or

turned

were

without

out,

greater part of their different

of the usual and
destroyed from want

; and

lost and

the

securing and manufacturing

especiallythe lawful occupiers of the

necessary

accommodation

the

same

thereof

occupiers

shelter

was

crops

As

and

for

other
kilns, mills, and
buildings particularly
above mentioned, to have been set on fire and destroyed
aforesaid, did sustain great loss in their crops, from
as

barns,

being thus deprived of

the

the

securing and
the

further, you,

And

same.

of

means

aforesaid, culpably kill Donald

in
father
then
tenant
to
M'Beath,
Hugh
aforesaid, by unroofing and pullingdown, or

M'Beath,

Sellar,did, time

be unroofed

and

pulled down,

the whole

house

Rhimsdale

causing to
in

M'Beath
the said Donald
aforesaid, where
lying on his sick bed, saving only a small space
to the

extent

M'Beath

was

without

cover

of five

or

exposed,
or

yards, whereby

six
in

cold

and

of

dale
Rhims-

was

of

then

roof,

the said Donald

comfortless

shelter, to the weather

facturing
manu-

said Patrick

; and

situation,
he, the said

being so exposed,
but languished and died about
never
spoke a word more,
thereby culpably killed
eight days_thereafter,and was

Donald

M'Beath,

in

consequence

by
said

said Patrick

the

you,

Patrick

SELLAR.

Sellar

Sellar,did, time
said Donald

the

expose

PATRICK

OF

TRIAL

otherwise, you, the

place aforesaid, cruelly
Or

and

to the

M'Beath

119

without

weather,

and unroofing,or caused

shelter,by pullingdown
to be pulled down
and unroofed, the greater part of the
where
he then lay sick in bed, to his great distress,
house
cover

or

and

the

imminent

of his life ; and

danger

Patrick

Sellar, did, notwithstanding

of the said Hugh
M'Beath, and others, you
said

it was

when

rage,

remain,

should
be

shall

devil

The

permitted

further, you,

of

man

remain,"

to

saying, in

the said Donald

that

proposed
"

this you,
the
the entreaties

words

or

M'Beath

sick

them,

well,

or

that

to

effect.

said,
Sellar,did, time aforemolish,
wickedly and maliciously set on fire,burn, and deand procure
assitants to set on fire,
or
cause
your
burn, and demolish, the dwelling-house,barn, kiln, sheepAnd

cot, and

other

Chisholm

in

said

the

Patrick

building then lawfully occupied by William

Badinloskin, in the parish of Farr aforesaid,

old
that
a
although you knew
Margaret M'Kay,
very
of the

woman

age

bed-ridden

been
said

house

told that

; and this you

the said old woman

imminent

danger
the

approached
lay,

"

the

say,

bed

shrieked

she

of 90 years, less
for years,
at
was

out

placed in a small
was
wrapped was
M'Kay

remained

insensible

to that

teine,"

effect ; and

from

that

hour, and

the

out
with-

having
M'Kay

that

is to
with
forth-

was

died

in

and, in
aforesaid, from
as

; and

were

unfit
said

for

her bed
the

into

and
she

said

thereafter, but

word

of the
consequence
particular,in consequence

place,

being

Gaelic,

O'n

the

you

be removed

not

"

had

within

life ; and the flames

the said Margaret

spoke

never

days thereafter,

alarm

time

that

who

by her daughter, Janet M'Kay,

bothy, and the blanket in which
in several places, and
burnt
the

Margaret

in

fire,"or words

carried

five

could

whereon

aloud

and

more,

did, notwithstanding
her

to

or

in about

fright and
of

her

moval,
re-

cold

and

fortable
uncom-

of

any

human

habitation

thereby culpably
by you, the said Patrick Sellar ; or otherwise,
the said Patrick Sellar,did, time and place aforesaid,
Margaret

M'Kay

was

killed
you,

cruelly turn,

or

cause

to

be

turned,

out

of her

bed

and

HIGHLAND

120

CLEARANCES.

the said Margaret Mackay, by settingon

dwelling-place,
fire,burning, and demolishing, or causing and procuring
to be set

other

fire,burnt, and

on

buildings,in

distress,and
all

manner

imminent

the

the

demolished, the said house and

above mentioned, to her great
of her

danger

persons

whose

aforesaid

; and

life.

And

ther,
far-

houses, barns, kilns, mills,

and other buildings,
burnt and destroyed, or caused
were
and procured to be burnt and destroyed by you, the said
Patrick
Sellar, all as above described, did sustain great
loss in their moss
wood, and other timber, which
was
broken
and demolished, and destroyed by fire and otherwise,
at the same
with the
time, and in the same
manner,

buildings as
other

effects,all their lawful

possession at
Barbara
M'Kay

in

door-posts,and
chest, and
or

in her

time

the

lawful

destroyed,

or

in

of her

particular,the

articles

of

house

to

Patrick

be

her

door

said
and

barn, her meal-

furniture, all her property,

possession, which

caused

and

and

in their lawful

or

Ravigill,aforesaid, lost

timber

several

property,

And,

in their furniture

also

were

then

and

there

destroyed, by you, the said

and the greatest part of the

Sellar,as aforesaid
timber
furniture, and
belonging to the said William
Chisholm, together with three pounds in bank notes, and
*

ridge of growing

property, or in the lawful

possession of the said William
Chisholm, in Badinloskin,
then
and
there
aforesaid, were
destroyed by fire, and
otherwise, by you, the said Patrick Sellar. And you, the
said Patrick
Sellar, having been apprehended and taken
before Mr.
of SutherRobert
land,
Mackid, Sheriff-Substitute
the 3ist day of
at Dornoch,
did, in his presence,
on
subscribe
and
declaration ; which
May, 1815, emit
a
Notice
entitled
declaration, together with
a
paper
a

corn,

all the

"

given
to

be

to

used

lodged
Court

the

in evidence

in due

of

Strathnaver
time

tenants,

against you,

in the hands

15 Dec., 1813,"
at your

of the

Clerk

being

trial,will be
of the

Circuit

Justiciary,before which you are to be tried,that

have
at
:
an
opportunity of seeing the same
you
may
the said heath
least, time and places above-mentioned,
and
wickedly and maliciously set on fire
pasture, was
and burnt, or caused
and procured to be set on
fire and

TRIAL

burnt,
and

to the

others
caused

or

killed in
of

out

distress of the said tenants

the

of all

deprived
the

said Donald

121

said persons
were
violently turned,
habitaprocured to be turned, out of their tions,

; and

distress,and

SELLAR.

great injuryand

and

and

PATRICK

OF

imminent

M'Beath

shelter, to their great

and

cover

danger

of their lives ; and

and

Margaret M'Kay
mentioned, or were

manner

above

their

habitations

aforesaid

as

the

culpably

were

cruellyturned
said

the

and

dwelling-houses,barns, kilns, mills, and other buildings,

lawfully inhabited and occupied by the said persons, were
maliciously
or

set

caused

were

burnt, pulled down,

and

lawful

and

the

and

and

occupiers

procured
turned

their

of the

want

to

demolished, and

thereof

greater part of

destroyed, from

and

fire,burnt, pulled down,

on

out

different
usual

and

be

set

lished,
demo-

fire,

on

the inhabitants
aforesaid

as

crops

lost

was

;
or

modation
accom-

necessary

for

securing and manufacturing the same

;
and the growing corn, timber, furniture, money,
and other
effects,the property,- or in the lawful possession,of the
said persons,

were

wantonly

set

on

fire,burnt, and

wise
other-

and procured to be set on

destroyed or caused
fire,
otherwise
said
the
burnt, and
destroyed : And
you,
Patrick
Sellar, are guilty of the said crimes, or of one
of them, actor, or art and
or
more
part. All which, or
by the verdict of an
part thereof, being found
proven
assize,before the Lord Justice-General,the Lord Justiceof Justiciary,in a Circuit
Clerk, and Lords Commissioners
Court
of Justiciaryto be holden
by them, or by any
of their number, within
ness,
the burgh of Inveror
one
more
in the month
of April, in this present year,
1816,
Sellar,ought to be punished with the
you, the said Patrick
pains of law, to deter others from committing the like

crimes

in all time

coming.
HOME

H.

Mr

Sellar, having pleaded

defences

were

relevancy
far

as

read

of various

"

:
"

NOT

First, The

parts of the

the libel is relevant, the

A.D.

DRUMMOND,

GUILTY,

the

following

panel objects
libel.

panel denies

to

the

Second,

In

its truth

; the

so

HIGHLAND

122

whole
the

of the

charges

CLEARANCES.

utterly false, in

are

only unable to bring any sufficient

in support of his own
accusations, but the panel

will

bring positive proof against them.

that the ejectments which
have
prove,
trial,were

done

of

the

Farther,
the

order

Judge,

proper
will prove

that
after

even

of

The

given

rise to this

law, and, under

issued

regular
great indulgence was
on

resisted

they had

will

panel

the

the

rants
war-

process.
shown

regular

of the

with

his part,
done
on
Judge ; that nothing was
knowledge or approval, either cruel, oppressive

his

illegal.That

or

and,

he

in due

tenants,

decrees
or

so, that

is not

Prosecutor

evidence

to

much

so

he

committed

of homicide

acts

no

the

whole, he will prove, that throughout every

part of this affair,he (the panel) has been the victim, not
unfounded
local prejudices,but of long
only of the most
continued
and
active defamation, on
the part of certain
on

who

persons,

whole

have
of

system

estate, and

it their

made

improvements

business

introduced

to

traduce

the

into the Sutherland

vilifythe panel, by whom, they have

been
that these improvements
have
pleased to suppose,
been partly conducted.
He
rejoices,however, in the first
has
been
afforded
to
now
opportunity, which
him, of
meeting these calumnies and prepossessions in a Court of
Justice,and relying,as he does, with implicitconfidence
the candour
and
of a British
on
dispassionate attention
of being able to establish
jury, he has no doubt whatever
his complete innocence
of all the charges now
brought
against him.
"

to

Under

protestationto
"

"

The
state

Robertson

object
such

of

opened

H.

eik.

COCKBURN.

ROBERTSON."

the

as

part of the panel.

on

the

court

at

this

time

on

the

relevancy of

case

addressing the

observations

and

J. GORDON.

"PAT.

Mr.

add

occurred

was

to

indictment, and to give a general view of the line of

jections
defence.
On
the former, he remarked, that various ob-

the

did

occur

to

the

relevancy

of the

charges,

par-

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

124

destroyed by
violence

was

him,
used,

kind.

of any

quite out

of the

Prosecutor

to

doubted,

that

malice

and

nor

"

The

charges of culpable homicide

question, and Mr. Sellar defied the

them.
prove
if truth
and

conspiracy,

the

Upon

Mr.

it

whole,

justice were

to

Sellar would

obtain

were

Public
not

was

prevail over
ourable
hon-

an

having here stated that

to insist on
mean
charges, excepting those
any
in the
speciallyand articulatelymentioned
Lord Pitmilly said :

not

were

triumphant acquittal.

and

The

orders, no
unnecessary
cruelty exercised, but everything
any
order of law, and without
sion
oppres-

in due

done

was

his

by

or

Advocate-Depute

he

did

which
ment,
indict-

"

"

the

originof

the

shall

Neither

improper

for

to

me

prosecution,or
anything
say

enter

the nature
of the

at

present into

of the defences.

publicationswhich

they appear to be of the

contemptible nature, and the only prejudicewhich
is the other
that
entertain
is, against the
way

been

have
most
I

be

It would

alluded

to, except that

can

aid.

requiring such

cause

have

no

doubt

as

to

the

relevancy of the libel."

The

jury

James
William

was

composed

of the

followinggentlemen

Fraser, of Belladrum.
Fraser, of Culbockie.

Mackintosh, of Balnaspeck.
Duncan
Fraser, of Fingask.
in Inverness.
Alexander
Smith, merchant
William

John Gillanders,

of

Highfield.

of Muirtown.

George

Reid,
Mackenzie, of Strathgarve.
Falconer
Mackenzie, of Allangrange.

Robert

Denham,

William

William

tacksman

George Kay, residingat

of

Dunglass.
Tannachy.

in Elgin.
Joss, merchant
John Barclay, writer, Elgin.
John Collie,farmer at Alvas.
of Greens.
John Smith, tacksman
Bailie

Robert

"

OF

TRIAL
Evidence

having

for

been

Crown.

led at

stated

except the
the
barns,

and

old

not

think

to

establish

authorise

Sellar

defence

part of the

all the

charges

ejections from
in

the

certainly did

last

was

but

sufficient
he

argued,

sufficient

were

the

to

jury in findinga verdict of guilty to the

at the risk
injury, as she had been removed
be

to

that

the

Sutherland,

retain

to

them

of Mr.

conduct

long

as

as

law.

to

contrary

and consequently
irregularand illegal,
outgoing tenants
being entitled, by the

was

of

case

He

proved

he maintained
life,which
the barns, he contended

to

of

an

case

homicide

culpable

the

of

of her

this

circumstances

the

extent

in

evidence

for the

up
the

gave

125

the

on

Badinloskin.

at

the

he

jury

regarded
of real injury

that

woman

the

that

which

one

the

As

addressed

He

that

prosecution and
considerable
length,

the

Drummond

Mr.

SEIXAR.

PATRICK

sive,
opprescustom

the

arable

land.

and

addressed

Gordon

Mr.

part of the panel,

prosecution ; the preconcerted plan on

certain persons
had instigated
the people of Strathand to persistafterwards
to complain at first,
; the
of successfullyopposing the improvemen
they entertained
of Sutherland, by affecting
the noble persons

objects
which
naver

views

to whom

the

the

Sellar, as

property belonged, through the sides of

convenient

view

which

affect

to

impartialityof jurymen,
attacked

the

of

Chisholm

evidence

of the

points of

law

criminal
to

charges, at

by maintaining
trial of Mr.

law

and

the

purity of

conduct

graceful
dis-

the

this
a

in the

in

dence
eviclear

the
on

the

particularcharges

; and

jury, that

He

of the

Sellar, and

length,and

authorities

Sellar,but, in truth,

Mackid

dwelt

of Mr.

considerable

Mr.

evidence.

characters

others, and

applied to

to the

of

the

innocence

total

the

had
resorted,
persons
of justice, the
channels

exposed

and

which

various

succeeding ;

Mr.

these

the

and

measures

pointed terms

of

medium

to

measures

most

the

on

arguments used on behalf of the prosecution.

entered
at great length into the history and

He

with

jury

the

repliedto
of

the

with

as

ence
refer-

finally,concluded
not
was
merely the

conflict between

the law

126

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
land

of the

and

involved

issue

at

resistance

and
agricultural,

the

law

future

fate

; that (though
Public
whose
Prosecutor,

the

the

question
of
progress

and

improvements,

of Sutherland

by

That

in the county
certainly not so intended

moral

even

to that

conduct

throughout

it was
nevertheless,
candid, correct, and liberal),
in substance, and in fact, a trial of strength between
the
abettors
of anarchy and misrule, and the magistracy, as
been

has

well

laws

of this country.
Pitmilly,after having stated

the

as

Lord

to this case,

able

summed

up

His

manner.

the

the

in

one

lordshipstated,

jury to consider any

regard to the old woman

first,there

country,

of

threshed

out

had

\ neither

tenants,
suffered

not

damage.
by

bound

been

such

done

to

it

and

sary
unneces-

was

for the

As

practicein

crops
it be doubted, that
use

the
be

would
Mr.

to

Sellar

of the

going
out-

of

this, the tenants

in point of law, as the Court
of

similar

question, Mr.

practice,but

ejections.In regard

in the
have

any

in

clear

very

till the

of the barns

But

decided

had

applicable

charges, excepting

of the

in consequence

and

as

at Badinloskin.

barns

could

that

of the

doubt

no

retaining these

left the whole

not

Session

be

could

in

evidence

for the
the

the law

to

Margaret M'Kay,

entitled

was

the
his

Sellar

was

to proceed

injury charged

Lordship

to

directed

of Chisholm.
jury to the evidence
in some
This witness, although contradicted
particulars
mony
testiconfirmed
by his wife, was
by John M'Kay, whose
his Lordship also laid before them.
On the other
land,
hand, he brought under their view, the evidence of Sutherthe

attention

of the

the duty of
Fraser, and Burns, and stated that it was
these two
betwixt
the Jury to balance
sets of witnesses.
at all at a loss
His Lordship also said, that if the jury were
this part of the case,
they ought to take into view
on

always of
importance in balancing contradictory testimony. Now
in the firstplace, real evidence, from
the
here there was,
of Mr. Sellar, in regard to the sick, for this, in
conduct
been
humane.
several instances, had
proved to be most
the letters of Sir George AberAnd
secondly,there were
cromby, Mr. Brodie, and Mr. Fenton, which, althoughnot
he

character

of

the

accused

; for

this

was

have

evidence,* must
there

the

were

Dunbar

with

weight

some

127

the

and

jury ;

bald
Sir Archi-

and

Gilzean

of Mr.

testimonies

of

Sellar's humanity

establishingMr.

all

"

SELLAR.

PATRICK

OF

TRIAL

disposition.
for

jury having retired

The

viva

quarter of

turned
re-

Sellar

findingMr.

verdict, unanimously

voce

hour,

an

GUILTY.

NOT

opinion completely
with that of the jury, and in dismissingthem
concurred
after so long a trial,he was
happy to say they had paid the
a
most
patient attention to the case, and had returned
verdict

satisfactory

having been recorded,

Advocate-Depute declared that

verdict

The
The

his

state

rejected on
the

of

account

he

who

witnesses

trial would

of the

were

designations,had

in their

errors

result

the

be

thought it fair
satisfactory to the jury,

if those

conviction, that

examined,

been

it would

that

panel,and

to the
to

Court.

the

to

his

that

Pitmilly observed

Lord

have

been

same.

Sellar.
Mr.
Pitmilly then addressed
Mr. Sellar, it is now
His Lordship said,
Lord

"

dismiss
of

thinking,

opinion

been

so

The

much,

of the

verdict

and
pliciter,

o'clock

The

so

from

to

italics

of the

minds

mine.

an

unanimous
though
that, al-

sure

am

to

satisfaction

the

agitated,you cannot
I am
hopeful it will
country,

which

have

interlocutor, in respect

the
assize, assoilzieing

ten

from

ED.

and

panel

sim-

bar.

the

o'clock

morning,

"

duty

improperly agitated."

excess.

are

been

place, and

dismissinghim

Wednesday

on

have

pronounced

of the

trial lasted

The

crowded

and

then

Court

the

on

Court.

the

this trial took

effect

the

have

you

discharged by

are

you

jury and
feelingsmust

regret that
due

that

; and

of the

your

have

bar

the

from

you

my

on

the

Tuesday

till

Court-room

one
was

128

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

ROSS-SHIRE.
GLENCALVIE.
cruelties

Great

shire, where
churchyard.

only
to

those

under

and

home

commissioner

under

them

down

by

sent

the

remember

of
large masses
Clearances
systematic

which

indeed, wished

that

with

the
"

in Sutherlandshire

on

and
"

Times

TAIN,

NEAR

years

ROSS-SHIRE,

destitution
thrown

under

ago,

the

late Marchioness

clansmen

regret

what
to

to

by

to

the

called)carried

here

are

forgotten to
will

describes

of Stafford
an

extent

their

chiefs

learn

tion
direc-

the

the
were

heartless

of misery, of destitution,and
all its sequences
in Ross-shire.
to
crime, is again being resorted

Amongst

an

poetic
shut

scenery,

traditions
to

But

"

special

with

scourge
of
and

would

asunder

torn

20

bound

of

out

1845.

and

misery

(asthey

of the

not

ties which

ancient

who,

estate

have

who

those

then

the

on

manner.

London

tors
ances-

driven

and

population were

some

their

"

the

"

ment
treat-

thus

~L$thMay,
who

dared

one

ARDGAY,

Those

the

them

sod

ruthless

follows

as

No

driven

had

the

parish

receivingsimilar

be treated

than

the

Ross-

they found

land.

of them,

in such

circumstances

the

fate

into

week

of

threat

hard

friends, rather

and

than

Many

landed

retire

to

more

whose

tombs.

their lot had

had

Glencalvie,

at

in their native

obtainable

the

among

for

There

them,

to

house

evicted

the

shelter

succour

perpetrated

were

imaginative people
from

make

dwelling amongst
from

out

of the

like

the

world

the

wild
and

Highlanders,
and

clinging to

past, it requires little,with

them

almost

idolise

their

of their blood

romantic
the

fair treatment,

heritor.

They

in his service.

spend the last drop

owners,
to the landthis feeling of respectfulattachment
cannot
which
buy, is fast passing away.
money

ROSS-SHIRE.
This

change is

dark

of

deeds

without

not

129
; and

cause

calculating

"

if the

perhaps

feelosophy

"

transacted

of these
through the instrumentality of factors in some
inconceivable
lonely glens \ if the almost
misery and
hopeless destitution in which, for the expected acquisition
of a few pounds, hundreds
of peaceable and
generally

industrious

and

the

of

means

contented

peasants

driven

are

become

to
self-support,

from

out

and

wanderers

valuable
and
brave
a
starving beggars, and in which
population is destroyed are exposed to the gaze of the
effect what
world, general indignationand disgust may
moral
of these
One
obligationsand humanity cannot.
dine,
clearances is about to take place in the parish of Kincarfrom which I now
write ; and throughout the whole
it
district
has
created
the
strongest feeling of
"

indignation.
This parish is
extent

with

is

one

Croick.

The

the

amongst

the country,

of

the

of

to

10

chieflyof
consisting

extends

unfrequented parts of

and

remote

It

of

miles,

20

miles.

15

great

district

parliamentary

of this district is about

from

most

districts each

into two

called

length

breadth

divided

hills of heather

rock,

and

peopled only in a few straths and glens. This district

of those
but one
ances
clearwas
formerly thickly peopled
the population,
many
years
ago nearly swept away
*

and
I

am

the

now

number

whole

told,to only 370 souls.

straths

strath

called

is the

inhabitants

whose

turn

the

at once,

it is

the

strong ; nearly the whole

for the

future.

Charles

Robertson

with

his

regiment in

who

acts

for him

The
of

whose

divided

are

called

strath
and

turned

out

helplessas

Amatnatua,
90

as

in his absence

is Mr.

Dingwall.

hope
glen

is at

James
Bleak

pect
pros-

Major

or

out

steward

Gillanders

Glencalvie

25 miles from Tain, eastward.

all rock and
surface are almost

and

or

is

all

present

his factor

] and

people,

the young

proprietorof this

Kindeace,

It

of their homes,

well

who

into three

in Glencalvie.

without

of them

Australia

HighfieldCottage,near

amounts,

Glencalvie, in number
to be

and

Greenyard,

of

now

aged

These

live in

glens, and

or

another

about

of its inhabitants

of

is situated

rough hills,

heather, closed
I

in

HIGHLAND

130
all

on

arable
cairns
of

more

sides, leaving in the

gentle declivityof
land
of a very
description,dotted over
by
poor
of stone
and rock, not, at the utmost
computation,
than
in
For
this piece of
extent.
15 to 20 acres

indifferent
that

with

land

impinging

valley

it
and
on
upon
do live,you
would
"

brown

it

which, if it

its

impossible even
increditable
rent of "55

almost

convinced

for the

that

for

fact

that

sheep

been

walk

"

the

paid. I am
in England

farmer

no

it

makes

nature

has

IDS.

land

same

not

they could
of vegetation, beyond

rocky

and

hills

the

on

were

credit

not

void

seem

heather, whilst

dangerous

right of pasturage

sheep
live, so entirely does
the

CLEARANCES.

would

give "15 at the utmost.

Even
here say they do not know
respectable farmers
how
the people raise the rent for it. Potatoes
and barley
in the valley, and
were
some
sheep and a few
grown
black
find
cattle
the
heather.
provender
amongst

Eighteen

families

they have

help one

of

for

offence

years

soldiers ;

many

has

served

cottages,

where

became

has

he

all

roll,and they
poor
I am
told that not an

been

charged

back.

was

ten

bound

born.
years

for the

and

in one
pay the whole
The
clearance
of this

ordinary

the

During the war

and
old pensioner, 82
an
in India, is now
dying in

proprietor,some
tenants

in

themselves

on
poor
the winter.

valley

valley ;
punctually, and they

rent

no

over

this

cottage in the

their

support

have

another

inhabitant

who

to

They

seasons.

each

always paid

contrived

have

have

For
ago,

with

it furnished
of age,
of these

years
one

the convenience
four

of

any

the

of the

principal

rest, to collect all the

rents

sum.

much
valley, having attracted
notice, has been thoroughly enquired into, and a kind of
I
defence
been
has
entered
respecting it, which
upon
am

told

Through
have

that

has
the

been

forwarded

politenessof

to

the

Lord

Advocate.

writer, Tain, I
been favoured
of it. The
with a copy
only explanation
defence
find
in it,is
of
I
the clearance, that
can
or
Mr.

Mackenzie,

assumed
the manageshortly after Mr. Gillanders
ment
it became
of Major Robertson's
found
that
he
estate,
to adopt a different
absolutely necessary
system,

HIGHLAND

132

also to have

were

houses, which

CLEARANCES.

libertyto

carry

the timber

away

of their

really worthless, except for firewood.

was

their

On

part they agreed to leave peaceably, and not to

of
lay down
Beyond the excessive harshness
any
crop.
removing the people at all,it is but rightto say that the
mode

of

proceeding in

and
Two

they would

and

time

the

of removal

is not

only

only

had

regard
and

miles

rent

family

ton, about
obtained
The

old

for 7
"3 for

got

20

miles

land

any

rent

or

means

while

tenants

be

to

A
two

bound

kept

widow
small

means

as

principaltenants
the

case

Two

only,

shed

These

they

For

hope

removing

and

"3

lot of land

does

offered

2s.

He

for the

was

rent

miles

ten

attached

week

make

kill

of the

one

; and

he

have

living.

tained
him, has ob-

family, a

off, without

to it.

the factor

by

with

who

for his son's

"4, some

of subsistence

to

not

family, and
or

second

in Edder-

three, the whole

may

father

it, out of which

this they are
to

on

small

in

Tain, 25

near

moor,

were

even

and

off.

lived.

he

to

This

old

support

four

principal
indignantly refused

pauper.
with four children, two
in

apartments

Bridge, for
or

of

soldier has been

him

house

the

intentionally

first year
"2 for the
continuation.
old man
Another

pensioner, if

at

to

factor, these

the

the

places where

for himself
house

four

subsistence.

acres
a

be

this is not

or

agreement,

extended

to

seems

house

any

people

for this ceeding

proprovided for ; this

been

but

; but

obtain

to

has

all have

principaltenants.
got a piece of black

have

; and

year
a

with

off,without

"i

pay

perate
tem-

got up

four

to the

they hope

defence

the

case,

for the

since been

all,the
speaking
; for, according to
do

to

son,

been

part of the

of

In

meant

are

all he

the

not

deceptive.

that

bound

their

has

In

it is stated

became

out

carry

of this month.

25th

has

considerate.

respectable farmers

that

hitherto

the removal

which

she

is to

of subsistence.

four children, has

bothy
pay

"2

Another,

imbecile, has obtained

turf hut

or

rent, without
a

man

with

Bonar

near

any
a

land

wife and

Bridge, at
apartment at Bonar
of
He goes there quite destitute,without
means
"i rent.
living. Six only of eighteen households, therefore, have
got

an

ROSS-SHIRE.
able to obtain

places in

of these, three

have

been
and

before

them.

three

of the
and

could

obtain

no

know

where

to

long

will pay
walk

calvie
is

being

it

they express
landers.

The

weeded.
built

factor

eighteen

years

population,is

now

At

population.

Black

from
the

on

them

best

and
of

out

names

and

what

the

of
the

Condon

defence

numbers

by

which

during
been

have

district,

necessities
from

that

of this
of each

and

those

that

say,

turbulent

and

Times

Strathconon

that

the

of the
of

want

the

same

so

who

it is

they refrain
resistance

of

Tuesday,

go

owing
from

of the

amongst
the

to

fluence
in-

breaking

law.

close
en-

proceeding, with a list of the

in all
family in Glencalvie
"

persons.*

92

(as
Gil-

Mr.

Dingwall,

near

out

same

from

course,

and

they

religionalone

into open
you

same

authority,

hear

the

unnecessary

Isle,

it

Tain, who

of families

meet

Glen-

at

strong is the
Highlanders at these outrageous
poor
far as
concerned
warranted
wholly unthey are
whatever, that I am informed
cause
any

agent is pursuing the

feeling of the
proceedings, so

to

ago,
almost

sheep

be weeded

Church

Government

that

the

Newmore,

so

been, it is

near

manages

hundreds

some

years,

The

from

But

neighbourhood,

to

25th, by

have

land.

of Newmore,

the

here) on

30 miles

last four

in this

families,are

clearance

the

find

can

large tenant

or

ones,

tented
con-

rather

one

cultivated

than

this has

that

from

and

trouble

as

small

tenants

same

estate, about
the

him

far from

to 16

every

reduced

I confess

saves

many

so

The

told, amount

am

it

as

be

to

factor would

the

solitaryinstance

of many.

one

that

rent

that

to

is this virtuous

what

scattered

than

more

pay
add

me

people

is

rent

round

to live.

do

to

punctually paid
all experienceto suppose

more

can

Let

to be

many,

rent

to

contrary

than

the

as

For

It is said

tenant

one

what

or

beggary
community

been

or

neighbourhood, and they

nothing to do, and they did not

all these

are

to

answer.

no

any

of subsistence

means

the

place,and
to,

put their heads

to

they have

me

proprietor in
go

which

hopelessand helpless. Two

are

told

for what

comfort

rest

men

factor

And

only

The

133

2oth

May,

1845.

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

134

THE

ROSSES.

THE

OF

EVICTION

Times," the Rev. Richard Hibbs'

of the Episcopal Church, Edinburgh, referringto these
Take
first,the awful proof how far in
evictions, says :
In

"

for the

Sermon

"

"

oppressionmen
giftedin every

can

go

way

and

largely

property, talents, all ; for the

so-called noblemen.
What,

"

part indeed, they

highly educated

men

"

are

most

then,

they doing in the Highland districts,according to the

are

of

testimony

depopulating
red

to
emigrate ?
giving them
money
out ; by rendering
starving them
of procuring subsistence

families

first take

; for they

make

to

By buying off the

how

city ?

this

districts in order

those

And

deer.

professor in

learned

Not

for

room

and

cottars,

at

all, but

for

themselves

from

has

and

bred

love which

"

manifestly implanted
landlords, who

inhuman
very

beasts, take

roofs

above

worn

down

their apportionm

them

inclemencies

they
For

of

this head

under

evictions.

Here

might well
noon-day."

have

"

It

has

was

on

the
well

this

intimation, that

here

than

of

for their

to

this

the

the

hide
sermon,

an

says

the

landlords

have

been

defence

before

the

as

his face

individual

at
:

"

who
ments
statetroverted.
con-

receiptof

had

appeared ] and
have
rejoicedmore

would
truly say, that none
myself to find that a complete vindication
can

Knoydart

that

long

deer.

barbarities

first occasion

Highland
aware,

and

enormities

to

by

me

to

such

sun

very

dogs

wanton

most

the

cause
this, forsooth, be-

and

referringto

some

everything,to

only point

the

intimated

referringto
I

the very
poor cottars
heads, and
them,
expose

of the

caused

their

to

these

perpetrated

were

this discourse

heard

merciful

more

destitute

need

we

Macleod,
been

far

sky ;
plenty room

plentifulinstances

been

"

northern

have

must

our

are

and

age

from

great Proprietor of all

nature
why, then, these

defenceless

their

paid

the

from

away

with

in

capable
in-

and

have
of poor lands, although they may
their rents ; and if that don't suffice to eradicate
their hearts that love of the soil on which they have
born

by

absolutely

them

away

Why,

had

been

ROSS-SHIRE.
made.

the

unhappily,

But,

135
is far otherwise.

case

fullyacquainted with all that

subject, I have put myself during the

order
the

to

be

with
which

appeared
him

From

that

this

do

to

that

in the

ago

was

even

on

munication
com-

letter,
referred.

statements

impugned ;
simply impossible,as

not

in

whose

Times,

his

of

none

passed

week

professorto

months

nay,

"

learned

some

learn

invalidated

the

had

In

were

and

he

adds,

he

had

been

All that could be called

great pains to verify the facts.
in question was
those
the theory that he had based
upon
at

facts
of

making

to

contradiction

for

room

openly

not

This, of

part

of those

purpose
was

course,

landlords

open
had

who

their object in evictingthe poor Highland

and this
to the evictions themselves

avowed
As

main

the

the

for the

made

were

deer.

more

on

families.
was

evictions

that

namely,

"

"

point

contradiction

at

attempt

no

"

was

made."

addition

In

has

made

to all that

known
of

The

world

this head, who

under
of

[Black]
has

Rosses," and the

clearingof the glens ? "I hold in my hand," Mr. Hibbs
has passed
thus entitled,which
a little work
continued,
into the second
edition.
Ross
The author, Mr. Donald
not

heard

the

to
"

Professor

the benevolent

Massacre

the

"

"

gentleman

all who

whom

and

oppressed

humiliatingpictureof

feel

highly

must

for the

sympathy

What

esteem.

history of his own

fain yield himself
atrocities which

period, in

the

recollection

times, and

and

tempting
depicted were

long past

ages

history,

or

that

that

is

he

of old

age,

is

innocency
some

far

of

it

would

He

illusion that the ruthless

at

the

in

enacted

of

scene

infancy

and

distant, and

as

fabulous

if it be

all events,

cruelties,the perpetrators of which

alike of the

finds

perusing the

too.

country

to the
are

cruelty of fallen
reader,
present ! The

barbarity

the

humanity does this little book

utterly appalled by its horrifying statements,
difficult to retain

trodden
down-

such
were

the

yet

temporaneous
con-

rending
heart-

less
regard-

helplessness
not

merely

unchristianized, but wholly savage and uncivilized region

of our
globe. But alas ! it is Scotland, in the latter half
of the

nineteenth

century, of which

he treats.

One

feature

136

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

barbarous

of the

heart-harrowingcase is the shocking and

cruelty that was
practised on this occasion
female
letter

Mr.

D.

dated

clearances

Advocate,
in reference

which

evictions

and

in

Ross,

the

to

of those

one

clan.

evicted

Right Hon. the Lord

April 19, 1854, thus writes

addressed

Edinburgh,
to

of the

portion

the

upon

had

just

certain

Sheriff
place, under the authority of a
of the district,and
of a body of policemen as
by means
executioners
The
:
feeling on this subject, not only
taken

then

'

"

in

in

district,but

the

is, among

Sutherlandshire

great majority of the

the

condemnation

of

people,

conduct,
brutality of the

indignation and disgust at the

policemen. Such, indeed, was the sad havoc
females

banks

the

on

of universal

one

Sheriff's reckless

the

of

and

Ross-shire,

and

of the

Carron,

made

memorable

the

on

the

on

that

the ground
on
last,that pools of blood were
the grass and earth were
dyed red with it that the

dogs

of the

3ist March

"

"

district

last, such

at

from

distance

by

order

harrowed
"

the

was

state

the

see

up
of feelingof

field,that

instructions

or

the

blood

country,

or

calculated

not

the

rouse

martial

went

stood
under-

headquarters) actually

from

ground during the night to hide

affair at Greenyard, on
the morning
last, is

; and

partieswho
party (itis

the

The

March

to

licked

and

came

blood

the

of the

inspire much
spiritof the already
to

3ist

love

of

ill-used

females
of innocent
Highlanders. The savage treatment
that morning, by an
on
enraged body of police,throws
the Sinope butchery into the shade
; for the Ross-shire
have

Haynaus

shown

blood-thirsty than
could
and

these
scars,
on

the

of the

result

"

Commenting
the
says

tha

middle

of

truly that
the

did

not

Austrian
and

have
?

'

to

women

or

from

nineteenth
"

"

What

their

wounds

disjointed arms,
moving on crutches,
of them
by the police
the

of Scotland

invasion

"

the
:

more

and

atrocity,committed

this incredible

on

with

"

treatment

dread

and

women-floggers.

bones,
of sickness,

brutal

cruel

more

broken

beds

Greenyard
by Russia

at

the
men

poor
and

stretched

themselves

It

wonder

was

century,
so

at the

Donald

horrifying
rev.

and

in

Macleod
so

brutal

gentleman's delicacy

ROSS-SHIRK.
in

directinghis

speaking of it,and

Ross's
from
case

137
hearers

pamphlet for full information.

Glasgow to Greenyard, all the way

Sutherland, well
murderous

found

spot, and

the

upon

educated

cruelty of

that
in

that

the

county,

Mr.

Ross

went

the
investigate

to

Taylor,

Mr.

Mr.

to peruse

native

of

and

evicting schemes

Sheriff-substitute

and

of

from Tain upon

the morning of the
Ross-shire, marched
of a strong party of armed
stables,
con3 ist March, at the head
with
heavy bludgeons and fire-arms, conveyed
in carts and other vehicles, allowingthem
ardent
as much
drink as they chose to take before leaving and on their
for the bloody work
which
march, so as to qualify them
fit for any outrage, fullyequipped,
they had to perform
*

and

told

would

by

over

in contact
who

serving

with

the

for

allowed

first blow

and

large in

of small

died for

at

got their

the

of them

time

was

mother

of

large family,
tried to keep

possession

see

every

condition

many

of them

on

tied with

prisonersto
of

until

protectlesscreatures
arms,

Mr.

of the skin with

upon

the

at

broken

together,others
carried

; the

field,welteringin their
limbs.
bruised
ribs, and

with

or

I did not

the

woman,

stretched

was

this woeful

found

no

resistance, until the bravest of them

broken
This did
; then they gave
way.
of the murderous
brutes, they continued
rage

arms

allay

and

But

noble

clubbing

In

generations.

the

made

blood,

prevent the officers from

of removal
them, and keep
upon
farms
where
fathers
they and their foreto

family way at the time, who

a
general slaughter commenced
; then

back

women

of Greenyard,

women

parley ;

the

one

be

to

the Sheriff gave

the order to clear the
be it said to his everlasting
disgrace,he struck

and,

not

who

one

any

themselves

unfortunate

the

summonses

lived and

him

to

mercy

allow

not

determined

were

holding

way,

no

cowards, by allowing these mountaineers

victory
them.
In
this excited, half-drunken
state, they

came

their

and

them,

oppose

called

Sheriff to show

the

the

coarse

ropes,
I have

Tain.

hand-cuffed

were

huddled
seen

into carts,

myself in the

Glasgow, patches
long hair adhering to them,

the field
the

the

Ross,

women,

few

days after this inhuman

but

was

told that

or

scalps

which

was

affray.
gashes were

138

HIGHLAND

found

of

heads

the

on

CLEARANCES.
two

prisonersin

female

young

jail,which exactly corresponded with the slices of

Rossand
scalpswhich I have seen, so that Sutherland
of having had
the Nana
boast
Sahib and his
shire may
Tain

chiefs

few

some

of

whose

some

example should
differently. Mr.
of it

placed

Ross

for

to

would

law

the

be

to

act

affair

whole

Scotland, but

need

and

perform

functionary, further

that

by

of the

majesty

their minds

prepare
Donald
Advocate

before the Lord

taken

India, and that in the persons

education, training,and parental
before

years

notice

no

than

was

the

that

observed

and

tended
at-

to.
"

country, the law of God

In this unfortunate

of wicked

law

robbery

date) in

the

calvie

the

of

Kindeace, if

in

of the

season

in

themselves

and

Church

solitary restingabode
The

months.

London

from

to maintain

in order

keep

of God
"

In

the

the

had

Times

sent

commissioner

Sutherland

majesty

the

this case,
it
cases,

have
and

for

there

were

and

direct

did his

he

hushed

was

up

law, and

in order

people,and

the laws

of the

of the

an

shelter

to

they

right,the majesty

in the

at such

dead,

investigateinto

like the

duty ; but
to

to

for removal

of the

London

vided
unpro-

so

bury ing-ground. I
within
this gloomy

families

nineteen

myself

of Glen-

and

they

in

mistaken

inhabitants

that

year,

(the

estate

not

am

the

rapine,and

same

manner,

they

were

whole

the

similar

unprepared

inclement

the

anity
hum-

foot, but

under

murder,

From

1843

year

evicted

were

and

seen

observed.

be

must

trampled
sanctions

which

men

of Robertson

estate

and

violated

be

may

and

dark.

year

1819

'20, about

or

the

time

when

the

was
completed, and the
depopulation of Sutherlandshire
annual
conflagrationof burning the houses ceased, and
not
there was
when
a
glen or strath in the county to let

of these insatiable
sheep farmer, one
Sutherlandshire
sheep farmers fixed his eyes
in Ross-shire, inhabited
by a brave, hardy

to

them
was

at

of removal

Summonses

immemorial.
once.

The

people resisted

brought againstthem

"

the

of

glen

upon
race

for time

served

were
"

monsters

military

military and

the

upon
force

women

HIGHLAND

140
from
is

his

testimony

CLEARANCES.

that

old

the

of

state

things which

immediately on the eve of being broken up in this

of terror
locality,lacked not a few of those sources
to the
proprietary of the county, that are becoming so very
so

formidable
The

them

to

in the

constitution

states.''

newer

of

society in
Robertson, is remarkably simple.
bound

are

for

about

was

the

for the

farthingof

the

people may
delay, but they

that
"

is,when

For

the

Highlanders,
dare

they

not

blackcock

the

for their
salmon

in the

of the

laird

hunt

the

calvie.
The

It

of the

protectingthis
Pitcalvie, from
These

the

sold

was

swords

septs.

of

by

the

Some

children

Ross

and

superior to
made

the

followers
are

the

the

rightsof

the

nothing.

in most

the

men

Of

not

the

rights

people

are

centuries

did

chief

lands

of

of hostile

in the

belief that

secured
soil.

right

ago.

their part in

broad

charter
the

Glen-

The

their
chiefs

of

the

sword.

of

the

people

] British

law-makers

chief

The

everything, and those of their

ideas of the morality of property

creatures

this there

the chiefs would

catch

not

clutches

died

same

right of the

hills

of the

bought

the

as

the

and

made

or

grouse

"

short

two

well

bled

Legislatures have

"

of Glencalvie

ravages

had

1837,
weeks'

days of their forefathers."

morals
and
principle of honour
the
descendants
a rightto subsisting
on
their

the

water,

every

and

and

lessening ;

rightsof the

concludes

glen, as

clansmen

shoot

or

laird of Kindeace

Rosses

little

been

air,and

the

in the

father

The

longer the range

sheep ; they must

they were
writer eloquently

same

"

never

few

no

and

smaller, than
The

deer,

in earth,

greater,

are

of

continues, speaking of

privilegeshave

1836

as

their

stream

children

own

singlefarthingin arrears
;
of
of
removal.
summonses
receipt

their

and

of souls

; they have

cattle

of families

laird has

favour

the

Mr.

says

; they supported

rent

The

such

Robertson

Mr.

now

number

of their

years,

now

in

are

"

The

poor.

required

not

century,"

education

in bad

have

they

heads

cottages paid

own

rent

are

Four

"

they supported their

lost

Glens,

rental.

ninety, sixteen
teacher

whole

the

have

cannot

had

of their interests
be

and

pathies.
sym-

doubt, however,
the land at all,could the
a

ROSS-SHIRE.
clansmen

their

"

exile

feal cabin

will of

seemingly the
prefer the few
should

clansmen

the

social, and

of

philosophy, but

civilization and
That

of

the

of

the

is amply corroborated

extracted

from

the

last week

that

considerable

of

tenants

of

Greenyards,
to be

out

of

"

cleared

in which

of the

the

angel

of

"

of

harsh

followingaccount,

the

mentioned

We

"

anticipated

was

of removal

summonses

Kindeace,

on

The

Bridge.

formidable

very

of

was

obstruction

Bonar

near

Rosses

Courier

Robertson

Major

be,

a moral,
political,
a
suggestion not

shape

by

Inverness

of the

execution

will it
been

have

shall

light."

character

in the

it is

laws

our

system

"

assumed

Eviction

the

to

of the

is, that

mournful

mistake,

of mammon,

of sordidness

demon

that

Highlands

economical

an

it

Sad

Most

of the

Highlands
going into

their lives the

and

constituencies
many.

the

groups
in the thatch

stranger.

ejected,exiled, in deference

away,
a

the

to

mournful

of their homes

our

of

state

present

legalmyrmidons

of the

sheep-walks

green

in

hearths

the

"

the

children

faggot of

the

"

foreseen

have

141

his

property

office

turned

six o'clock

At

character.

the

upon

morning of Friday last, Sheriff Taylor proceeded

from
Tain, accompanied by several Sheriff's officers,and
force of about thirtymore,
a police
partlybelonging to the
constabulary force of Ross-shire, and partly to that of
the

on

Inverness-shire,- the
"

latter

Mackay, inspector,Fort William.

which
is nearly four miles
it

found

was

two-thirds

of

the

round

county

"

The
show

arrivingat

On

from

The

law.
men

with

yards,
Green-

Bridge,
fully
persons,

Bonar

hundred
had

Mr.

from

assembled

stood

women

to resist

in

front,

occupied the background,

sticks.

Sheriff

and

them

but

his efforts
hold

of the

of

charge

about, all apparently prepared

stones, and the

nearly all,furnished

all,or

three
women,

were

with

armed

to

whom

execution

the

about

that

the

under

with the crowd,

attempted to reason
the necessity of yieldingto the law :
fruitless

were

of him

to

effect the

was

renewed

and

to

strike

some

of the

him, and

tried to

women

after

lay

painful effort

which
object in view by peaceable means
in vain by Mr. Gumming, the superintendent
"

of

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

142

Ross-shire

the

Sheriff

the

police

reluctantly
The
force
led by Mr.
was
obliged to employ force.
Gumming into the crowd, and, after a sharp resistance,
which
happily lasted only a few minutes, the people were

dispersed,and

"

Sheriff

the

enabled

was

the four tenants.

upon
brunt
of the battle, were

the

of
large number
seriously hurt,
treatment

them

of

and

one

these

woman,

condition.
their batons

fifteen

"

The

principalsufferers.

several

medical

under

are

policemen

believe, were

believe, still lies in

we

monses
sum-

they bore

as

women,

sixteen, we

or

the

execute

to

The
the

was

precarious
used

have

to

appear

with

great force,but they escaped themselves

almost
unhurt.
Several correspondents from the district,
who
do not
ance
sufficient allowhowever, to make
appear,
for the critical position of affairs,and the necessity
of at

impressingso largea

once

nature

of the case,

batons

with

with

multitude

the serious

complain that the policemen used their

cruelty. Others state that they not

wanton

only did their duty, but that less firmness might have
The
instances
of violence
proved fatal to themselves.
are
certainly,though very naturally, on the part of the

attacking
melee

hurt,
the

force

great number

especiallyabout

policemen,

in consequence.
the policemade
of the

some

As

of

head

the
as
soon

active

can

we
as

the

only

who

had

been

persons

women

face, while
learn, suffered
was

pursuit,in the
apprehended

active in the

not

of

one

injury
fairlydispersed,
hope of catching
any

fled,

had, however,

men

the

seriously

were

and

the mob

in

smashed

were

and

men

ringleaders. The

and

wounded.

far

so

batons

several

some

were

opposition,and

who

women,

been

had

conveyed to the prison at Tain,

but liberated
bail next
on
day, through the intercession
of a gallant friend, who
became
responsiblefor their

They

were

appearance."
"

young
other
these

they

correspondent writes," continues

wounded

were

women

parts of their
were

dealt
It

was

back

bodies.

of the
The

Courier,

"

ten

skull and

wounds

on

in which
manner
plainly the severe
with by the police when
treating.
rethey were
currently reported last night that one

show

women

in the

the

ROSS-SHIRE.
of them

dead

was

; and

strong against the

feeling of indignationis

the

in which

manner

were

worth

The
"

Ensign, referringto the

day lately a preventive officer
their

made

men

and

estate

signalswere
the

poor
and

men

either
and

at

who

women,

in

extracted

with

they

were

would

be

remonstrated

carried

which

quantity
money.
off
the
shoulder-high

300
with

taken

were

documents
a

was

of

of Downie,

place thirty years

the

burnt, amongst

and

the
The

by

surrounded

not

of

of half-an-hour

course

were

men

Gaelic

or

considerable
braes

the

in

cutter

two

poor fellows
of their clothing,all papers
and

English

denuded

were

his

and

ganger

with

Sheriff-officers.

Tain

given, and

once

says

case,

same

boundaries

the

on

appearance
for
taken

were

be

district."

in the

Northern

One

"

he

twopence

so

have

constables

the

fully believe the life of any stranger, if

not
supposed to be an officer of the law, would

acted, that

at

143

purse

this state

In

estate, and left

the great Culrain riot took

where

ago."
KINTAIL.

During
cleared

of the century a
the first years
Kintail
from
by Seaforth at the

Kintail

factor, Duncan

themselves

added
to their

tenantry
In
one

was

three
in

of Kintail

from

that

well

off,one

the
with

far too

years

many

Parliament.
of the

ago,
the

of
and

from

Kintail

eviction

penniless;

we

met

evicted.

having

sons

wealthy
a

large

cleared

of them

very

for his county in

this has been the case

grasping sheep

their

sive.
exten-

member

While

evicted
the

Canada,

ruined

being

then

many

ancient

the

of their own,
and considered
is
the
In
there
same
county
the descendants
of those
men,

of them

originalcause
died

few

district,all comfortable,

dominion

in

from

sheep farms, already

own

his

his father, who

farms

district.

colony

taken

Glengarry, Canada,

valuable

the

land

the

and

Macrae,

were

many

of
instigation

of age, who
was
among
93 years
in excellent circumstances, his three

man,

He

Mor

great

and

from
the

and

farmer

ants
their descendwho

was

their native

Seaforths,

not

the

land,

long

HIGHLAND

144

after, had

to sell the

in Lochalsh

CLEARANCES.

Kintail.

and

of their ancient

last inch

inheritance

after these

Shortly

Glenelchaig

in the same
evictions, about fiftyfamilies were
banished
and by the same
people from the district of Letterway
fearn.
This property has also changed hands
since, and
is

in

now

possession of Sir

of Lochalsh.

Letter

Innes, almost

as

of that
and
hands

of the

of Lochalsh

soon

as

portion

Kintail.

The

Alexander

he

into

ancient

Baronet

by Sir Hugh

possessionby

chase
pur-

heritage of Seaforth

since

has

property

cleared

was

came

of the

Matheson,

passed

into

the

Lillingstones.
COIGEACH.

The

to

attempt

be mentioned.
the

evict

Here

the

the

people

made

crofters
a

batons
law

twenty

line of defence, in case

the women
ill-treatment.
never
They, however,

the

on

also

resistance,

stout

second
any

must

policemen and sheriffin a heap, throwing their

into the sea, and
ducking the representatives of
in a neighbouring pool. The
formed
the
men

disarming about
officers,burning the summonses
women

the

Coigeach

officers of

law, all of whom

receive

should

put
home

returned

finger

without

or
serving a single summons
evicting a single crofter.
The
to
fortunately came
proceedings of her subordinates
the ears
of the noble proprietrix,
with the result that the
Coigeach tenants are still where they were, and are to-day

the most

among

comfortable

crofters

in the

north

of Scotland.

STRATHCONON.*
From
cleared
and

trustees

to

1848 Strathconon

of its ancient

deer,

extensive

the

1840

inhabitants

was

to make

in other

almost
room

places ; and also for the

forest plantations. The
property

as

when

the

factor, Mr.

harsh

Rose,
*

By

entirely
for sheep

of
purposes
under
was

commenced
by
proceedings were
notorious
a
Dingwall solicitor.

Alexander

Mackenzie.

ROSS-SHIRE.

began by taking away,

He

145

first,the extensive

generationsheld as club-farms by the

reducing the people from a positionof

hill-pasture,
townships,thus

for

; and

secondly,

as

comfort
done

saw

we

dependenc
in-

and

elsewhere,

finallyevictingthem from the arable portionof the strath,

in arrear
of rent.
not
a
though they were
singlepenny
and Scard-Roy were
Coirre-Bhuic
first cleared, and given,
as
respectively,
sheep-farms to

Colin

shire, and
when

of age,

an-eas

\ Carnach

was

than

families

Baile-a-Mhuilinn

in

fewer

these

1844, no

Coire-Feola

and

Achadh-

than

while

evicted

and

townships removing

Knock-farrel

Mr.

were

alone.

cleared

Dingwall.

similarlytreated,

twenty-seven

Meine

cleared

from

Brown,

MorayBalfour,

from

Munro,

came

he

Mr.

from

Glen-

were
Baile-na-Creige

twenty-four
the

to

fewer

no

families

from

neighbourhood of
Dingwall, where

Ussie, above
they were
provided with holdingsby the late John Hay
Mackenzie
of Cromartie, father of the present Duchess
of
few of themselves
Sutherland, and where
and
a
many
and

I,och

of their descendants
A

great

properties in
Maol-Bui
and
It
were

the
is

are

Black

others

fairlycomfortable
found

more

many

the

in

now

Isle

shelter

stances.
circumvarious

on

Drynie Park,
Kilcoy, Allangrange, Cromarty,

at

"

at

some

Aird.
that

computed
driven

thus

from

from

four

five hundred

to

Strathconon, and

cast

souls

adrift

the

on

world, includinga largenumber

from

of persons
quite helpless,
other infirmities. The scenes

were

old age, blindness, and

much
the same
have
as
we

with

other

places. There is,however,

and
cruelty practised on

harshness

people,
that

applicable in

not

in most

instances

land, they
lands
from

given at
speciallytrue

enhanced

some

apect of the
Strathconon

the

namely,

cases,

settled

down

and

claimed
re-

to

who

farms

re-evicted, and the

by themselves, taken

compensation whatever,

rents

they reclaimed
best

one

afterwards

any

of those

of the

they

cultivation

without

them,

in connection

other

many

where

were

into

brought

Isle,where

described

large

settled

great deal of
in that

This

farmers.
down

in the
waste

district.

and
is

Black
ing
mak-

now

after

Next
K

Mr.

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

146
of

Rose

principalinstrument

the

Dingwall,

in

clearing
Highfield,

the late James Gillanders of

Strathconon, was
to the reader
already so well and unfavourably known

connection

with

be remarked

It may

of note

worthy

by

how,

The

At

system,

to

have

been

once

people

the

their

to give up
upon
their arable land, and

settle

places to

disappeared,and
had

to

be

in the

in, the

encountered.

here.

when

of other

absence

they had

difficulties of
As

Hence

pasture, and

hill

in the

means

trials and

the

North,

well to do, but

were

called

suitable

Strathconon.

than

common

so

and

of its size in the

peculiarlysuccessful

large proportion of

afterwards

glen

no

larger population

farm

suddenly

of

previous

time, and

one

evictions, perhaps

in contented

time

at the

were

club

seems
a

who

had

Highlands

are

forcible illustration they furnish

circumstances.

earlier

evictions

Strathconon

the

where.
else-

and

ships
unexpected removals, hardfrequentlybeen brought on families

have

communities
the

Glencalvie

at

arbitrary and

ruin

comfortable
to

that

for the

these

and

and

evictions

the

in

rule, in

soon

very

tions
condi-

new

of these

most

lost sight of, they

Highland evictions, the evicted were
become
or
having either emigrated to foreign lands
absorbed
in the ever-increasing unemployed population
it was
of Strathconon
of the large towns.
In the case
of the
different, as has been
already stated ] many
families

evicted

wildest

allowed

were

land

unreclaimed

history there,
into

in the
the

and

they in after

which

settle

to

on

Isle.

Black

excellent
years

Respecting the
who
when

had

estates
"

says,

father

my

farmed

BLACK

had

of

I well
to

for five

sequent
sub-

brought their
the charge so
they

are

small
often

lazy

land.

ISLE.

Drynie
remember

leave

Their

the

condition
agricultural

of
holdings, is a standing refutation
made
against the Highland people, that
and
incapable of properly cultivatingthe

THE

of

some

the

Kilcoy,

and
my

farm

pondent,
corres-

excessive

which

generations,"writes

his
:
"

grief
fathers
fore-

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

148

emigrants from the Lews

autumn,
accompanied by
minister

their

to

Andrew's

Society

been

have

winter

Canadian

severe

for the

made

of

starved

Montreal,

necessities of the case, and

from
saved their countrymen

it not
soul

every

winter

that

horrid

to

out

no

of

Saint

for the

of them

in

this

how

sent

the

it appears
that
pressingdemands

were

The

would

strange land.

patrioticSociety
will be

death

seen

followingminutes, extracted from the

books
of the Society, during the writer's recent
in
tour
Canada
A specialmeeting of the office-bearers
was
:
summoned
the 20th
on
September, 1841, to take into
dent
consideration
an
by Mr. Morris, Presiapplicationmade
of the Emigration Association
of the district of St.
Francis, for some
pecuniary aid to a body of 229 destitute
emigrants who had recently arrived from the Island of
then
Lewis (Scotland),and who
were
supported chiefly
on

perusal of

but

more

; and

to death

Maclean,

Mr.

Rev.

late in

Quebec

at

spiritualwants,

been

provisionhad

arrived

the

"

"

by

contributions

the

of Sherbrooke

town

letter intimated
it would

be

winter,
the

its

unless

impossiblefor
in

were

of

inhabitants

assistance

other
these

emigrants
could

township

the

from

of the
Morris'

Mr.

received,

was

outlive

to

the

destitution, and

of utter

state

inhabitants

neighbourhood.

of persons

number

large a

and

that

they

as

charitable

of the

their

not

support

so

unaided

own

sources.
re-

Constitution
that
the
meeting decided
Society prohibitedthem from applying its funds to
The

of the
an

object like

authorise

urgent nature,
Hew
assistance, Messrs.
to

collect

This

city ;

and

one

in this

Mr.

charity. Letters

timely aid, which

appear

to

except

to

this

appeared
particularlycalling for
as

Neil

case

M'Intosh

behalf

were

of the

acquitted itself with

collected

of which

Morris, and
received

were

expressing the gratitude of

and

but

not

its funds

subscriptionson

committee

to

it did

and

Ramsay

diligence and success,

having
of
whole
the
sum
"234 145. 6d.,
times, remitted

"

relief from

in the

an

appointed

presented

one

granting of

of destitution

cases

of

the

the

was

the
was,

different

at

by

Mr.

emigrants for
principallythe

the

great

handsome

expended
from

grants.
emi-

him

Morris,

this
means

large
of

ROSS-vSHIRE.

keeping them
emigrants are
their

out

on

tenantry

poor

idea

else, in such
of the

how,

in

not

only

to

instances

of

which

such

had

emigrants

but

be

to

of these

descendants

The

community

miles
and

is

necessary.
un-

ing
nothto

clergy,

in

many

the

by

sent

these

starving

Sherbrooke,
forest.

dense

and

happy

sent

supposed

are

from

form

now

Lingwick

at

where

to

of 80

people

of the

made

provisions

trackless

these

who

practise,is only

to

distance

were,

of

shudder

one

Gospel they

forwarded

sledges, through

on

the

cases,

preach

makes

sometimes

are

caricatured.

Society

whole

totally unprovided for,

sending out a minister and

circumstances,

uses

and

The

in easy
circumstances.
of those in power,
the conduct

now

The
think

starvation."

from

Commenting

149

The
perous
pros-

Winslow.

and

LECKMELM.
ALEXANDER

MR.

MACKENZIE
EVICTIONS.

lyECKMELM
This

small

Colonel

tenants

give you

you

hold

with

lands

term

of

1880,

:"

by

that

Mr.

Pirie,proprietorof L,eckmelm,

Mr.

the

to

you

1880
that

by which
buildings,together

present arrangements

estate, will

Martinmas,

intimate

sooner

possessionthan a notice, dated

the followingterms, was
issued

cottage, byre, and

on

No

Pirie' s

notice that
the

Tulloch.

of

now

1879, in

instructed

am

to

to

Davidson,

November,

"

L,ochbroom,

in

into Mr.

all the

to

of

Parish

the

facturer,
1879, Mr. A. C. Pirie, paper manuAberdeen,
having purchased it for "19,000

did it come
2nd

in

property,

hands

changed
from

THE

ON

'

at

Pirie purposes

other

from

cease

and

further,

the

said

taking

after

the

instructed

am

of

term

the

and

Martinmas,

whole

arable

and

pasture lands, but that he is desirous of making ments

arrangeof the cottage
continue
tenant
whereby you may
upon
have

terms

further

and

conditions

to inform

you

yet to
that

be

unless

settled
you

and

I
upon.
the other

tenants

at

grazing
other

Pirie, he will not, upon

remain

to

said

estate, and

take

about

in

the

with

the

is in the

The

crofters in
now

j for almost

hands

of the

invariably

into his
a

hands, and

own

comfortable

by

"

who

will

and

may

perhaps,
the

supply

or

for

that

remnant

with

laird's

exception
permitted
permitted
hen.
on

such

out

keep
are

Pirie' s

constant

state

and

pastoral
"

for

subsistence
of

his

will

and

of terror

In

place
they

of

have

and

day
his

on

subordinates,

time, be in a positionto
will remain, in their altered circumstanc
short

labour

common

and

existingin

cottages.
of life,they have

abundance,

arable

lime

as

and

outhouses.

livingthing about

of their

navvies.

Martinmas,

dislikes

mansion-house

to

of the

At

trenching,
mortar,

for

With

the

of one,
all the tenants
who
remained
to live in their old cottages, but they

They
Mr.

intention

cruel stroke, reduced

draining,fencing,carrying stones,
the

not

from

likes

the

when

out.

one

labourers, absolutely dependent

own

The

class

comparative affluence
and
cottars
position of mere

the

to

of land

thus

tenantry

independence

cattle,

of that

land

proprietorsthemselves,

inch

every

of

portionof lyeckmelm
the most
productive land
the parish. It could all be
uncommon
a
thing in
very

sheep farmers or sportsmen.

proprietor was
strictlycarried

1880, he took

to

72 head

was

let to
new

"3

arable

any

plough,

paid between
"12 each per

tenants

them

tilled and

the

Highlands

allowed

best

possession of

worked

Sixteen

ranging from

"

sheep.

320

families, numbering

twenty- three

IDS.

stock

horses, and

was

conditions, permit

any

cottages."

souls.

"96

The

annum.

the

affected

of

rent

down

hundred

one

them

from

stock

in the

notice

above

other

after the
cottage you now
occupy,
of Martinmas,
1880, but will clear all off the

term

This

and

sheep

your

trespassingupon the enclosures and hill,and

in the occupation or possessionof the
now

or

Mr.

you

prevent

once

lands

said

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

150

that
that
As
been

state

of

of his
next

reduced

to

be

are

not

not

even

abject dependence
will

work

in

; and

even

and

to that

milk, butter, and

now

"

servants

they

regards

them

still

are

be turned
the
of

saries
neces-

common

cheese

satisfied with

in

fair

sugar,

ROSS-SHIRE.
treacle,

else

whatever

or

they

151

buy,

can

their

to

porridge

and
fed
potatoes, and their supply of meat, grown
hitherto by themselves, is gone for ever.
and
Two, a man
his wife, if not more,
since been provided for by the
have
Parochial
authorities, and, no doubt, that will ultimately
and

be

of many

fate

the

of this

more

thriving and

once

tented
con-

people.
advantage which
universally condemned
Scotsman, of course),

time, and

the

Pirie's conduct

agitationagainst Mr.

An

the

position was
the

public voice

of the country
the
law, made

and

that

own

interest, was
carried
evicted

and

from

side, he

their

lands

(excepting
by the general
of his strength,

and

press

their

in

landlords

relentlesslyand

purpose
and hill

at

of his

taken

the

by

the

by

his cruel

out

had

conscious

; but

his

on

he

raised

was

sistently
per-

bitter

the

to

end,
soul

grazings every

his property ; but in the meantime

allowed
them
to
upon
remain
in their cottages, with
the exception of Donald

Munro,

whose

to

and

two

and

themselves

other

When

MacMillan,

John

Northern

Mr.

to

and

Pirie's
the

soon

this modern

respects, reputed

considerate

him

under

People,

that

thought

in his business

evictions

down

pulled

received, the

minister

Church

hereafter,

made

were

were

to

in Aberdeen.

of

Free

newspapers,
directed
was

country
those

houses

of removal

public attention

called

other

whose
persons
evicted.

notices

the

will be

reference

case

of

the

Rev.

parish,

proceedings

in the

of

whole

eye

evictor
and

of paper

the
a

"

even

man,

in

kind

to

manufacturing

in their
on

simplicity,for years back,

such
a
large scale, in the face

mere
enlightenedpublic opinion, had become
unpleasant recollections of a barbarous
past ; forgetting
a

that

more

the

laws

same

which

Sutherland

and

during

first half

the

force, ready
for
courage,
humane
and
The

noble
with

to

other

be

permitted

portions of
of the

the

the

Scottish

present century

applied by

tyrant

any

clearances

of

Highlands
still in

were

who

had

the

advanced
personal ends, to outrage the more
public opinion of the present generation.
conduct
those

of the

Rev.

Mr.

evictions, deserves

MacMillan,
commemoration

in

nection
con-

in

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

152
work

the

in which

infamous

shows
in

clearances

prototype in Sutherland,

of his

name

Sage,

Mr.

Rev.

the

advantage during

such

to

that

already described

county,

friends

urgent request of many

Highland crofters, resident in Inverness,
At

length.

at

the

the

of the

MacMillan

Mr.

of his evicted
agreed to lay the case
parishionersbefore
the public. Early in December,
1880, he delivered an
in Inverness
address
of the largest and
most
to
one

enthusiastic
and

town,

meetings

do

cannot

we

that

on

subjects,the

and

curtailment

the

our

Pirie

countrymen

poorer

small

no

probably, quite contrary

and

of Leckmelm.

tenants

it is

and

for which

is

he

of

reaching
became

he

to tell how

and
"

becoming

Scotland.

revealed,
of

from
in their

proceedings
will be

of the

MacMillan

Mr.

Pirie

Mr.

he

Leckmelm

"

is

in

now

little dreamt

estate," proceeds

proceedingswere

about,

gone

Pirie's first step after

Mr.

aware,

to inform

was

C.E.,

Manners,

to
following they were
stock, consistingof sheep

but

regime

that

of the estate,

of Mr.

hands

and

hands,

public are

owner

Martinmas
land

until such

fire,

on

"

the

by the

ancient

the

heather

notoriety which

harsh

done

good, though

responsible at Leckmelm

owner

the

have

says

As

to

of

the

set

burning

impossible in
informing his audience

fair way
of when

tunate
their unfor-

over

dealing with

finally made
after

Reform,

intentions, by his cruel

has

He

likelyto continue

those

as

in

conduct

high-handed

was

movement

Land

amount

his

to

of

claim

thus

can

fited
bene-

meeting

subsequent

power

seem

have

to

or

favour

of landlord

Mr.

tenants.

in

do not

Inverness

of the

real

siderable
con-

eloquent, and rousing

Pirie's conduct,

beginning in earnest
throughout the Highlands
the

at

quote

his remarks

Though

Mr.

his unfortunate

than

here

in that

held

been

ever

better

occasion.

influenced

have

to

has

his instructive

length from
appeal

which

that
and

some

on

of them,

showing

factotum,

cottages

to act

as

deliver

William
serfs

or

their

arable

cattle, into his

and

yet to be

conditions

entire submission

things, and, withal,

his

on

the tenantry,
that
at
Inverness,

to

good certificate

the

new

of character

Gould, might remain

slaves

on

his farm.

On

ROSS-SHIRE.
this conditional
for the

hope,

enable

to

future

of the

master

promise they

mercy

summum

effect all the

to

live in the

to

were

all at the

and

situation, with

him

153
best

of

of the

absolute

jus

his back

at

of his heart.

purposes

As

which
to follow, and to give a
was
prologue to the drama
sample of what they might expect in the sequel,two acts
were
presented, or properly speaking,one act in two parts.
a

These

prepare
of what

us

of

husband

teach

her

who

was

obedience

breast.

tender

which

It

similar nature

gained.

after

Then,

of

was

object was
his

commanded

he

coming home,

showing

on

his

that

her

spot of the

lesson

second

easilyimagine

can

we

The

into

terror

shooting on the
carriageor conveyance,

his

drew

strike

to

the

was

youth,

our

this direction

in

first lesson

slight restiveness.

some

to

His

in

minding
re-

come,

his fair spouse

wished
to
all his commands,
ever
what-

marrying

character.

to

was

somewhere

assuredly calculated

one

horse

read

we

on

prompt

their

for what

them

to

were

and
to untie his boots
shoes, and take them
off,
spouse
in the most
and to engage
Of course
servile acts.
prompt
obedience
and
his end
was
given to all these commands

Of

degree.
in
here

it which

was

his lawful

of

hearts, first of all,two

warning whatever, except

was

stream,
if her
most
woman,

for years
in
from
the
other

where
bread

she
was

had

cruel eviction
but

anywhere,

as

she

at all

times

at
no

was

best she

strike

verbal

deaf pauper

life,livingalone
apart

us

in

towards

into

terror

their

were

any

of their

ears

first

not

pulled down, I might

respectiveoccupants,without

houses

about
The

cedure
pro-

I shall

Pirie acted

Mr.

To

say

kind.

by its cruelty.

exactly how

I,eckmelm.

the

such

wife,

last

the

to

entirelyovershadowed

people

to

enquire,but one thing is plainto

speciesof earthly and carnal wisdom

was

him

to

propriety of

and

towards

this illustrates

Now

obedient

was

wisdom

wait

now

all \ there

the

the

husband

and

wife

His

gained.

was

seasons

provisionwas
could.

to

her

pure
made

of you

gether
alto-

purling
drink

to

After

for the

get shelter

If any

water

scanty.

middle

own,

beside

houses,

somewhat

allowed

about

woman,

bothy of

of the shortest

one

helpless

elsewhere
ever

this

go

or

the

of Leckmelm

way

gentry of
I said

the

act

see

can

you

land, close

our

and

bothy,
as

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

154

neighbourhood,
letters, adorning it. This then

one

in its

quite

of my
first of this drama.
in

the

Bheag's

of Iseabal

side

the

to

kennel

dog

gamekeeper's house,

second

Act

or

is

next.

comes

; after
of her husband
she tried to support herself
decease
them
by serving in gentlemen's families as a servant.

Campbell

Mrs.

the
and

Whether

she

was

it

children

two

family

in Tulloch's

all the time

was

but, at all events,

say,

with

widow

from

was

that

I cannot

she

family

turned
re-

in failinghealth, and
on
getting
Leckmelm,
her father had
Of course
heavy for active service.
to

rather

left, and

the

since she

and

died, and

in which

in

all likelihood

his

family, and

in which

he

was

had

tenantless.

It

in the

of another

hands

for

aside

turned

Providence

kind

sojourn

from

knew

who
forth

to

also

her

and

about

down

to America,
gone
family from hearth and

mentioned
actors
to

roused

their

expose

brought

bar

of

edict had

to

I have

with

of

public judgment

the

ability

our

furthermore,

and,

gone
house

evicted

tragediesas
best

her

has

an

remonstrate

in

arose,

woman

of many

the

to

Her

This

ears.

Such
us

and

conduct,

to the

them

of

some

king

ground.

asylum

home.

in them,

engaged

her

the

since

the

to

during

another

inexorable

the

being

Campbell

behold,

township,

habitation

her

raze

native

it

else would

something
But,

up.

Joseph,

not

pulled

was

turn

now

was

to

Widow

Here

person.
while
until

bred,

attached

land

the

empty,

was

and

born

reared

had

he

lived

he

in which

house

died

have

we

pass their
of
will be one
to

hope before all is over,

and
condemnation
condign punishment."
length to the worst classes of
Having referred at some
evictions
throughout the Highlands in the past, and
verdict, which

already

described

proceeded
"

But

in

this

work,

the

reverend

"

there

is another

way,

more

and
gentle,politic,

which
depopulates our
insinuating way at work
clearances
quite as effectually as the wholesale
we

have

to which

been
we

lecturer

speaking and
must

draw

your

againstwhich
attention

for

we
a

country
of which

protest, and
little.

There

156

depopulation is effected in a few years,

generation at most, quite as effectually as by the
This
more
reprehensible method.
glaring and
of depopulating our
native
and
insinuatingway
work

the

ance,

in

or

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

more

secret

land

be

should

defiant

of

the

one,

Describing the
by their

conduct
of

evictions

and
stoutly resisted as the more
open
result it produces being the same."
of the Highlanders, as shown
character
possibil
in our
Highland regiments, and the im-

as

recruitingfrom

reverend

the

stopped,

not

are

future, if harsh

in

them

gentlemen

tinued
con-

"

"

more
eloquent than
give you words
will show
this point, which
the infatuation
on
in allowing her bravest
soldiers to be
Government

to

Let

foreign lands

and

driven

that

their native

from

of thousands

gives the

'

answer

wreck

forth

when
fell at

the

on

scaled

first formed

broke

the

no

wrong.

it flew.

in

Germany,

and

Highlanders

yet, while

\ and
were

their

the

S. Butler

in

far

wail

in MacMillan's

of

the

upon

land
Highthe

St.

was

land
Highhordes

Maharatta

victory at Assaye.
these glens to fight
the i8th

abroad

first in assault

lowly homes
down, and the

W.

ere

at

September

the
It

from

India

day

over

in

line

broken

another

was

their

from

dead

rock-face

power
his maiden

marched

course

It

of the

battalions

America,

lay

of Abraham.

sward

Wellington

gave

Major

done

this

dreadful

disastrous

soldiers

the

Thirty-four

have

the

itself.

Waterloo

level

line that

dragged

by year in
they wronged

shores, year

after

British

that

and

Lawrence,

its

lessly
remorse-

so

their thousands

army

more

regiment

run

were

battle

of Cumberland's

field than

and

"

the

these

flagof Britain wherever

Highland rearlorn hope that followed the

Fontenoy,

dawn

sent

they

penalty so
They have

our

driven

have

What

class

What

suffer

Yearly they have

glens to follow the
was

should

they

writer*

It

having asked,

of

oppressed by

and

crushed

against the State, when

done

batches

be

to

After

tyrant's rod.

people

mine

me

away

over

and

century had
the earth,

the

glens

women

Magazine

and
for

last in
were

the
May,

treat,
re-

being
cry

of

1878.

ROSS-SHIRE.
children

its

the

wings

blossom,

and

of Scotland's
These

the

the

blood

breeze

same

of

myriad

that

sweets

run

in the

done
of man's

cold

as

made

read

terrible in their red-handed

gorse

of

strife,and

sometimes

; but

they

make
not

are

cold

the

as

vengeance

happiness.

and

hours

them

upon

of

lowly life

the

health

dark

too

freshness

passions,that

we

bore

that

the

heather,

peasantry blest with

blaze

the

the

on

scent

crimes

are

amid

out

went

157

so

nity
malig-

civilized law, which

permits a brave and noble

justice.
to disappear by the
race
operation of its legalisedinTo convert
the Highland glens into vast wastes
untenanted
by human
beings ; to drive forth to distant
whose
forefathers had held
and
inhospitableshores men
their own
these hills,despiteRoman
legion,Saxon
among
of

archer,
for

chivalry, men

Norman

or

England's

honour

their bravery had

in a
laws formed
of
1808

the

stream

for

cruel

Recruits

of

it was,

died

sons

wide

the

was

by

name

that

of

symptoms

freely

dominions

about

soldiery,which

Highland

gradually ebbing, gave

Such

her.

mockery

Thus
of

those

through

won

England.

whose

work
the

of

mons
Com-

the
had

year

been

running completely

for

not
Highland regiments could
for the simple reason
obtained
that the Highlands
from
been
the
depopulated. Six regiments which

dry.

of their foundation

had

the

worn

kilt and

bonnet

be
had
date
were

the

forth
lay aside their distinctive uniform and henceFrom
became
merged into the ordinary line corps.
mainland
of destruction
the work
passed rapidly to

the

isles.

ordered

to

These

of
resting-places

remote

the

Celt

were

of the

quickly cleared, during

great
years
It has
Skye had given 4000 of its sons to the army.
war,
been computed
that 1600 Skyemen
in the ranks
stood
at
Waterloo.
reach,
To-day in Skye, far as the eye can
is to be seen,
still
where
waste
nothing but a bare brown
ruined
the mounds
and
the melancholy
gables rise over
landscapes, sole vestigesof a soldier race for ever
passed
away.'
first ten

the

'

In

Murdo
the

January,
Munro,
L,eckmelm

1882,
one

had

news

of the

most

property, had

reached

Inverness

comfortable

been

turned

tenants

out, with

that
on

his

158
wife

and

day

as

in

applied
Munro
to

this

instance

led

extent

some

Pirie's

in the

were

afterwards

man

and

his

"

So

long

Pirie to

to

laws

of the

from

the

his

deal

to

change
by the

with

will

which
is

in this
"

I believe

the

as

of

to the
See

pamphlet

of

Inverness.

"

at

such

and

at

the

Celtic

on

endured
to

come

rightand
This

large.
an

interest

the

local

complete inquiry
tenants,
manager,
him on

object, and put

of his answers,
might make

published
the

hasten

Leckmelm.

at

Pirie's

Mr.

duct
con-

by the benefits

people

careful

most

siders
con-

if his

and

of moral

public,take

time

entitled

and

the

after
his

guard

informed

Report

on

the

Mackenzie, F.S.A., Scot.,

Dean
of
Magazine,"" and
of Guild

Evictions, by Alexander

Leckmelm

Editor

the

he

misfortune

counterbalanced
to the

him

allows

hardships

his ideas

of my

him
which

use

the

Pirie's servants,

Mr.

Ullapool.

informed

had

plore
de-

may

which

it may,

trust

evictions

of the

made

possibleamong
had

the
legislation,

than

more

question

I have

people

will, as

ultimately accrue

I, and

why

which

system

is

exercise them.

justifyhis proceedings \

people who
unfeeling yoke and

will be

wrong,

we

to

specialreasons

the

luckless
his

under

the

the

he

that

much

chosen

Mr.

their properties

admitted

be

he has

with

land

our

reasons

this poor
been
shown

made

money,

legalrights,however

Leckmelm
in

and

it must

are,

sufficient to
in

Other

it has

wards
after-

and

like
permit men
compensation,

land

soil, without

labour

more

thus, than

act

Mr.

"

in which

manner

have

We

the

they

acting within
the

by their

what

opposition to

in which

manner

extracts

as

drive

who,

men

few

and

persecuted

treated, but

were

be

to

report published at the time, that these

this report we
after-thought.* From

an

were

quote

for the

whole

managers,

local

fashion.

cruel

proved

seen

in their

first

was

most

family

to

spent

past, except that it

family. Murdo
one

for the

people

given

conclusively,in
reasons

only

he

proceedings :
evicted

shall

the

had

of the

independent

too

was

facts, and

he

evictions

of the

any

What

people.

the

whereupon

snow

into the

enquire

to

the

among

bad

family, in the

young

writer started

as

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

ROSS-SHIRE.
that

me

he

had

never

always found

he
to

against

say

of him

spoke
pool,

The

exception, so far
enquiriesfrom the leading men

community,

Pirie.

is

Munro

could

as

discover,

in every
section of
Mr.
condemn
and

in

workmen

had

nothing
exception,
people of Ulla-

The

speak well of him,

universally spoken of

industrious

as

of the

one

whole

the

best

parish,

and

most

and,

by his industry and sobriety, he has been

in Leckmelm,
where
he was
little money
a

save

that

without

good neighbour.

Munro,

he

that

tenants,

without

after
the

find with

to

quite civil,and

him.

as

fault

any

him

159

able

to

able

to

keep a fairlygood stock on his small farm, and worked

The
stock
handed
over
steadily with a horse and cart.
him
Pirie
consisted
of
to Mr.
i bull, 2 cows,
i stirk,
by
and about
i Highland pony,
represented a
40 sheep, which
Several

considerable, saving.
similar

stock, and

which

had

they

of them

some

to

the

received

sum

be

cannot

The

must

of what

it

are

to be

sure

to the
"

The
is

annual

of

of labour
who

had

thing

gone

from

long

and

on

by

not

to

among
others

all this

which

have

have

they

able
charge-

the

been

told

authority

Local

employ
the

that

melm
prevailsat Leck-

themselves.

higher quarters,
Of

know

become

which

this

ments,
arrangein money

capital,instead

Contractors

furniture,

received

in

of them

many

all of

long, and
anything else.

it lasts, after

as

last

their small

on

For

to look

all

cannot

invested

new

income

We

stock

of petty tyranny

requested

the

had

any

crowd,

employers
longer people

while

Munro's

out.
being turned
complaining of the same
and
threatening ulterior
were

complete
interests of those
involved, I shall
I challenge Mr.
no
names,
except in Court, where
his subordinates
to the proof if they deny it.

consequences.
evidence, but

Pirie and

so

contractors

were

were

mention

live

now

Munro.

family, goods,
Letters

this

scarcely credible.
of the

some

for

helpless,and
parish.

employ

to

more,

lost the

produced,

system

even

under

advantageously

people

tenants

had

consequently
therefrom.
produce available

and

other

dispense with

and

not

of the

in the

have

the

most

160

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
"

The
the

on

in the

extract

of

24th

action

of removal

last in

January

signed only

was

Dingwall.

On

ing
follow-

the

day the charge is dated, and two days after, on the

I visited
27th of January, the eviction is complete. When
the

scene

cottage, and

stable

feet of the

three

I found

Friday morning,

on

top

at the

either

on

it,unroofed

of

end

to

side,and the whole

within

ings
surround-

of desolation
the thatch, and part of
perfect scene
furniture, including portionsof broken bedsteads, tubs,
*

the

basins, teapots, and

The

cross-beams,

various

officers had
my

placed

from

windows

which

I found

been

had

house

frame

the
the

before

eight panes
with
in the

"

four

crofters'

as

been

moved.
re-

partitions

the

still

houses

the
after

whole, but
been

having

considerable

the

containing
dow,
win-

closet
the

one

The

removed.
have

must

go,

; while

smashed
had

officer

window,

kitchen

had been
panes,
end of the house

"

ben

cottage,

The

wrenching.
of glass,was

of the

and
good-sizedrooms
chimney in each gable, the

fireplaceand
still hanging in one
of them,
crook
it
apparently been unable to remove
of

I made

of two

closet, with

amount

door, but

through one
glass had

and

house,

consisted

Pirie's manager,
The
Sheriff
years.

the

on

still there,

were

Mr.

three

of the

that

removed,

from

padlock

inside

the

to

way

cabars

last

the

outside.

articles,strewn

other

couples, and
latter brought

portion of the
and
paid for within
a

substantiallybuilt

been

fairly

comfortable.

gether
altoIndeed, the cottages in Leckmelm
are
superiorto the usual run of crofters' houses on the
been

the

respects in the parish,before

from
them.
They are certainly not
which
badly housed,
creatures,

the

West

Coast, and

the tenants

most

comfortable

in all

land

miserable

poor,
Pirie
last
"

all
the

taken

was

his friends

and
two

The

barn

recent

from

and

led the

public

to

to have

believe

within

the
Mr.

the

years.

out

in which

the

the

night had

thrown

allowed

are

upper
and
storm,
the

weather.

in showers

littleearth

put

wife

and

infant had

part of both
the

door
The

of snow,
them
over

was

by

still there,
the

remain

gables blown out by

scarcely any protection

potatoes, which
were

to

had

been

gathered

friendlyneighbours,

161

ROSS-SHIRE.
"

The

eviction, and
shelter

or

whole

them,

it,I feel

he

would

no

Those

of the

at

12s.

moment

any

his head

it into

in their

of

payment

on

who

tenants

remain

permitted to

to be

they

of his meanest

still at

are

cottages

them

seen

held

sponsible
re-

drive

soon

would

we

Leckmelm

are

half-yearly

as

but
per annum,
that their absolute

evict

to

precarious,when
any

have

would

humanity

the

and

ideas of legalrightout of his head, and

of evictions at Leckmelm."
more

his stern
hear

tears

consent

never

His

for another.

to

Pirie could

that, if Mr.

such

that

wept

visiblyaffected

were

was

sure

piteouslyduring the
neighbours,afraid to succour

of the

many

scene

children

and

mother

ants
ten-

liable to be

; or, what

moved
re-

take

lord may
is much

more

offence
give the slightest

may

to

subordinates.

LOCHCARRON.

The
a

followingaccount
careful

most

by

"

the

who

and

worst

attempted
duty

to

those

were

The

spot

So much

"

whitewash

newspapers
interest of

facts.

them

Battle

information

served

writer

on

at

that

of

communicated

Maclean,
with

to

come

the

Skye, we
ejectment

Lochcarron.
Mr.

Dugald

Stuart, the proprietor,

intimatingto him the statements
and
received, and asking him if they were
accurate,
Stuart

for

friendly

our

days before

summonses

and

it

consider

Isle of

"

been

ever

allowed

few

Braes," in the

Mackenzie
once

personal

really sorry

but

be

cannot

plain duty.

of the

are

concerned,

otherwise
our

We

we

of late

evictions

have

that

"

after

April,1882,

that

Highlands

actual

the

and

us

received

in

Northern

our

immediately

feeling for
famous

in

in the

even

more

"

the

on

written

indefensible

most

state

between

was

Correspondents," in the
for the Lochcarron
are
responsible

Local

friends

enquiry

distributed

been

has

MACKENZIE.

ALEXANDER

BY

if

anything to say in explanation of them.

Mr. Stuart immediately replied,admitting the accuracy
of the statements
generally,but maintaining that he had

Mr.

had

162

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
valid

and

good

for

reasons

carrying

evictions,

the

out

expressed himself anxious to explainto

following day, while passing through Inverness
South.
Unfortunately, his letter reached
way
which

he

unable

late, and

we

which

vouchsafed

he

were

"

effect

"

born
of

be

give

to

all
in

up
married

Highlander, and
guilty of evicting any
"

in his letter

brought

and

The

him.

see

it at

Was

to

us

of his

reason

lander,
High-

the

son

would

without

tenants

lowing
fol-

the

to

Highland lady,

too

us

likely that he,

the Highlands,

to

his

on

only

was

the

on

good

replied that, unfortunately, all these

in the
had
could be urged by most
of those who
reasons
past depopulated the country, but expressinga hope that,
?

cause

We

in his case,

the

restrain

him

to

from

if those

in

April, 1882,

enquiry
Skye a
Of

under
as

Stuart
up

all the

time

arose

Mr.

afterwards

againstthe
came

as

to

"

of
the

Donald

and

with

contract

erection

the

factor,

contractors

room,

into

entered

Macdonald,

addressed

and

for the

payment
rents

in the

them

men

When
was

some

district,the

their
in

ground
dispute

work.

Tormore,

approached him and related

ground officer,who, while the
and

Stuart's

Mr.

led

1881, two
Maclean,

Donald

sheep fank,

collectingthe

in

which

March,

In

Mackenzie

George

come

so

circumstances

follows

as

hitherto

have

utterly unjustifiable
being carried out by Mr. D.

The

are

"

of any

of

course

evictions

afterwards
the

in

now

men,

for

make

to

which

heard

never

Lochcarron.

to these

officer

Lochcarron

to

of eviction

cases

notice I

those

masons,

proceedings,
unjustifiable. Early

Association

Reform

Law

in

young

of their sons'

innocent

proceeded

to

spot, and the writer on his return from

days later reported as follows to the land
High-

few

rny

his determination

proceedingswere

we

sufficient

prove

the

on

Land
"

would

carrying out

evict parents admittedly

even

by him

facts stated

grievance

were

in the

libellous

and

defamatory language, for which they have since obtained

in all amounting to
substantial
damages and expenses,
I have
a
"22 133. 8d., in the Sheriff Court of the County.
of the whole
certified copy
proceedings in Court in my

possession,and,

without

going

into the

merits, what

164

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
It

recover.

human

most

pitiableto

him

was

wreck

as

saw

the

see

day, and

that

and

aged

have

to

frail
heard

of those
talking of the cruelty and hard-heartedness
who
took advantage of the existinglaw to push him
out
of the home
which
he has occupied so long, while
he is
already on the brink of eternity. I quite agreed with

him

I have

him, and

hesitation

no

and

his

old

man,

as

would

be

allowed

ground officer only

under

the

himself
but

Stuart

have

"

him.

popular

is

his

Mr.

will not

proceed

when

the
case

and

whole

for

his

attempt

or

cruel

Maclean,

such

Mr.

until he

are

which

is

more

to

fully known,

than

taken

have

againstthe
sons

conduct

than

innocent

which

this proprietorand

must

of the

secure

its

This

report

was

he

is

gross

no

his

cases

slightlynoticed

of

Highlands during
pretence that

and

cruel

piece of

parents for conduct

have

existing

abolition,

all the other

in the

place
a

abuse

been

very

officer,who

on

at the

time

the
taliation
re-

the

aggravating

ground
appear
think
themselves
fullyjustifiedin perpetuatingsuch
of grossest cruelty and
injustice."
to

his

intensely

are

they still hope that

lamentable

will do

anything else

part of their

to

generations before
is highly
age, and

hard-hearted

and

is

more

and

years,

of whom

and

do,

to

extremities.

to

as

40

of

years

own

Whatever

over

several

present generation. There

is

them

succour

evicted

be

neighbours, all

case

the facts

eviction

to

of

70 years

over

defending

do,

for

rent

so

Stuart's

him

and

paid

nearly sixty

towards

The

is
one

no

officer may
and
cannot

done

among

grieved at

wife

the cause,
by
present misfortunes.

has

have

He

die in peace,
had
sheltered

and

churchyard

die in peace.
Mackenzie
ancestors

days,

be far
it would
; and
their part to relent and allow the old man

graciouson

law,

Stuart

miserable

the

see

been

ground

the

to

couple

will not,

man

carried

has

his

and

old

"

to

generations

frail old

of their

character,

for

The

who

son

his

his ancestors.

the

the

the

called

end

to

which

roof

and

and

age,

if Mr.

saying that

adamantine,
did, their hearts, however
declare to him
that
at once
melt, and they would

would
he

in

to

acts

in the local

ROSS-SHIRE.

Glasgow

and

Stuart's

Mr.

to

attention

and

newspapers,

165

proceedings.

thus

was

whole

His

directed

conduct

peared
ap-

cruelly tyrannical that most

people expected
relent before the day of eviction arrived.
But
not
so

him

to

so

sheriff

officer

assistants

his

and

from

duly arrived, and

proceeded to turn
of his house.
out
People congregated
of them
the district,some
coming more

of

miles.
to

aid

him, but, notwithstanding, the

furniture
crowd.

returned
What

for the county

out the evictions.

the

interference
which

of

of the Sheriff's

pity ;

for all

Mr.

Stuart

public

break

to

in the

his

through

hand, and

one

in

civil business
deforcement

and

when

even

authorities

that

This
as

law

is

the

baton,

but

Stuart

and

encounter

Celtic

his

little

unjust

who, like
own

it

order

against

officer is

ground

and

Leagues

of the A berdeen

Reform

was

the

ciations
Asso-

after the

forcemen
de-

"

local

for

Press, who

police constable

peremptorily

Magazine

Free

morning,

next

sheriff officers

he

is

remedy is to have the law

proper
it ; and to bring this about
such

ground, writes,

During

the

Kingdom.*

Mackenzie

of the
"

the

Crown

and

the other, the Crown

all the Land

United

William
the

The

of Mr.

that

as

potent than

on

dilemma,

The

oppressiveapplicationof

abolished,

was

disturbance

breakers,

the

Mr.

agent in carrying
he criminally prosecute

Procurator-Fiscal

disreputeby
innocent
people.

more

law

circumstances
in

the

Procurator-

they have for those cruel landlords

of Lochcarron, bring the law and his

into

conduct

The

as

not

which

sympathising

the
?

next

proprietoron

in

for law

cruel,

law

helplessto vindicate the law.

right-thinkingpeople have almost

themselves

and

by

could

these

on
officers,

found

sympathy

men
police-

deforced, and

Stuart's

How

the

ended

has

done

themselves

of the

tyranny

twenty

Lochcarron

were

house

Mr.

was

in

found

authorities

be

to

was

deforcement

the

to

Fiscal

for

parts

unmitigated cruelty and oppressionwas

; the sheriff officers

set at defiance

all

than

sheriff officer sent

of such

for the

ture
furni-

from

The

admitted

Dingwall

Mackenzie's

July,

ordered

1882.

to

drew

lay

it

166

HIGHLAND
and

down,

did

he

people

"

When

and

the

dance

quaffed
steam

tier of

long

of the

night

While

these

Slumbay,
despatched over

song

freely

was

"

sgaoilte chualas
talla

an

the
the

1882.

29th-30th May,

things were

of

drink

'

of the

Ard-sholas
"

native

the

an'

chuirm

was

possession as before.
restored
to its place,the

with
mantelpiece to-day is adorned
bottles, standing there as monuments

empty

eventful

morning.
evening,

the
whisky gang thegither
throughout the greater part of yesterday,

up
Mackenzie's

and
a

freedom

kept

was

three

test
con-

in

resumed,

were
'

for

"

evening

article

every

the

up
gave
in the

of the
they left,and in course
refreshments, but these they declined.

this

are

officers then

place about

Yesterday, before
offered
they were
The

The

so.

left the

and

CLEARANCES.

Fiery

ce61

an

treun

nan

going
Cross

in the

on

quiet

to

appears

ship
town-

have

been

and

frmo

neighbouring parishes ;

Kintail, Lochalsh,

Gairloch, the
Applecross, and even
Highlanders began to gather yesterday with the view of
if occasion
should
Few
arise.
helping the Slumbay men,
of these reached
in small detachments
Slumbay, but they were
in the neighbourhood
moment
to
ready at any
to

come

force.

the

After

the

rescue

on

all the

trains

appearance
had
come

of
and

hostile

any

for

gone

the

Sheriff's officers had

day, and as neither policemen nor
these
different groups
retired to
appeared on the scene,
their respectiveplaces of abode.
The
Slumbay men,
too,
resolved
to suspend their festivities.
A procession was
formed, and, being headed
by the piper, they marched
and
and
triumphantly through Slumbay
Jeantown,
escorted

homes,
As

record

He

the
has

shall be
has

thus

the

strangers

returning to Slumbay
contrast

the

to

allowed
been

their

on

in

course

Stuart's

of the

conduct

of Mr.

C.

it

property,
a

to

condition

we

night."
are
glad to

J. Murray,

remain

avoided.

just purchased
that

; and
This is

Maclean
a
a

their

to

way

further

and

for

M.P.

has, fortunately for the oppressed

Lochcarron
made

Mr.

action

noble

Hastings, who
on

of

some

the

tenants
estate.

Makenzie

public

scandal

good beginning for

the

ROSS-SHIRE

167

proprietor,and

new

circulated
of his

and

trust

we

commended

fair to

Donald

Macdonald,

Stuart

not

know

we

factor

the

these

implored and begged

and

vindictive

of him

landlords

parties
"

Highlands

be

to

are

THE

with

in
Northern

the

rebellion

teems

with

What

say

and

the

to

will

Ensign

these

and

carnival

to

All

:
"

bloody cruelty

ones

how

Alma,

treated
cry

settingto
the

race

in

fought

of

County

the

editor

of

history, from

at

are

Is

its

get

expression of

enemies, turring the

from

children

and

have

held

name

of

the
when

their murderous
who

men

have,

\ in the

Lucknow
of

trenches
standard

from

admiration

of

ere

gallant countrymen

our

mouth

in their
song
for such noble acts
of

their country,

of

name

Sebastopol, and
the heights of
on
little

they, their fathers, brothers, and

the mere
shuttle-cocking of an

of admiration

music

is to

the

saving

establishing order,

saved

British

the

proudly planted
the

result.

the

modern

for

ask, in the

we

countrywomen

who

those

the

the

fiends, and

And

heroic

and

from

Havelock,

received

fondly hope,

we

the

"

in at this
appropriately come
landers
gloriousdeeds of the 78th High-

writes

men

Indian

disorder

now,

his cruel

throughout

"

on

evictions

fightingits battles, conquering

tide of revolt, rescuing women
of

wife

own

of 1857,
Cawnpore massacre
of Highland bravery and prowess.
our
Highland evicting lairds to these facts,
of the Highlanders ?
What
treatment
ward
rein 1715,
the record

have

hands

Mr.

upon

succeeded

has

tenants

General

India, under

the

Mr.

HIGHLANDERS.

the

the

Referringto

stage.

estate,

agencies failed,it

Murray

congratulated

following

the

Ross,

best

out

carry

these

and

78TH

connection

In

to

not

Where
purpose.
is gratifyingto find that
Mr.
all

the

on

very

strongly urged
people, and that his

also

and

the

on

Tormore,

evict

to

what

that

authority, namely,

widely
tyrannical proceedings
as

condemned.

been

state

his action

see

the

as

predecessor have

It is also

to

mouth,

to

praise,all
?

Highland

the

pressible
irre-

and

return

fancy
bravery at

We

can

the

the
the

168

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

Dunrobin

dinner

lairds,and

other

hospitality of

table, recently, when

aristocratic notables
Duke.

the

We

lairds

would

that

themselves

reflect that, in their

to

authority,

and

their

at

remorselessly driven
very

and

the

hour

when

of his

scene

within
driven

their

from

field.
open
its scarlet dye

homes

native

; and

hearts, razed

loyal and
!

Yes

Highlanders
on

wings

the

would

faces

the

But

of the

wind
?

the

of whom

Canning
of

pibroch

and

the

have

formed

; and

the

made

the

tragic

abodes
sacred

Well

cry,

bugle
brave

of

the

to

preservation of

the
"

their

of

thousands

to

what,

than

more

out

purpose
to the once

Who,

reprint

hunted

are

what

to

fought,
"

spirit of

back

echo

we

"

die in

to

they thought in

as

was

desolation

and

glens of Sutherland
acclaims

that

liberty-lovingpeople
sheep, and sanctified

rearing of
game

blush

where

landers,
High-

princely Dunrobin,
and

been

that, at

were

starve

burning cottages

and

of eviction

scenes

that

martial

the

there

of heroes

have

soil ; and

the

Waterloo

been

have

left to

proud

race

boasted,

evoked

once

their

on

same

homes

was

Alas, for the

"

of this

proudly

so

and

their

by

gallantly retaken,
obliged to leave the

was

of

"

78th

massacre,

miles

alone, since

county

14,000

fiendish

few

the

one

Sahib,

and

allow

fathers, mothers,

native

Cawnpore

ruffian, Nana

bloody

their

gave

Alas, for the

names,

"

from

prided

they would

the
expense,
invincible

brothers, wives, of the

the

if

mutual

the

soil which

heroes."

their faces

cover

princely

the

they

as

of the

"

dukes, earls,

enjoyed
imagine

can

congratulations of the Highland

themselves
on
being proprietors
birth to the race
of
Highland
blush

the

done, brave

would

it be carried

happy

straths

would

echo

back

and
our

praise? Perhaps a shepherd's or a gillie's

the unbroken
child, pla}Tingamid
wilds, and innocent
of seeinga human
face but that of its own
parents, would
hear

of

it \

frightena
herd
We

of

cry

covey

of

sheep ;

must

Hamilton,
must

the

or

stand

to

go
to

by

might

partridges,or

but

the

startle

men

would

backwoods

Woodstock,
the waters

herd

of timid

call forth

not, could
of

bleat

deer,
from

not, hear

or
a

it.

Canada, to Detroit, to
to Toronto, to Montreal
j we
of Lake Huron
Lake Ontario,
or

ROSS-SHIRE.

169
"

"

would
the cry
Well done, brave Highlanders !
call up a thousand
a tear
brawny fellows, and draw down
Or we
must
on
a thousand
manly cheeks.
go to the bare
where

"

rocks

skirt the

that

residuary population
of heroes, and

drive

to

from

which

land

fathers.
would

To

houses

for

cry,

Well

wonder

dared

which

"

up the
dared
"

they fought, and

with

blood

the

done, brave
from

Wherefore

the

barren

to

keep

to

who

men

purchased
"

which

on

effective response

no

reader

the

was

the

But

evoke

the

fightfor

from

them

Sutherland, where

generously treated

were

inhospitableshores,

steeps and
breed

of

sea-coast

of their

Highlanders,"
the

should

race.

Need

they

fight?

did their fathers climb the Peninsular

purpose
and
gloriouslywrite in blood the superiorityof

what

heights

their

Britain, when

or
by extirpation,
fertile straths and glens

rewarded

were

starve, in sight of
beasts ?
These are words

toleration
devoted

sons

to

to

of truth

ness.
sober-

and

They are but repetitionsin other forms of arguments,

employed by us for years ; and we shall continue
them
to ring changes on
so
long as our brave Highland
other
to which
no
subjected to treatment
people are
would

race

tell

we

twenty

hence

years

such

men

as

the

that

crisis

have

to

the

as

Highlanders

the

We

are

proprietors that

Highland

into

and

submitted.

have

the

of the

to be

misfortune

78th
when

But

Britain

were

will be

present, there

will find

country

alarmists.

no

some

plunged
few

such

fight her battles,

to
too

late, if another

policytowards the Highlanders is not adopted, that sheep

and deer, ptarmigan and grouse, can
do but little to save
it in such

THE

calamity.

REV.

DR.

ROSS-SHIRE
Dr.

and
the

John

eminent

Kennedy,
minister
which

scenes

with
*

The

Days of

the

KENNEDY

JOHN

highly, deservedly respected,

Dingwall so long resident among

the

describes, and

all classes
Fathers

THE

CLEARANCES.*

of
he

ON

in

of

Ros*

the

intimately

so

people

-shire,1*61,

pp

in
15,

his
16.

quainted
ac-

native

became

Highlanders
peaceable
climax

cruel

hill-sides and

godly

corrupted,

the

off

driven

be

exceptions,the
also

them

of the

to

soil

of

of

indulge

the

across

Of

cleared

for

homes

the

in

before.

the

sea,

or

the

of the

sports

of the

happy

virtuous

they began

that

to

of

act

as

if

to

regard

they

them

righteousnessor
of

inducement

the

gathered,

the

on

nineteenth

shore.

for the

formed

were

sweepings

the

as

hamlets

century

of three

savages
households

remained.

who

red

might

centuries

sheep walks

sinews

and

their

Meanwhile

Highlanders'

the

to

wasting their
but

Highlands

were

the ruined
strangers, who, fattening amidst
of the banished, corrupted by their example the
deaf

while

gentry

many

natives

few

the

were

cruelty, families by hundreds

hill-sides,into wretched
wholesale
evictions, wastes

deer, that

localities

began

Without

mercy.

the

By

the

the

to clear their
oppressors,
few
deer, and sheep. With

requirements

recklessness

the

driven

of

from

away

people, and, disposed

the

"

the

vilest part of their estate, they treated

dictates

gain, in

Ross-shire

lay waste
Swayed by

and

just then

was

of the

owners

respect

the

were

It

the

at

"

peaceable and

most

by ungodly

owners

the

as

without
to

the

soil for strangers, red

native

North.

them,

most

"

to

sequestered
the
people in

of

body

in Britain.

peasantry

began

less

distinguishedas

became

the

among

which

by

were

of eviction

the

when
the

peasantry in the world

plainsof

the

influences

time

distinguished as

most

work

of the

example

at

spiritualprosperity," in

their

the

it was

that

us

virtuous

and

of

that

to

informs

of Ross,

county

"

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

170

of

cry

their blood

on

oppression,were
battle-fields,that,

for their prowess

and their bravery, would
of their country's defeat."
scene

IN

rulers,

have

been

VERNESS-SHIRE.
GLENGARRY.

ALEXANDER

BY

Glengarry
with

fine

was

race

peopled
of

men.

MACKENZIE.
down
In

of last century
six hundred
stalwart

to the

1745,

end

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

172

possessions, she
them

the

comparatively

was

of

worst

all.

The

Knoydart, like all other Highlanders,

had suffered severely during and after the potato famine
in 1846 and 1847, and some
of them
with a
got into arrear
fast
and
with two
years' rent, but they were
some
year
of

tenants

clearingit off.
evict every

to

sheep.

In

not

were

follow

They

Africans, and

with

those

had

of the

any

give them
It

them.

to

They

of

they

country

not

but

better

get

level

slavery.

to

accept

would

who

one

any

of land

inch

an

with

eviction.

to

transport

convenient

not

on

American

alternative

found

Canada.

nothing

were

of their

could

prefer

and

neighbouring estates, and any

night'sshelter was threatened

afterwards

was

if

no

that

message

they would

regulated South

people, however,

America

to

laws

with

all served

Board

whether

as

the

which

offer made
on

asked

treated

than

The

of

for

room

Supervision,
Their
Australia.
feelings
consideration.
the slightest

countrymen

be

to

to

worthy

even

their

were

them

convey

considered

not

They

to

of the

make

to

by

accompanied

Macneil, chairman

agreed

to

her

on

of removal,

Sir John

were

crofter

determined

her factor

and

property,
the spring of 1853, they were

summonses

had

Macdonell

Mrs.

then intimated
to the poor
Australia, and it was
slaves to
creatures, as if they were
nothing but common
be taken
to North
disposed of at will, that they would
be at Isle Ornsay, in the
America, and that a ship would
Isle of Skye, in a few days, to receive them, and that they
them

to

must

and
see

board

described

pamphlet,

rare

The

torn

wail

of the
from

away

stone."
to

and

go,

them

Some
in

few

spite of

; and

the

would

met

the

scene

and
would

or

at

from

burgh
Edin-

as

An

not.

the

few

children
have

Mrs.

in boats, and

across

we

arrived.
way

proceeding

whom

poor women
their homes

soon

all the

came

the

Scotia, characterises

Nova
"

factor

her

Siller y

the

who
now

The

people hounded
this ship whether
they

to
on

board.

on

go
Macdonell

put
witness
eye-

time, in

years

in

ago

heart-rending.
as

melted

they
a

were

heart

of

families, principallycottars, refused

every

treatment

influence

brought

they afterwards

to

bear

received

upon
was

INVERNESS-SHI

the

to

of those

but

went,

The

men.

rafters, cabars
of

Stocks

sides, but

Those

heard.

hiding

friends

the

among

them

clothing,in

many

hut

and
so

would
bound
them
Women
to and

to those

and

from

hut, and

district.

refused

who

to

thrown

were

of their

collect
"

house

Able-bodied

the

factor

work

from
his

and

demolition,

of

left

habitation

tered
scat-

house,

to

barn, the

to

What

destroyed and

were

From

barn

hill.

the

standing

fro

men

dreadfully frightened;
and

by

destruction

the

all this work

going on

was

inhabitants,

while

and

no

hand

no

the factor

give any
assuredly meet

left for the south

shelter

to

with

the

the

they

even

opposition

was

word
was
cast, no
spoken."
angry
left undemolished
were
occupied by the
to

to

emigrate

out

stone

not

slaves

who, if the matter

trial of physicalforce, would
have
rest with a mere
the factor and his party hand
and foot, and
sent
aside as dumb
out of the district,stood
spectators.
their hands
and cried aloud, children
ran
wrung

offered

before

be

their

while

African

rollingdown

cases,

minutes.

few

of demolition
was

every

caves,

many

proceeded, carrying on
until there was
scarcely a human
the

direction.

potatoes could

the

menials
in

couples,

"

beds, chairs, tables, pots, stoneware,

"

erect

to

years

to

tations
habi-

the

voice could be
No
gone.
the Sillerywere
to go aboard

rocks

shown

was

after

in

in

with

over

was

articles of furniture

their few

took

wood

who

market.

mercy

houses

half-burned
unlifted

off like

packed

were

Cuban

No

man

refused

who

stood

about

plots of

and

all

dotted

73

levelled

and

yesterday

strewn

were

"

corn

all

on

seen

scarred

burnt

were

was

spots, showing where

of

the

Strath

The

only of those

houses, not

remained,

who

ground.

black

in

The

belief.

cruel beyond

F E.

lifted,no
few

huts

paupers,

but

The

warned

were

evicted, or their huts

fate.

same

Eleven

would

families,

sixty persons,
numbering in all over
mostly old and
and
and
decrepit men
women,
helplesschildren, were
of them
exposed that night, and many
long afterwards,
shelter of any description
to the cold air,without
beyond
little they were
able
their burnt dwellings.
what

to

save

out

of the

wreck

of

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

174
feel

We

recitation of the
of

Highlanders
serve

good

his work

that

inflict pain

unwilling to
untold

cruelties

It

purpose.
shall not

reader

perpetrated

but

Knoydart,

the

on

doing

so

poor

perhaps,

may,

convince

may

the

on

the

by

the

evil-doer

be

be
forgotten,and any who may
tate
disposed to follow the example of past evictors may hesibefore they proceed to immortalise
themselves
in
such

hateful

few

from

shall, therefore, quote

We

manner.

the

pamphlet already referred to :

wife and
John Macdugald, aged about
a
50, with
family, was a cottar, and earned his subsistence
chieflyby
cases

"

fishing. He was in bad health, and had two of his sons in

the hospital,at Elgin, ill of smallpox, when
the Sillery
the Knoydart
sent
to convey
He
was
people to Canada.
refused to go on that occasion
owing to the state of his
medical
health, and his boys being at a distance under
The

factor and

the

to the

ground.

The

officers,
however, arrived,
turned
Macdugald and his family adrift,put their bits of
furniture
the field,and
in a few minutes
levelled
out on
treatment.

their house
but

shelter
and

the

broad

whole
of

canopy

had

family

heaven.

The

now

no

mother

the

youngest of the children could not sleepowing to

the cold, and the father, on
of his sickness, kept
account

wandering
lay

down

about

to

all

night near
After

repose.

district Macdugald

the
ruins

where

the

his

factor

and

his wife

and

helplessfamily
the

went

officers left

back

to

the

of their

of the stones
and turf
house, collected some
into something like walls, threw
few
cabars
a
across,
covered
them
old
with
and
blankets,
over
sails,
turf,
and then, with their children, crept underneath, trusting
that
be allowed, at least for a time, to take
they would
under
shelter
this temporary
alas !
covering. But,
doomed
to bitter disappointment. A
week
they were
had

by
and
the

not

elapsed when

the

posse of officers and

local

manager,
menials, traversed

levelled to the ground every

hut
evicted
peasantry.
Macdugald

away

about

or

accompanied
the

country

shelter erected
was

at

this

by
time

from

at Inverie, distant
Knoydart
; his wife was
six miles, seeing a sick relative ; the oldest children

were

working

at the

shore

; and

in the

hut, when

the

INVERNESS-SHIRE.
with

175

"

of the
levellers,"he found none
The
family except Lucy and Jane, the two youngest.
moment
the officers they screamed
and fled for
they saw
came

manager

their

lives.

The

demolition

it

accomplished
"

of

the

the

over,

amused

manager

but

was

and, this

the

officers

them

The

as

or

said, was
miles, and Lucy

mother,
seven

direction

hoping

however,

when

far out

from

to

In

Inverie

and

found

scattered

imagine

the

occasion

from

grieved at

absence

of

from

the

this poor

hut.

returned

ground,

mother

the

returned

aside, amazed
At

ruins, and

they carefully removed

and

refuge,

little sisters.
the

Just

on

of their humble

two

her

lying
!

gone

children

other
stood

too

wandered

bedclothes

Highland

under

were

the

to

her children

and

of their

and

mother

her

near,

destruction

sudden

the

razed

the

their knees

on

hut

they

they thought they

down

the

shore, and

the

at

interval

But, to proceed, the

the

other

footpath

the

debns,

feelingsof

the

chairs,
lightarticles,

distance

the

far and

turf, clay, and

under

of

Inverie, distant about six

and
Jane proceeded in that
her.
They had not gone far,

meet

way.

menials

utes
min-

at

they missed

of the

furniture

and

considerable

three

or

and

any

easily

was

by seizing hold

stools, tables, spinning-wheels,

or

by throwing

of two

work

themselves

shelter

the

first

creeping
turf

every

dishes.
stone, but found nothing except a few broken
consultation
held and a search resolved
was
now
upon.

and
A

The

brother

mother,

the

among

searching every
but

name,
was

and

rocks, over

day,

fast

were

was

returning home
of night closed in, and

now

shades

miles
every

to

travel.

She

bush, and

hoping
saw

"

her

to

find

their size.

them.

lasse?

two

but

looked

it

was

The

an

moon

it all

round

had

rock

every

before

them

of

The
a

moss,

by

Night
finding
mother

home), the

about

three

footpath,scrutinized
hillock,

and

she

imagined

her

at

illusion caused
now

hopes

still she

Sometimes

walking

for

dying away.
(alas! to what

for the

made

and

moor

of them.

trace

no

with

and

"

tions,
opposite direc-

callingaloud

discover

could

they

them, till next

hills,through

place, and

approaching

now

sisters set off in

emerged

by

from

short

some

bushes

that

she

tance,
dis-

just about

behind

cloud

176

HIGHLAND

CLEARANCES.

spread its lighton the path and surrounding district.

A sharp frost set in, and ice began to form
the little
on
rock and some
the
a
bushes, where
pools. Passing near
children of the tenants
used
when
to meet
herding the
and

cattle, she

felt

; this

there

if

as

something

did, and

she

beckoned

found

her

her

to

search

little children

two

fast

asleep,beside a favourite bush, the youngest with

head
resting on the breast of the eldest ! Their
version of their mishap is this : that when
they saw
officers

they

Inverie

crept

tell their

to

then

and

out

mother

; that

about

wandered

in

ran

the

her
own

the

direction

they missed

of

path,
foot-

the

crying,and

finallyreturned,
they knew not how, to their favourite herding ground, and
being completely exhausted, fell asleep. The mother
took

the

young

her, and

one

back,

her

on

other

the

sent

on

before

the ruins of
joined her other children near
their old dwelling. They put a few sticks up to an
old
fence, placed a blanket
it, and slept on the bare
over
from
his
returned
ground that night. Macdugald soon
distant journey, found
his family shelterless,and
again
soon

about

set

of the

old

with

pulled

moments

local manager
all adrift, and

the

them

and

wreck

destroyed

all that

he

continued
Matters
in this way
for a week
up.
until Macdugald' s health became
serious, and then

two

or

neighbouring farmer

shelter

in

and

he

has

; and

interference
rocks

or

It is very

the

from

his

family temporary

for this act

of disinterested

improper

most

some

the

the estate
on
managers
of this
likelythat in consequence

is

Macdugald

amid

and

already received

threatening letters
Knoydart.

him

gave

out-house

an

humanity
of

down

the

built

had

few

levellers, turned

from

them

buildings. Again, however,

appeared
in

refuge for

erectingsome

again taking
of his former

wreck

shelter

the

among

residence.

put his head

aged 44, with a wife and six

his house
pulled down, and had no place to
in, consequently he and his family, for the

first

two,

John Mackinnon,
children, had

the

night
shore

or

When

party had left the

surveyed the ruins

had
he

cottar,

to

burrow

thought

the

rocks

factor

emerged from
former
dwelling, saw

district,he
of his

among
that the

near

and

the

his

rocks,

his furni-

INVERNESS-SHIRE.
and

ture

other

the

he considered

of the

use

exposed to the elements,

lifting. The demolition
was

effects

scarcely worth
that

ruins

it utterly

of the

chapel,however,

were

old

his family, and

removed

in

brought
for

corner

another

bed,

corner,

kindled

meadow

some

stuck

which

on

fire,washed

boiled

fire,and

roasted

on

the

family

had

one

they tasted

embers

and

placed

destruction

put

first

?) suffering from

other

children

There

is

ragged.
consequently

every

ingressto

inmates.

the

Red

would

exchange

not

their

with

pregnant when
rocks.

breeze

In

she

about

was

the

bare

out

days

after

four

as

Rocky

The

yet, but

abode,
have

free

Mountains,
nor

of her house
she

Terra-del-Fuego,

Mackinnon'

turned

ground

blow

victims,

these

persecutors.

meal

lying in

their wretched
from

savage

with

his

cholic.

gust that

beyond

huts

and

dreadful

were

and

to

and

from

Indian

door

no

fish

unhealthyevidently

apparently healthy enough

are

very

or

rheumatism

"

few

regular

and

"

"

on

of their house!

"

bed

"

pot

and

constitution
struggling with a diseased
trials. The boys, Ronald
and
Archibald,
bed
(may I call a
pickle hay on the
"

in

wall

crook, then

tall man,
but
and
poor
wife
is a poor
weak
women,

His

cabars
it in

the

Mackinnon

the

old

blankets

laid

these

ready,

good diet, being

is

few

sails and

placed

when

were

since the

Mackinnon

looking.

them,

any

an

and

potatoes, and

some

of

rubbish

hay, and

they

plete
com-

with

piece of iron into

so

proceeded
some

away

now

parts of the walls

Mackinnon

having swept

and

make

ruins

hand, and

at

near

grass and nettles,they

of the walls, spread some

one

across,

the

The

some

to

up

impossibleto

house.

still standing ; thither

were

177

had

ity
humanwife

was

the

among

premature
birth ; and this and her exposure
to the elements, and the
of proper
shelter and
nutritious diet, has brought
want
on

consumption

of her
There

Here,
swallows

from

which

is

there

no

chance

whatever

recovery.
was

amid

something
the

ruins

very

of the

fluttered,where

moss-covered

stones,

the

where

solemn

indeed

old

sanctuary,

ivy

tried to

nettles

and

in this

screen

grass

scene.

where
the
grew

the
grey

up

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

178

the

luxuriously,where
and

floor

uninviting,where
roof, and

nor

take
shelter

be

would

think

would

let alone, that

molested

by

manager

of

They

"

"

the

out

put

these

have

burnt

"

sticks

the

fire, and

then

left the

officers

broken

in

I looked

in upon

officers would
the

The

huts.

wolf

they

in

and
should

idea

I could

man.

which

was

he

the

not,

of this

The

of

which

an

poor

the

I found

the

even

father,
The

most

Scotland,
infants

tender

reflects

treatment

civilization.
of famine,

it and

ambition

account

of

or

Had

ence,
pestil-

for it,but

unfeeling

some

it most

unwarranted,

condemnation

of

I think

Mackinnon

been

this would
conduct

sight was

these

not

pursued

in

stared

and

Christian

gross
and

been

if I had

as

me

ravages

emphatic

Had

condition

to

such

to

beasts,

inhuman
cruel, and
his family.
and
No
ruins

Knoydart.

last week

in

that,

understand

gratify

deserving

Christian

of

coast

officer.

century,

sufferingfrom

spectator in brute
and

at

humanity

our

upon

to

times

Four

Mackinnon
poor
upon
of shelter, and sent him

their

law

nineteenth

war,

suffering

looked

subjected

they been
or

was

very

the

strongly

sails he

and

district.

creatures

behind

crept

The

be

these

children

wildly,dreading I

painful.

of the

walls

consternation, having just learned that the

next
day, and would
again destroy
appear

in utter

them

vaded
in-

"

in this way,
destroyinghis place
his family adrift on
and
the cold
When

the

be

The

be.

to

he

put his wife and children out on

his tables, stools, chairs, etc.,
which
they slept
up the hay on

up within its ruins

cold
shore
threw
the
walls

fuge
re-

appeared, and

within

down

pulled

set

the

took

not

was

his minions

helplessfamily, even

sanctuary.

over

alas ! that

and

Knoydart

this

Mackinnon

as

singular place, that

would
not
longer
any

he

But,

man.

that

of this most

ruins

the

windows,

nor

owl, the bat, and the fox used to

Christian
family was
obliged to take

One

amid

doors

no

were

the

where

refuge,

there

sombre

walls

the

damp,

was

arrears

every

of rent,

justifythe harsh,
towards

himself

describe the
language of mine can
poor family, exaggeration is impossible.
old chapel is the last place in the world
with his wife
resort
Highlander would

180

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
work

outside, the

her

menced.
immediately comchairs, tables, cupboard, spinning-

Stools,

wheel,

bed,

in the

out

took
partitions,

the

hen

vent

done, they set to work

iron

and

levers.
in

couples, and

fell in with

roof

When

few

and

then

beat

in the

roof

of the

down

minutes

crash

and

house, they proceeded

his

down,

ran

been

treated, and
led

He

treated
under

found

to

where

fell out, while

the

her

kindly, and

this

and

pulled

poor widow
beside the

moaning

taken

had

could

poor

cheerless.
also

was

the

all he

the

was

had

dyke.

shelter,

comfort

to

her

circumstances.
I visited

I found

Knoydart

repairingher

work,

did

with

done

house

children

own

picks
the

were

how

see

her

his

her

the

When

hill to

the

across

with

district,pulling down
they went
along. The

cottar, whose

This

cut

as
destroying dwelling-places
of night at last closed in, and
shades
here
sittinglike a pelican,alone
helplesswidow

Macdonald,

out

house.

thatch,

the

party

and

Allan

hens

another

to

fire-place,

the

outside

walls

the

the

over

walls

the

pulled

dismal

factor

the

from

on

They
a

crook

roosts,

broad

the

through

down

the

destroyed

dishes, pots, and

chest,
down
the
They broke
gutter.

blankets, straw,

thrown

were

of destruction

shed, and

the

such

widow

poor

shed, and

at

such

The
before witnessed.
creature
dwelling, I never
poor
spoke remarkably well, and appeared to me to be a very
I expressed my
sensible woman.
sympathy for her, and

disapprobation of

my

treated

ungrateful
to

have

said

her

time

of those
it

"

immemorial,

of them

died

that
on

mercifully
un-

so

indeed

was

cruelly

so

who

representativesof

part of the

treated
from

were,

conduct

She

her.

the

on

the

most

garry
Glen-

her

predecessors
Glengarry

the

in defence

of, or fighting
and
that they had
for, the old chieftains
always been
true and faithful subjects. I asked
why she refused to go
estates

"

that

many

"

Canada

to
"

For

old, and
Canada

?
a

very
not

good
able

to

reason," she
clear

way

said,
in

"

the

am

now

forests

of

ther,
unfit for service ] and, fur\ and, besides, I am
I am
native country, and rather
to leave my
averse

181

INVERNESS-SHIRK.
than

leave

it, I would

opened beside
buried

alive !

and

which

shed

is another

she

residence

human

of the

wild

Indian,

or

Europe.

the

of the

palaces in comparison with

dog-kennel in England would
a

indeed

it out

miserable
if there
The

the

meanest

times

If this poor
in this abode

all winter

wam
wig-

Greenlander,

it ; and even
be a thousand

place of residence.

will stand

woman

cave

only

can

much

like it in

are

preferableas

in this

its

and

they

question

ance,
counten-

habitation

left her

by death ! I
occupied, and

her

I believe

said.

she

what
in

old

her

to

strong that

so

were

in

marked

were

attachment

asunder

cut

sincere

was

anguish

her

associations
be

she

and

Despair

be

"

think

do

was

grave
I should

my

daughter, although

dear

my

prefer that

much

more

Highland
it will be

The factor has issued an ukase,

great wonder.
which
of eviction with peculiar
aggravates all these cases
all and
sundry on the Knoyhardship ; he has warned
dart

from

estates

entertainingthe evicted
under
pain of removal.

receivingor

peasantry into their houses

Allan
Macdonald, aged 54,

with

widower,

four

dren,
chil-

Our informant
:
similarlytreated.
says of him
his late Majesty George IV. visited Scotland
in
When
1823, and when
Highland lairds sent up to Edinburgh
of
human
specimens of the bone and sinew
produce
their properties,old Glengarry took
to give Allan
care
was

"

"

"

Macdonald
Alas

! how

last

30

roe,

they

has

man

Macdonald

has

deer,

sheep,

Within
sadly changed.
fallen off dreadfully in the

of

no

ijo value

now
or

Allan

value,

is

nor

at all.

bullock,
his

'

game

Another

aged 66 ;

case

wife

to

feed

is that

54,

'

worth

mation
esti-

man.

taken

into account

yet

London

of

Archibald

with

can

in

within

his children
in the

be

cannot

the

laird

to

Then

only a

They
sportsman.
hares, blackcocks, or grouse, nor
as

the

he been

Had

Highland

real

of the

south

exhibition.'

Royal

so

estimate

could

but
shillings,
are

'

this

to

Highland proprietors. Commercially speaking,

speculating
few

have

matters

years

of
Allan

politeinvitation

shot

they

lations
calcuat

be

like
sent

market."

family

Macisaac,
of

ten

crofter,
children.

182

HIGHLAND

Archibald's
the

to

house, byre, barn, and

down

hill, and
a
general destruction
The
roof, fixtures, and woodwork

the

smashed

look

to

human

and

all that

was

upon

beings were

of the

use

in

course,

barn

that

house

razed

was

the

to

left for

was

bald
Archipoor
wreck.
Twelve

dismal

deprived

of their home

in less

was

until his crops

like the
them

concern

disposed of. But,

simple and
among

are

district,and

remote

primitive people
laws

the

desto have
grossly illegal
law
the
of
barn, for, according even
to
is entitled to
outgoing or removing tenant

stroyed the
Scotland, the
the

It

of

walls

black

thus

half-an-hour.

than

of

pieces, the

to

foundation,

very

furniture

levelled

were

The

commenced.

were

stable

ground.

thrown
then

CLEARANCES.

inhabitants
define

and

of

Knoydart,

the

their

rights are

known
un-

to them.

Archibald

Having

could

be

when

on

for wisdom

asking

future

said,

man
we

action.
"

Neither

must

ditches, the

old

beside

them

the

on

and

children

turf, and

the

factor.

fence

where

the

in the

constructed

in any
the old

rude

avail;

now

children

hollow

collected

between
shelter

etc., and
the

ditch.

when

them,

the
and

then

made

Matters

local

broken

some

another
went

manager
after much

on

and

abuse

two

for the

fire and
night, and having kindled
a
gathered
all
in
family, they
engaged
family worship and
Next
psalms as usual.
morning they examined

ruins, picked up

of

necessity

them

wept, but

The

was

peculiarnature

reflection will

nor

No

of his home

placed, and
above
to guide

shelter."

man

old

an

were

weeping

some

prepare
cabars
and

some

wife

from

destruction

from

His

shift he could.

expected

the

accomplished,he addressed
the positionin which
they
of

the best

his children

convened

looking

sat

to make

now

favour

or

mercy

he

had

in

his

sung
the

piecesof furniture, dishes,

addition

to

this way
his men

for about

for

came

their shelter
down

in

week,

upon
shelters

daring to take
the lands of Knoydart,
on
they destroyed the shelter and
put old Archy and his people again out on the hill.
I found
his numerous
Archibald
and
family still at
Knoydart and in a shelter beside the old ditch.
Any

INVERNESS-SHIRE.
residence
have

wretched

more

truly melancholy,

more

or

3 feet high, 4 feet broad, and about

end of the shelter, and this formed
the

mother

out

on

the

cold

and

five

her

cruelty in

ditch

of the

earth

5 feet long, was

They creep in and

just a layer of hay on
is surely monstrous
!

is

There

of British

this treatment

at the

sleepingplace of

the

daughters

their bed

their knees, and

erection, about

turf

feal, or

witnessed.

never

183

females, and

the

laws

gross abuses
a
are
disgrace to the Statute book and to the country
and his family are, so far as I
that permits it. Macisaac

sanction

that

could

like

so

Again

than

worse

bales

many

perceive a

not

we

themselves

allow

well-behaved

decent, respectable,and

learn, very

people, and can

in treatingthem
to

flagrant and

such

tolerate

or

to

be

injustice

monstrous

because

slaves

Colonies

off to the

packed

of manufactured

refuse

they

just

goods

"

Arar, married, with a

his wife, and
This
wife, and five children.
man,
poor
children
were
fully twenty-three nights without
any
Maceachan,

Donald

shelter but
a

the

Donald's

mother,

poor

subjected to merciless
night.
long October
the

blankets

food

beside

of wind

storms

of

One

covered

that

They

kindled

rock, and

then

these

them

rain

during a
melancholy nights
and

frozen

were

white

and

frost.

with
The

next

Charles
no

heavens.

Just imagine the condition of this

wife, nursing a delicate child, and

air.

open

at

blue

and

prepared their

fire,and

slept in

broad

the

cottar

is

case

as

follows

Macdonald,

family.

This

Colonies, and,

aged

levelled to the ground.

Was
do in America
?

"

70 years,
also

was

man
poor
he refused

as

widower,

a
"

keeled

to go, his house

What

on

earth

could

there

any

mercy

or

or

"

having
for the

cabin

was

old Charles

humanity

in

In
Atlantic ?
the
across
offering him a free passage
considered
have
been
a
England, Charles would
proper
object of parochial protection and relief,but in Scotland
no

such

tender

the

relief is afforded
infants.

factor

There

looked

can

forward

except
be
to

to

"

sick

folks

"

and

question,however, that
Charles
the period when

no

184

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
become

would

chargeable

"

prudent man," he
Three or four pounds

as

resolved
would

four

lived.

five

or

When

pounds

the factor

door, they knocked

intimated
"

As

and

his

soon

the

old

man

Knoydart,

keep
his

him

each

the

the

likely
that

year

he

at Charles's

; the factor

old

quit.
plaid

to

man

can," said Charles, and, taking up his

adjustinghis blue bonnet, he walked

staff and

once.

it would

admission

ordered

at

across

party arrived

demanded

object, and

as

in

and

and

get quit of him

send

to

and, actingas

pauper,

to

Atlantic, but if he remained

take

out,

who
could
merely remarking to the factor that the man
turn
out
an
old, inoffensive Highlander of seventy, from
such
could do a great deal
at such
a place, and
a season,
if the

more

took

but

evicted

him

receives

would

crust

that

or

and

he

covering

who

from

his

Poor

old
with

share

not

nor

who

"

food

would

never

house

the hill !

sleepson
"

has

neither

has

supplies of

pity him

not

Charles

to this he

day

He

occasional

neighbours,

who

man,

from

him.

permitted

country

his old habitation.

near

home,

of the

rocks, and

the

to

gone

laws

Alexander

Macdonald, aged 40 years, with a wife and

His
family of four children, had his house pulled down.
wife

was

then

put the children

remonstrated,
in

; still the levellers thrust

pregnant

few

home

protested,but

and

minutes

all he had

was

lot of

of stones.

heaps

protests, and

leaving him

The
when

had, like the

among
shelter

the rocks

which

he

amid

Alexander

owing

to

was

work

was

of her former

able)
comfort-

once

rafters, and

at him

he

way

and

at

moved

over,

best

; for

away,

could.

brethren,

his

ander
Alex-

to burrow

until he put up a temporary

of his old habitation, but from

caves

wreck

and

(to him

was

argued,

all in vain

was

of his evicted

in

husband

laughed

repeatedly driven

terror

that her life was

levellers

rest

Macdonald'

She
walls

the

it

for his

refuge the

and

The

rubbish, blackened

their

find

to

after her.

out

her out, and

wife

sick beside

lay

to

exposure

then

removed

house, and

These
I

have

three

the

to

days

bush, where,

cold, she

for three

despaired of.

challengecontradiction.

For

away.

had

shelter

of the

days she lay

are

not

facts

as

carriage.
mis-

so

ill

to which

inserted

them

185

INVERNESS-SHIRE.
without

the

their

of

evidence

satisfactory

most

accuracy.

Catherine

;
50 years, unmarried
; aand
years, unmarried

about

aged

Mackinnon,

aged about 48
Catherine Macphee (a half-sister of the two Mackinnons),
kinnon
MacCatherine
house.
also unmarried
; occupied one
confined
to
for a long time sick, and she was
was
Peggy Mackinnon,

bed

when

the factor

house.

At

but

sisters said

her

first they
"

They answered,
she

time, and
said
her

she

the

of

remove

sick

she

to

not,

down

the

get up and

walk

out,

she

as

woman

to

unwell.

so

sisters said

the

considerable

herself,who then feebly spoke,

be removed, but if God
spared

her

better

health

This

accord.

own

was

"

ill for

been

had

upon

her

to beat

came

Oh, she is scheming ;

bestowed

and

could

quite unfit

was

party

requested her
she

that

not,

was

his

and

that

would

would

she

suffice ;
lefther

not

they forced her out of bed, sick as she was, and

beside a ditch from 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m., when, afraid that she
her
would
die, as she was
seriouslyunwell, they removed
and
to a house
provided her with cordials and warm
clothing. lyet the reader imagine the sufferingsof this
of sickness and
a bed
poor female, so ruthlesslytorn from
laid down
beside a cold ditch and there left exposed for
does not
seven
long hours, and then say if such conduct
loudly call for the condemnation
liberty and humanity.
Peggy
still

are

burrowing
I left

When

home.

of every
and
her
the

among

half-sister

ruins

last week

Knoydart

narrative

of

truth

of it is too

palpable,too

admit

to

palliateor
right and
aware

of

even

gross
British

that
proper
of such unchristian

The

last case,

Duncan

and

creatures

females.

poor

tenable

such

excuse

helpless fellow-

years,

the

in

"

were

no

in this

melancholy
in the

district

Nothing

can

it is but

and

be

should

such

sickness

old

recovery.

The

Christians

phee
Mac-

their

sentence

explanation.
inhumanity,

present, is that of
Robertson, aged 35 years,
a

well-known

conduct

of
there

of Catherine
Mackinnon'
hope whatever
I challenge the factor to contradict
one
short

of human

lover

made

cruelty towards
distress.

and

at

family of

three

children.

with

wife

Very

aged

poor

32

; the

186

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
is deformed

boy

oldest

almost

the

constant

Robertson

was

and

of removal

decree

warned

levellingtime
Robertson's

like the

in

sent

return, said that

boy

tenants,

with

before

up

his

the inmates

men

son
Robert-

out.

of his sick andtimbecile

first inexorable

was

wife
for

sake,
"

replied,
"

said,

she

mother
her
he

ran

once

to

may

be

could

which

had

would

dog

or

pain,and

be

Retribution
that

known,

and

Highlands
scarcely one
once

which

the
own

as

inhabited

factor,

sick

child.

that,"

I know

the

poor

boy in

sick

her

levellers peep

The

ears.

he

his house

that

possible,so

that
that

Robertson

particularsof

that

would

said

name

in Britain

punishment

if inflicted

only

would

of

the

devoted

inflict further

barely anythingis met

clansmen

It is

but

are

There

in the wide
a

huge

in the

is

and

now

district

wilderness

wild animals

little

as

now

domains

ancient

of Macdonald

by thousands.

is it

victors, and

Glengarry

little of their

their

in any

enough.

overtaken
chiefs

mained
re-

which

Britain, and

the record

who

be tolerated

never

severe

cruelties

the

wretches

by the poor

endured

as

of the

the

boy is gettingbetter, so

additional

has

wonder

son's
Robert-

razed.

have

we

thrown

; and

out

warned

his

if the

pig,but

"

object

him, he admitted

saw

as

soon

about

see

give
to

as

civilized country than

instant
and
secure

other

factor

cruelties which

"

on

week

house

We

brought

and

the

quit Knoydart
be pulled down

would

her

see

factor

the

object of pity, but

an

must

the

bed

When

was

in

here," said

the

to

and

doctor."

no

am

his

Christian
might have given you
of compassion notwithstanding."

God

out

arms.

bowels

him

Bring

in

come

sure

but

feelingsand
"

am

to

on

he must

walls, when

in the

implored delay, asking

and

out

ran

heaven's

He

fixed

picks were

last

boy, who,
really and truly an

pity. The factor said he could not help it,that

then
Some
pull down.
piecesof furniture were
the

at

the

see

of

out, and

the

came

officers to

the

of the

rest

At

ordered

of the

one

of

one

quiring
body, rehis parents.

against him.

account
on
pleaded for mercy
boy, but the factor appeared at

he

and

obtained

was

door, and

of

care

out

factor

the

in mind

weak

and

in

sheep,

i88

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

these

three

] while

Pictou

Strathglass,also for
with emigrants from

other

few

of the

find that

we

years

parts

not

went

Highlands.

less than

no

away
ing
Dur-

5390

were

Highland glens, and it will be seen

from
evicted
that
were
a
large portion of them
very
Strathglass by the daughter of the notorious Marsali
of the
of one
Bhinneach.
From
the living cargo
among
less than fiftyvessels which
sailed from
Fort William
no
the way
three souls died, on
epidemic ; and,
out, of an
at Pictou,
the arrival of the livingportion of the cargo
on
driven

they
they

of these

out

were

shut

were

not

friends

in

narrow

allowed

had

who

on

to

contagion.

the

from

with

any

communicate

whence
of their

cating
them, for fear of communithey suffered indescribable

before

gone

point of land,

Here

hardships.
By
died

in 1793, and
saved
people were
Marsali

his

wife,

for

Bhinneach'

time

from

outliving him, by

her

take

certain

to

townships,
when

I793"

the

stated
or

club

and

of

her

it

which

farms.

Her

optional

the

rental

of

husband

died

in

or

half-brother,

his

to

his wife in

left

was

annually,

sum

reverted

estate

the

conduct

provisionfor

made

He

of her

with

portion of

ruthless

the

who

co-adjutors.
Elizabeth, daughter of a Dr.

married

Wilson, in Edinburgh.

Chisholm

the

considerable

daughter

Chisholm

Alexander

case

between

peculiararrangement

William, and the widow, on the advice of her only child,

of
became
Mrs.
Mary, who, afterwards
James Gooden
of the
choice
of the joint farms, instead
London, made
of money

sum

in her

named

settlement

marraige

; and

Bhinneach'
made
s
by Marsali
though great efforts were
daughter and her friends, the widow, Mrs. Alexander
in her own
hands, and took
Chisholm, kept the farms
tenantry in these
great pleasure in seeing a prosperous
heartlessly
townships, while all their neighbours were

driven

interfered
in

the

one

of her

unfortunately for them,

hands

1817),and

tenants

in any way
from
1793, until her own

with

February

when,

Not

away.

of the

young

heir

his cruel mother.

death

farms

of her

all

came

(whose sickly father

For

or

husband,
in January, 1826,

the death

their

disturbed

were

few

years

into
died

the tenants

in

INVERNESS-SHIRE.

make

to

possession,but only waiting an

left in

were

had

few

clearance

complete

no

held

who

and

with

into

them

practically banished

from
cruel

manner,

known

that

their

farms

native

the

Chisholm, who

writes

Cannich,

had

new

any

all in

rent,

but

in

the

homes

rangements
ar-

good
were

most

it afterwards

and

been

south, without

the

laird

were

of

turned

soon

the

They

had

of Cannich.

came
be-

secretly let

to

knowledge

of

the

population in possession.

Colin

Mr.

from

that

their

and

farmers

factor

arrears

any

was

appointed time,

the

The

day.

inconsiderate

sheep

property

negotiationor

that

Some

parts of the

local inn

them

no

without

circumstances,

the

on

at

them.

Strath.

expelled.

the

there

informed

and
however,
up,
determined
to enter

be

opportunity

other

on

land

at

were

to meet

came

run

just then

not

his chief

requested to meet
They all obeyed,
chief

of the whole

of their leases to

years

property, and could

In 1830 every
man

but

189

"I

"

at the

present

was

leave

imagine

to

you

meeting

at

bitter

the

who
with glowattended
griefand disappointment of men
ing
hopes in the morning, but had to tell their families
and
dependents in the evening that they could see no

alternative
between

The

late

his

to

might

divide

give

it among

full value

at

arrangement was
the next
Whitsunday

from

Strathglasscame

farm

of Glenstrathf

of the farm

the

come

harsh
farmers

his

from

amicably
"

of

icy

ship
farm, his lordfor his stock, so that he

evicted

those

the

large sheep

give up

to

choose

not, however,

hearing

of the

one

This

estate.

did

Lovat,

neighbouring property
offering to

and

It

Lord

proceedings, proposed
on

the

America."

of North

that.

but

them

emigrant ship,and
and
scorching prairiesof Australia

the

regions
to

before

1831

"

the

Chisholm

carried

the

through,

evicted

tenants

into

arrar,

possessionof the large sheep

and paid over
to the late tenant

farthing of the value set upon the stock

in the country
fact
a
by two of the leading valuators
which
conclusively proved that the Strathglass tenants
were
quite capable of holdingtheir own, and perfectlyable
every

"

to meet

old

all claims

proprietorand

could

be made

unnatural

chief.

that

upon

They

them

by their

became

very

190

HIGHLAND

comfortable

in their

removed
late

make

to

Lord

portionsof
evicted

his

of

among

the

inch

an

of land

the

on

occasion

the
other

holdings on
and grandsons

sons

the

on

now,

of the

Lovat

perty,
pro-

comfortable

county.

Strathglass evictions

native

ancient

of the

two

in the

again

were

respectable and

most

of the

result

the

and

Strathglass are

farmers

fifteen years

this

On

similar

them

property,

about

Strathglass they
for deer.

gave

tenants

middle-class
The

from

room

Lovat

\ but

homes

new

eviction

their

after

CLEAPANCES.

in

remained

stock

that

was

possessionof

of Chisholm.

estate

only

When

the
his

into possession he found, on

came
present Chisholm
of his
from
return
Canada, only that small remnant
clan

and

name

Chisholms

from

before

years

him.

receive

the

farm

his old

on

to

who

tenant

from

the

in

holding

nineteen

evicted

been

had

few

re-established

property, and

Lovat

back

brought

He

own

which

father

his

and

killed
grandfather died. The great-grandfatherwas
Culloden, having been shot while carrying his commander,

gratitudeof

chief's

that

from

ruthless

eviction

but

gratifyingto

it is

of

branch
their

of the
were

the

To

occupied

the

this

descendants
several

chief, or

chief

give

Mr.

Colin Chisholm

being

human

has

of the

instruments
reader

who

glens,at

south
in

one

lived
time

of

distant

lateral
col-

evicting Chisholms,
informs

country

of the
be

class
stated

in Glen

of them,

one

every

evicting the

may

bears.
for-

character
a

Strathglass of

idea

an

district, it

of those

smaller

in

now

his

of

the

from

The

family.

the

follower

offpsringhave, however,

disappeared, and
is not

making
present
liberallysupporting the

devoted

some

and

is descended

good landlord,

chief

find the
back

his

by

shown

of his ancestors

home

present Chisholm, who

The

being

ancient

The

field.

the

been

had

successors

the

reparationby bringing
representativesof such

and

from

Chisholm, mortally wounded,

young

at

us

that

there

ants
descend-

the

farmers, who
native

of

lation.
popuwho

men

that

Canaich,

of
one

the
of

thickly populated in the

there lived in the

perfectwilderness
present generation,no less than three colonels,one major,

Strath, but

now

"

INVERNESS-SHIRE.

191

ensigns, one
captains, three lieutenants, seven
bishop, and fifteen priests.
the
Earlier in the history of Strathglassand towards
three

of last century, an
to
sheep farmers

end

attempt

made

was

try
coun-

Chisholm

Alexander

persuade

south

by

to

followthe example of Glengarry, by clearingout the whole

them
southerners,
native
among
population. Four
of Glencruaich, cleared
took the farm
who
by
Gillespie,
Glengarry,
hard

called

convince

to

to him

accrue

by

the Chisholm, at Comar, and tried

upon
him of the many
advantages which would
the eviction of his tenantry, and turning

into great

largest and best portions of his estate

sheep walks, for which they offered to pay
His daughter, Mary, already referred
rents.
the

him
to

large
Mrs.

as

She heard
in her teens.
then
was
James Gooden,
used, and
having mildly expressed her
arguments
she

ordered

was

out

of the

jection
ob-

greedy southerners,
crying bitterly. She,

proposalof

to the heartless

the

the

room,

her way
vants
to the kitchen, called all the serof her trouble.
together, and explained the cause
found

however,

object of the guests

through the Strath, and
The

over

thousand

demanded

and

House,
This

at

was

the

conduct

whose

who, centuries

men

patrimony,
district

but
the

by

to evict

for

The

sheep.
an

the
act

in any

The

before,

who

of those

ancestors
out

of

chief

action

of their native
of

circumstances, of

his

it

whom

Strath,

was

to

guests,

be

not

and

of their
out

of the

now

make

times

might

Highland
stood

driven

and

quietness, and

taken

inhospitalityto
who

characterised

his ancestors

modern

counselled

they had

sheep farmers

rob

to

gers,
stran-

their swords

with

came

freebooting Lochaber

defeated

were

for

for

of the

greedy freebooters

the

that

that

of death

instruments

other

him

chief.
of the

body

frightenednatives

the
than

infinitelyworse

as

whole

the

entertaining,even
cruel proceedings suggested by the
with

people remonstrated
moment,

their

with

interview

an

granted, and

once

circulated

soon

was

early the following morning

together in front of Comar

met

men

Comar

at

and

posed
proroom

their

suggested

construed

as

characteristic,

chief.

inside

the

open

drawing-

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

192

unexpected

events

turn

had

all that

heard

window,

room

passed, and, seeing the

and

taking,

were

the

desperate

they
by the objects of their cruel purpose,
adopted the better part of valour, slipped quietly out by

resolve

shown

fast

their

door, mounted

back

the

their

as

river Glass

could

steeds

hooting

the

among

until

heard

tenantry,

horses, galloped away

them, and crossed
carry
derision

and

they crossed

of the

as

the

bled
assem-

hill which

the

The
result of
Corriemony.
their laird was
ing
a complete understandhis tenants
men,
and
; and the flying horse-

separates Strathglass from

with

interview

the

him

between

behind

looking
reached

forming

tenantry
with

top of the Maol

the

their head, and

pipersat

whole

in each
in the

chief

that

was

other,

into

entered

their

by

dawned

ever

unmolested
which

face, and

to

outsiders
and
are

or

the

ence
confid-

continue

to

maintain, each

bonds

of

in future

fealty

on
ever

glen.

The

happiest days

people

Chisholm

this

as

of the

one

survived

left

were
a

"

fact

of chief and

wisdom

people meeting face

whether
permit others
greedy

refusing to

"

selfish factors

"

to

foment

and

come

mischief

interests
misunderstanding between
parties whose
so
closely bound
together, and who, if they met and

discussed

serious

of

prevailed after

Alexander's

of

the

cruel

daughter

has

been

already described.

Reference

strathfarrar

by

from
he

been

has

the

there

allotted

estates,

so

or

character.

notorious

made

to

the

ever

the

Marsali

clearance
but

Lovat,

and

other

portionsof the

lands

various

that, although these

other

under

Bhinneach,
of Glen-

for the

Lord

any

counsel

result

late

in

have

Worse

death, and

the

removed

seldom

their differences, would

disagreements

own

be

to

the

on

the

shows

out

long

so

of

outcome

respectiveancestors.

This, in fact, turned

that

ancient

and

part, all modern

his

their

on

to

and
happy relationship,

same

vassals,

expressed renewed

determination

House,

being carried,

pleasant

clan

and

they

assembled

of Comar

Chisholm

the

The

Invercannich.

to

front

when

the

saw

his stalwart

shoulder-high, by

mounted
way

Bhuidhe,

processionin

first time

for the

them

people

Lovat

places
changes were

on

property,
his
most

HIGHLAND

His

term.

Archibald

predecessor,

Fraser

of

evicted, like the Chisholms, hundreds

however,
Lovat

lordship's proceedings
in the ordinary sense
of

evictions

called

193

his

his tenants,

injuriousto
hardly be

CLEARANCES.

can

the

Lovat,

from

the

within

the

estates.

GUISACHAN.

ALEXANDER

BY

The
last

clearances

modern

quarter of

phases

before

1872.

The

with
there

Inspector of

they had

62,

was

1200,

lost the

some

which

dandy

the

Committee,

the

that,

source

"

in

1855,

To

able

were

the

to

sent

of

land

for show

more

depend

four

his

on

than

the

or

venience,
con-

employment

all this is true, take

shoemaker,

meal
or

and

now

cottage and
his trade
now

supplied

the

potatoes ; he had
of

two

; he

which

sheep
has

than

the

nothing

smithy,
than

on

as

at

dom,
ran-

tailor, and

wants

two

hill

but

'

cows,

he
the

of
a

his

say

horse, and

paid "7
bare

of

walls

time, that, when

Sir Dudley

It

was

yearly
of

he pays "10. Of course

he has now.
Will he live more
"

family

for which

he did then

;
to

vegetate in Sir Dudley's

made

that

prove
smith, the

been

have

to

competency

of them

some

to

or

lived in

ever

then or now
poverty and starvation were
instance, under the old regime, the smith farmed

piece

same

before

the

whether

had

globe,

Tomich,
they have

where

the

that

at

cottages

charity.

they

They

money.

of

quarters

rent

parish of Kiltarlity

of cows
on
\ the number
and horses, 24 ; the principalfarmer
had
and
the rest between
them
next
1000,

holdings on

lay by

score

in

the estate

indeed, it is well known

with

of Commons

House

of 4200.
Now
(1873)there is but one
he leaves at Whitsunday
; all these farmers

farmer, and

For

in all their

described

for the

another

Strathglass,by

sheep, the
giving a total

2000

or

been

brought

from

place

Guisachan,

Poor

was

16 farmers

were

took

of the

Committee

statement

in

century

letter which

which

Marjoribanks,have

Sir Dudley

wrote

MACKENZIE.

his
he

fortably
com-

stated, at the

Marjoribanks bought
N

HIGHLAND

194
the

property, there
Sir

and

doubt

some

refute
did

evict

his

of

any

"

having said,
free

them

Then

that

to, I wished

They

the

in

were,

it is but

applied in
in the

though
quite

point

of

as

Those

threw

had

not

found

other

to

he

say

own

quite.

so

placesto

go

farms."

fact, evicted
in the

the

much

as

as

any

Highlands, though
not
cruelty was

harsh

same

in many
who
had

of the
been
cow

others

allowed

recorded
to

remain

sheep, or an inch
off are
spread over
already described,

or

land, while those alive of those sent

the wide
world, like those sent, as
other

of their

away

of

from

he

it,

Macombie

Mr.

I must

without

are

But

went

tenantry
that

cottages,

new

they

case

pages.

tenants

their

say

their

people.

replied,

ancient

fair to

in these

examination,

"

when
have

to

of the

others

255 souls upon

the

will," Sir Dudley

I told

population of

that
unable
was
statement,
upon
The
proprietor,on being asked, said that

it.

not

was

in

Dudley,

CLEARANCES.

places.

GLENELG.

1849

In

MACKENZIE.

ALEXANDER

BY

than

more

souls

500

petitioned the
provide means

of existence

of reclamation

and

left

Baillie

proprietor,Mr.

for them

improvements

These

Glenelg.
of

Dochfour,

home

at

by

to

means

in the

ing
district,or, failMr.
Baillie, after

to emigrate.
this, to help them
choice
of the
made
latter
repeated communications,
should
alternative, and suggested that a local committee

be

appointed to

as

to

the

procure

number

of

circumstances, and
them
to

to

to

the
land

do

so.

the
This

and

supply

families
amount
was

him

with

information

willingto emigrate,their

of aid necessary
done, and it was

of "3000 would
proprietorthat a sum
those
willingto emigrate at Quebec.

to

enable

intimated
be

required
This

sum

included

free rations, a month's

ance
sustenmoney,
passage
after the arrival of the party in Canada, and
some

clothing

for

the

offered

destitute.

more

the

sum

of

Ultimately,

"2000, while

the

the

prietor
pro-

Highland

196

INVERNESS-SHIRE.
"

he

these

says,

poor

notwithstanding
emigrants
assured

seek

from

South

land

native

land.

or

if,

creatures

willing

were

voice

one

they

impossibility of

the

home

drive them

could

So far
foreignshore.
the emigration being, at Glenelg, or Lochalsh, or
Uist, a spontaneous movement
springingout of the
of the

benefits

With
of

nothing short
employment at

doubtful

the

wishes
the

their

that

me

obtaining
to

from

all

perfidiouslytreated
their hardships, they

tenantry,

of

be,

it to

aver

the

on

of

desperation,the calamitous
oppression visitingtheir sad hearts."

product

hesitation

contrary,

light of hopeless
have

We

no

in

saying that this is not only true of those to

whom
Mulock
Mr.
speciallyrefers, but to almost every
soul who
have left the Highlands for the last sixty years.
know
the people intimately, and
the
Only those who
means
adopted by factors, clergy,and others to produce
an

of

appearance

tenantry,

understand

can

is true.

If

the

part of the helpless

the

spontaneity on

extent

which

to

this statement

judicious system had been applied

of cultivating
excellent land, capable of producing food in
another
not
abundance, in Glenelg,there was
property in
the

Highlands on
than
people away

which

it

in that

GLENDESSERAY
Great
of

numbers

Lochaber,

arkaig
the

attended

the

late

Lochiel

details of Cameron
the

same

as

the

that

district,that

banquet

into

came

and

solelyresponsiblefor the removal

renowned

purpose

to

discuss.

system
to

take

place

here

What

and

hold

history of

which

which

to

case

in the martial

question, however,

were

Lochfew

so

the

of

tenantry

possession.

The

be found

been

so

and

pretty much
places,except that an attempt

in other
in this

country

singletenant

given by

has

made

there

not

evictions would

those

Cameron

Glendesseray

it is said

Indeed

left in the
the

from

evicted

were

Camerons
when

I/XHARKAIG

AND

especially from

side.

name

less necessary
to send
the
beautiful and fertile valley.
was

it is
we

allowed

no

wish

the

factor

of this noble
the country.
part of our
to

such

expose
cruel

elsewhere, by landlord

entirely
people,
That

is

present

is the

righteous
un-

proceedings
or

factor.

HEBRIDES.

THE

The
for

of

people

centuries

those

required
Bha

eile

latha

them

were

held

sword,

highly valued,

and

well

found

are

in the

times

these

especiallywhen
old
Prior

1849,

to

Hebrides
the

proprietors
the

to

for many

inhabitants

the

kelp

manufacture

poor

tenants,
to

rents

more

considered

worth

year

from

holdings
pocketed
the

kelp

entitled
a

enchanced

the

profit of
rent

"

not

raised

of the

and

out

"3

to

obtained
197

earn

of which

"4
from

per

ton,
the

by

the
land

the
a

to

sea-ware

for the

the

because

to

out

worse

because

tenants

out

from

of income

of portion
proreach
when

matters

meanwhile

poor

them,

Outer

considerable

within

by itself,but

made

vassals.
the

degree quite

make

double

more

of it enabled

to

To

were

than

ancient

kelp in
large source

subsistence

failed.
the

lands

lairds, in consequence,
the people to remain, and
it is

of

means

the

titles than

of

the

\ the

encouraged
they multiplied

that

more

of

their

better

islands, and

those

be

produced

hold

of their

years

years

to

of

that

Now

worthy

that

be

to

manufacture

for many

wielded

who

could

chiefs

they

sinew

and

tne

been

had

revenue

alleged

blood

ones-the

real

found

were

power.
When

sheepish chiefs
people who anciently

animals

by the
replace them
by which
sheep skins

modern

to

for

lands

and

to

of the

some

and

name,

the

of

longer

Isles, or

for.

cared

displace the

to

the

those

than

no

day

sufficient, what

opinion

than

held

and

secured

were

another

was

the

were

sheep skins
appropriate
of modern

There

ann

loyal

better

of the

Lords

by

possessions

over

whit

services

of the

Macdonalds

princes

not

their

when

the

possessions,their dignity,

their

them

to

secure

of

treated

battles

fight the

Uist, where

manner

were

mainland,

to

the

in the

people,

the

on

and

Skye

ruled

devoted

and

MACKENKIE.

ALEXANDER

BY

the

prietors
prowas

sion
posses-

certain
which

sum

their

proprietor

in addition
crofter

for

to

the

land.

consideration

some

it may

people, who,
the

circumstances

these

In

that

livelihood

would

been

have

to

appear

given

in

obtain

indeed

the

does

reverse.

very

UIST.
determined

Macdonald

Lord

1849

found

consideration

such

"

NORTH
In

to

the

to

were

numerous

; but

thought

shown

admitted,

too

islands

have

been

have

be

perhaps

in those

would

one

circumstances

altered

not

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

198

evict between

to

Uist, of which
Sollas, in North
he was
then proprietor. They were
at the time in a state
for
of great misery from
the failure of the potato crop
of them
several
previously in succession, many
years
600

and

700

had

to

pittance of

two

having
Sometimes

picked

work

up

for

miserable

that
had

live

to

the

on

ninety-six hours

of Indian

stones

even

families

and

from

persons

dole

for

not

of the

for which

people
having

to

were

public

decided

served

were

They

1849.

that

upon
asked

of their cattle
the

to

the

for

kelp, on

terms

enable

effects to
offered

and
which

proprietors,if only,

to

while

the

lordship
ejectment

dispose
advantage at

them
best

the

was

I5th of May,

the

on

earned

of

notices

effect

other

most

His

starve.

go,

delay, to

other

markets,

summer

making

and

they must
them, to take

was

money

the

permitted generally to

ployed
em-

were

men

proprietors} but here, as in

places throughout the Highlands, the money
applied by the factors to wipe off old arrears,
advanced

shell-fish

solely on

weeks

fortnight.
forthcoming,

once

was

Some

sea-shore.

drainage works,

on

meal

for

week

to

meanwhile

work

remunerative
prove
altered circumstances,

would

in the

for their
they might get their crofts on equitable terms
the kelp manufacture,
on
value, as such
apart from
"

"

of which

account

Their

petitionswere

while

at

the

same

and

the

ignored.
time

potatoes as
for which, they were

corn

whatever
effects to procure

had

rents

No

previously
answers

raised.

been

were

received,

much
directed to sow
as
they were
they could during that spring, and
be fully compentold, they would
sated,

happened.
seed, and

They

continued

sold

of

much

to work

and

sow

their
up

HEBRIDES.

THE
and

to

their peats

cut

allowed

as

their

"

and

goods

in the

such

The

cases.

of

the end
arrive

could

without

which

manner

July

there

means

naturally rebelled, and

his officers

Colquhoun, with
left Inverness

Uist,

for North

arrival of the steamer

the

ashore

if

resistance, or

give, but

whose

the
that

was

Before

wards
to-

they

be

them,
upon
against it. They

from
their
eject them
proceed to extremes, on

Armadale,
to

obtain

they

whole

sent

senger
mes-

in

guide them
modification

had

Sheriff to Mr.
the

"

to

Macdonald

Lord

referred

answer

at

possibleto

lordship'sviews.

of

fashion

advanced

would

ask for instructions

to

out

"

principalSheriff -Substitute,
and a strong body of police

Naturally unwilling to

homes.

to

the

far

provide

to

peats

the

for Canada.

winter

money

become

too

was

cold

to

locked,

thrown

were

long

to start

"

the

or

had

season

doors

cattle, crops, and

their bits of furniture

Even

began

after all to be

houses, the

"

doors

of

were

of their

out

then

however, soon
They were,
hypothecated. Many of

everythingthey possessed

seized.

in

turned

were

of

I5th

benefit.

get the

to

disappointed
them

They
May.
usual, thinking they were

after the

even

199

case

of his

instructions

no

Cooper,

his

population

factor,

of

Sollas

subject to eviction if they did not at once

agree
who
A few men
arrested
obstructed
to emigrate.
were
the e victors on a previous occasion.
marched
They were
off to Lochmaddy
by the police. The work of destruction
commenced.
At first no
made
soon
b"
oppositionwas
the
eye-witness, whose
people. An
sympathies
poor
be

would

believed

were

scribes
"

In

two

or

gear
left

three

the

to

his

were

turned

roofless.

(one

of those

the next

the

few

whole
to

out

The
taken

evicted.

to

first

the

officers

bench, a
of wool, and

wife

"

two

or

made.

broken

three

small

door,
the

domestic

of
and

up,
In

furniture

of

household
the

taken

case

articles

Lochmaddy
Her

was

chair,

of

proprietor,des-

follows

law

comprised

the

to

proceedingsas

minutes
"

"

favourable

evicting Macpherson,

possessed
barrel, a bag

which

was

of the

opposition

no

he

some

be

to

chair,
articles,

goods and
his bothy-

prisoner Macphail
the previous day)
on
plenishingwas of the

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

200

simplest
valuable

by far its most

greatest, and
nothpart, being three small children, dressed in ing
character

than

more

infant in her

children
kind.

totally destitute

were

Sheriff

The
ordered

and

him

place the

to

for the

sent

once

food

Inspector
and

woman

her

she and

without

and

holding
of any
of Poor,

family

her

on

poor's roll."

the

The

occupied by very old

refused to
the Sheriff positively
where
to eject eight other families

house

next

people, whom
also refused

The

them.
instance

He

larity
irregu-

an

and

for.

having

weaver,

this

At

eminence

an

stage
a

wife

of

little distance
of

This

nine

and

crowd

first indications

the

gave

like real resistance.

anything

made

provide
gathered on

to

and

next

crofter

evict.

by him in the notices served upon

family ejected led to the almost solitary
in the history of Highland evictions where

hitherto

people

was

infirm

and

was

discovered

was

the

at

in tears, and

the Sheriff that

assured

arms,

herself

woman,

poor

bathed

face

her

the

who

blanketing,

coarse

while

knee,

her

half-clothed, with
an

of

single coat

about

played

its

"

children

and

men

from

man

women

the house,

hostile intention

by

to help in the work

police advanced
who
of demolition, accompanied
by about a dozen men
in unroofing the houses
from
the
to their assistance
came
The
other end of the island.
crowd, exasperated at the

raisingshouts,

of their

conduct
the

The

latter.

The

furniture

voice

exclaiming in

in her arms,
Tha
mo

children

are
were

driven
behind
missiles

work
further

chlann

air

murdered)

to

door

the

passionateand

bhi'
The

air

muirt

crowd

lines.
of the

cut

was

became

at

with

wailing
"

(My

excited,

officers,their assistants were

from the roof of the house, and they had to retire
the policefor shelter.
and other
Volleys of stones

stones

There

to be

rushed

woman

in two

up

outside, the web

thrown

was

stones

some

drawn

then

police were

"

"

neighbours, threw

own

the terrified

loom, and
infant

the

as

thrown

at

The

followed.
were

some

cuts

of demolition

opposition

Several

was

from

the

police charged
and

bruises

then
the

heart-rendingscenes

on

allowed

in two
both
to

divisions.

sides.
on

go

The

without

crowd.

followed, but

we

shall

only

HEBRIDES.

THE

201

took

give a descriptionof the last which

occasion, and which
brought about

cruel woik.

necessary

the

In

threw

herself upon

found

was

by
ground

of the

out

women

it

case

one

doleful sounds,
uttering the most
like a dog for about
ten minutes.

tears, sobs, and

that

they

where

weaving
made

leave

would

she

had

attack

an

with

third

woman,

with

him, she sprang

barking

over

on

hysterics,

yelling

and
with

many

the

Sheriff

part of her

house,

in

it, which

she

eldest of the

the

remove

of them

One

petition to

was

family,

officer,and, missing

an

off his hat.

knocked

him, and

upon

to

Another,

cloth

stick

"

that

on

delay in the

fell into

and
and

roof

the

loom

and

'

put up

groans

little

force.

house

the

place

So

herself that two

conduct
violently did this old woman
stout
side
policemen had great difficultyin carrying her outThe
the
door.
excitement
was
again getting so

strong that

people,

and

finding that
from

crops

away

their

houses

would

have

fed

of

any

end

of

the

conditions, but

the

Their
and

cattle

applied

Four
the

and

ruined
were,

to

of the

the

men

of

next

of
expense
relaxed
and

Some

June.

until

and

for

however,

mostly

reduction

of old

afterwards

sentenced

to

four

few

the

agreed

months

taken

to

ist

these

the

cumstanc
cir-

to their

longer.

possessionof,

arrears."

charged
at

next

signed an

from

year,

they

with

Inverness

deforcing
Court

of

lowing
folThe
imprisonment.
the district was
completely and mercilessly
all its remaining inhabitants, numbering
603

Justiciary each
year

time

homes

were

officers, and

cleared

undertook

when

ears,

majority declined ; and, in

people were
permitted to go back

the
unroofed

the

at

their

even

their houses

occupy

emigrate
to

February

to

of families

heads

to

agreement

maintained

of the
took

their

about

forthcoming winter,

parish during the

agreed to allow them
the

and

leave,

not

down

and

the

spring,if

would

pulled

be

continued

if he

who

those

were

to

determination

factor, seeing the

the

months'

souls.*
*

very

full

appeared
are

account
at

indebted

the
for

of
time
the

these
in

above

proceedings, written
Inverness
Courier,

the

facts.

on

the

to

which

spot,
we

HIGHLAND

202

Sollas evictions

The

which

his

lordship

1851-53, he,
people from

His

afterwards

SUISINISH,

AND

unfortunate.

Donald

of these

evictions, says

Some

years

his

not

dispose

lands

in

of the

in

rent

the

lettingof
improvement
factor

the

rents

of the
have

to

debt.
an

The

interest

trustee

for the

creditors

and

the Macdonald

veillance
sur-

of removals,
the

and

trustee

general
local

the
in the

perty,
pro-

collectingtheir
the

; consequently

the crofter

greatly neglected.
descendants
the
Boreraig were

portions

and

matter

people thereon, beyond

The

on

could

Macdonald,

Lord

particularinterest

no

are

peasantry

debts

"200,000 sterling,

shootings,and

fishingsand

witness
eye-

incurred

of

in the

property

property is mismanaged,
and

an

intercept certain

to

have

as

"

extent

of his estates.

in the

of the

quota

the

him

under
nor

order

payment

over

writing

entailed, his creditors

but
they
placed a

them,

continues

course,

proceedingswas

to the

Macdonald

the

being
of

them

over

to

the

SKYE.

OF

ISLE

Ross,

Lord

ago

property

his

to evict

his trustee, determined

villagesof

the

and

of

satisfythe evicting craze

so
bitterlyregretted. In

not

lordship'spositionin regard

most

on

did

rather

or

BORERAIG

"

CLEARANCES.

and

estates, and

lation
popu-

Suisinish

of

tenants

of

cottar

long

of

line

remarkable

were

their

patience, loyalty, and general good conduct."

The only plea made
at the time for evictingthem
was
of
that
over-population. Ten families received the usual

for

and

summonses,

Hercules,

an

were

passages
unfortunate

secured

ship which

sailed

of passengers
under
the auspices of a body
The
Island
Highland and
Emigration
"

deadly fever broke

out

detained

in

of the
fate

of

at

Cork

passengers
so

many

the passengers,
and
a
consequence,

died

among

in the

for them
with

callingitself
Society." A
the ship was
large number

of the

of those

cargo

epidemic. After the

previously cleared out, in

ill-fated ship, it was

generally thought that
would
for those
who
had
be shown

some

been

sad
the

passion
com-

still

HIGHLAND

204

CLEARANCES.

great quantity of food and clothing,describes several

of the cases.
I can
here, however, for
only find room
a

his first.
Flora

Robertson

Matheson,

or

widow, aged ninety-six

then
residing with her son, Alexander
years,
who
had a small lot of land in Suisinish.
Her
with

widower,

four

children

; and

Matheson,
son

shortly before

was

the time

for evicting the

to labour
people arrived, he went
away
in the south, taking his oldest boy with
him.
at harvest
The grandmother and the other three children were
left in
the house.
When
the evicting officers and
factor arrived,
"

was
sittingon a couch outside
poor old woman
The
house.
day being fine, her grandchildren lifted

the

the

her out

of her bed

and

it would
frail ; and
how
the two
seen

very

have

helped

her

shelter

most

"

The

children,

breeze

wafted
the

over

vigour

heaven,

blessingsof
were

was

old
and
God

the

make

there

with

The

appreciated.
was

Often

with

upliftedhands,

of

Jacob on
faithfullyto

looked

like

hills,with
flowers

upon.

and

The

lake

heather

the

in their

rainbow,

beauty,
were

crops

was

gentle
by passing

the

eyes

relief and

directed

did she invoke

young

wards
to-

the

children

who

The

sea

globules,

silver, gently agitated. The

in full bloom, and
with the wild
of

had

most

of

sun

refreshing, the

her bodily wants.

ministering so
Nothing could exceed the beauty of the scene.
and
glitteringwith millions of little waves

and

able.
comfort-

unbounded

was

Slapin,brought great

Flora.

was

ing
cloth-

some

her

hills,and, mollified

the

to

compassion } and the

hand, felt highly pleased at

air

the

heart

grandchildren

where

woman

was

and

well

so

of Loch

poor

old

other

across

waters

to

the

to

She

any

they brought her

of kindness

rinding their services

shining beautifully,

her

her

endeavoured

the

on

of

seated

they

door.

gladdened

youngest

gratitude of

little acts

at these

have

then, how

and

clad her, and

and

poor

; how

along

her to the

brought

corn

assumed

pleasant
in
for

the

all the colours

to

the

eye

to

neighbourhood

the
harvest
beginning to get yellow
; the
under
flower, and promised
patches of potatoes were
the sheep and cattle, as if tired of feeding,had lain

of the
look
were

small
well
down

"

HEBRIDES.

THE
to rest

on

the face of the hills ; and

the

dogs, as if satisfied

required

for

services

their

205

not

were

time,

chose

for

pleasant,well-sheltered spots and lay basking

Even the little boats on the loch,
at full length in the sun.
but
no
spread, made
progress,
though their sails were
the
on
tiny shadows
lay at rest, reflectingtheir own
themselves

old Flora's

enchanting ; and, although

with

dim

great delight.
feed

tried to
old

some

her

the

invigorated by

went

them,

and

of

made

stones, there
or

eye
was

the

the

air ;

which

nothing

was

for

ear

was

to take

ascended,

wreaths

of

wind

no

cottage
to

move

and, indeed, with

passed

the

near

in its progress
around
above
or

the

house, and
rocks

over

and

to disturb

While

moment.

one

greatly

was

then

the

the

old

the

woman

enjoying the benefit of the fresh air, admiring

the poor children
beauty of the landscape, and just when
thus

the

entered

had

dogs
The

gave
native

of
inquisitiveness

with

however,

they

had

effects

they

edge,

on

fences, after

over

they

the

doors.

saw

so

woman,

out

the
This

off

they

her.

their

The

What

and
was

fields,
returned,

the

countenances

furniture

and

The

heart

;
other

hill,

the

across

the children

enough.

mediatel
im-

was

soon

putting bars

men

strangers.

across

They

in

; they heard

factor's
was

set

of

ones

neighbours, just

Absolutely nothing !
plenitudeof their knowledge of

she do

frugalmeal for
sudden
barking of
a

young

dogs.

the

recentlyrevived

within

break

and

the

fearful tale to unfold.

thrown

and

prepare

depicted

horror

of their nearest

saw

to

aged charge, a
signalintimation of the approach
set

and

house

their

themselves, and

to

the

on

noise

continuous

there

stream

and

; thin

she

seemed

Nature

along, but

they floated

exception

with

her

pet bird ; but

now

dispelledit
and

up

of air.

fleecy cloud

soon

sun

smoke

change

white

repose.
but the

getting

were

eyes

although

much,

take

not

been

had

if she

as

could

woman

most

was

objects before

the

on

scene

grandchildren brought her a cup of

bread from a neighbour'shouse, and

Her

and

milk

warm

looked

she

age,

The

stillwaters.

deep and

of the

bosom

screaming,
and
of

invigorated,was

the
now

on

old
like

could

she to do

The

children, in the

the

poor

humanity

What

locks

of lords and

206

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

factors, thought that

inside

grannie
would
with

if

before

be safe,

as

"

only get their aged

evicting officers arrived, that
interfere
they thought, would

they could

the

no

one,

her
ninety-six,especiallywhen
there
not
to take
was
charge of her ; and, acting
this supposition,they began to remove
their grandmother
old

an

son

upon

into
before

the

old

in, they threw

woman

placed large bars

wonder.

father

away

from

and

padlocks

they

Here

their

inside the

was

horror-struck

were

officers,however,

get this accomplished ; and

article that

every

The

house.

they could

lettingthe

of

creature

this

at

shut

were,

and

elder

brother

them,

their

mother

dead,

them,

"

shelter than

broad

the

children
grandand

"

and

miles

their

and

mother,
grand-

fore
sittingbe-

move,

with

and

no

home,

hundred

of heaven.

canopy

they

The

several

door

then

of house

out

place of
the

procedure

aged, frail,and unable to

quite unfit to help herself,

now

and

door

the

in

before

out

house,

on

arrived

other

no

then,

Here,

have twisted the

crisis,a predicament, that would
and tried the stoutest
heart and healthiest
strongest nerve
was

frame,

-with

"

infirmities

age

and

the

feelingsof
find

cannot

Shall

high

too
as

theirs

those

little eyes

which

anguish, sorrow,

them,

and

when

house

after

children

in, and
was

with

house

now

the

do

swept

the

doors

The

air, which

cold

and

at

of

their

such
the
after

the

tears

within

strength in

children

of the

and

The

they returned

began

her.
of

"

But

evening
was

fresh

mates
into

exchange

to

what

the

district,

of its furniture, the

mid-day

freezing.

them

After

accumulated

locked,

shades

paying
conduct

themselves

other

express
houseless.

hoarse, and

were

had

] and

to

proceed.

us

terror

the

be

savages

exhausted

was

occasion

them

would

they

old grandmother,
poor
and consolations
with

sorrows

poor

and

they had

evicted, and
their

until

emptied

had

general wail, along

as

for among
let
But

cried

their

That

savages

had

rendered

who

is unknown.

grandchildren

this

on

sufficientlystrong

compliment,

children

poor

of

helpless infancy and old

We
cannot
comprehend

it.

meet

language

call them

we

to

the

condemnation

but

nothing

could

were

and

neighbours

the

closing
balmy,
were

all

HEBRIDES.

THE
locked

be

What

got.

where

to

they

were

their minds

that

give no

to travel

unable

was

could

out, and

future

to

being

near,

door,

no

better

was

than

represented to

of

from

such

and

There

was

distance

the

window,

their unfortunate

with

serious

tions
consulta-

ever,
consideration, how-

bed,

no

"

sheep-cot

old

the

it had

and
but

then, it

to the

sincere

they could

which,

coming

period,gladdened

her

however, which they

difficulty,
grandmother could not walk,

The
was

and

advance,

attachment

at such

first overlooked.

at

was

quarter, and

heart.

first

satisfied

rest

may

night, and
prepared to remove
small and damp,

arguments

professionsof

old

We

woman

night air ; and this they

their grandmother, backing it with all the

with

first

the

exposure

little bits

other

night could

for

no
fire-place,

no

the

The

True, it

it.

to

woman

lodgings for

they had

that

children

the

old

action.

shelter

was

the

fully occupied

were

condition, and
as

shelter,and
do

to

207

hundreds

some

of

yards, and

they

assistance, for all the neighbours were

get no
weeping and wailing for the
similarlysituated, and were
could

which

distress

had

come

them.

upon

Here

was

creep

to
; but the children helped the poor woman
she walked
a few
yards, at other
along, sometimes

times

she

dilemma

and

way,

The

sheep-cot
to

her

When

the

amazed

was

children
but

in

had

with

had
a

most

was

most

until the
came

here

from

home

treatment

received.

He

his

his

the

then

with

widow

harvest

aged

was

in

damp

of

in the

'

at

south,
and

his

good health ;
the sheep-cot

health, for he

cough

pelled
com-

following.

mother

then

was

deadly effect upon

cramps,

grandchildren,

habitation, quite

the

the

and

violent

her

of December

month

at the

weeks

by

wretched

cold

few

in this

knees, and

cot.

beings,yet

remain
son

and

materially aided

most

for human

unfit

hands

her

on

at last reached

she

he

crawled

was

seized

last his limbs

dead, his
body swelled, and then he died ! When
the floor,his feet at the opposite wall,
lay across
corpse
his long
and his head
being at the door, the wind waved
black hair to and fro until he was
placed in his coffin.
and

The

inspector of

poor,

who,

be

it remembered,

was

208

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

ground officer
chief

Lord

to

old

until

duty.

woman

with

was

threatened

The

grandchildren

he

acted

the

as

prosecution for neglect of

also

were

from

removed

the

ill ;

were
Peggy and William
seriously so, but Sandy, although ill,could walk a little.
The
inspectorfor the poor gave the children, during their
illness,only 14 fbs. of meal and 3 Fbs. of rice, as aliment
To the grandmother
for three weeks, and nothing else.

sheep-cot,

made

"

I visited

When
and

where

house

palletof straw,

are

on

from

bare

the
her

have

floor.

with

and

two
as

and

brown

her

long

the

skin,

she

was

infirmities

infirm
is but

her

There
of

this

The

no

aged

she

mutch

as

with

one

the

black

that

one

But

for

Widow

accidental
Matheson

of starvation.

claims

the

to

of this old
and

it is

wants

shameful

long

or

with
a

the

month

; it is

experience

evasion
that

ere

conduct

woman

every-day

charity, and
would

flects
re-

grandchild, a
country boasting

of age.
liberty,and

of the

but

her

years

mockery

sented,
pre-

them

on

Surely in a
humanity,
Christianity,such
be any
not
longer tolerated in dealing
and helplesspoor.
The pittance of 2S. 6d.
girl,ten

she

parochial authorities

but

pauper

toes
pota-

rags
soot, and

as

and

"

attend

to

wet

picture

nothing
one

on

cordials,

no

few

then

was

palletof black

lamentable

was

but

wretched

her

insulting to the commonsense

of people of feeling,and
law.

of food

across,

most

skeleton,

nourishment,

no

deepest discredit

of Strath.

should

thrown

arms

of clothing,

rags
to

on

me,

shell-fish.

with

straw,

the

young
of its

lay

on

lying

few

Matheson

in presence
nesses,
of witinquiries and examinations,

way

three

or

her

declaring tha"

in

in the

whatever

Flora

is reduced

to

actually starving. She had

nothing

with

She

other

hesitation

no

old

I found

which,

statement

own

coupled
I

the

grandchildren reside,

her

miserable

and

were

shillingsand

two

no

cordials

they

but
sixpence per month,
provision for fuel, lodgings, nutritious diet, or
this old woman
all of which
much
required.

allowed

he

for

also

evictions, at last appeared, and removed

house
to another
; not, however,

officer in the
the

and

Macdonald,

from

this

have

of the
a

tance,
disished
per-

THE
Three

officers of the law

They

before
first

were

marched

imprisoned at
they arrived

of their trial.

date

the

The

in their conveyances,

factor

right loyally,never

distance

of

over

the

sheriff-officers came

and

but

dreaming

wards
after-

days before

two

public expense,

the

at

and

Portree,

foot to Inverness,

on

miles, where

hundred

209

charged with deforcingthe

Court of Justiciaryat Inverness.

afterwards

were

men

HEBRIDES.

lived

and

obtain

they would

sent
to the Penitentiary,
victory, and get the three men
for at least
to wear
hoddy, break stones, or pick oakum
The
twelve months.
accused, through the influence of
the services of Mr.
charitable friends, secured
Rennie,
able to show
to the jury
solicitor,Inverness, who
was

unfounded

and

againstthem.

His

the

their behalf

in

explain the

Before

this case,
It

was

was

would
of

one

matter

of serious

allowed

by law

bodies

of

to

comment

its

to

series of

reflection,how

far the

pound

of flesh

be extracted

permitted to
Highlanders. Here

the

being

it really became

and

to be

was

general features.

ejectments now

Highlands ;

in

evidence

the

on

call attention

in the

through

by quoting

"

fearful

proceedingsthan

"

proceeding
he

better

cannot

we

jury

to the

report given of it,at the time, in the

the

carried

the

of the

made

charges

able address

and
irresistible,

Advertiser

Inverness

of the

nature

eloquentand

nature

it in part from
"

farcical

from

thirty-two

were

families, averaging four members

each, or from 130 to
and
from
their houses
out
happy
150 in all, driven
for
and
what
?
For a tenant
homes,
who, he believed,
was

yet found.

not

donald
should
the

and

be

of Messrs.

law

these
come

before

with

"

will return, an
will,I trust, be one
cruel actors
'

that

he not
had

having

who

in to

whelm
over-

God, it has
to return,

sworn

are

they

failed them,

impartialverdict

in it. The

asked, Could
a
greater man

you,

Mac-

Ballingal,that

all its terrors, is called

people. But, thank

unhappy
jury before

and

and

civil law

the

will of Lord

the

was

Brown

ejected;and

criminal

it

But

will

stamp

verdict
; and which
out with ignominy the

Duke

of Newcastle

do

he liked

as

answered,

that

had

with
'

his

querulously
own

property

?
had
O

'

but

its

duties
of

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

2io

well

as

admiring

an

here

his

done

inhabitants
had

He

its

as

rights/ and

duty ?

come

the

barren

with

the

force

make

had

He

to

and

them,

No

opinion

concurrent

testified to this truth.

age

out

the

the factor

Had

driven

heaths

the miserable

and

wet

mosses.

civil power
possess
to disfor sheep and cattle.
But
of the

way

in
evictions
provided adequate refuge ? The
Knoydart, which had latelyoccupied the attention of the
cruel enough
but there
were
press and all thinking men,
a
provided for a portion of the evicted, and
refuge was
had

he

for their

ships
such

of matters

state

to

conveyance

distant

be tolerated

in

land.

country

Would
where

Highland spiritexisted ? No ! Their

the length and
that
day would
proclaim, over
of the land, an
indignant denial.
Approaching

single spark
verdict
breadth

of

observe
that
more
minutely, he would
present case
this libel the charge of
the prosecutor, by deletingfrom
obstruction, which was
passive,had cut away the ground
the

ment
remaining charge of deforcebeing active, pushing, shoving, or striking,was

from

essential.
the

his feet.

under

he would

But

ask, What
\ but

remonstrances

the

was

of Macinnes

household

the

and
village,

mutual

The

force

was

?
used

of

character
There
?

were

The

only

carried out.
A
seized were
things the officer,Macdonald,
from
talked
of as being taken
him,
spade and creel were
but in this he was
unsupported. The charge against the
panel, Macinnes, only applied to what took place inside
his

house.

As

the

to

merely present.
neither

touched
be

He

quoad

there

must

be

to

such

thing, and
with regard to

him

Allison, in order

had

in

certainly

appeared

the
not

door

constitute
violence

; that

deforcement.

combined

in his

at

but

rate

any

Duncan

was

he

must

the

Macrae,

contemptible. According

was

the
as

ordinary firmness of character.

here, they did not even
stood

he

nor

man

acquitted. Even

evidence

panels, John Macrae

right to be there ;

other

to

crime

of deforcement,

intimidate

there

was

Now,

to

of

person
no

ence
viol-

speak aloud, they merely

might

be

Had

obstruction, it
who
Macdonald,

single person

and
of sheriff-officer,
ground-officer,

was

it

tripleoffices
inspector of poor,
the

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

212

nianity
factor

this and

on

his

and

Macdonald

by Lord

exhibited

were

as

occasions.

other

CONTRAST.

leaving Skye, it will be interestingto see the

chiefs
the
existed
of opinion which
difference
among
regarding the eviction of the people at this period and a
Before

earlier.

century

in the

has done

what

just seen

have

We

ald
Macdon-

Lord

present century, little more

thirty

than

his proceedings and feelings

Let us compare
ago.
In
of his ancestor, in 1739, a century earlier.
to those
Macleod
that year a certain Norman
managed to get some
years

islanders

emigrate,

to

as

The

he

was

being from

baronet

wife, Lady

his

home,

pleading with him to use all his

prosecution of her husband, which,

influence

1740,

dangerouse

she

that

Edinburgh

from

yett

was

She

that

"

informed
is

there

"

tho'

be

being

both

begins her letter by

by different hands
currant

against a

it cannot

faill of

it cannot

expensive."

and

troublesome

stating

him,

to

Margaret,

ist of January,

the

on

sponsible,
re-

Macleod.

encouraged

have

Justice-ClerkMilton

Lord

to

wrote

of Sleat

Macdonald

reported to

ment
Govern-

that

feared

was

Sir Alexander

hold

would

it

and

ship's haveing gone from thiss country

people designed for America, and
many

report of a
with
a
greate
ander
Sir Alex-

that

in forceing these
concurred
thought to have
She then declares the charge against her
people away."
is quite ac"a
quainted
husband
falsehood," but she
to be
of that nature.
with
the danger of a report
is

"

"

of Sir Alexander

Instead
"

of this

proceedings

of fellows that
Macleod, with a number
both
his intentions," he
was
picked up execute
Norman

concern' d to hear

and

angry
were

to the

"

had

he

being a party

and

And

the

between

contrast

expressed

those

which

carried

yet

it is

well-known

evictions

respects

no

who

nominally responsiblefor

was

of his

some

people

oune

in thiss affair."

taken

What

that

more

humane

man

ever

the

sentiments
out

the

here
modern

that,

in

lived

than

cruelties in

other
he

Skye

HEBRIDES.

THE
at Sollas.

and

of

chief

and

landlord

his

abdicated

completely

others, and

himself to be

allowed

He

213

his

from

testimony and assurance

his lordship intimately,that, to
his tacit

time, with

the

been

had

regret what

to

his

the

have

We

people.

conclusive
ceased

imposed upon by
high functions as
most

knew

who

one

he

dying day,

never

and at
in his name,
in Skye and in North

done

approval,

Uist.

UIST

SOUTH

Napoleon
and

Bonaparte,

unable

would

and

square,
disarmed

breast

every

full

this

bitterly for

the

retribution.

to

Duke

the

people

pain.

Europe

Donald

:"

were

at

horrified,
the

petrator
per-

France

and

the

wept
mercies

tender

Ah!

but

from

law-making

1500

hundred-fold

sanction

the

the
for

and

land

men,
more

of your

predecessors,in

of Sutherland

the

put the

of

follows

cartridge

exhibited.

were

consigned

death

his

and

ball

indignation

Protestant

you

has

horrifying. With
Gordon)

into

soon

tragedy,

Emperor

Gordon

children,

formed

Britain,
look
towards
the
great day of
you
Under
the
law,
protection of your

when

Colonel

as

have

to

which

out

in which

manner

guilty Christians,
tremble

of

of

horrible

wicked

their

nations

was

of

of

beings
painful act

Christian

the

All

them,

at

human
this

refers to

Macleod
"

of

mass

him

with

muskets

perish by

would

they

by his orders

were

simultaneously levelled

was

500 prisoners
I^et them
go he

suggested to

French

2000

for them.

that

of mercy

They

all shot.

time, took

one

food

to

ideas

His

famine.
them

at

provide
not, though he saw

was

BARRA.

AND

his

created

and

women,

agonising and
law he (Colonel

imitation

of his

Grace

predecessors, removed
by God, suitable for

of man,
and
put it under
brute
animals
the people upon
bye-corners,
; and threw
and
barren moors,
there exacting exorbitant
precipices,

cultivation, and

the

use

rack-rents, until the people

they could

neither

in it.

The

leave

were

the

made

place nor
potato-blight blasted

that

so
penniless,

better

their

their last

dition
con-

hopes

HIGHLAND

214
of

CLEARANCES.

retaininglife upon

unproductive patches

clamourous

they became
made

the

known

for food.

Their

hence

"

distress

was

the

public press ; public meetings

knaves
known
held, and it was
were
managed by some
of providence with the whole
to saddle the God
a
misery
through

"

in which

job

took

servants

of

"

professingand
The

part.

of money
were
and
other
agents

Gordon

and

his

though terrified.
Government,
through the

famine

by

death

public

placed

in the

individuals,
British

on

allies

worthy

well-paid

generous

sums

people from

Colonel

God's

active

very

Government

the

save

immense

responded ;
hands

of

many

soil.

silent

were

to

tributors,
con-

gallantgentleman solicited
Home
Secretary, to purchase
for a penal colony, but it would
the Island of Barra
not
Government
suit. Yet our
humane
sympathised with the
and
Colonel
the
able
honourhis coadjutors, and consulted
and

brave

from

effective

of Scotland,

ganger

to
speediest scheme
gallantColonel and colleaguesfrom this clamour

most

well

as

eye-sore,

bodied

MacNeil, the chief pauper

the

upon
relieve the
and

The

The
paupers.
the publicmoney,

before
the

for

to

as

the

their

save

result

was,

which

had

drain

assist them

to

to

banish

Highlanders

liberal

able-

grant

month
granted a twelvevating
improving and cultiHighland proprietors

been

to

nation

the

to

pockets from

that

of

purpose
made
was

Highlands,
the

and

of its best

Atlantic, there

the

across

blood, and
to

by famine
strangers in the frozen regions of
among
the
far from
and
British sympathy,
Canada, far from

die

of
resting-place

mingling

with
at

known

have
"

Oh

fathers

their brave

kindred

death,

than
of

read

or

Christian
and

dust, to the

more

under

who

other

any

people,

mothers,

though the idea of

solation
Highlanders, is a con-

ancestors,

Christian
are

people,

living

treatment
experienced such
Christian
rulers,
sufferings
; you
and
not
representatives, permit

and

heathenism
with

reverence

hide
and
when

her

idolatry
I say,

people I

heaven.

and

never

blush

of

race

face

permit

and

ease,

concomitant

Chrstian

electors,

Christianity

with

any

at

Christian

not

before

shame

longer.
Mahomet

to

speak
Ali

to

HEBRIDES.

THE
deride

our

allow
'

not

What

can

Saviour

with

demons

to

people,are guiltyof

in

exclaim
of

followers

face

the

of

"

heaven,

Christians,thy chosen

when

us,

deeds

such

of His

conduct

the

expect of

you

215

to their

inhumanity

own

"

species?

neglected humanity
less,
prostrated Christianity, and look at this helpfor
unfortunate
a
place yourselves
people ;

"

Come,

and

for

then,

their

in

moment

of

sake

the

condition

hopeless
in the

decoyed,

barkation,
em-

ment,
British Govern-

of the

name

their

at

homes
by false promises of assistance, to procure
denied
in Canada, which
comforts
to them
at
and
were
home
sent
decoyed, I say, to an unwilling and partialcon"

and

"

resisted

who

those

and

to

chased

this

caves

ditional
con-

mountains

and

brigands, look
caught by policemen, constables,

and

from

from

recoiled

fled to the

who

consent,
themselves
hide

or

at

them,

and

other

the

underlings of Colonel Gordon, handcuffed, it is said, and

huddled
together with the rest on an emigrant vessel.
the
Hear
throbbings of their
sobbing, sighing, and
warm
Highland hearts, taking their last look,
guileless,
mountains
and
bidding a final adieu to their romantic
and
valleys, the fertile straths, dales, and glens, which
where

they

and
in spots endeared
sacred
repose,
who
their unfortunate
must
offspring,
farewell
dear

and

sacred

as

had

follow

them

hear

ashore
the

groups

and
and

fathers

reply,

"

'

chan

see

dreary
of

death

where

; hear

husbands,
eil fios

in search

bid

of the

mothers

where

againn

the

ful
mournas

were

existence, and

we

rolling

passage,

Atlantic, ill-fed,
Then

excrements.

is in store

for them

"

of
cargo
noise, the bitter

the
and

are

'
"

of

dischargethe

to

confusion, hear

bustle

memory

patientin suffering. But

them

billows

them

the

the

now

sickness, disease, and

with

everlasting

their very

as

captain giving orders

live stock

weeping

made

mountainous

the

ill-clad,among
come

them

their six weeks'

on

to

and

early associations, which

to

hitherto

which

upon

their

to

inhabited, and

immemorial

lying in undisturbed

now

are

time

from

their forefathers

we

know

Government

children

going
not

asking

? hear
see

Agent,

the

them

who,

in

they

216

HIGHLAND

told,

were

give them

to

was

CLEARANCES.

in

agent
hear

is authorised

Canada

them

they

when

countenances

the

praying

; look

money

captain

learn

to

come

pairing
their des-

at

to

give

them

to

bring

them

that

no

penny

back

that

their native hills,that their ashes

they might die among
might mingle with those of their forefathers \ hear this
request refused, and the poor helplesswanderers
bidding
adieu

kindness

they

formed
look

captain and

the

to

could, and

something

like

who

crew,

to

showed

vessel

the

all the

which

to

during the

attachment

an

them

they

their

food

for

mournful

"

on

famine

fails to

supply

would

spectrum

could

describe

it

depart

and

to

deaths

words

with

me

all accounts,

they
their respectivebury ing-places,
were

the

painful picture,

in

Hamilton,

and

according

frost-bitten

and

is

Toronto

reach

company

This

the

ing
carry-

their backs,

Upper Canada, where,

over
spread themselves
where

without

begging as they crawl

a
strange land, unqualified to beg or buy their
of English, until the slow
want
moving and

in

along

of

children

voyage

food,
scantily clothed, destitute
implements of husbandry, consigned to their fate,
at them

to

English language
describe

from

tell the

awaiting them.

me

it.
those

to

result.

I wish

who

how

But

can

Colonel

of Sutherland, James
Loch,
Gordon, the Duke
Lord Macdonald, and others of the unhallowed
league and
in Christian
abettors, after looking at this sight,remain

communion,
of the

partake
blood

the

be guiltlessand
treated

to

put

in

ambition,

or

of

Highland
knights, that
deeds

Are

thousands
?

Are

body

so

manner,

it and

to

many

dukes,
must

we

and

broken
as

we

of human
is

no

sheep

shed

and
a

nation

fellow creatures

our

not

exert

ourselves

the

incarnated

in the

submit

to

its

and

revolting

rightsof property so sacred

beings must be sacrificed year

them
of such, to preserve
walks, deer forests, hunting
end

Is

shape

lords, esquires, colonels,

needs

to

perpetrators ?
dethrone
God, become

punish

attempted to
powerful, when

so

of

and

Churches,

parchment

tillthere

year,

such

which

omnipotent,

Christian

great question is, Can

allow

stop

in

of Christ's

emblems

But

be

elders

ruling

that
after
late
invio-

parks,

HEBRIDES.

THE
and

beneficial to the nation that the

so
preserves,
be converted
into a hunting desert, and
must

game

Highlands
the

aboriginesbanished
will

thousands

their

of my

of the

negative
until

apathy

race

shall

be

who

have

those

cursed

murdered

in the

answer

catalogue of

victims

and

in criminal

arms

destruction
the

217

know

the

extirpationand
Fearful

completed.

become

already

clearingsystem

that

yet they will fold

is
the

Highlands,

in the

by famine, fire,drowning, banishment, vice, and crime."

then
from
He
publishes the following communication
an
eye-witness, on the enormities perpetrated in South
of 1851 :
in the summer
Uist and in the Island of Barra
"

"

The

deceitful conduct

unfeelingand

Colonel

Gordon

duplicity and
entrap the

be

cannot

which

art

too

was

actingfor

of those

The
strongly censured.
in order
used
to
by them

natives, is worthy of the craft and

cunning of an old slave-trader.
Many of the poor people
told in my
were
hearing that Sir John M'Neil would be in
Canada
before them, where
he would
have every
necessary
unwary

for them.

prepared

Some

binding themselves

ment
officials signed a docu-

of the

in order

emigrate,

to

the

; but
poor people to give their names
these stratagems, many
of the people saw

refused

and

anchored

out

and

in Loch

masks, and

to

Boisdale
work

the

The

out

poor

of

these

the

and

from

pounds

two

natives
on

the

Angus

sterling.

the
one

fined

transports

absenting

in the

meeting

spiteof

attend

of

sum

of

some

the

their entreaties, sent

One
stout Highlander, named
transports.
Johnston, resisted with such pith that they had to
him

before

of the
and

removed,

he

the

of

he

be

could

mastered

priest'sinterference

young

vessel.
we

were

female

his

between

marched

was

emigrant
transporting season,
screams

this

At

menced.
cruelty com-

the

handcuff

board

be

to

was

seized and, in

were

board

meeting

off their

to

public meeting at I/och Boisdale, where

lay, and, according to the intimation, any
himself

transports

threw

commanded

people were

all

through them

tyrants

devastation

induce

spiteof

in

When

go.

to

; but
manacles
four

in

sequence
conwere

officers

morning, during
by
suddenly awakened
One

who

had

been

on

the
the

re-capturedin

218

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
she

adjoining house,

an

all rushed

We

capture.

dragged
Were

by

away
to

you

hair

and

constables

and

racing and

the

face,

swollen

officer.

ground

chasing

first

her

hearted
the broken-

saw

dishevelled

two

see

the door, and

to

with

creature,

after

having escaped

of

policemen,

outlawed
constables,
ground officers, pursuing
think, only for their colour, that you
natives, you would
of
had
miracle, transported to the banks
been, by some
the Gambia,
of Africa.
the slave coast
on
and

"The

the

of the Rev.

conduct

H.

deserving of the censure

wolf in sheeps'clothing
'

he

as

always does, when

the

ing

Barra

poor

Colonel

Gordon.

the

himself

made

he has

of

fact,he is the

In

Gordon

has.

very

officious,

gaining the favour of

uous
most
vigilantand assid-

He

be

may

seen

in Castle

whenever

in Barra,

principalanchorage

This

opportunity of opprsse-

an

and

is

occasion

that

on

feeling heart.

of every
'

men,

officer Colonel

Bay,

Beatson

sail is

with his
like a gamekeeper
hoisted, directing his men,
should
Barra
of the doomed
men
hounds, in case
any
He offered one
day to board an Arran boat, that
escape.
had a poor man
concealed, but the master, John Crawford,
lifted

hand-spike

first

the

the

thus
"

Barra

poor

I may

would

who

man

threatened

and

escaped their

man

in conclusion

state

John

Macdougall,

brother

name

is mentioned

in Sir

mountains

the

to

man,

The

Canada.

cannot

the

daughters of
girls,
Macdougall, whose
report, have
of the

grasp

fled

expatriators,

Canada,

and
is extracted
We

*See

privationsin
from

noticed

paupers
Note

the

their

witness

and

who
B

in

in

were

Quebec

our

girlsare

of these
in

the

same

12

and

but

way,

just now."*

names

take

now

fled

have

give their
shall

We

600

Barr

clutches.

John M'NeiTs

respectiveages

Others

years.

"

two

his boat, and

they still are, if in life. Their father, a frail,old

along with the rest of the family, has been sent to

where

14

that,
of

elude

to

to board

attempt

of

skull

splitthe

to

reader

after these

deplorable
strange

and

land.

people to
dition
helpless conThe
following

:
newspaper
last the deplorable condition

sent

Appendices.

"

to this country

from

of the

the

Kil-

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

220

in

and

Barra,

who

had

run

did, and

handcuff

the

been

have

divided,

while

Quebec,

to

that

who

some

the

from

the

but

only
to
not

were

families
in the

come

of the

members

they

made

away

four

having

some

other

ran

of which

in consequence

brought back,
least

in

; and

them

people,

; which

capturing about twenty

islands in the neighbourhood ;
officers on
an
attempt being

and

with

came

the

to

pursue
mountains

the

among

away,

succeeded

mountains

constables,

some

at

ships

families

same

left in the

are

Highlands.
undersigned further

'The

that

declare

those

who

promises to the
would
effect that Colonel Gordon
defray their passage to
Quebec ; that the Government
Emigration Agent there
send the whole
would
party free to Upper Canada, where,
arrival,the Government
on
agents would give them work,
did

voluntarily embarked

and

land

furthermore, grant them

'

in

Quebec

afforded

not

destitute, that

so

(Signed)

in

is

This
Russia

beautiful

or

Turkey,

have

would
it

in

where

bailiffs

and

the

"

from

parent torn

"

scene

and

which
Words

the

the

"

the child,the mother

children, in

cannot

be

dwelt

depict

cannot

on

the

foreignland
for

been

execration

to

the

when

liberty,

poorest, is

unfortunate
with

from

"

instant

slave-dealers

the

up

an

atrocity

cruelty less savage,

held

of

land

man-hunt

trickery practisedon those

of the
abandonment
aged, the

tender

; but

men
police-

separationof families

violent

of the

laid

proceeding

reader

infamous

the

been

of the

their homes

from

creatures

the

the

the hut
house, even
be his castle, the expulsion of these

to

want.'

others.

70

Britain, emphatically the

in

LAMONT,

and

man's

every

said

Had

of the

nerves

settled

are

HECTOR

barbarity of

the

the

shocked

happens

picture!

"

now

relief be

perishwith

will be liable to

the whole

are

if immediate

until they

continued

them, and

employment,

"

conditions.

certain

on

undersigned finallydeclare, that they

The

landed

under

so

her

who

the

"

daughter,

did embark

infirm,

women,

forms

tableau

without

horror.

the

deed.

For

of the

South

have

of

world.

HEBRIDES.

THE

if, as

And

"

find

creatures

their wrongs
souls

and

of the

making

the

been

have
for

river at

present, and

total of

nearly

least,

charity

the

on

Four

will arrive in
of Colonel

at

of the
expense
and
Hamilton

of bread.

2000

dred
hun-

Quebec this

past week,

dependent

morsel

fifteen

to

the

at

Canadians

as

sent

their arrival in Toronto

on

benevolent

in the

are

has

Canada

Upper

to

greater number

the

Gordon

fellow-

our

The

dearly.

supported for

all been

these

hearts,

our

more

us

Colonel

whom

conveyed
colony ; and

in

sympathy

concern

have

season

sufferingsof

the

men,

221

hundred

day

Gordon's

two,

or

tenants

province will have to support.

is becoming scarce
The
winter is at hand, work
in Upper
Where
these people to find food ?" *
Canada.
are
take the followingfrom
We
an
Upper Canadian
paper
of
after
the
the
same
finding
describing
position
people
and

whom

cottars

their
"

been

have

We

time

Ontario

to

way

the

"

pained beyond
in

witness

to

past

sick from
the

other

afforded

was

they

weeds

had

of the

together

to its last

their

in

happier

one

There

countenance

Quebec Times.

sad

these

procession.

material

played

Theirs

were

be

of the

mournful

bier, one

for many

few

could

in the

brother's

ful
piti-

was

of

one

all that

was

glens.

was

had

infancy, and
future

It

them

with

healthful

looks

of

in rags
their mourning
shapelessfragments of what had once

the

who

rudest

followed

They

sorrow.

were

and

native

destitute

the body
resting-place

Children

sported

clothes.

mourners,

indeed,

fortunate
un-

of

causes.

of

some

many

many

funeral

was,

nailed

indescribable

her

It

emigrant.

among

care

view

to

; perchance they followed

whom

been

attendant

constructed

to convey

homeless

day

day

boards

rough

train

other

people.

coffin

and

subsistence,

and

want

wretched
The

of

means

any

so

emigrants, apparently

Highland
of

streets

our

for

measure

mother,

tended

had

the

doubtless

in this land
told

were

too

of

too,

departed
looked

plenty.

plainly

The

these

the
among
with anxious
forward

to

anguish
hopes

were

of

222

HIGHLAND

blasted, and

she

CLEARANCES.
about

was

bury

to

them

in the

the

fulsome

grave

of

child.

her
"

will

There

be

sound

to

many

noise

of

landlord,
had spent
of the generous
who
assist the emigration of his poor tenants.
much
to
so
of a benefactor,and
They will give him the misnomer

flatteryin

for what

the

of

ear

rid his estates

has

he

Because

of the

brance
encum-

population.
pauper
'Emigrants of the poorer class who arrive hert from the
Western
Highlands of Scotland are often so situated that
a

'

Their
banishment.
cruel than
emigration is more
last shillingis spent probably before they reach the upper
to the necessity of begging.
province they are reduced
of those emigrants of whom
we
speak
But, again,the case
is rendered
more
deplorable from their ignorance of the
their

"

Dundas

around

"In

at

present, perhaps

conviction

that,

half-a-dozen

not

impressed with the

emigration being a panacea

matters,

far from

so

in and

Gaelic.

but

at these

looking

hundreds

Highlanders

the

anything

understand

of

Of

English tongue.

are

we

Highland destitution, it is fraught with disasters of no

previous
ordinary magnitude to the emigrant whose
for

habits, under

the

him

unable

to take

even

when

brought

hither

these

poor
the

creatures

for

bide

period.
this

is

for the

whom

island, at
were

Donald
informs
all the

us

inhabitants

least to 400
*

Dundas

in The

Minister

of the

2nd

then

very

but

"

long
leave

we

the

RUM.

large population,all of
usual
Parish

of the
Island

of Rum,

it necessary

October,

1851.

The

way.

Statistical Account,

New

souls, found
Warder,

OF

in

out

for

many

present.*"

time, had

one

weeded

Maclean,

so

ISLAND

THE
This

of

approaching, and

painfulsubject

of Canada,

assist
free of expense.
We
may
time, but charity will scarcely

cravings

hungry
Winter

industry

of the

advantage

render

circumstances,

favourable

most

of

Small

that

"

Rev.

Isles,
in 1826

amounting

to leave

at

their native

HEBRIDES.

THE

land, and

for

seek

to

colonies in America.

one

family

"

land

"

to

which

to

in

foreign

with

gers,
dan-

acquire

and
to
customs,
entire strangers. A

been

they had

find tombs

to

in this

all united

were

toils,privations,and

encounter

familiar

become

to

that

latter

the

strong,

the former

general emigration

of

wilds

old residenters, only

The old and the
Island.

the

upon
and the

feeble

distant

in the

Of all the

remained

the

young,

abodes

new

our

223

similar

emigration took place in 1828, from the Island of Muck,

become
that the parish has now
much
so
depopulated."
In 1831 the population of the whole
parish was
1015,
while

before

1881

916. In
population of
was

The

flush

patches

and

solitary.

We

its

had

man

amounting
souls,

and

thousand

done

the

by

that

The

ever.

rather

to

which

rowed
bor-

from

the

All

was

of

it seemed

four

sheep farmer
aboriginesof Rum

as

hundred

and

one

All the

left,

island, eighteen
its inhabitants,

than

more

had

we

dwelling ;

divested

for

way

plough

had

eight

crossed

the

; and, at the close of 1828, the entire population

of but the sheep farmer, and
few shepherds,
a

his servants

the

singlefamily
which
a

than

it for

been
time

at the

sheep.

consisted

area

emerald-green

transverse,

singleinhabited
with

make

to

Atlantic

barred

fields the
the deserted
among
of cottages razed to the ground ;

see

before, had

years

the

and

assumed

had

velvety richness,
broadening shadows.

the

could

even

it and

golden-tinted ;

rocks

beauty ;

foundations
grass-grown
desolate
but the valley,more
if

Island, describes

aspect of soft and

light and

not

the

hill-sides,

the

mellowed

had

89

rude

lengthwise, diagonally,
an

total

souls.

was

clear, calm,

was

transient

on

The

550.

"

heaths

of

to

it

1851

In

evening

wild

even

larger.

reduced

was

visited

thus

much

was

in 1881

Rum

evictions

"

it

it

Miller, who

Hugh
the

date

that

Island

at this

of

period for

it contained.

scale

was

rendered

too

occupant

; and

found

But

depopulation

desert

the occasion

miles
on

; the place had

for the

of

scarce

up

five square

every

inconvenient

thoroughly
on

reckoned

Rum

comfort

clearingwhich

so

of
treme
ex-

been
of the

took

HIGHLAND

224

place shortly

of the

twelve

or

after

CLEARANCES.

in

Skye, he accommodated

ejected

pasturage for a few

Loch
Scresort, on which
and

the whole

But
a

aspect from
valleys, with their

I had

the

the

brown

of

light

this

of fish that

poppling

the

by

quick glancing wings

fluttered over
them
; along a
seemed

what

the ruins

tradition, in
deer
the

were

borne

that

cottages,
bridals, and

bespeak

which

been

had

the

only the necessaries, but

life,might be procured ; but
a

landscape
out

more

much

not

and

of

of

of

moss

and

prostrate

christenings,and
all

seemed

to

still.
"

enough

more

system

assured

than

muddled

unhappy, in their miasmatic

our
large towns
; but I have

The

command.

eye

extermination

than

are,

entire prospect not

;
"

in

succeeded

not

more

There

the

for man,
in which
few of the luxuries
of

figures.

on

it though
are

in the

like

and

have

workhouses
than

"

also

without

one

there

Scotland
our

was

better

that

and

says

of the

encroaching, that

days ;

dwelling could

thoroughly

so

policy ;
the

man's

do

"I

heath

ran

place of fittinghabitation

the

nor

hunting

the

harvest

blythe new-year's

pools,beguiled
and
gold that

hillside there

fast

scenes

not

man

the

were

successive

myriads

the

green

facilitate

to

moorlands

many

sporting

valley yielded

the

distant

as

untrodden

million

from

of

whit

grey-stone fence, erected,

age
fields on

surrounding

had

of

remote

; there

the

their

and

were

the

ceaselesslyleaping in

were

lonely
solitary

every

world

sound,

remains

the

wide

the

evening
by
runs
through

that

incessant

an

that

shores

upon
that

insect

the

ings.
dwell-

more

plough-furrowed patches,

armies

stream

humble

all the

"

circumstance

heaps of stone, open

solitary as themselves, and
stretches
sea
drearily around.
in

their

seen

once-peopled interior

ruined

The

sites for cottages,

the bit of morass
beside

inhabitants,

its

"

with

on

cows,

of the

wilderness, without

in

families

ten

some

it

seems

thinking

by the
enough

believe, more

carried

than

bad
any

economists
in

people
enough

in

enough on our pauper rolls

up, disreputable,useless,and
valleys and typhoid courts of
"

yet to learn how

arguments

HEBRIDES.

THE

these.

to be

depopulation are

for local

brave

225
facts such

from

drawn

as

hardy people,favourably placed for

and

nature,
development of all that is excellent in human
of
and
form the glory
a country
strength
; a people sunk
it
into an abyss of degradation and misery, and in which
the

"

is the

whole

yet deeper, constitute

them
and

quite

I cannot

increase

which

is to form
It did

see

its weakness
what

on

solace

apology

or

its shame

and

in the

us

sink

to

ominous

principlethe

is taking place among

our

class,

worse

for the wholesale

ation
expatri-

better.

of the
"

circumstances

of external

tendency

not

if the

as

seem

depopulation of

had

Rum

The
single
advantage.
had
who
occupied the holdings of so
sheep farmer
been
unfortunate
had
in his speculations, and
many

tended

much

anyone's

to

left the island

had

been

have

to

island

itself

at the

time

in the

into

market, and

was

the

on

of

home

who,

men,

testified,derived
chase.

the

patches on

in

as

the

part

at

save
originally,
early period

slopesof

the

creatures

vigorous manhood

narrow

of their
bounds

to the

which

confined

of

herds

the

to

average

in the

present imperfect
their portion of hardy

armies

of the

country, and

spirits,
impatient of

adventurous

more

furrowed

increased

enjoyed

they

they contributed

"

the

waste

their number

"

from

sustenance

"

souls,

of human

the

hillside

the

on

valleys, they reared

"

nearly five hundred

few

least, their

of sheep,

flocks

happiness
state of being,

the

wall

gray

in from

broke

They

cattle and

and

current

went

being purchased by
purposed converting it

How

by

the

of

eve

who

Englishman,

report

for

tenant,

strange a cycle ! Uninhabited

wild
at
an
animals, it became

"

the

as

seemed

forest.

deer

it

that

wealthy

some

little fortunate

as

was

his landlord,
proprietor,

; the

them,

and

coursr

the

of life

little varied

Then
by incident, emigrated to America.
the change of system so general in the Highlands ;
wool
the island lost all its originalinhabitants, on
a
mutton
speculation, inhabitants, the descendants

came

and
and
of

"

men

years

who

had

chased

before, and

who,

the

deer

though

on

its hills five hundred

they recognized some

P

226

HIGHLAND

wild

island

had

lord

superior, and did him service,

And
place as indisputably their own.
the eve
of ensuing, and
on
change was

yet another

now

the

island

wild

their

as

the

regarded

CLEARANCES.

animals, where

might enjoy

the

but
human

to its

to return

was

which

abode.

Where

sake

so

the

"

who

shepherd,
property

had

in

creditors.

The

circumstances

whose

after

improving
similar

but

held

for

of his

in

when

humble

benefit

the

he

and

property,

had

gone

their

latent

failed to

calculate."

Western

Islands

dealingwith

"

of

that

suffered
in

others

"

his

down

general bearing, and

very

other

occupied by

Mull, Tiree, and

in

island, for whose

removed

the wreck

charge

had

the

manner.

noticed

are

the

been

development,

and

HARRIS

of

his house

of

landlords

month,
twelve-

every

no

great sheep farmer

under

mainland

the

two

of

home

writer asks,

had

longer his,

no

or

as

place of
permanent
strange, and surely most

tenant

found

We

answers,

same

others

many

form

more

one

from

month

could

Once

was

hunters

for

chase

melancholy cycle ! "*

In another
place the
"

few

originalstate,

on

state,
in

Argyllshire

county.

ARGYLLSHIRE.

In

out

generally
some

of

was

of the

milder

places already described.

make

to

Mr.

sportsman.

subject,says,

ancient

the

"

The

cottier

the
*

By

tenantry

some

have

means

or

appeared
largely dis-

and
the
sheep farmer
Somerville, Lochgilphead, writing on
for

room

the native

exterminate
landlords

less

the

none

other, however,

this

people have been

effectively,that the process
than
that
nature
adopted in

parts of Argyllshirethe

many

weeded

MACKENZIE.

ALEXANDER

BY

the

of all is exterminate,

watchword
race.

Through

population is

leading articles from

the

this monomania

all but
Witness.

extinct

of

; and

228

HIGHLAND

These
not

remarks

only
Argyllshire, but

in

only

CLEARANCES.

generally.
A deputation

consistingof

too

are

from

the

and

Macgregor,

applicable
Highlands

the

throughout

Relief Board,

Glasgow Highland

Robert

Dr.

and

true,

Charles

Mr.

R.

Baird, their Secretary, visited Mull, Ulva, lona, Tiree,

Coll, and part of Morvern, in 1849, and they immediately
afterwards

issued

places, from
They inform

printed report

which
that

us

THE

according to

the

ISLAND
Government

OF

MULL.

Census

of

in

1841, 10,064. In I87I" we

and by the Census
of 1881, now
than
5624, or a fraction more
Island

the

TOBERMORY,

instructive.

extracts

the

find

1821,

number

the

told,

are

"

been

has

for

been

still

has
more

so

own

in
on,

various

hamlets

on

ULVA.

"

1849 was
portion

"

severe

districts,we

the

as

think

it has
a

of those

evictors

character

of wise

wretched

to

benefactors
and

the inland

of

days and

our

when

districts

rural

villages,and

rocky

sea-shore.

The

360

of

"

counties

the

surrounding

"

they ejected the people from

of the

cottars,

Tobermory and other villages

and
now
reply to, those who would
the

acting the

were

and

the

"

that

rural

time

great accumulation

told

are

in the

believe that

us

been

has

we

been

tellingcomment
have

there

Then

destitution

habited
in-

that

some

of the greater part of the small crofters

ejectedfrom their holdings and houses on the
distress."

at

in 1821.

we

thus

6441,

to

it is stated

us,

resort

estates, and

10,612 ;

was

it reduced

before
half

of these

state

will prove
population of

few

the

on

of

population
The

souls
"

the

reporters

Island

of
that

state

Ulva
"

in

large
sheep

into a
lately been converted
of small
crofters and
farm, and consequently a number
Some
been warned
have
cottars
by Mr. Clark.
away
of these
will find great difficulty in settlingthemselves
have little prospect of employanywhere, and all of them
ment
of it

has

"

"

Whatever
to the

landowners

of the

may

conversion

be the
of

ultimate

number

effect

of small

ARGYLLSHIRE.
crofts into
is

process

crofters."

we

much

carried

Clark

Mr.

How

need

scarcely say
poverty and misery

large farms,
causing

229

in

this
the

among

his intention

out

be

evictingthe tenantry of Ulva may

that the population of 360 souls,

that

from

seen

of
fact

the

reduced

1849, was

to

51 in 1881.
KILFINICHEN.
crofters

In

"

and

this district

emigrated

and

that

one

removed
those

who

any

ground for
other

they

remained

crop
effects of

at

Parochial

of the

Kinloch, where

to

and

and

America,

to

or
a

their

are

off, 26

own
a

The

expense

good

many

in great poverty,
now
allowed
to cultivate

garden

number

"

that

warned

Board

not

were
even

told

are

been

having

cottars

individuals
at

we

The

stuffs.

of crofters

on

stock

Kinloch

rents
averaged from
(1848),whose
"5 to
"15 per annum,
having been sequestrated and sold, these
reduced
to a state of pauperism, having
partiesare now

last

year

employment

no

to the

cottars, it is said that

in

now

deplorable

very

Colonel

"

the

whatever."

great

state."

of them

mass

the

On

As

estate

are

of

of

Inchkenneth, the proprietor,

the
of
which
work,
they
by
people
plenty
gave
of
relief from
quite independent
quarter, and
any

GRIBUN,
were

the

of subsistence

means

or

Macdonald

which

character

he

gives

to

deputation

the

of the

it
when
we
people generally is most refreshing,
compare
with the baseless charges usually made
against them by
the
that
majority of his class. The
reporters state
Colonel Macdonald
of the honesty
spoke in high terms
of the people and of their great patience and forbearance
"

under

their

privations." It is gratifyingto be able

this simple act of justice,
not only as the people's
speciallyto the credit of Colonel Macdonald's

to record

due, but

and

memory

severe

goodness

BUNESSAN.
Duke

of

"

number
in the
adults

Respecting this district,belonging to

Argyll,

our

authority

"

says

"

It

will be

the
collected
re-

time
some
[Relief]Committee,
ago,
for
a
"128 to assist in procuring provisions
of emigrants from
of Argyll'sestate,
the Duke
that

advanced

of heart.

Ross

and

the

of Mull
118

and

children.

lona,

in

When

there,

all 243
we

125
persons
made
inquiry
"

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

230

and

into the matter,

informed

were

[by those, as it proved,

quite ignorant of the facts]that the emigration had been

good, as the partieswho emigrated
productive of much
could

find the

not

had

and

by

prospect of doing

every

relations

had

them

of these

some

of subsistence

means

Since

that
intelligence,

with

cholera

of them

of these

many

fallen victims

to

for these

much

shore

been
on

however,

distressing
been

emigrants had
; that

it ; and

that

increase

to

and

"

seized

not

prospect,"
with

creatures,

poor

forced

die

to

away

their arrival

few

survivors

the

great privations." Compare the

good, predicted
the sad
reality of having
terrible death
immediately
of

melancholy

very

occupied

home,

return

our

land

given

their arrival in Canada

on

had

suffered

had

the

the

been

had

emigrants

received

have

we

so

also because

; and

crofts of others.

the

in this country,
in Canada, where
all of

on

foreign

IONA,

in

reduced

1881

to

of Argyll, as

Duke

THE

contained

this time,

at

ISLAND

243.
well as

TIREE,

OF

It also

is the

property

population

the

of

population

of

500,

of the

which

is

given in the report as follows : In 1755, it was

1509,
1681
in
in
in
to
1801,
1821, to
2416 ;
increasing 1777, to
;
4181 ; and in 1841 to 4687. In 1849, after considerable
"

"

emigrations,"it was 3903 ; while in 1881, it was reduced to

The
deputation recommended
emigration from
2733.
but they
call especial
Tiree as imperativelynecessary,
attention to the necessity of emigration being conducted
to proa
on
on
principles,
system calculated
or,
mote
proper
"

'

permanent benefit of those who emigrate, and of

have
who
to fear that
remain,' because
we
reason

the
those
not

few

partiesin

small

crofters

the

sufficient

making
settlement

districts

these
and

cottars

provision for

elsewhere

; and

are

at all

anxious

hazard, and

their future

because

we

to

As

to

Canada

prevent
we

were

this year
recurrence

informed

(1849),and
of such

that

the

would

get rid of
without

comfort

have

of the privationsand
distressingaccount
people who emigrated from Tiree
poor
Mull

to

seen

the

and
very

of
sufferings
and

the

spare

Ross
no

the
of

pains

deplorable circumstances.
Duke
of Argyll had
ex-

ARGYLLSHIRE.

231

of the emigrants (inall

pended nearly "1200 on account
the
advanced
Committee
Tiree ; as
souls) from
247
"131 153. to purchase provisionsfor them ; and as funds
remitted

were

Montreal

to

that

sincerelytrust
sufferingsin Canada
we

it is

being
however,

we

ascribed

far

as

well

as

of

of the

both

islands

other

be

secure,

emigrate,
Being

of

such

more,

very

"

internally, to those

externally and
; nay,

clc an

and

neat

as

bear

would

cottages in any part of the kingdom.

prising,
inhabitants, too, we
believe, are active and enterand, if once
put in a fair way of doing so, would
with

comparison
The

raise

soon

Very
THE

1755,

themselves

good, indeed,
ISLAND

channel

only

of 1193

two

Tiree

miles

it had

of

separated from Tiree by

width, had a population,in
is

1200

; in 1801, of 1162

it reached

deputation,from

population of the
1

in

1841

In

fallen to

independence."

and

; in 1771,

of the visit of the

comfort

to

COLL, which

OF

1821, of 1264.

88

not

the

dwellings remarkably

superior indeed,

will

which

the

find their

the

will in future

habitant
the inpoverty
great majority
of this island, and of the many
difficulties with
they have to contend, we were
agreeablysurprised

which

that

and

of due

want

effort can, the benefitof those who

of those who
left at home.
are

of

aware

to

seen

human

as

country,
of their

vision
prothis
left
country, to
this as
it may,
Be

emigration

promoted by proprietorsor others,

as

to

they

ere

no

the

up
have

over-charged,

destination.

that

trust

we

be

to

their

to

account

for them,

made

them

carry

the

is somewhat

all events

at

not

them

to carry

Island

643.

was

The

At

1409.
whose

report

the
we

; in
time

quote,

down
to 1235 ; while in
deputation report that

during the destitution the work done by the Coll people

approximates, if it does exceed, the suppliesgiven ;
hard
We
saw
they are
working and industrious.
"

"

"

considerable

might

be

tracts

reclaimed

satisfied that

of

ground

cultivated

and

fishingis

which

resource

we

with

were

assured

profit,and

capable

of

are

provemen
great im-

of the people
which, therefore, many
might be employed to advantage ; we are disposed to
think
that, by a little attention and prudent outlay of
and

at

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

232

of the

people here might ere long

The
be greatly improved.
grand difficultyin the way,
of capital. Mr. Maclean, the prinhowever, is the want
cipal
proprietor,always acted most liberallywhen he had
it in his power
to do so, but, unfortunately, he has
no
longer the ability,and the other two proprietorsare also
trust."
under
Notwithstanding these possibilitiesthe
of
constant
a
population is undergoing
process
condition

capital,the

diminution.
shall

We

and

County,

return

now

take

glance

mainland

the

to

ARDNAMURCHAN.
"

Uaine

in

inimitable

his

they appear

bens

the
"

sketch, the
to this day.

even

their

(green to

described

Macleod

Norman

"

mullach

gu'm

of the

parish of

the

at

portion

tops !). So

of

Dr.

Ardnamurchan

Ship," and so
beautiful slopes show

Emigrant

Their

of rich,
scarcely a vestigeof heather, but an abundance
sweet
grass of a quality eminently suitable for pasturage.
sails northward
As the steamboat
through
passenger
of Mull, he sees
the Sound
straight ahead, and stretching
of low
his course,
at
a
long range
right angles across

hills
rise
of

culminating in
from

abruptly

the

1729

feet in

base

of the

mountain

It

and, to-day, is wholly

Down

about
the

the

to

second

place

cleared, and

was

of
and
the

pp.

has

and

had

Around

the

the

partly

farm

of

Mingary,

of last century it supported

which
distributed
were
over

decade

with

Hiant,

Ben

deer.

of

Coire-mhuilinn,
At

the whole
sweep,
added
to the adjacent

submitted
of

from
actual

Skinid,

one

grounds

(see Minute

1892

912-3),

Editor

described.

under

evidence

""Compiled partly from

the

comprises

Tornamona.

Buarblaig, and

those

are

in every
direction
the
adapted either for arable

well

townships

component

hills

top."

to

seems

for miles

families,

twenty-six

its

to

green

and

grazing purposes.

or

"

height, and

The

sea.

dominating pileis

the

fair, fertile,and

is

land

of the

edge

and

Ardnamurchan,

which

finely-shapedmass

to

Deer

Forest

mission
Com-

Evidence, vol. ii.,pp. 884-5

notes

of conversations

witnesses

of

the

which
incidents

ARGYLLSHIRE.

sheep farm

of

evictions

The

Mingary.

233

carried

were

out

in 1828, the process

acts of
being attended with many
heartless cruelty on the part of the laird's representatives.
In

case

one

flit,was

half-witted

locked

every

morning

to

frame

of

but

mind,

until her
ceased

slender

lines

Sweet

dall,

An

the

aged,

Of the

townships
for

seek

to

murchan

about
chaol

to

and

that

tulate.
capi-

to

John

Dr.

in

referred

The

were

callingcurses
instance

Sir

was

Milles

few

given

were

the crofts of which

"

accommodation

and

"

some

in

were
were

Atlantic.

the

beyond

effected

were

these

James

on

given holdings

were

some

the estate

on

Ardna-

the

on

in

into

ft.

the

were

wide, and
have

ceilingand
flags. By

each

end

Swordle-

Swordle-mhor
by
tenants,
by six. Five years previous
written
under
crofters
a
came

four

to

build

to

be

of stone

7^

ft.

high.

two

rooms

floors,the kitchen

the

croftingpopulation,
farm.

single sheep

proprietor

walls

to

of their

divested

were

evictions, all the

long, 174

with

she

Swordle-chaol, Swordle1853, when

of
Swordle-chorrach, with an aggregate area

obligation to

wooden

that

decided

whose

at

out

land,

Swordle-chorrach

houses.

the

dislodgedfamilies

occupied by

was

gabled,

not

bhuaireas."

imbecile

clearances

3000
acres,
and
thrown

the

was

oinid

san

and

their

estate

six, and

It

Rahoy,

air do

sanctuary

Additional

duine

seann

of waste

patches

sub- divided

mhor,

tractable

out.

mallachd

carried

were

Riddell, Bart.

forced

of

Singer

at

exhausted

was

proprietor

"

removals

an

am

The

greed.)

various

held

she

days

visited

was

"

(The blind,

small

arrived

had

of food

store

Toirt

"

for

the

"

thy

if she

see

She

work.

mason-

to

caded
barri-

being

door

with the inevitable

and
argue
of this character
It is to cases

to

MacLachlan,
the

cottage, the

up in her
outside
by

the

on

flatly refused

who

woman

of

1851

and

The

and

dwelling-

new

alone
all the

lime, 40 ft.
houses, twokitchen, with
to

be

tenants

floored
had

of
faithfullyimplemented their promise, and the work
had
been
building was
quite completed. Tradesmen
employed in every case, and the cost averaged from "45

HIGHLAND

234

"50.

to

When

received

they
labours

and

remove

the

the

people

compensation
outlays. They were
window,

used

as

crofter

Swordle

not

where
for

in the

so

had

they

Riddell
Swordles
Other
under

of rent.

best

"

About

gards
re-

and

trict.
dis-

adrift,

cast
"

holdings
and

peatbogs

other
an-

proprietor
of

one

Portuairk,
and

build

to

and

the

as

Hiant

Ben

townships.*
of people and

places which he divested

sheep were
Laga, held by eight tenants,

bert, which

one

best-to-do

the

of Sanna

to reclaim

start

the

When

assigned
lands

the

of

steadings. Sir James Milles

proprietor responsible for clearingthe

well

as

1914,

Ardnamurchan

among
of them
owed

were

houses
the

was

with

were

arrears

rough

to

themselves

of grace,

in the

one

to

even

workmanship

tenants

estate, and

or

their

permitted
Some
cupboard.

not

in this year

houses

in the way
of
a shilling
the majority of them
acre

for

shepherd on Swordle farm, and

byre. They compare
favourably as

modern

the

on

whatever

fixed

later,

years

size, design, and

The

or

still intact

are

being occupied by

most

ejected,two

were

no

door,

houses

CLEARANCES.

in the

was

sixteen

hands

placed

and

Tar-

of four.

Hiant, or Mingary, as
veil as the Swordles, Laga, Tarbert, and
other
farms,
into a deer forest,
was
swept clean of sheep and converted
the

years

having

preserve

Ben

ago

total

of

area

22,000

The

acres.

with
met
a
retribution, direful and
woolly ruminants
the change with
complete, and the native people viewed
mild amusement.
of ruining
Sheep had been the means

their forefathers, whereas

their kinsfolk the smallest
The
Ben

be

highest hill

any

from
and

definite
the
other

elevation
deer

as

forest

See

Note

an

sea,

it

local
of

the

varies

C in

seems

from

them

or

Ardnamurchan

of which

is 1729 feet.
peak. It forms no

range,
to

although,

blend

eminences.
area

done

never

of

estate

isolated

mountain

had

injury.

the

on

Hiant, the altitude

described

deer

with
For

embraced
600

Appendices.

feet

the

in
or

Ben

an

most

the

700

when

is

It

may

part of
viewed
Leathaid

part, the

Ardnamurchan

feet to

sea-level.

236

HIGHLAND

CLEARANCES.

fat hens, slowly cooked

on
without
their skins, and

hens,'

the

as

least, tender

not

cracklin'

all the

All

table

requisitesfor

of elastic, buoyant,

champagne
air.

The

have

pleased

and

manners

and

cordial.

heard

at

is not

whither

are

The

describingthe

and

Lamb's
priety,
pro-

with

exciting mountain
of those

and

death

such

was

would

men

they have

Alas

the

glen
editor

Macleod,
of the

late

between

clouds."

of

not

tives
representa-

no

is divided

of the

shadows

! there

I know

left

be

might

as

of their homes.

in the

land

Donald

Rev.

Charles

man.
intelligent

but

gone,

sheep, shepherds,
The

of any

vestige remaining

behind.

though last,

; and

dinner, includingthe

conversations

conversation

table

they

stored

Everything was
gentleman.
unassuming, unaffected, yet so frank

The

the

'
"

best-bred

the

simple,modest,

so

comfortable

butter

the utmost
up with
a fine white
cloth, and

with

covered

pot of potatoes,

nicely as

as

served

was

fresh

called

was

kid, roasted

pig.

on

with

dish

superb

fire in

the

Good

Words

"

John Macleod, the

"minister
of the Parish"
referred to by Dr.
Norman
in the above
quotation, and for fiftyyears minister of
of the
Morven
noble
patriarch :
says
Dr.

"

"His
He

"

later

had

seen

years

spent

were

his

parish

in

almost

pathetic loneliness.
emptied of its

after
been
Glen
turned
into
people.
glen had
the
in
which
sheep-walks, and
generations
cottages
of
had
lived
and
died
were
gallant Highlanders
walls
and
unroofed, their torn
gables left standing
like mourners
beside the grave,
and
the little plots of
enclosure
into
allowed
to merge
garden or of cultivated
the

moorland

pasture.

had

He

seen

every

property

the

in

the
parish change hands, and though, on
whole,
in place of the old
kindly and pleasant proprietors came
families, yet they were
strangers to the people, neither
The
sequence
conunderstanding their language nor their ways.
that
was
they perhaps scarcely realised the
havoc
At
produced by the changes they inaugurated.
stroke
of the pen,' he said to me,
with a look of sad
one
'

Reminiscences

j"f

Highland

Parish.

ARGYLLSHIRE.
'

and

ness

indignation,

ordered

off

There

the
the

not

fathers

left the

never

women

"

their

and

know,

one

man

above

the

old

days and

link between

the

and

everywhere.

used

to

with

say

tenanted

by

song

brave

traditions.

knew
had

and

is not

and

borne

All

joyous children

smoke

and

found

self
him-

present
bered
remem-

people.
he

as

The
went

here, there,

now,' he

he had

known

among

whom

elevating influences of
and the place that once

the
gone,
more

happy people

and

no

not

men

there

glens which
loyal peasantry,

are

them

of the

the

and

story

knows

them,
once

There

pathos, of

lived

intensely saddened
passed ruined houses

manly

finer

past and
peasant who

the traditions

change was
through his parish and
'

of

rank

were

I did

thus

He

the

people

whom

; and

them

Highlands.'

of

sense

of these

one

before

remaining

sole

of the

hundred

two

was

237

hill-side,which

The
echoed

voices

the

of

The
sheep walk.
posed
supeffected the
have
necessities of Political Economy
the country
when
come
exchange, but the day may
ma}^
feel the loss of the loyal and brave race
which
has been
driven away,
and find a new
meaning perhaps in the old
better
than
question, Is not a man
a
They
sheep ?
who
would
have
like water
shed their blood
for Queen
is

now

silent

'

'

'

and

'

country,

expatriated for
the

From

in

are

shieling on

dim

still

Tall

oui

these

are

But

divide

our

in

And

we

lands,

still,but

Highland

ever.

Mountains
But

other

are

hearts

are

dreams

we

world

true, our
behold

mountains,
exiled

misty island,

the

and

us

and

from

our

of seas,
hearts
are

these

Highland,

Hebrides.

the

woods

father's

grand,

are

land."

GLENORCHY.

Glenorchy, of which
sole

proprietor,was,

cleared
New

for

of its whole

like
native

Statistical Account
Farewell

August,

to

the

many

of

other

population.
of the

Fiunary, by Donald

1882.

Marquis

places,ruthlessly
The

writer

Parish, in 1843, the

Macleod,

is

Breadalbane

D.D.,

in Good

of the
Rev.

Words

238

HIGHLAND

Duncan

"

Maclean,

informs

that

us

CLEARANCES.

the

Fior

"

Ghael
taken

of

by

the

Teachdaire,

Webster

in 1755,
differ
later, in 1795,
years
the number
of sixty. The

census

and

Dr.

"

by Dr. Maclntyre forty

exceedingly little," only to
Marquis of the day, it is well
of his
and

a
known, was
good friend
naturally reciprocated,
; the feelingwas

reverence

of

one

the

abstained

author

Parish, the

from

great and

since

duty

the

the

reverend

Account

the

of

trict.
dis-

Glenorchy

pass

that

over

the

portant
im-

altogether, and, apparently

the

followingsad

rapid decrease

[referringto
is

and

of his

of

impossibleto

reluctance, he makes

his

giving, in

however,

portion
"

is that

population statistics

It was,

with

results

apparent

admission
taken

has, however,
in

population

mainly attributable

to the

place

This

1795].

introduction

:"

of

crease
de-

sheep,

the

The
absorption of small into large tenements.
aboriginalpopulation of the parish of Glenorchy (not
of Inishail)
has been
nearly supplanted by adventurers
from
the neighbouring district of Breadalbane, who
now
the far largestshare
of the parish. There
a
are
occupy

few, and

only

ancient

the

from

time

one

not

of the

one

The

lords

of the

Macintyres,
once
greatly reduced."
at

rather

were

Macnabs,

Macnicols,

to exist.

The

soil,have
time

supplied

disappeared altogether;

is to be found

name

that

stems

clans, who

powerful, have

others, viz., the Downies,

Fletchers, have nearly ceased
at

the

Some

population.
and

numerous

few, shoots

and

Macgregors,

totally disappeared ;
the

among

extremely

population.
are

numerous,

likewise

By this nobleman's

mania

of

for evictions, the population

in 1831 to 831 in
from
1806

reduced
Glenorchy was
1841, or by nearly a thousand

of ten
has

It

since, under

In
has

years

spiteof
been

is, however,
wiser

all this

we

have

the

in the

gratifyingto

management,
been

short
find

very

seriouslytold

space
that it

creased.
largely inthat

there

no

DEPOPULATION

in

souls

rural

districts.

OF

In

THE

this

COUNTY

connection

some

very

ARGYLLSHIRE.

239

by
were
recently made
extraordinary public utterances
of
the
with
two
county
gentlemen closely connected
ments,
stateArgyll, questioningor attempting to explain away
in

made

of

House

various

from

utterances
Highlands. These
that
distinguished person

his

published
the

by

other

who

imposed
in

the

having

ascertained

of

less

no

who

Argyll,

Times

the

all,the

us

misled

his brother

on

no

themselves,

the facts for

back

should

taken

clearly have

must

bers
mem-

oracles

These

Commons.

them, kept them

that

or,

public

the

of

it

facts.

actual

the

the assertions of these

how

see

county

on

Argyll was
reduced

was

In

100,973

1831

authorities

and

it

in 1881

of

the

; in

97,371

was

to

agreed

population

the

; in 1841 it

88,567 ;

to

M.P., the Islay distiller,

statement

They

H.

questionwith which, it is obvious

personalinterests of both are largelymixed up.

might be

1851

by

one

"

Duke

the

to ascertain

whatever

with

of

better.

trouble

Let

were

Ramsay,

his baseless

House

known

have

John

Mr.

D.

rural

the

propositions in

remarkable

Mr.

population
disappearing from the

fast

causes,

by

Commons

M.P., to the effect that

Macfarlane,
was,

the

down

was

the Registrar-General
76,468. Of the latter number
classifies 30,387 as urban, or the population of
towns
and
villages,"leaving us only 46,081 as the total rural
population of the county of Argyll at the date of the last
the total population for the
In 1911
Census, in 1881.
county had dropped to 70,902.

to

"

It will be
could

county
"

village
15,000

at

necessary

to

be

said

not

inhabitants
most.

Inveraray, and

population

for

These
Oban
that

to

not

"

have

if

in 1831 the
"

had

many

from

than

more

town
12,000

and
to

chieflyin Campbeltown,

resided

; and
year,

that

keep in mind

we

from

the

100,973,

even

deduct

numbering

larger estimate, 15,000 of an urban

actual
have
still left,in 1831, an
we

or

town

rural

total
the

population,
population of

rural
85,973, or within a fraction of double the whole
In other
words, the
population of the county in 1881.
in fiftyyears
reduced
rural population of Argyllshirewas
from
85,973 to 46,081, or nearly by one-half.
The
increase of the urban
town
or
populationis going

at

on

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

240

; Campbeltown,

fairlyrapid rate

Oban,
Dunoon,
Strone, Innellan, Lochgilp-

Ballachulish, Blairmore, and

head,

Tarbet,

added

no

ten

this will at

] and

good

figure which

1871

the
to

These

1881.

Appin,

populous
parishes of

for the

account

once

parishes

these

and

Kil-

in

comparatively

in the

make

Kil-

and

Dunoon

Kilbery,

and

of the

population

respectivelyin the
and

having

tabulated

in the

Appendix. That table will show exactly

which
rate
depopulation proparishes and at what
gressed
the
last
instances
In
fiftyyears.
during
many
population was larger priorto 1831 than at that date,

statement

the

found

Lismore,

finan

in

from

years

Glassary, Kilcalmonell

mun,

to

5500

some

places will be
Campbeltown,

combined,

Tighnabruaich,

less than

in the

county

and

but

given

the years

the

stood

matter

state

of

famine

which

that

was

in

occurred

large numbers
There

generallygive the best idea of how

throughout that whole
period. The

population given

the

in between

will

of

sent

were

famine

no

1831

1836 ; while

before

was

that

in

1841

or

away,

between

left for the

1851

and

the

comes

1846-47,during which

and

1836

in

period

Colonies.

1881,

time

reduced
from
during which the population was
88,567
which
took
to 76,468,notwithstanding the great increase
and village section
town
place simultaneously in the
"

of the

people in the
country generally.

county,

"

well

as

as

the

throughout

BUTESHIRE.
ARRAN.

MACKENZIE

DUGALD

ARRAN
Once
tenth

upon
Duke

large farms
*

of
on

time

MACKILLOP

ON

THE

CLEARANCES.*
and

the time

Hamilton,

decided

"

was

that

his estate, and, of course,

Megantic, by Dugald

ATackeiizie

1828
he

"

Alexander,
would

the will and

Mackillop.

make

wish

BUTESHIRE.
of

in his

duke

though

in

as

"

families

seven

For
been

instance

discontented, and

for the better.

made

and

way

If

into

farm.

one

islanders

had

seemed

there

improvements

for many
hope of a

no

his

worked

man

respected, even
rented
by twenty-

land

the

"

the

reasons,

be

must

converted

was

various

domains

own

one

241

place in

change

progressive

benefit

farm, the

the

on

years

thanked
the
who
solely to the landed proprietor,
If the farmer
by promptly raisinghis rent.
good tenant
to
was
objected to paying more
rent, his only alternative
accrued

submit

be

to

his lease

; then

from

rent

his tenants
him

duke

made

that
Arran, he would
see
the new
world, it is not
his

out

to be

do.

The

of

100

land

Duke

for each
the

Arrived

in

of

It is

can

to

large number
make

well

go,

that

they

at

and

family

the

who

what

family

to

grant
of

amount

same

at

cast

are

you

for each

secure

in

for in

be directed

and

for

room

provided

nice when

so

of

moorings

wondered

Canada,

in each

son

age

increased

the

ancestral

were

be

to

promised

of land

acres

reached

they

you

if they would

their

proposition.

told where

to

overtures

from

by getting away

accepted

collect

would

the effect that

to

expirationof

the

at

tenant.

new

the

holding

landlord

the

the

So when

off his

turned

that

time

had

21.

at their destination

Johnston Ford, province

of Quebec, each
tent
a
family constructed
by stretching
blankets, quilts,etc., over
poles suitably disposed and
ately
Fortunand ropes.
tied together at the top with withes
the

season

favourable

was

only for cooking.

at

and

fires

needed

were

of Hamilton
just stated, the Duke
who
man
promised that each family and each young
attained
his majority should
receive a grant of 100
of land \ but, when
the colony was
actually on the

had
had
acres

scene,

except
The

the
to

As

officials refused

Government
heads

the

matter

of

of the

appears
was

Those

the

that

grants should

who

came

actual

what

that

out

be

so

variously stated

the conditions

agreement
in

give

grant

families.

grants has been

it is difficult to determine

to

of the

Duke

were,

that
but it

of Hamilton

given for two years only.

1829 and 1830 secured certain

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

242

grants after
till 1831

longer to

told

were

agents that

the

by

arrive

did not

who

Those, however,

delay.

grants

no

were

be had.

PERTHSHIRE,
RANNOCH.

Regarding

the

writes
that

are

you

us

Clearances."
of certain

best

means

policy which

has

as

the

beloved

held

been

And
.

with

facts connected
that

am

with,
shall merely give

1800

parish

; at the

1851 it

population

the

voluntarily ;

of

but

it

below

was

it

may

utilise,

no

left

of those

Why

the

who

in

Even

900.

doubt

the

as

altogether

earlier.

was

great bulk

the

Highlands,

numbered

Rannoch

Several

cated
authenti-

few

our

late,

too

district known

the

nearly what

decrease

constant

to

notes.

of 1881

census

not

was

of

not

am

facts you

which

of

interests

districts in the

two

and

familiar

though I
In 1851
quoad sacra

attention

direct your

like to

if I

now,

pursuing

from

others

now

ere

execration,

and

public scorn

conduct

long

who

fatal to the best

so

land.

I should

public against the

deterring

of

learn

to

of your
land
"Highwork
already in

good

Highlands,

pondent
corres-

glad

very

edition

done

to

up

am

new

of the

in the

landlords
been

"

have

You

publish a

conscience

have

should

follows

as

to

in this district

of matters

state

soon

rousing the

MACKENZIE.

ALEXANDER

BY

this

district
left

were

evicted.

Take, first,the Slios Min, north side of Loch Rannoch.

the west
end,
Fifty years ago the farm of Ardlarich, near
stances.
in good circumtenanted
was
by three farmers, who were
These

large farmer,
and

the

east,

farm

is the

who

is

turned

were

now

rouped

was

out
out

tenantless.

township

of

to

make

room

for

one

last year,
pennilness\
The
next
place, further

Killichoan, containing about

thirty to forty houses, with small

crofts

attached

to each.

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

244
the Tummel.

always in the hands

contains

Drumaglass
good houses

on

portion of
with

it

where

there

four.

The

being

used

to Auchitarsin

of

Scotland.

great delight in
tenantry

and

turn

you

offered

would

take

it out

great bulk

of

Though, it
is allegedto
they had

is

his estates

on

gallant old

soldier.

raised

by his

about

inspectingVolunteers

son

officially
throughout
The

of

the

Fortingall,of

my

how

length

raised

died

have

could

be

; though

he

many

writing of
"

a
correspondent forms
part, says :
[1838] no part of the parish is more
populous
"

goes

movement

district referred

our

now

of Scotland.

breadth

Statistical Account,
the

that

hundreds

would

men

and

well.

so

directly,he

praisingthe

and

the

hot for them

who

dozen

which

you,

out

loved

have

men

But
a

of the New

author

Parish

Not

could
"

Ay,

get, if

man

positionsso

Sir John

to leave.

had

John

evict any

not

their

made

would

virtually turned

Sir

that

said, he did

have

of Volunteers
for the

those

"

river.

land, would

all that
Who

Sir John

"

fire,to put
present proprietor has

The

side of the

people !

occasion

one

from

take

to

Loch-

Kinloch,
On

Morlaggan.
north

took

house

Macdonald

Sir Alastair

Dalchosnie,

of

the

on

all my

out

to

of Her

estates

"

said he,

reduced

now

in
Majesty's Forces
father, Sir John, during his life,took a
thriving,and sturdy
having a numerous,

lease all the land

man,"

Ballintuim,
Auchitarsin,

including, Kinloch

from, and
General

to

Dunalastair, and
garry,
his tenant
of Dalchosnie
on

houses, is

always

remaining

the

one,

in grass parks.
it, is tenantless.

district

the

on

only

now

Commander

His

which

laid out

belongs

Dalchosnie,

holdings,with

Balmore,

upon
to be twenty

whole

are

of small

of them.

it, has

in

house

good

tenants,

number

many

six tenants

had

of three

Druimchaisteil,
held by one.
now

and

Kinloch, Druimchurn,

At

to

the

by

present

than

it

was

in 1790

since
have

in several districts,the population has

; whereas
will be found
one-half
to
decreased
] and the same

taken

place, though

in most

or

not

all of the

perhaps

in

great

a
portion,
proof
the
pastoral districts
so

county."

According

to

the

census

of

1801

the

population

was

PERTHSHIRE.

88

it

reduced

was

of

Upwards
the

to

families,the

120

from

drawn

3067 ;
"

writer says,

same

and

crossed

this

up
while
;
many

sexes

3189
1690.

parish,since the previous Account

individuals of both
[in 1791],besides many

Atlantic

was

; in 1831,

; in 1811, 3236 ; in 1821,

3875
in

245

others

have

sought

livelihood

in the

of Edinburgh,
Country, especiallyin the great towns
The system
Glasgow, Dundee, Perth, Crieff,and others.

Low
of

unitingseveral

individual, has

farms

than

more

lettingthem

together, and

circumstance

other

any

to

one

"

duced
pro-

this result.

BREADALBANE.
Mr.

Alister, author
Prosperityof Scotland, had

of

R.

of Breadalbane

in

Barriers

with

controversy

letter,dated

attempted

never
;"

to

follows

as

answer,

:
"

lordshipstates that in realitythere

district.
This,
depopulation of the
of
lordship's letter, would
parts
your
lead any
know
who
nothing of the facts
there

estates

had

been

it

whereas

lordship removed,

your

families !

Some

I do

I think

not.

thrown
over

clearings on
is
generally
since
1834, no

no

think

may

it is

this is

their heads, and

and

no

other

certainly
to

suppose
Breadalbane

believed
^ess

that

than

matter

500
; but

cast

In

five ; and
in America,
there
ousted
called
and
tenants,
it is maintained
The

desolations

there
here

wide

the

upon

Glenqueich,
families formerly lived, where

been

has

great calamity for a family to be

of life,without
out, destitute of the means
a roof

world.

here

the

small

he

reasons,

Your

that

Marquis

the

July of that year, Mr.

charge againsthis lordshipwhich, for obvious
In

National

of his tenantry.
Alister made
a

the eviction

1853, about

the

to

sea

Amulree,

near

there
is

are

now

glen

look

been

an

like the

sixty

only four

still.
no

ing
unfeel-

some

inhabited

Glenqueich
has

of

by
Yet,

or

its
sooth,
for-

depopulation
ruins

of Irish

cabins, although the population of Glenqueich were

always characterised
omical,
as
being remarkably thrifty,econand

wealthy.

On

the

Braes

of

Taymouth,

at

back

the

of Drummond

Hill, and at Tullochyoule, some

fiftyfamilies formerly resided, where there is not
of 1831, showed
!
Glenorchy, by the returns
a

forty or
one

now

there
sixteen

on

the

island

west

twenty-five families
but

who

for whom

their

I have

heard,

to exterminate

and

living ;
Marquis

perhaps

in the

over-estimated

make
In
"

You

letter the
be

must

number

same

every

be

have

tenant,
erected

public to
thing that
done

more

man

any

ranked

now

next

the

to

clearingcelebrities.

clearances

at

families,

500

ship
already said, his lord-

by

far the

writer

says

that

aware

during

men

this year,

best

policy,not

attempt.

another

2300
that

My

the

to

uneviable
the

the

than

some

one

being

now

peasantry

As we
please to correct me."
thought it prudent, and
to

for

lordship has

your

ought

you

of Stafford

If I have

that

is not

purchased

you

room

is

were

LAI ing, where

; but, from

Scottish

the

there

correct, I shall allow

I believe

there

beginning of

off to make

conclusions

own

the

at

lation
depopu-

no

Glenetive

called

steading

be

information

If my
draw

that

lived

extensive

an

in

coast,

cleared

now

are

"

where
two
or
year
ago,
Is it true, my
lord, that

now

is there

1841, 831 ;

it true

Is

tenants

singleone

; in

of 1806

population

an

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

246

last

the

is, that

statement

the

and

raised

father

not

of

1600

that

Breadalbane

could

150

"

late

your
war,

from

were

estates.

be

now

raised.

all allusion
carefully evaded
the
worst
to
charge of the whole.
From
surely justified
lordship's silence I am
your
in
endeavour
evade
to
concluding that
you
may
dare not attempt an
diction.
contrathe question, but you
open
often made
I have
inquiriesof Highlanders on
this point, and
above
stated was
the highest
the number
Your

lordship has
this, perhaps

most

"

estimate.
your

Many

who

lordship would

estates

; and

not

know,
'

says
one

otherwise.'

"

Why,

of them

from

he

unless

that

me

the

whole

would

not

they

could

such

the

get
not

position of

This, then, is the

question : in 1793-4, there was

hardy, and industrious population on

the

to

state

followers
get fifty

not

another

half-a-dozen, and

possibly do

should

numerous,

Breadalbane

PERTHSHIRE.

contra

150

now,

of

Game

"

bane

increased

all sorts

that

families,or about
hard-hearted

whole

the

on

of that

Marquis

of Breadalreduced

to

Breadalbane

the

property

tates
es-

less than

no

into exile

driven

souls, were

2500

lordship
1841 it was

1806 ; in
proprietor,was
Those
best acquainted with

assert

Per
1450.
hundred-fold."

his

of which

was

831.

highest

highest banished,

1831, Glenorchy,

In

defenders

spared of valorous
of danger, 1600
hour
be

estates, that there could

in her
of their country
estimate

247

by

500
the

day.

that the present Lord

is,however, gratifyingto know
different and
from
is descended
mote
rea
Breadalbane, who
branch
of the family, is an
excellent landlord, and
It

takes

view

entirely different

an

the

to

tenants

his vast

on

NOTABLE
THE

his

of

tionship
rela-

and

duties

property.

DICTA.

REV.

MACLACHLAN.

DR.

a
Maclachlan,
Edinburgh, wrote
series of articles in the Witness, during its palmy days

The

under

late

Rev.

Dr.

These
wards
afterwere
editorshipof Hugh Miller.
The
populatio
Depublished in 1849, under the title of
System of the Highlands," in pamphlet form,

the

"

by

Johnston

and

The

Hunter.

he refers.
He
places to which
"A
complete history of Highland

the

doubt
Men

not, both
talk

of

interest

the

alone

amidst

know

fully the

the

and

Sutherland

visited

author

rev.

says

:
"

would,

clearances

surprisethe
clearingsas

all

public.

British
if

we

stood

they

atrocities of the system

facts

of the

case

can

; but those who

speak with as much

clearings,the Inverness-shire
the Perthshire
extent,
clearings,
clearings,and, to some
the
the Argyllshire clearings. The
earliest of these was
truth

of

the

Ross-shire

great clearing on
the
among

the

latter

the
end

Glengarry estate, towards,

of the

Highlanders

at the time

would

is

last century.

(and

some

go to confirm

The

Gaelic

we

lieve,
be-

tradition

poems
the
that
it),

posed
com-

chief's

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

248

taken

had

lady

umbrage

clan.

the

at

Whatever

the

deep, and could

might have been, the offence was
monses
Sumonly be expiated by the extirpation of the race.
served
the whole
of ejection were
over
property,

cause

families

on

even

chief j and

"

has

of

which

the

to

attached

clan

Cameron,

but

their

Many of
they have

conduct
our

surpassing, as
but

beauty ]
lies the
been
a

loch

some

of

scene

j but
is

by

the

to be

long

seen

but

of

"

Crossing to thr
Glencoe.
begin with
interest

this

does

remember,

us

the

along
The

Spean

cannot

lost

of

Loch

its

are

of

the

of.
are

in

of

footprints

Large

tracks

wide

waste.

is almost

Lochy

Let

extrusion

the

and

may

romantic

desolation,

sight

inhabitants, though the symptoms

and

we

desolation

the

eastward,
be

inland

their lands

of

result

have

out,

great glen,

its tributaries

and

bank

southern

that

was

borders.

its

to

owe

them

while

much

the

Travel

destroyer
the

glen

have

of their huts, with

the
the

How

it, is

inhabitants.

of the

of

south

however,

of

large part

the ruins

from

extensive

rooted

ago

shepherd,

farmers

two

or

beyond

could

men

of this

shores

has

bothy

one

romantic

that

aware

able, active

hundred

eviction
now

not

were

in

banks
Arkaig, whose
extensive clearing. There

most

from

occasional

held

debt.

of Loch

three

collected

nothing
the

of

speak

to

owes

Trossachs

the

say,

expanse

day when

been

nothing

Britain

Campbell

of the brave

passed along Loch

perhaps they

wide

the

have

of

country

there

were

Waterloo,

at

readers

It is the

of Lochiel

Lochy, and
of Auchnacarry
likelyhad the mansion
pointed
them, and they have been told of the Dark
Mile,

to

out

imperishable poetry

whom,

to

St. Lawrence.

lies the estate

Glengarry

interest.

much

of the

the

of Glengarry,

Highlanders

banks

the

on

the westward

name

for the

seek

search

with

closely connected

most

now

we

must

we

"To

if

the

of former

without
occupancy

frequent.

are
"

the

With

When
same

the

Augustus

we

the

enter

spectacle presents

exception
the

native

of

the

of

country
itself

"

miserable

population

is

the
desolate

Frasers,
land.

village of Fortalmost
extinguished,

DICTA.

NOTABLE
while

those

who

remain

do

left

are

the

darkness
misery, to make
hills,in Stratherrick, the

249

if,by their squalid

as

visible.

more

Across

the

property of Lord Lovat, with

large sheep farmers, and a very

the

exception of

few

tenants,

Ness,

and
territory of the Grants, both Glenmoriston
amidst
Earl of Seafield, presents a pleasingfeature
of desolation.
But
beyond this, again, let us
sea

the
the

how

lands

the

to

of Loch

north

of Lovat
sad

same

branches,

have

doings.

and

Mackenzies

have

Breadalbane

and

behind

us

find

of the

masses

the

'

with
to

cross

that

wide

wilderness

the

Conon

their

and

chieftains

the

of

possessors
their share

of

of
its
the

in extermination.

in Perthshire, have

Rannoch,

sources.

stripped of

less active

been

not

tell,vast

to

Let

will

we

been

fragment
been

not

their

to

all its upper

reaches, and
of acres,
thousands
once

have

mere

coast

beings,a

Chisholm

of the

population down
those

upon
human

respects

as

east

through

thousands

peopled, are,
The

Beauly

the

many

tale

To

waste.

of the

large rivers

the
Trace

the

wide

one

the

trace
"

is

few

similar

been

population having

portions of Athole have also

upper
of the valleys along the Spey and its

forciblyexpelled. The
suffered, while

many

tributaries

without

are

Sutherland,

shepherds.
but
in

ejectment system
habitable
portion of

part is

small

to weary

our

from

coast

the

inquire, they
in the
"

These

of the

readers

Linnhe

will

the

really inhabited.

now

find

of most

case

been

have

the

truth, of the

but

inhabitant, if we except a few

with
all its atrocities, affords

fraction of the atrocities that

following out

In

an

Loch,
that

of the

northwards
the

same

whole
We

by carrying them

perpetrated
Highlands.
country
ing
unwill-

are

along

the

; but
system

has

west

if

they
been,

relentlesslypursued.

estates,

which, we believe,the British public

know
facts on
which
the changes
little, but they are
be rung
until they have
should
and
listened
them
to
seriouslyconsidered them.
May it not be that part of the
to
guilt is theirs, who might, yet did not, step forward
proceedings ?
stop such cruel and unwise
and
he continues,
Let us leave the past, however
are

facts of

"

consider

"

the

present.

And

it is

"

melancholy reflection

HIGHLAND

250
that

the

has

added

its

long

ejectments.

While

the

law

1849

year

Highland

of

for terms

tens

CLEARANCES.

fourteen

or

seven

list to
is

years,

roll of

the

banishing its
the penalty
as

of

deep-dyed crimes, irresponsibleand infatuated

power
is banishing its thousands
for life for no
crime
whatever.
This
of exbrings forward, as leader in the work
patriation,
year
the
Duke
of Argyll. Is it possible that his
Credat
vast
over-densely peopled ?
possessions are
the
Destitution
Jud"us
Highland
appelles." And
"

Committee

for

the

of

purpose

destitute.

Next

at their

could

disposalhad

have

been
of

not

Baillie

Mr.

them

given

banishing, the

of

Glenelg,

Their

native

glen

for these

souls

been

have

must

made

people, ere

poor

fessedly
pro-

they

Then
have
we
petitionedfor so sore a favour.
Gordon
expellingupwards of eighteen hundred

from

souls

South
of

sentence

of the

three

season

Uist

Macdonald

; Lord

banishment

against

of North

Uist, with

people

that

thousand
and

to

are

be

six

follows
or

threat,

driven

the

latter, who,

two

parting with

to

learn,

we

Skye

next

Maclean
of

the

left the

of
black

estates

heart-rending scene

their native

their way
four

after

as

from

Lillingston of Lochalsh,

Mr.

with
hundred

seven

Ardgour, and Lochiel, bring up the rear

catalogue, a large body of people having

on

the

have

Colonel

of

that

request, sending five hundred

own

little uncomfortable

understood

and
relieving,

we

off to America.
not

at their

of money

large sums

had

We

co-operate.

land, are now

Australia.
Thus, within

the wide

on

the

of
sea

last three

months'

considerably upwards of three thousand

of the most
moral
and loyal of our
people people who,
in the most
even
trying circumstances, never
required a
a policeman, among
soldier,seldom
them, to maintain the
driven
to seek subsistence
are
forcibly away
on
a
peace

or

"

"

foreign soil."
Writing in
Evictions," the
"

moral

The

lies
with

them.

in

1850,
same

author

Some

says

with

individuals

the

more

responsibility

measure

"

on

years

the

Recent

for

these

transactions

nation, and

immediately
ago

the

Highland

"

fearful

not

concerned
scenes

merely
in
that

HIGHLAND

252

CLEARANCES.

be

risingagainstthe people themselves.

to

be,

Do

with

away

people : this is
the language.

the

with
doing away
of the saying of a queen,
them
into a hunting field,and
to
Argyll it is time for me
of

way

said he did not

and

would

who
folks

know

make

that

less folks than

shorthand

He

reminded

there

land
Scot-

turn

of

was

ready,

Argyll

an

now

there

of

Duke

hounds

my

reply. But

same

the

reply

make

seemed

cry

would

she

of the

whether

the

The

other

were

who
had gone
pretty deep
queens
would
in the direction indicated
He
not
by this queen.
desirable
it was
not
a
thing to see Highlanders
say
"

scattered

the

over

"

earth

they

"

in their cities and

them

were

colonies

the

greatly indebted

to

; but

to

wished

he

their Highland homes,

from
which
the colonies
preserve
their very
best blood.
and large cities derived
Drive off
the Highlander and
destroy his home, and you destroy
that

which

men

who

had
filled

Edinburgh,

and

could

to

improvement
improve the

the

by
land

great forests

part of the
land

such

working

this

do

to

him

this

which
so

out

far
of

for it

ever

of the

who

Canada.

which

on

forests

Celtic

with

the whole

he

was

had

not

believed

Highlander
a

had

thousands

seen

What
Dr.

vate
culti-

to

all

had

Maclachlan

Celtic Literature

had

Celtic people, and if they

people, his entire interest in their

sentiment,

was

begin

of Canada.

interest which

had

Celtic

he

rather

habitable

any

to

Literature?

perished. They

the

than

prietors
proland

of the

would

in

acre

as

quite as able
to improve
as

were

himself

He

of

in their

Highland

country

own

the

but
a

people,

in their

in the

sentiment
*

way

pire.
em-

citizen

offer sections

to

the

comfortable

as

some

with

destroyed
that

that

the

that

connected

was

literature

of

as

of them

repliedthat

noblest

and

Highlanders

them

begin to cultivate an
Highlands of Scotland

to-morrow

to

make

to

their

see

the

keep

to

only wished

possible.He

best

great cities, as

of

desired

he

country,

own

of the

some

important positionsthroughout

interests

the

In

for

produced

the

and

been
that

desirable.

told

the

there

were

agreed

He

sentiment

that

when

best

part of him

strong place among

other

was

was

cases

in

with

this

driven

driven

mountain

day

out,

people.

DICTA.

NOTABLE
himself

He

whenever

he

seen

It

the

house

homes

and

not

Robert

he

class of

worth

pages,
Remarks

Brown

Earl

of Selkirk's

of the

Highlands

the

on

was

of

man

entitled,

scarce,

very

State

Present

of the

'

Strictures

Observations

80

1803,

to

"

the year

In

carried
to

sailed the

place.
eleven
Of

1801,

l\o

same

depopulation

from

Wilmington,

in

exclusive

Lord

emigrants

three
The

from
whole

the

emigrants

in

1802,

America.

to

from

one

same

Knoy-

of these

the

people

in
In

transport,
North

Moray

two
were
were

Skye,
the

sailed

year

fleven

Highlands.

Firth,

and

cargoes
of them
most

from

States.

United
Selkirk's

the

one

of

cargo

Stornoway,

settlements, and

the

; but

year

William,

Martin,

from

went

from

with
Fort

believed, for
that

about

with

from
Uist, one
for Canada,
four
bound
of these
were
for Cape Breton.
The only remaining

Isle

Five

of

sailed

from

Pictou, and one

vessel, which took

were

it is

sailed

were

for

four

Pictou,

from

Isle Martin

from

vessels

more

Greenock.

of

left from

who

George Dennon,

Mr.

season

large ships
one

his work

"

passengers,

these, four

dart,

Sheriff

two

hundred

one

says

the

Fort William
of emigrants from
cargoes
souls.
A
hundred
consisting of about seven

out

Pictou,

vessel

he

'

'

and

of

of

and

on

of Scotland/

observation,

keen

Western

pamphlet

a
"

powerful argument against the forced

the country.
Summing up the number

is

now

ing."
preserv-

SHERIFF.

District of Inverness-shire, in 1806, wrote

120

the

than

people

Sheriff-Substitute

Brown,

convinced

was

people better

HIGHLAND

this

sight,for

set of

villageshe, alas !
red with
burning
sight again.
sorry

hills

see

nobler

Highland people,or

Mr.

to

lamentable

had

country

"

grieved

he

of their mountain

in any
ruined

the

fire

wished

never

sad,

ruined

villageson

He

was

ruined

"

homes.

patrioticfeeling,and

warm

saw

And

glens.
had

had

253

two

from
bound

from

1803.

cargoes
Of these,

Ullapool,

Fort
for the

dischargedat

for

William.

British
Pictou."

Soon
for

with

British

the

took

he

out

sent

Colonies.

vessels,most

of whom
from

the remainder

and

interior of the County

the

of whom

whole

addition

In

North

from

were

the Island

Ross-shire, !North

of Inverness,

and

Argyll,

Island

Edward

and

other

Altogether, not less than

Highlands and Isles during the

American

Isorth

left the

Colonies.

10,000

West

first six years

present century,

Sir

Scott

Walter

will

"

writes

"

population,

of

dispossessed by
be
one
day found
it is unjust and

will

which

as

Highlands

become

may

poetry,

the

or

too

the

inhabitants,

of need

distant

far

of their

whole

mass

unrelenting avarice,

to

have

The

face

of

daily

depopulating ;

romances

summons

land

of

the

Highlander
of

excite

Walter

sighted
short-

as

Meantime,
romance

for

the

economical.

it may
sound

not,

will

remain

But

perhaps,
through the
swered."
unan-

will

earth

historian,writes
ere

the

mountains

have
great estates
Gael, as
they did ancient
will
ere
long exist only

Scott.
the

The
streets

tartan

of

:
"

long disappear
are

the

surprisein

the

HISTORIAN.

the

the

The

may

Highlanders

from

the

pibroch
the

and

"

Michelet, the great Continental

Scottish

been

fairy ground for

subject of experiment
come

superfluity
of the

an

selfish.

CONTINENTAL

"

the

instances

many

the

should

region, but

deserted

M.

"

incredible.

not

and
professorsof speculation,political
if the hour

of the

NORTH.

drained,

but

souls

appear

In

been

now

THE

OF

have

Highlands
of

fact which

WIZARD

THE

be

of

Island

the

In

Prince

and

Lord

these,

to

1804, 1805, and 1806, several cargoes of Highlanders

left Mull, Skye, and
other
Western
Islands, for

Uist.

the

were

out

different

Skye,

emigrants, the

the

250 from South Uist in 1802, and in 1803

Island
about
800 souls, in
to Prince Edward

Selkirk
three

vessels sailed from

after,several other

Highlands

West

of

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

254

and

ruined

Italy.
in

the

Edinburgh

the

more
clay; the

DICTA.

NOTABLE

disappear they emigrate

long be lost, as the music of

Highlanders
airs will

"

ere

the

when

winds

his work

Russel

Wallace,

Scotland,"
"

The

facts

feel

says

reveal

peculiar

to

record

of

within

the

to

the

English people :

which

like

the

dark

having

been

of

are

or

the

land

and
a

under

landowner,

his mercy,
must
we
when
serfdom
not

noble

with

armed

was

of this

pitifulresults

more

cultivated

of

devastation

wide

the

simple

own

of the

abolished, the Russian

tyranny,

than

our

entirelyat
to the days

; while

stories

present generation. For

the

power

property
mediaeval,

despotic authority
landlord

rather

upon

cruelty

hideous

those

ages,

possess,
almost

and

oppression

of

one

happening

life and
to

of

tale

this monstrous

back

go

chapter will
an
Englishmen,

this

many

the

reads

on

"

in

for

in

Landlordism

chapter

memory

parallelto

harp

Alfred

Land, Mr.
"

the

events

Bolian

the

in

startling novelty ;
they

of

Nationalisation

stated

sure,

national

WALLACE.

RUSSEL

the

on

their

"

hushed."

are

ALFRED

MP.

In

255

tion
burning of houses, the reckless creapauperism and misery, out of well-being and

lands, the heartless

of

could
only be expected under
contentment,
Turkish
Sultans or greedy and cruel Pashas.
cruel

deeds

beautiful
work
of

portions of
civilised

so-called

feature

of all

of power
in

many

they

"

itself, and,

the

beyond
the

cases

not

are

steps have

been

taken,

by the Legislature
Surely it is time that
no

to

the

things shall

longer have

such

no

or

are

that

even

prevent

legalpower

and

worst

"

cise
exer-

strictlylegal,are
of the Legislature
been
they have
sixty years past, no

proposed
for

them

exist

"

that

to oppress

to be

the

taken,
future

the

declare

should

people of England
longer

but

are

for at least

known

Moslems,

high-handed

any

law, but

notwithstanding

made

such

to

of members

acts

repeatedly

that

due

the

are

men

most

not

They

Christian

and

of the

of fanatic

or

of

these

Yet

one

land.

native

our

barbarians

of uncultured

in

perpetrated

been

have

rule

the

rich shall

the poor

"

that

HIGHLAND

256
the

land

shall be free for all who

for

value

CLEARANCES.

its

use

"

and,

this

as

landlordism, that landlordism

"

The

in Scotland

misery

are

brought

valleys

the

to

not

the

possible

fair

under
.

sufferers.

peasants from

d sea-coast,

expose

shall be abolished.

individual

upon
drove

improvers, who

is not

pay

of thf system of modern

ism
landlordless painful than the hardship and

results

general

willingto

are

The

earlier

their sheltered

in order

make

to

room

for

sheep farmers, pleaded erroneously the

of their conduct.
as the justification
They
maintained
food
and
that more
be proclothing would
duced
and
that
the
themselves
by the new
system,
people
would
have
of
the
the advantage
produce of the sea as
sheep and
public benefit

well

of the

that

land

for their

The
result,
support.
to be
however,
mistaken, for henceforth
proved them
the cry of Highland destitution
minating
began to be heard, culinto actual
at intervals
famines, like that of
as

distributed
to
1836-37, when
"70,000 were
keep the
Highlanders from death by starvation.
just as
in Ireland, there was
abundance
of land capable of cultivation,
but the people were
driven to the coast
and to the
.

make

way

for

sheep,

farmers

; and

when

the

barren

allotted

to

towns

to

emigrate.
clearances

As

is

the

no

lowland

inhospitabletracts
they

told

were
"

J. Macleod

says

"

the

the

By

other

to

over-

the

people are gathered into villageswhere

for them, where
idleness
steady employment

its baneful

has

and

overcrowded,

Rev.

cattle, and

part is depopulation and

one

populated ;
there

became

them

and

influence

and

lands

in penury

them

and

want.

"The
"

the

actual
of

indicated
than

is shown

"

by

the

"900,000

less than

only increased

population !
be

has
.

driven

same

from

grown
.

soil and

tion
emigra-

giving

it to

fact

that

their homes

1846

to

more

period the population

to 3,627,000,so

2,770,000
nine times
about

from

in

"300,000

in the

The
.

of the

and

steady increase of poverty

spent for the relief of the poor

; while

now

pauperism
could

from

of eviction

in the

amount

increased

has
that

native

banishing the

stranger

having

effect of this system

faster

whole

than

tion
popula-

like cattle at the

DICTA.

NOTABIvE
will of

landlord, and

battle-field,neither

could

nor

convincing and most absolute

incompatibility of landlordism
rightsof a free people.

demonstration

most

"

if,however,

As

to

community

of the

soil in Scotland

of land

for

laid waste

for the

of the

area

alone

Kent

and

acres

; and

On

million

two

preservationof

the

Tilt

of

Counties

entire

includes

Forest

ference
in circum-

sixty miles

forests there

of these

many

for similar

is fifteen miles

Forest

queror
Con-

Norman

than

the

is

areas

Forest

to

Glen

Mount

Alder

Ben

broad.

seven

Black

the

100,000

combined.

Surrey

the

or

years

enormous

more

larger than

area

an

"

well-being

the

last twenty

New

At the present time,

purposes.
of Scottish soil are
devoted
acres
deer

to

landlordism, the great lords

have

the

clearly,and

with

systematicallylaying waste
of sport, just as
purposes

been

of the

elementary

the

this stillmore

prove

is modern

of the

more

with

absolutely incompatible

how

show

the

on

from
protect them
their personal liberty,is surely the

would

with

cruel interference

taxed

their blood

they freelyshed

for whom

and

them,

which

Government

the

that

257

long by

is the finest

support a
pasture in Scotland, while the valleys would
considerable populationof small farmers, yet all this land
stroyed,
is devoted
to the sport of the wealthy, farms
being dehouses
all banished
At

the

to

many

the tourist

in these

have

deer-stalkers

for the

whole

to

trespass on

remember

we

unenclosed

century

ago,
abused
grossly
state

misfortunes

"
"

and

Sovereign ought

the

and

was

of the wildest

some

that

their

No

of

woes

not

man

to

rightto

the

chiefs

can

his

allow

more

successors

since, it is surely

ever

of

maxims
have

property

little

their

they and

power

unjustly given to

most

Highland

fundamental

those

that

that

mountains

representativesof

time to assert
which

the

naturalist

or

when

Now,

than

wilderness

cattle

sheep, and

men,

mountains.

Scotch

the

and

people of England are shut

of the grandest and most
scenes
interesting
land, gamekeepers and watchers
forbidding

of their native

"

create

time

same

from

out

pulled down,

jurisprudence

vested

country,"

and

rightin
"

that

either communities

or

the
the

pri-

individuals

vate

acquire large

to

property has its duties

altogether a mockery, then we

that

the

neglect of

total

of these

vast

should

State

such

while

little moment
know

silent

; but

and

understand

the

reckless

sufferingsof

their will known,

be

soon

Wallace

Mr.

feel

we

the

destruction
brave

the

like

away

gentlemen
and

heart

the

"

dawn

still springup

than
he

been

noticed

the

Irishman

is then

error

could

John

Dr.

other

on

pages,
minster
West-

thinned

in

detail

and

out

thrown

Noble

planted.

flintiness of

carrying
dwell
?

their

out

after

] and
Does

the

not

of the knife ?
the very torture
at every
slowly and silentlytaken
under

of the

the hands
leave
the
other

that

his hut

cellars

large

poor
to sink under

be grosser

The
than

there
or

Gael
the

same

that

of

is

no

now

attics of the

centre

the

immersed."

peasantry ?

of
is

When

restingcloses of
j it

employment

in which

debasement
writer

liable

more

even

holds

reviewing

the

"

"

chiefs

No
as

only of the land, but of the

territoryof the mountain, lake, river,and sea-shore,

unlimited
whole

an

it is

crofts

opportunity out of
Highlander has to
place for him save
Glasgow, or some

Rev.

article in the

revoltingto
over-populationcured

disease

has

the
and
homesteads,
Highlanders, they will make
they do so, that will must

been

have

which

the evils of

the

of Scotland,

of the landlords

The

of

all,are

not

people fully

Gaels," this writer says,

the slopes of the
of history on

meanness

clearings,
upon

Are

the

turnips too thickly

young
noble
shown
and
ladies have
a

be done.

of

from

quotes

mountains,

northern

this

do

into law."

next

from

rooted

the

why

never

when

that

sure

doings

Review, in 1868.
"

owners

rightsof property are sacred,

of comparatively
fellow-citizens
are

quoting the opinion of the

of Dingwall, given at length

Kennedy

case

the

and, when

embodied

After

the

it must

that

is not

fit.
public bene-

course,

unmistakably

of their

those

will,of

government

government

for the

them

maxim
"

in this

that

devolving on
affords ample reason

of land

tillthe people declare

To

maintain

possessionof

take

landlord

as

duties

all the

tracts

oft-repeated
its rights
as

well

"

in order

of land

tracts

If the

it uncultivated."

leave

to

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

258

proprietorsnot

260

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

"It is now

clearlyestablished

Ireland, the soil

The

chiefs

was

clan

of the

domain

but

they

was

of the

France.

into

Louis

By successive
their

days

into
chiefs

the

large number

from

encroachments,

authority

of

suzerain

when

was

they

as

order

now

were

large

began

"

We

after

commences

the

works

of

latter

tells

8th

century

miniature
The

will be

in
the

the

8th

country,
in
In

clan)

of these

as

as

When,

they began

to

compel
and

his observations

on

says,

the

landed

the

Scotch

last third
still

of the

presented

hundred
tribute

years

paid

to

of the

them

by

value

last

emigrate
these

estates.

foreign

to congregate

towns.

of Nations, published

Wealth

gives us

to

means

manufacturing
Smith's

same

thirty years of
expel the Gaels, they at

in the
to

supports, it
Highlands supports
farm

land

as

to

Buchanan
ini8i4, David
made
by the clearingof

The

Stuart.

James

is very little in comparison

if it is regarded relatively

them

other

Pretender, in

lands

persons

many

forbade

Glasgow

'

quired
re-

retainers,

the

in the

"

which

in the

province.
time

but

mouths

land

that

century,
so

in his time

of

twice

same

and

Anderson,

their extent,

seen

fertile

numerous

Highlands of Scotland
picture of the Europe of four
the
rent
(so he misnames

number

perhaps

than

lords,

and

towns,

the

"

with
the

in the

risingunder

last

the

that

ago.
the chief of the

to

reside

or

"

But

large farms and pasturage.

first phases of this revolution, which

the

James

us

chiefs

the

their

to introduce

follow

may

to

rather

revenues

they endeavoured

retaining a

as

established, and
"

in

interested

were

often
and
their power,
guaranteed by their arms.

of vassals,

only

the

clan

of the

modern

proprietors. Until

absolute

security, were

he

sept.
munal
com-

transformed

from

XIV.

the

being
being proprietor

further

even

or

ing
recognisright of private ownership, without even
in their old co-proprietors
a rightof hereditary possession.
similar
Zemindars
and
the
In
a
Talugdars
way
India
by the Act of the British Government,
were,

in

were

they transformed

however,

rights over

certain

had

proprietorsthan
territoryof

property of the clan

the

once

Scotland, just as in

in

that

idea of the gress

pro'In the Highlands,'
an

proprietor,without

regard

to

the

hereditary
clansmen

'

who

land

the

were

for

cultivation, is anxious

the

of

fertility.The

its natural

with

small

of improved

system

new

demands
increased
rents
agriculture and
greatest net profitwith the least possibleoutlay, and
this object the cultivators are
got rid of as being
further

Thus

use.

cast

their native

from

manufacturing

their living in the

seek

troducti
in-

the

formerly well populated in proportion

was
peasant proprietors,

to

prove
im-

to

but

nothing

soil,dotted

The

system.

new

wishes

if he

highest bidder, who,

the

to

(he wrongly appliesthis term to the

joint proprietorsof the soil), offers

'

tenants

261

DICTA.

NOTABLE

the
with
of

soil,they

go

no

to

towns/

They
"George Ensor, in a work published in 1818, says:
(the landed proprietorsof Scotland)dispossessedfamilies
as
they would
grub up coppice-wood, and they treated
harassed
with
their people as Indians
the villages and
wild beasts
do in their vengeance
a
jungle with tigers.
"

It is
.

age, in this Christian

fleece or
carcase
a

missionary
for

of the

intention

the

into the

have

the

This

pasture ?

"M.

the

by

families

thousand

land, which
make

are

said
career

for

treeless

now

The

solitudes.

this

on

sheep

as

"

in the

thirty-six villages
millions of acres,

time
to

Economist

of

instincts
the

when

make

now

are

deer

Feudal

subject :

were

the

comprising most

tinent
Conand

1814
than

800,000
clan, were

into

pastures converted

the

the

to

Men

The

sheep.

More

; and

out

seignorialdomain.

room

deer, and

driven

were

into

the

on

between

Sutherland.

formerly belonged

into

ormed

celebrated

rendered
of

in Council

the land

convert

clearing executed

Duchess

broken

they had

Highland
proprietors
trymen.
counagainst their own

many

country

own

has

famous

the
1820

proposal

Sismondi

de

is it than

worse

when

inhabitants, and

in their

effected

much

held

nay,

"

provinces of China, proposed

northern

to exterminate

of mutton

tered
bar-

be

shall

man

in this

igth century,

era,

Why, how
Moguls, who,

cheaper

in the

credible, that

three
of

acres

trans-

driven

out

to

replaced by
forests, which

June
have

2,
as

1866,
full

Conqueror destroyed
New

Forest.

fretile land, have

Two

been

262

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND
into

changed
known

was

forest

the

as

of

The

desert.

pasturage

in Scotland
for

sacrificed

thus

in the

this is but
and

"

the

unproductive

are

land

land

if it

as

buried

were

property is still going on, no

but
encroachment,
by purchase.
into

comes

in consequence
In the
entails.
I5th

Fortescue, England
number

market

the

of

of the

it is

According

rural

170,000

; 21,000

acre

of

entire

the

Are

the

comfort

"

swallowed

up

of the

An

1876, there

the

hands

Bright,

Mr.

in

of

523

fifth

persons.

one-half

twelve

ten

or

fact that

the

monopoly

increasingand

of

?
persons
of landed

becoming

ardent

the
Are
property
and

more

then, as at Rome,
large property
small
of a
property, in consequence
from

unchecked

nation's

threatened

an

speech delivered

1866, that

27,

were

above

in Scotland.

8000

to

evolution
be

of

England,

In

end

is in

August
belongs

continually

exclusive

more

"

Book

Domesday

said

of the

is

180,000

were

16,560 proprietorsof noble rank.

proprietors of England.
250,000

country

soil of Scotland
aware

there

of

Ireland, and

in

Birmingham,

you

that

of its inhabitants.

proprietorsin England owning

aware,

you

at

"

the

and

according to Chancellor
quoted throughout Europe for its

proprietorsand

to

primogeniture

century,

was

exclusive
proprietors,
In
1786 there were

of

law

1688, Gregory King estimates

In

"

The

bought by
because
rich capitalist,
the expenses
of legalinquiry
too
Thus, large progreat for a small investment.
perties
are
main,
consolidated, and fall,so to speak, into mort-

some

to

extends

of small

by

longer, however,
Whenever

soil

sea.

destruction

The

The

chase

of Perth.

county

best

forest

as

of the

depths

the

of

the

was

the

deer

meadow

sheep.

of

pleasures

\ the

natural

Mount

Tilt

supported 15,000 sheep ; and

thirtieth part of the territory sacrificed,

rendered

thus

in the

the

Alder

Ben

new

Black

Perth

for black-woolled

larger than

area

an

over

of

forest

the

Badenoch

in

best

the

was

in Glen

herbage

succulent

most

Alder

Ben

natural

history
just as in the

desire for

; and

more

the
the

Roman

beginning
social

order

to

has
tinuous
con-

the

seems

Empire.

equal division

of the pro-

DICTA.

NOTABLE
inflames

of labour

duce
from

land

land.

to

it here, will

obtain
a

hold

on

danger

that

of

ideas

of

sea

given

increasing the

and

till

who

fail to
retain

} and there is
of electors while

vote

number

maintaining laws
while
more
striking,

and

formidable

more

soil

possession of the

the

property

labourers

in it j and, if they
in search of it. To

be

must

invade

to

landed

The

inequality greater
equality are assuming

renders

To

the

beginning

menaces

proprietors diminishes,

which

make

in

is

country.

cross

they

them

fresh

obviously

their share

soil will claim

the

labouring classes,and passes

England, it arouses
agitation

classes,and

in this

constituted

as

the
In

the industrial
among
It
the rural districts.

263

closed

sway.

monopoly

of the class who

augment the political
powers
to provoke levelling
measures
rigidlyexcluded, is at once
and

to

and

to facilitate them.

is the

where

country

land

the

Accordingly

finds

the

country

organisationsof
social order

the

which

widely

from

is likewise

the

of
claimed.
pro-

the

tive
primi-

one

where

menaced."

CHAMBERLAIN.

JOSEPH

MR.

is furthest

property
most

seems

is most

and

England

nationalisation

of the

adherents,

most

The

scheme

find that

we

are

speech delivered at Inverness, on i8th September,

said :
1885, Mr. Joseph Chamberlain
The history of the Highland clearances
is a black page
with
in the account
private ownership in land, and if it
could be any
to form
were
a precedent,if there
precedent
for wrong-doing, if the sins of the fathers ought to be
In

"

"

should

the children, we
visited upon
than
drastic legislation
more
has

any

hard-working, God-fearing people

lands

for

which

had

belonged

generations they

unroofed

and
season,

and

to

perish on

flood of misery and

an

the
of

wildest

former
re-

industrious,

driven

were

for

excuse

from

the

their

ancestors, and which

cultivated ; their houses
were
to

destroyed, they

forlorn, exposed
left to

had

which

Thousands

proposed.

ever

have

the
the

were

turned

inclemency
hillsides

destitution

or

to

out

of

homeless
the

winter

swell the

in the cities to which

full

they

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

264
driven

for

refuge. In
their landlords
provided

were

of

the

cruel

the

cases

some

of

means

kindness
in

emigration
"

abroad.
They
actually driven
suffered
greatly in foreign countries, being unprovided
until they could
with the means
of sustaining themselves
of those
who
vived
surearn
livelihood, but the descendants
a

some

they

cases

contributed

have
of
Those

the

In

the

had

had

transferred

were

and
the

on

they

sea-shore

perity
prossettled.

which

at

deprived

it

where

of all

were

had

previously enjoyed.

out

they

the

glens

their

barren

upon

impossible

was

and

with

resounded

placed

were

to

they

time

one

cause

shown

was

legal security of tenure,

their originalholdings in

from

straths, which

and

ration

they

the

to

they finally
afraid, little
am

had, I

of years

which

never

which

conside

the

course

advantages

They

in

degree

mean

no

behind

remained

gratefulfor

them.

in

countries

the

who

be

to

were

for

dustry,
in-

patches
the

most

The
exacting toil and industry to obtain a subsistence.
doubt
relieved in some
no
was
picture that I have drawn
of parcases
by the exceptional generosity and kindness
ticular
proprietors,but, speaking generally, I think it
is the

fact

that

the

Highland country

to

was

able
consider-

clearances.
depopulated by those
general condition of the people suffered,and it has gone
at last a matter
deteriorating until it has become
extent

national
which

I have

and

learned

time

that

review

this

upon

should

of

subject,I
submit

to

ask

you

careful

places such

of land

exaction

HARDSHIPS

not

whether

of

read,

it is not

examination

vast

trust

I have

on

in

statement

what

individuals,
irresponsible

possession
and

to summarise

which

system

in the

correct

am

endeavoured

we

the hands
the

If I

concern.

The

and

for evil in
powers
which
makes
and

but

means

of

tortion
ex-

"

ENDURED

FIRST

BY

EMIGRANTS.

ALEXANDER

BY

The
endured

reader

by

is

those

MACKENZIE.

already acquainted
evicted

from

Barra

with
and

the

South

misery
Uist

by

Colonel

This

after their arrival in Canada.

Gordon,

isolated

no

265

DICTA.

NOTABLE

shall

We

case.

give

here

few

left

unspeakable suffering of those pioneers who

early as 1773, in the ship Hector, for Pictou, Nova
during the
gathered from trustworthy sources
The

country.

Hector

so

Scotia,
writer's

by

owned

was

of

instances

the

late visit to that

was

two

bought three shares

Pagan and Witherspoon, who
of land in Pictou, and they engaged a Mr.
John Ross as
the vessel to Scotland, to bring
their agent, to accompany
men,

out

as

colonists

many

be

could

as

induced,

representa
mis-

by

falsehoods, to leave their homes.

They
offered a free passage,
a farm, and
a year's free provisions
drew
his arrival in Scotland, Ross
On
to their dupes.
a
and

glowing picture of
of

the

the

land

and

other

to

which

he

country

manifold

tages
advan-

enticing the

was

people.
The

knew

Highlanders

them

in

land

nothing of

covered

difficulties awaiting

the

with

over

unbroken

dense

forest ; and, tempted by the prospect of owning splendid

farms of their own,
they were
imposed upon by his mise,
proand

Atlantic

the

him
across
agreed to accompany
embraced
his proposals. Calling first at
families and five singleyoung
men
joined
of them

many

and

Greenock, three

vessel at that

the
in

Ross-shire,

singlemen,
bade

board

sailor and
a

piper

the

John

came

captain

national

board

to

to

have

share

for his music

granted, and
degree to cheer the
was

voyage

of eleven

Atlantic.

the

land,

As

had

paid

not

affected

those

him

allowed
own

except
they were

ashore, but

their

not

Atlantic

agent.

who

him

instrument

offered

their native

Ross, the

ordered

they pleaded
and

to

crossed

on

and

25

numbering about
passengers
in the beginning of July, 1773,

band,

ever

families

33

of her

final farewell

having

sailed to Lochbroom,

then

received

she

whole

This

souls.

200

where

the

She

port.

the

board

on

soul
a

on

single

leaving,

his

;
passage
of
the
strains
so

much

to

accompany
him
rations with

that

them,
in

change
ex-

Their request
during the passage.
his performances
in no
small
aided
noble
bandjof pioneers in their long

weeks, in

miserable

hulk,

across

the

266
The

other

The

band

pilgrim
could

they

ship was

so

gale off

severe

back

broke

to the

such

was

among
died, and
and

anguish

almost

meat,

to

The

them.

met

oatcake

mainly

of

been

such

by

of salt

greatly
came
be-

them

thrown

away

long passage.
one
Fortunately
Hugh Macleod, more
prudent than the others, gathered up the
despised scraps into a bag, and during the last few days
of the voyage
his fellows were
vouring
too glad to join him in debodies
this refuse to keep souls and
together.
in the harbour,
last the
Hector
At
dropped anchor
of Pictou
stands.
now
Though
opposite where the town
then
the Highland
dress was
proscribed at home, this
carried
theirs along with
them, and, in
emigrant band
they

having

added

carried

of it had

much

dreamt

consisted

bad

and

scarce

scarcity of water,

the

that

provisionsbecame

of

became

water

sufferings. The
so

storm

stock

provisionsleft

of

mouldy,
before

Their
the

which, from

their

the

days

smallpox and dysentry

the
Eighteen of the
passengers.
committed
to the deep amidst
were
as
heart-rending agony
only a Highlander

exhausted,

remnant

driven

wretched,

understand.

can

and

coast, and were

about
fourteen

them

which

point at

out

children

long

Newfoundland

the

accommodation

the

the

through

by it so far that it took

get back

up

painful voyage.
that the passengers
could pick the
rotten
sides with their fingers. They met
with a

of her

cut

their

spirits as best
pipe-music,dancing, wrestling, and
kept

by song,

amusements,

wood

to

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

for them,

celebration
donned

of

their

of the passengers,

the

of the

arrival, many

their national

able to add

dress

sgian

"

dubh

to which

and

the

younger
few of them

claymore

"

while

men
were

the

up his pipes with might and main, its thrilling

of the endless
tones, for the first time, startlingthe denizens
forest, and its echoes
resounding through the wild

piper blew

solitude.
hands

to

Scottish
have

emigrants

given its backbone

admitted

are

of moral

upon
and

all

religious

from
strength to the Province, and to those brought over
of being
the Highlands in this vessel is due the honour
in the
forefront
the pioneers and
vanguard.
"

But

how

different

was

the

realityto

the

expectationsof

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

268

agents, tied them, took their guns from

them, which
they hid at a distance ; told them that they
have
the food for their families, but that they were
must
if ever
for them
to pay
they
quite willingand determined
able to do
carefully weighed or
so.
They then
were
each
of what
the various
measured
articles,took account
received
and left,except one,
the latter, a powerful
man
left behind
and determined
to release the
fellow,who was
seized the

They

did, after allowing sufficient time

he informed
get to a safe distance, when

This

agents.

two

for his friends

to

he

they could

prisonerswhere

the

sent

was

Halifax

to

that

their guns.

the

Highlanders

whence
orders
sent
were
rebellion, from
in Truro, to march
his company
Archibald

pacify

and

suppress

\ but

them

he, point blank, refused, and

"

thing.

such

no

if

and

with
with
used
in

know

it

be

said,
do

would

he

said,

he

Highlanders,"

to

are

them."

provisions,and
afterwards

Mr.

who

Paterson,

that

to say

of

one

the

agents,

Highlanders who arrived

so
badly treated, had paid

the

been

had

farthing

every

the

of militia

that

word

Captain

his honour

to

sent

to

in

were

fairlytreated there will be no trouble

Finally, orders were
given to supply them

they

poverty, and

him

"

gence
Intelli-

find

with

which

trusted

had

he

them.

be

It would

tedious

they afterwards

to

describe

the

sufferingswhich

left.
of them
Others,
Many
themselves
fathers, mothers, and children, bound
away,
sistence.
subfor
in
other
virtual slaves,
as
mere
settlements,
covered

Those

who

only with

the

them

from

they

had

some

to

the bitter

remained
bark

winter

lived

of branches

in

small

of trees

to

huts,
shelter

cold, of the severity of which

previous conception. They had to

eightymiles, through a trackless forest,in deep

Truro,

flour in
the

endured.

way

no

to

obtain

exchange
again on

sufferingfrom

few

bushels

of

potatoes,

for their

or

labour, dragging these

their backs, and endless cases

actual

want

occurred.

The

snow

little

back
of

all

great

remembrance

of that
days sank deep into the minds
to this day, the narration
generation,and long after,even
and cruel hardshipsthrough which they had
of the scenes
of these

terrible

walk

NOTABLE

beguiled,and

to pass

they sit by their

as

DICTA

269

beguilesmany

now

comfortable

now

winter's

night

firesides.

They cleared
followingspring they set to work.
of the forest, and
some
They
planted a larger crop.
learned
kind
of large deer.
the moose,
to hunt
a
They
In

the

began

to

the first of
on

timber, and

cut
a

trade

since.

ever

it

than

amounted

only

to

their

arrival
One

78 persons.

for

"

extensively carried

population had, however,

before

was

Pictou

of it from

cargo
profitablyand

very

The

sent

in

less

grown

this

it

year

of the modes

of

laying

to dig up a large
supply of food for the winter was
quantity of clams or large oysters, pilethem in large heaps

up

on

the

though they
ice

give

earlier

of

the

emigrants

to

these

Prince

In

fair idea

seemed

have

operations on
when

fared

the

plague

through

cut

This

will

the

Colonies.

even

Island

of

sand,

hardships experienced by

Island, however,
Dumfriesshire, who
came

in

with

over

Edward

Lockerbie,
to

them

cover

often, in winter, obliged to

foot thick
to get at them.

were

than

more

then

and

sea-shore,

with

locusts, or

in

out

1774,

commenced

They

worse.

from

colony

prospects of success,
field mice, broke
out, and
fair

miseries

the potatoes in the ground ;

everything,even
the settlers experienced all the
eighteen months
of a famine, having for several months
only what

lobsters

or

consumed
and

for

The

winter

that

they

shell-fish

unable

were

when

this

them

brought

even

In

they could
to

to

gather
such

food

convey

they had

to

means

pitifulposition they

from

the

state
a

sea-shore.

of weakness

reasonable

tance
dis-

buy it.

heard

the

that

Pictou

making progress that year, and that they had

of their
even
some
They sent one
provisions to spare.
he
number
to make
settler,when
enquiry. An American
to Pictou, brought a few
slaves with
came
him, and at
of them,
this time he had just been to Truro
to sell one
and
some
brought home
provisions with the proceeds
people

of the
Edward
was

were

sale

of

Island

bit of

his negro.

putting up

was

humorist, and

all his troubles.

The

On

messenger
at this man's

continued

his return

to

the

from

Prince

house.

cheerful

in

Island, the

He

spiteof
people

270

HIGHLAND

congregated

to

Pictou

CLEARANCES.

hear

"

the

"

kind

What

news.

of

is

place

"

Oh, an awful place. Why, I

enquired one.
who
was
was
staying with a man
just eating the last of his
reduced
to such
were
a
niggers ;" and the poor creatures
that they actually believed
the people
point themselves
of Pictou to be in such a condition
to live
as to oblige them
flesh of their coloured

the

on

that

however,

matters

fifteen families left for the

time, they fared

but

became

prosperous
thousands
of

and

comfort

who

existences

the

harsh

iota

for those

Retributive
horrid

dead

conduct,
human

form

descendants

of those

infinitelyworse

than

Such

criminals

poor

fellows, driven

lairds, and
and

sent

and

who

of their

out

there,

Their

of the

inhuman

tigers

in

the

then

was

crimes.

worst

for \ but those

by the Highland

left to starve,
are

retribution

from

thus

cared

descendants

evicted

write

to what

homes

were

drove

better, for the

the

transportationfor
after and

to

cruel

"

banished

were

thrivingpeople, and

descendants

for

out

then

forget their

them

to

turned

across

for.

uncared

thanks

to

and

land, not caring

Atlantic, or were

uncharitable

impossible

looked

were

authors

seem

no

it has

"

that

of the

the

almost

even

who

"

uncongenial soil ?
posterity should
of such misery and

and

demands

it is

though,

in the

strange

It may

but

"

native

on

memories

cruelty.

of the

of their

at home

fellows, and

sank

justice

the

execrate

heartless

they

death

to

cruel

hating
Highland

even

"

existence

noble

out

whether

starved

livingin

now

early hardships and

and

made

in thousands

one

of these

condemning

lairds,who

miserable

them

of their children

few

grandchildren are

without
of

Scottish
as

think

can

memories

plenty.

and

But

that, and

as

settlement, where, for

little better, but
afterwards

happy.

their

told,

were

earlier

very

and

bad

quite so

not

were

They

servants.

now

helpless,
ous
prosper-

is at hand.

Sutherland, Ross,

The
ness-shires,
Inver-

and

elsewhere, to Canada,
are
producing
quantities of food, and millions of cattle, to

enormous

pour

them
?

cause

into this country.

The
sheep farmer

of the

evictions

"

What
"

will be

the
the

will be

primary
first to

the

and

quence
conse-

original

suffer.

The

DITCA

NOTABLE
in Scotland

stock

price of

271

inevitably fall.

must

Rents

of the original
iniquity
follow, and the jointauthors
will,as a class, then suffer the natural and just penalty of

must

past misconduct.

their

AGENT.

EVICTING

AN

of
Commission
Forest
before the Deer
Giving evidence
of CamusdarR. Macdonell
1892, the late Mr. ^neas
After
an
interesting statement.
roch, Arisaig, made
of the Scottish Bar, and
a member
mentioning that he was
had

proprietorof Morar, he proceeded :

speak generally as to the population

previouslybeen

able

am

used

there

have

to

be

to

the whole

Arisaig in

houses

which

is

fact,

in

"

populated

and

to

to
parts of it J but I want
entirely to that portion of the

under
but

Rhu-Arisaig,

called

days,

all

on

now

young
to be

my

seemed

almost

evidence

my

district

in

of country

tract

numerous

confine

"

forest.

deer

100

ago

years

is

It

it

now

called

was

Dubh-chamus.

only seventy-two
of thirty years
beyond

Although I
able to speak
My

am

the

grandfather occupied

in Dubh-chamus

that, from

old

am

access

with

speak concerning that period from an

belonging to my grandfather,to which
in connection
good many
years
ago, and it was

very

unfortunately
I found

families

Sheil

who

grandfather,

were

paying rent,

Archibald

died, I think, in 1828

that

account-book
my

as

Macdonald,

who

possession of

In

or

is.

1829.
At

uncle, Macdonald

that

from

was

the

account-book

that

of individuals

names

now

emigration

an

in Moidart.

thirty-seven

in which

occasion

melancholy

implicated, viz.,

of Loch

estate

Achagar-

able to

account-book

I had

1794.

Dubh-chamus,
Tormor, Rhuemoch,

Tirnadrish, Torbae, Rhubrec,

Claggan, Portavullid, Bal-ur, Ardgaserie, and
I

am

were

Rhu,

railt.

places or townships

various
These

Rudha.

or

of age,

years

in the

sub-tenants

time
of Loch

know
it

to

my

Arisaig,

Rudha,
I don't

various

was

where
in the

Sheil ; and

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

272

well

as

may

Rudha

that

should

First
Rhu

they paid

mention

of Rudha

Macdonald
for

grazing,

very

small

small

"

also

rent

Clanranald.

Borrodale

Macdonald
the

rents

donalds,

at

It

so

he

could

to

farm
he

who

had

brother

give

Sheil

the
then

which

of the
Rudha

old

then

these

lands

with

them.

him

over

time

or

which

on

he

the

held
that

was

consequence

j and

my

occupied Rudha,
be quit of it. Well,

system
The

rent.

more

redundant
well
from

names

that

Times

cruel

thing

was,

got

took

that

was

consequence

for

the

Moidart

had

of
inhabitated, and the addition
Rudha, Arisaig, quite overwhelmed

puzzled
I

the

black, and

grew

population,

potato famine

Rhu, Arisaig,and
from

of the

Cranston's

then

of rent,

in Moidart.

when
was

who

occurred, and

families

sons

occupied

in Lord

that

the

taken

previouslybeen
them

took

into

came

all the sub-tenants

it
obliged to remove
upon
been
him
his anthere generations before
or
cestors.
The
to get his
only thing that he could do was
of Loch
Sheil to take the people over
Macdonald

was

many

pass

under

potato famine
there

Alladale,

being

of

Macdonald

as

was

Loch

to

tenants, to these Macrate, because

they themselves

large increase

was

that

paid

the

to

Macdonald,

not

it afford
the

and

small

to

came

give

to

as

They

paid

very

well

Glen

lands

he himself

rent

proprietor,Macdonald

as

of

them,

on

were

uncle, Gregor
had

then

he,

various

and

Mr.

highly charged.

not

were

sum,

of Clanranald.

population

The

nominal

Macdonald
the

for

people occupied
which
apparently

land, of which
portion. They paid

the

with

the

cropped

fact

In

and

possessionof

worked

to

these

land

connection

book.

the

that

they had

in

was

examine

rent, but

no

it

that
to

came

cottars, and

as

of

mention

an

to
access

so

occurred.
know

how

in that

extract,

way
I
and

many

came

to the

have

from

old books

here

list

people and the portions of

they occupied. In Ardgaserich there were
of the

various

Donald
Mackinnon,
Roy Machines,
Patrick
Maccormack,
John Macintyre, John Mackinnon,
Mrs.
Neil Mackinnon,
Ronald
Macdonald,
Macdonald,
12,

viz., Lachlan

DICTA.

NOTABLE
Donald
and

Macvarish,
Allan

Machines,

Duncan

Mackinnon.

Smith,

Angus
Maciasaac.

Torbae

In

Mackinnon,

L.

John

Macdonald,
were
4, viz.,

there

John
J. Macdonald,
Kinnaird,
ten, viz., John

Dubh-chamus,

In

273

MacfarMacisaac,
John
Finlay Mackellaig, Archibald
Patrick
Widow
Macdonald,
lane, James
Maceachan,
Allan
and
Grant,
Mackinnon,
Dugald
Macpherson,
Widow
Maclean.
Donald
In
Rudha,
viz., Mrs.
n,

Donald
Roderick
Macdonald,
Macinnes,
Mackinnon,
John Maccormack,
Rory Smith, Angus Bain Macdonald,
Ewan
Peter
Macfarlane,
Mackinnon,
Gillies,
Dugald
Alexander
in

all 37,

The

These
are
Angus Roy Maceachan.
families.
they are
evidently of different
the
and
made,
given, and
payments
connection
with their holdings.
The
date

Macleod,
and

rents

were

everything

in

of this is 1794.
I

going

was

the

Moidart,
to

of

descendants

be

and

considered

young
the
late

could

people
we

subsist,

to

"

assisted

were

emigration by
time,

many

to

America.

day,

Ronald

Rev.

So

done.

just passed

at

the

the

to

have

succeeded

been
well

they
they would
the

estate.

then

and

I and

Fort

William

best.

was

We

emigrate,
materially in carrying out
very
resident
Catholic
clergyman of

and

"

but

to

them

who

of

grief to

with

that
I

to

indeed

Australia
shall

knows

impossible

was

assist

to

never

time, God

same

could

do

it had

was

Bar,

to

the

source

removed
estate

of

rather

for

it

it,

went

But

whatsoever

on

be

Pankine,

of them

it is

"

the

be

to

to

for

nothing

see

people, or

of the

state

best

was

I had

man.

had

them,

congested

what

these

James
respected
Macgregor
do
what
to
appointed trustees

were

and

of

some

in the

that

explain

to

on

and

forget

followed
a

that

them.

of them

few

until

the

dying
I had
that
me
anything
emigration, although, at

cannot

my

understand

it

how

of the
Many
people have
well-to-do, but if they had
mained,
re-

averted.
and

would

have

are

have

been

impoverished

impoverished

the

few

themselves,
that

are

still

HIGHLAND

274

OCTOGENARIAN

AN
In

and

GAEL.
Reminiscences

his

entitled
interesting volume
Reflections
of an Octogenarian Gael, Mr.
for

twenty-six

over

Chronicle, writes
Evictions

bane

with

regard

leases

Breadal-

the

to

"

"

continued

he

scale, and

Northern

the

of
the son
Marquis,
prognostications, became,
evicting
permitted it, an

all

bell,
Camp-

Duncan

of

editor

years

follows

as

second

As
to

CLEARANCES.

to

father," contrary

his

soon

as

landlord
the

pursue

expiring

as
on

policy

of

large
joining

turning out native

people, to the
like the
of his twenty-eight years' reign.
But
end
first spout of the haggis, his first spout of evicting energy
childish sorrow,
with
I saw
the hottest.
impotent
was
farm

farm,

to

awful

wrath, and
the

harsh

and

and

heard

much

as

bad

for

if not

such

loud

those

such

that

the

which

others

comparison

of

1861

rural
of

will

clearances, it
notice

small

the

his

allowed,

increase.

first

taken

When

place about
sight strange

took

at

was

second

large estates,

villages were

seems

to be

returns

census

how

show

population on
certain

said

were

of the

encouraged to
long-continued outcry

and

Sutherland

the

and

Aberfeldy,

at

as

or,

Roro

to man,
inhumanity
Morenish
clearances,

worse.

inhabitants

the

man's

about

talk

reduced

Marquis

at

wonder

sweeping

1831 with

while

and

by

the

Press,

of the Breadalauthors, and contemporary

politicians,
the
bane
that
the
on
evictions, and
only set attack
should

Marquis

Dunkeld
"

word

been

have
coal

merchant,
"

Dunalastair

to

perchance the chief one

the prominent manner
with

the

in

elder
He

accordance

zeal
it to

may,

be

his

in

and

had
with

One

chief-like
reason

Marquis's immunity

which

he
his

and

liberal

the

was

himself

associated

subsequently

benefactor

of

"

the

coming
beFree

upbringing, and lived

upbringing. His Free Church
been
as
genuine as he wished

Presbyterian
that

therefore, have
believed

added

who

designation.

for the

Nonintrusionists,

an

Church.

"

dering,
vainglorious,blun-

left to the

; but

whether

simply

real

or

partly

Breadalbane,

from

off to

went

of

number

Nova

ministers

speaking

would

The
for

won

his

done

Macdonald's

Lord

went

estate

language of the people

second
bane
Marquis of Breadalhimself
lasting glory and

Gaelic is the

where

have

and

honour,

from

this day.

pulpitto

and

and
Lochearnhead,
Balquhidder
Scotia about
1828, and got GaelicIn
them.
to follow
1829 a great

Skyemen

Cape Breton,

to

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

276

and

race

valuable

country

service,

gration
place himself at the head of an emifor his surplus people,instead of merely
scheme
their feelings
and further trampling on
driving them away,
by clearingout the
by lettingthe big farms he made
native
population to strangers in race, language, and
sympathies. He was rich, childless,and gifted,and he
for gaining
utterly missed his vocation, or grand chance
if he

chosen

had

lasting fame
At

that

Killin indicated
than

existed

of the

worse

state

of the

in any

increasing

was

at

fact that

rents

Highland

estates.

The

more

keep

them

that

if things

But

up.

succeeding
and

there
old

raised

once

soon

detest

be

I do not

the

of

Kenmore

books,
and

in Breadalbane

lower

than

Marquis

was

never

chance

strove

ever

wonder

to go

that

on

as

I learned

to

other

on
a

rack-

terminated, took

leases

estates, a
result.
Without

methods,

which

session

were

titles and

to

his

they

allowed

were

of

kirk

of matters

proprietors,when
advantage than he did of

when

this

parishes

Other

and

would

many

Gael.

ism
neighbouringparishes.Paupera
rapid rate, although it was

notorious

renter.

into

those
a

life than

my

looked

writing, I

found

and

of

period

of the

children

the

among

later

a
now

am

to

to

raise

rents,
afterwards
to

his

son

he found

thought
them

on

general bankruptcy

ceasing to regret
see

the

ness
reasonable-

ation.
Marquis's view of the alarming situThe
population had simply outgrown the means
from
subsistence
the
of decent
carefully cultivated
the
Had
small
were
holdings which
general rule.
of the

it
the

not

been

second

for

people, the

come

in the

when

the

the

frugality and

crisis

of

inflated

short-crop year

of

of
self-helpfulness

general poverty would

war
prices ceased, or at
1826, when

the

corn

have
least

raised

in

DICTA.

NOTABLE

Breadalbane,
far

as

up
the

in

for

the

of

of

(Calum

the

various

in

roads

their

with

profit

road
make

to

these
at

dry

to

"

Mhuilin

men

and

winter

the

beginning

were

young

country,

spend

to

deal

good

returned

home.

These

when

up

the

old

died.

Marquis
What

of

came

manufacturing
demand

but

flourished,

portion

of

prospered,

and
deserved

rightly
hard

of

few

Ontario,

their
hated

Gaelic
the

when

political-economy

things

mainly

point

and

of

to

view.

the

forest

traditions,

perhaps,
looked

were

larger

cleared

they

more,

them

The

language

Marquis

was

of

some

Canada,

where

nearest

there

foundered.

to

turous
adven-

the

where

There

them

emigrated
of

districts

mining

least
into

away

labourers.

The

slipped

or

not

cherished

farms,

them

unskilled

them

district

lyondon

of

town,
for

dispersed

the

poorest

or

own

the

"

tinued
con-

Campbell,

of

host

meal

calanas

Malcolm
a

of

in

Calum

years

out

parts

earnings

of

sources

led

"

flax-spinning

as

brought

otherwise

ripen

to

the

But

long

as

many

Mill),

Killin,

contractor,

people.

the

as

supply

not

"

for

and

expected

did

condition,

flourishing
;

money

of

especially

be

season,

two-thirds

women,

in

crop

cultivated

were

could

favourable

most

enough
of

cereal

any

hillsides

the

although

277

at

than

from

he

his

STATISTICAL
POPULATION
PARISHES

IN
IN

1831,

WHOLE

STATEMENT.
1841,

OR

IN

1881,

1851,
PART

THE

IN

1831

AND

COUNTY

OF

OF

AU,

1851

1881

360

343

297

514

465

660

543

1915

254

1920
280

712

750

Auchterarder

3182

Auchtergaven

3417

Balquhidder
Bendochy

2026

THE

PERTHSHIRE.

1841

Aberdalgie
Aberfoyle
Abernethy
Abernyte
Arngask

434

1911,

1714

1911

278
1102

1297

275

275

685

547

3434

4160

3648

3175

3232

2195

1250

1049

3366
871

Blackford

780
1897

783
1782

2012

Blair-Athol

2495

2231

Blairgowrie

2644

Callander

Caputh
Cargill

1742

1342

3471

2497

1909

1665

1716

5162
2167

1977

2303
1628

2317

2037

2096

1565

1629

1348

1329

723

582

474

581

409

324

944
730

702

1484

1444

1487

1130

1499

2622

2471

2463

1858

1447

Bron

464

441

Dull

4590

3811

Dunbarney

1162

1104

Dunkeld

2032

Dunning

2045

Enrol

2992

428

Findo-Gask

Forgandenny

913

Forteviot

Fortingall
Fossoway
Foulis-Wester

and

Tulliebole

624
3067
1576
1681

1752
2128

394
3342
1066
1662

2421

2083

364
617

357

638

618

524

2740

2486

1690

1724

1621

1267

805

1609

1483

412

704

147

in

405
828

769

745

2539

Killin

2002

760

Kincardine

2455

565

650

545

2257

1508

686

1702

1608

1277

913

4055

3659
684

3012

1993

1351

709

Kinclaven

890

2232
880

Kinfauns

732

Kinnaird

461
198

791

2796

878
3126
3752

862

628

2832
436
796
638

Kenmore

Kilspindie

2565
756

1145

157

Kilmadock

256

1639

128

Glendevon

335

2206

620

Inchture

502

2084

Collace
.

715

734

1374

Clunie

Comrie

773

627

652

1595

1642
7^3

Culross

874

209

693

2272

498

881

588

720

650

583

468
558

458

370

260

172

STATEMENT.

STATISTICAL

1831

279
1851

1881

1911

3134
1280

3461
849

4076

Kinnoull

2957

1841
2879

Kirkmichael

1568
708

1412
662

Little Dunkeld

2867

2718

2155

2175

1945

Logierait
Longforgan

3138
1638

2959
1660

2875

2323

1371

1787

1854

1997

593
686

527

Kinloch

and

Lethendy

Madderty

713

Meigle

873

Methven

2714

Moneydie

634
728
2446
315
1261

300

Monzie

1195
and

Monievaird

Strowan

853

926

Moulin

2022

Muckhart

2019

617

Muthill

3297
1866

Redgorton
Rhynd
St.Madoes
St. Martins
Tibbermore
Tulliallan

1831,

IN

WHOLE

IN

Ardchattan

OR

IN

1841, 1851,
PART

IN

Muckairn

and

297

205

327

327

288

316

258

1071
2422
1661
620

3196
890

1881,
THE

AND

COUNTY

9539

892
2416

Glassary
luishail

and

Glenorchy
Inveraray
Inverchaolain

Jura

and

Kilbrandon

Kilcalmonell

and

Kilberry

Kilchoman
Kilchrenan

and

Dalavich

4054
1806

5369

2233

2277

Killarrow
Killean

and
and

Kilmeny

Kilchenzie

1883
396

2443

2207

2091

597

3043
740

1911,
OF

2313

5446
9381

873
4518
547

474

OF

ALL

360
391

THE

ARGYLL.
2005

2047

4105

3172

9755

9497

451

8002

382

4711

4348

1450

1705

325

6107
326
931

946

919

474

407

371

1901

1343

2229

2375

1767

2859

2304

4822

4505

4142

2547

Kilfinan
....

1495

2460
894

630

2389

3488
1096

Kilviceuen

699

741
2402

2833

3065
and

831

983
2381

2291
2602

Kildalton
Kilfinichen

2853
550

2205

Kilchattan

and

970

534

596

Colonsay

528

685
2047

9472

Cara

601

790
2022

1929

Campbeltown
Craignish
and

700
2066

428
438
2518

1702

2264
5581

Gigha

753

1452

2420

Kilmvm

232

2972

5669

and

233

1199

706
3067

Ardnamurchan

Dunoon

1910

321

338

1209

POPULATION

2454

402

3550

Weem

696

438
856
1843

400

1223
620

Trinity-Gask

421
327

404

1431
1086

1135
2268

Scone

556

776

504

843
1370

815
1459
357

3310

2271

2004

3315
1816

1695

2153

3819

4102

3054

7105
2866

7341

4882

1982
2756

2552

2401

2219

1386

1019

1471

928
1403

280

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

1831
Kilmartin

648
2836
4830

Kilbride

and

Kilmore

Kil

and

Kilninian
Kilniver

more

Kilmelf

and

ord

Appin
lyochgoilhead and Kilmorich

and

Saddell

Skipness

Isles

Small

Southend
and

Strachur

Stralachan

Coll

and

Torosay
POPULATION

IN

PARISHES

OR

IN

PART

1144

582
264

323

4327

3131

5142

7154

4322

3954

2540

1811

656

2170

1666

2536

2100

3433

3279

927

2137

1537
4193

4097

1196

uoo

870

834

2152

1781
1798

1015

993

1547

828

1504

1163

916

550

1406

955

700

1598

1083
5769
1889

1086

915

932

6096

4818

3376

1616

1361

1102

1881,

2092

Alvie

1092
1268

1920

972

2214
959

AU,THE

OF

1911,

COUNTY

THE

Abernethy

AND

1023

635
964
396
767

2120

IN

392

405

714

4365

1831, 1841, 1851,

WHOLE

IN

1911

8n

2178

2036

Morvern

1881

1851
500

970

2583

South

and

Lismore

578

1072

North

Knapdale,
Knapdale,

Tiree

1213

1475

Kilmodan

1841

INVERNESS.

OF

1871

1530
707

914

1228

564

1475

1241*2086

1913

5669
1829
1187

5581
1876

5446

4105

3172

2006

1448

1791

1150

1202

1070

Cromdale

3234

3561

3990

3642

1920

Croy

1684

1770

1709

1384

1681

1857

1252

907

Dores

1664
1641
1736

1745

1650

Duthil

1920

1759

1788

1148
1664

1345

Glenelg

2874

2729

2470

1601

1638

15418

16496

4210

5397

5235

4157

3704

2869

2791

2583

1928

1234
1811

Ardersier,
Ardnamurchan
Abertarff

and

Boleskin
Cawdor

Daviot

Dunlichity

and

Inverness

14324

Kilmallie

Lilmomvaig

21725

859

794

25669

2709

2694

3007

2618

2715
2080

2896

2965

2134

1523

2047

2201

1987

2199

Kirkhill

1715

1829

1730

1480

1237

Laggan
Moy and
Petty

1196
1098

1201

1223
1018

917
822

696

1836

1749

1784

1531

1263

(including Beauly)
Kiltarlity
Kingussie and Insh
Kilmorach

Dalarossie

967

754

2942

3104

3280

2438

1675

2768

2716

2621

2478

1848

Barra

2097

2363

1873

2161

2620

Bracadale

1769

1824

T597

and

Urquhart

Gleninoriston

...

Urray
Insular

"

Including 948 military

and

militia

in

Fort-George

929

in

805
1881.

STATISTICAL

STATEMENT.

281

282

HIGHLAND

POPULATION

1831, 1841, 1851, 1881,

IN

PARISHES

IN

CLEARANCES.

WHOLE

OR

PART

IN

1831

1841

1615

OF

1911,

COUNTY

THE

IN

Bower

AND

AH

THE

CAITHNESS.

OF

1851
1658

1881

1911

1608

2437
1868

2626

1393
1866

1607

1147

Canisbay

2364

1689
2306

Dunnet

1906

1880

Halkirk

2847

2705

2041

7"3Q

2963
7637

2918

I,atheron

8224

6675

4512

2002

1450
1811

Olrig
*Reay

1146

1584

1873

2881

2811

2506

2191

6217
1406

Thurso

4679

4881

5096

Watten

1234

1966

1351

Wick

9850

POPULATION
AND

1801,

IN
OF

I9II,

PARISHES

COUNTY

OF

WHOLE

IN

1911
2111

1933

J733

lSl2

1749

2714

2524

2223

1713

2714

2981

2764

2525

2724

1109

1152

1049

l699

T576

I53"

J525

1259

2073

2217

2403

2019

1930

1149

1214

1529

1804

1556
1942

1673
1685
1786

1335

995

2419

2479

2803

3161

Clyne

1643

Creich

1974

1639
1874
I9^"9 2354

Dornoch

2362

2681

3100

2562
3380

3178
1765
2852

Durness

1208

1155

1004

1153

1253

II47

I229

J965

Farr

2408

2408

1994

Golsp1*e

1616

1391

1049

1440

1574

1209

1354

Lairg
I/oth

1045

913

2526

fReay

2406

2317

2758

Rogart

2022

2148

1986

1805

1501

Tongue

1348

1493

1736

2030

2041

lands

The

of Loth
for

were,

this

large
that

Note

records

"

same

of

^S0

256*2288

257

2234
2881

*374

1711

1094
2008

Helm

about

sd ale

this time,

is

figures.

given
The

*64O
2506
1535
2018

to

accounts

both

1162

2811

others

added

It also

increase.

Reay

and

THE

2781

Assynt

565

IN

3006

1841

...

PART

1881

1831

IN

1871

1821

Kildonan

OR

1851
2989

1811

12772

SUTHERLAND.

1801

Eddrachillis

1079

12822

11851

1821, 1831, 1841, 1851, 1871, 1881,

1811,

THE

ALL

10393

4732

in

parishlies

1916

978
583

for

the

Caithness
one

hah

584

830

2331

2191

367
1581

1341

1227

892

2051

1929

1609

the

parish

previously
Kildonan,

987

in

which
decrease

accounts
in Loth.

and

Sutherland

in each

county.

284
the

HIGHLAND

ejectionswere

his directions

CLEARANCES.

carried
the

to

officers

eject the tenants,

should

mentioned

was

the

were

after

that

of

ejecting

house

every

been."

have

to

"

June, 1814, and

that they should
in

That

he

that
fully
law-

they

Rhimsdale

occupied by families, wherein

those

excepting

and

roof

the

remove

in

out

sickness
at

present

was

first part of the

of Garvault,
ejections(of the towns
Ravigill, Rhiphail, and Rhiloisk), but after they had
these the
ejected from a few houses and had unroofed
of the
others
in the neighbourhood
tenants
yielded
"

obedience
"

the

to

and

party

timber

sheep

not

were

different

Declares

cots

to

from
to

the

declarant

be

Mr.

three

landed

the

tenants'

in

one

instruments

case.

the

the
of

written

did

own

the

Sellar

The

ceedings
pro-

But

appear,
that
and

founded
the

implicatesLord
instructions

as

duced
ad-

certificates

not

humanity,"
evidence, were

their

after

first evidence

for

declaration

huts

largely a farce,

were

consisted

the

effects

part of the county."

fact that

the

being by

and

directed

unroof

to

certificates,although not
Lord
Pitmilly's charge to the jury.
as

officer

couples

retaking possession

Sellar's character

Stafford

the

property and

proprietors,who

thing is that Sellar's

the

to

declarant

thereafter

that

defence

the

orders

down

burning only
judicialaspect

judged from
for

from

leave

admitted

from
can

and

from

them

should

himself

that
the

premises ;

prevent

throw

themselves."

dwelling-houses,barns, kilns, and

remove

...

removed

declarant's

to

of the

officers

"

If the

Interrogated.

and

warrant,

to

as

these
in

on

important
and
the

Lady
direct

of

putting this tyrannical under-factor

in the
hundreds
position of rendering homeless
some
of their helpless tenants.
The
little crofts were
made
into largesheep farms, which
advertised
to let to the
were
the
highest offerer,and the exposure
a farce, because
was
Sutherland
family had personally arranged that Sellar
to be allowed
to cap the highest offer.
was
One would
the
noble
require a double-power microscope to see

philanthropy of
above

summary

prepared

and

that

from

transaction
the

circulated

I have

extracted

report of the trial,which

by Sellar's

own

the
was

junior counsel.

285

APPENDICES.

hand, the stories yet told in Sutherland

the other

On

represent

harsher

much

talked

with

turned

out

have

sites of these

there

nothing but miles and

or
this did not happen in one

same

all

places in

parts of the

NOTE

pointed out

to

me

now
crofts, where
of dreary waste
miles

instances, but in the

two

and

Strathbrora,

Strathnaver,

of

their little cottages

had

is

whole

dren
chil-

young

cottages and

the

and

as

were

see

I have

and

ground,

to the

burned

hillside to

the

on

fathers

whose

men

personally

of matters.

state

other

many

county.

218.)

(See Page

B.

to the
letter has been handed
following interesting
solicitor,Glasgow :
Editor by Mr. J. Stewart Bannatyne,

The

"

"

"

Dear
"

In

BARRA.

CASTXEBAY,

September 21

st, 1912.

Sir,
sulting
6th inst.,and after conyour letter of the
that it
older inhabitants, I beg to inform you
Mrs.
rescued
who
J. M'Kinnon, her

reply to
the

John Bannatyne

was

another

sister and
it

but

I know

the

women

heard

fingers,and

and

MXean

the

whole

John

rescued

who

Crawford

John

was

compulsory emigration,

from

woman,

as

well

as

I know

my

their

story from

M%ean.

own

two

lips

different times.
"

Both

people being chased

Barra,

in

but

hardly believe
mother,

died in my

who

enough
not using

be

it would

me

if I
"

am

There

is

shire, named

took

man

Ewen

People

place then,

what

and

at the fall of last year,

arms

to make
too

over

eye-witnesses of
the hills,not in

Uists.

South

and

what

were

cattle

like wild

North
now

mother

and

father

my

the

strong

an

devil himself

can

my

told

ate,
desper-

expression.

still living at Mallaig, InvernessM'Dugald, who sailed with John

Bannatyne.
"

People nowadays

are

trying

to

deny

that

such

286
brutalities
not

such

deeds

have

STEWART
"

Esq.,

Solicitor, Glasgow."

(See

C.

234.)

page

for nth

Courier

In the Inverness

October, 1837, appears

following:

the

"

large body of emigrants sailed from

South
the 27th September, for New

A
on

vessel

"

the

was

its size

Brilliant," and
"

fittingswere
greatly admired.
by this vessel are decidedly
have

left the

ever

excellent

agriculture, and
prove

New

South

Tobermory,
sailed.

The

follows

from

The

preached

From

:
"

Coll and

Morven,

25 ;

of

teachers

and

two

presented as many
letters
of introduction,

gratified with
addition

to

the

the
the

Mull

and

prospect
colony. A

"

Munro,

are

of

There

party

as

New

he

Printers,

South
with

met

himself
so

two

were

from

visitor

expressed
of having

Ltd.,

up

lona, 56 ; from

and

Government

party

made

Strontian, 105 ;

28.

of the

the

322,

was

highly

valuable

agent

embarkation.

Jamieson

that

knowledge

before

and

Dunoon,

surgeons.

Wales

They

their

sermon

emigrants

; from

from

and

veyed
con-

valuable

Britain.

Ardnamurchan

Tiree, 104

be

to

of

farewell

total number

splendid

and

most

from

The

Wales.

sheep and cattle,

acquisition to a colony like
of
Mr.
Rev.
Macpherson,

valuable

Wales."

Tobermory,

people

the

management

most

The

of Great

shores

character, and,

moral

must

as

M'Aui,AY.

DON.

BANNATYNE,

NOTE

of

ashamed

are

faithfully,

Yours
"

JOHN

the

wonder.

no

"

"

acts

need

but

doubt

no

perpetrators of those

and

"

by landlords, but they

out

nonsense.

of the

descendants
the

carried

were

attempt

of

CLEARANCES.

HIGHLAND

Stirling.

an

intended
super-

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