STORIES OF HIGHLAND CLEARANCES by Lang Syne Publishers 1986 118 pp, photos, SB as new.

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STORIES OF HIGHLAND CLEARANCES by Lang Syne Publishers 1986 118 pp, photos, SB as new. Introduction In these pages the full horrifying story of the Highland Clearances unfolds. Man’s inhumanity to man was brought sharply into focus in those grim days of the early nineteenth century when entire communities were swept away so that the land could be sold off to southern sheep farmers. These were times of betrayal and bravery and of cruelty and deception. There was betrayal of the people by the clan chiefs who, after the fiasco of the ’45, had no need for heroic men to fight their wars. Power now lay in money realised from the sale of land — not in land won and kept in battle by loyal men who gave their blood for the soil. Even the clergy betrayed their flocks who were largely illiterate but deeply religious and God fearing folk. Highlanders saw the minister as the stern oracle of the truth but, sadly, he was often the puppet of the estate whose power he feared and whose support he received. The theme from pulpit to pew was that troubles were merely part of the punishment inflicted by Providence in the course of man working out his redemption. Bravery was the hallmark of the folk forced to leave these shores for the Americas and Australia. Conditions on the emigrant ships were horrific with travellers packed together like sardines regardless of comfort and the decencies of life and with insufficient food. Many died from disease and famine. Those who made it en¬countered sub zero or very high temperatures to which they couldn’t adjust. In America many were abandoned and massacred by Red Indians. Others had to tramp for weeks through trackless forests to Upper Canada where there were settlements of fellow Scots who could provide food and shelter. Through time, though, hundreds of these emigrants prospered and lived to enjoy a good life in the New World. Back home things, ironically, turned full cycle and some of their worst oppressors fell on hard times. The cruelty displayed by the evicting mobs is vividly described from eye-witness accounts taken at the time. Even the old sick and infirm were tossed out into the heather and their homes pulled down around their ears. Many tenants died from alarm, fatigue and cold. Those who lived attempted to build makeshift homes from old bits of wood and trees but always the laird’s men would come and demolish even these humble efforts. One family tried to find shelter living in a graveyard but even that was not permitted. And I always thought the English were to blame!!!