The Highland Clearances in Scotland were a time when people were forced to leave their homes in the Scottish Highlands for landlords’ personal gain. The clearances took place over the course of 100 years, but the majority occurred between 1790 and 1855.
How We Know What We Know
Before getting into the Highland Clearances, it is crucial
to take note of how we know the information we do know about it. There are plenty
of secondary sources available for those looking to learn more. Newspapers from
the time of the clearances can provide insight into events that happened.
Some family members of those impacted by the clearances, as
well as locals, have put information on the internet. Other documents include
management papers of the Highland estates, emigrant ship records, first-hand
descriptions, lawsuits, petitions, and songs. Unfortunately, however, most of
the information we have is from the perspective of the landowners.
Rural Revolution
The Scottish Highlands had undergone a rural revolution.
Population growth was high, especially in the light of industrialization. In
the 1830s, there was a high dependence on subsistence farming, which means that
the crops and livestock were meant to help the farmer and the family, with nothing
left over to sell or trade.
By the 1850s, most farmers in the Highlands converted to sheep
farming, though subsistence farming and fishing were also still used. During
this time, many people left the Highlands, but the population continued to rise
until 1851, likely due to an improvement in the food supply as well as the
decline of diseases.
Types of Clearances
Throughout the course
of the clearances, several patterns of clearances took place. Several were
quiet dispersals, where the tenants and landlords went through the clearing
process without causing commotion. Some landlords used fire to force tenants to
leave, and since the fire destroyed the home, they were not able to return to the
townships after the clearances.
Landlords also used attrition, which involved the erosion of
old communities until they were completely deserted. Others used the termination
of the annual tenancy or even eviction to force tenants out. A rule that a
married child must leave their parents’ home was enacted. Before tenants were
forcibly evicted, many landlords began the process with a formal summons to
leave the property, with some even helping them relocate within Scotland or
emigrate elsewhere.
Factors and Reasons for the Clearances
During the Highland Clearances, landowners evicted their tenants,
causing mass removal and desertification of entire Scottish territories. This
was often done for no reason other than personal gain for the landlords. The clearances
led to the removal or relocation of entire townships or estates.
There were several factors that led to the Highland
Clearances. Highlanders were remote peasantry who lived on difficult terrain
and in a difficult climate. This led to low farming productivity. Factors such
as recurrent famine and class warfare, as well as an increase in rents from
sheep farming, also contributed to the clearances. In many of the regions,
population growth was occurring exponentially, and the landlords knew that they
could help reduce the population.
The landlords also had some motivating factors for clearing
out their tenants. They wanted to make room for sheep farming and sporting.
Sheep farming allowed them to increase their rent, meaning they made more
money. Clearing tenants allowed more internal
mobility in the regions they lived in.
Although the actions of the landlords ended up hurting the
tenants and causing issues, they thought they were helping the tenants find
employment and escape famine. Several landlords faced bankruptcy and debt, so
the tenants would have to relocate anyway. After the war, there was an
agricultural depression, but wages were better in town.
Eviction and resettlement policies were not regulated, which
meant that landlords had more freedom to do what they wanted than in similar
countries. Other factors, such as clan decline, defeat at Culloden, and
industrialization, created a perfect storm for the Clearances to occur.
Context of the Clearances
The clearances were not exclusive to the Highlands.
Clearances were happening in the Scottish Highlands as well as other countries.
These Clearances were a part of the Enclosure movement that was happening in
Europe.
The pre-clearance Highlands were a highly stratified social
structure and were highly vulnerable to famine. Inflation was high, and rents
were increasing. In 1669, there were
mass evictions from some Scottish islands. Land that was lost after the Battle
of Culloden was returned in the 1780s.
Highland Clearances vs. Other Clearances
There were clearances happening in other parts of the world
as well, but the Highland Clearances had a more profound impact due to certain
conditions. The changes that happened in the Highlands occurred at a rapid rate,
while these changes were later in the North. In the Highlands, there were fewer
restraints and regulations for landlords, so they were free to conduct the clearances
as they saw fit. The landlords were also more protected in the Highlands than
in other areas, giving them even more freedom to act as they seemed fit. In the
Highlands, the registration of landholdings was well organized compared to
other places.
Sutherland Clearances
In 1787, an experiment was conducted where southern shepherds
were introduced. The experiment found issues that came from a lack of capital,
managerial skills, and business sense.
The main Sutherland clearances began in 1807. However, there
was a sheep farmer who was forced to clear their land in 1804 when their lease
expired. In 1807, 70 families moved from Farr and Lairg. 1819 marked on of the
largest Sutherland Clearances, though the exact numbers are unknown. Thousands of
people were removed from Sutherland during the clearances.
At the time, the Duke of Sutherland had a hand in several of
the Clearances that were happening. As such, he gained a reputation for being
evil. The Sutherland clearances were marked by riots and turbulence, with
tenants and others holding up the land until their leases expired.
Initially, there was a notion that the Sutherland estate was
capable of “spectacular economic advance.” In reality, the clearances in
Sutherland were rationalized by the famine and poverty that were running rampant
at the time. Unlike other clearances, the clearances in Sutherland were planned
out. Some tenants were even evicted for choosing the wrong regiment in the war
with France.
Sutherland’s clearances had issues that came up. The clearances
were in the hands of non-Highlanders who were unfamiliar with the land and
people. There was poor synchronization between clearances and resettlement
places, leaving those being removed struggling to find places to live.
Population growth continued to rise.
The last round of major Clearances in Sutherland came in 1819
and 1820. In the Sutherland clearances, there was one person who died.
Landlords were met with hostility and threatening letters from tenants. During
this time, 80 people emigrated from Sutherland to America. Smaller Clearances occurred
in Sutherland after 1820, but they were minor compared to the ones prior to
1820.
There were consequences that came about from the Sutherland clearances.
Herring departed from Scottish coasts and commodity costs collapsed. Congestion
from population growth relocated from the
interior of the Scottish Highlands to the coasts.
Ross and Easter Ross Clearances
The clearances of Ross and Easter Ross began in 1792. Lord Armadale
moved tenants to Pentland Firth and Caithness. The only reason this Clearance
was as exceptional and known was because there was resistance from tenants. In
the initial 1792 Clearance, 37 families were evicted to make room for sheep. In
1810, another 18 families were cleared from their land.
1792 “Insurrection” at Kilermorie (Ross)
In response to the clearances taking place in Kilermorie in
Ross to make way for sheep farming, between 200 and 400 people gathered to drive
out several thousand sheep from the land. Some reports say up to 10,000 sheep
were driven out. Lord Adam Gordon provided a counter to the rebellion by
supplying arms and ammunition, believing that a military presence would end the
rebellion. Press coverage was sympathetic towards the people evicted, though
those who rebelled ended up being unsuccessful.
Strathglass
In 1801, the land of Strathglass was almost entirely cleared
by William Chisolm. This caused heavy emigration from the area. In 1803, four
ships took a total of 500 people from Strathglass. The trans-Atlantic journey
caused many people to suffer due to ship conditions.
Strathconan
The first clearances in Strathconan were reported in 1803,
with more clearances occurring in the 1840s. However, Strathconan’s main clearances
took place in 1834 before James Balfour took over the estate. These Clearances were
documented in fragments.
Strathconan’s Clearances were a representation of the
authority landlords had during this time. Houses were demolished by the estate authorities.
People were granted asylum on neighboring estates or the Black Isle. By 1850, the
number of families who lived in Strathconan had been reduced from 116 to 89.
Strathnaver Clearances
The Strathaver clearances, which were imposed by Patrick Sellar,
took place between 1814 and 1816. Prior to this, in December of 1813, tenants’
leases were auctioned. In January of 1814, Sellar met with tenants to explain
the situation. Some people purposely delayed leaving, while others were too
sick or poor to leave.
Sellar’s goal was to get people to leave the land and not
have them return, and he was ready to do this by any means necessary. He had a
removal party of 12 men, plus himself. They set fires to houses and barns to
get people to leave, a method that caused many deaths.
Overall, 430 families totaling more than 2000 people were
impacted by the Strathnaver Clearances.
Sellar was indicted for allegations brought against him, but he was
declared not guilty.
People Impacted by Sellar
Donald McKay lived in Rhiloisk and was 80 years old. He was
unable to travel to where he could find shelter after being removed from his
home. Because of this, he was forced to lie in nearby woods.
Barbara McKay was a pregnant woman who was confined to her bed
after a serious fall. Her husband, with another woman’s help, carried her a
mile so they could be relocated after being cleared from their home.
Donald Monroe was ill at the time of the Clearances. Like
many others, he was forced out of his house, which endangered his health.
Donald Macbeth was on his sickbed when he was forced to
leave his home. His house was pulled down by Sellar. Because of Sellar’s
actions, Macbeth was killed. These stories are just a glimpse of what Sellar
put people through.
Strathnaver and Kildonan Clearances
Between 1816 and 1817, relief measures and preparation were
in place in Strathnaver and Kildonan. The clearances took place between 1818
and 1819. During this time, 220 people were meant to be removed, which was
accomplished without violence from the people. The people of Strathnaver took
up their assigned relocations on the coast.
North Uist, Skye Clearances
Evictions that were a part of the North Uist clearances occurred
in the 1830s and again between 1838 and 1843. The clearances created an environment
wrought with evictions and emigration. Tenants, who were to be replaced by
sheep, were given assistance to aid in their emigration. Of North Uist’s population
of 600, between 400 and 500 people were evicted. Those evicted emigrated to
Canada.
Barra and Uist Clearances
The Barra and Uist clearances were carried out by John
Gordon of Cluny in the 1840s. Gordon is known as one of the most evil people
associated with the Highland Clearances. These particular clearances were
marked by violence, forced emigration, landlord deception, starving peasants,
death, and horrible land conditions. Officials said that Gordon neglected his
landlord duties. What made the situation even more difficult is that only two
or three people of Barra’s population of 150 knew English.
Glencalvie Clearances
Glencalvie’s clearances took place on May 12, 1845 and were
the most extreme example of proprietorial behavior. These clearances were known
because Free Church ministers wrote about them in a newspaper called “The
Scotsman.” 400 families, equaling approximately 2000 people, were impacted by
these clearances. Military intervention and reinforcement was needed to clear
the land. What happened to the Glencalvie people who were removed from their
land is unknown.
Strathaird, Skye Clearances
Like many people in the Highlands, the people of Strathaird
were negatively impacted by the potato famine. As the condition of the people
became more desperate, their eviction became more rational in the eyes of the
landlords. Macalister gave proper legal notice to tenants regarding the
evictions. From 1851 to 1852, people emigrated from Strathaird. These evictions
made way for sheep farming. People’s response to these clearances was peaceful.
The Strathaird clearances exposed several issues that were
present. Overpopulation, famine, and population continued to cause issues in
the Highlands. The limits of charity and the economics of Highland land ownership
caused more and more people to struggle.
Suishnish, Skye Clearances
It is believed that the Suishnish clearances in 1854 occurred
in part because the land had been ravaged by the potato famine since 1847. Lord
Macdonald placed the estate in the hands of trustees who were unfamiliar with
the land, which is an issue that has occurred in many estates. Most people impacted
by the Suishnish clearances emigrated to Canada. These clearances were among
the last of the Highland Clearances.
Clearances With Less Information
1726: Glen Lui
1733: Baddoch; not as successful an attempt as others
1793: South Uist and Canna; several hundred people removed
1780-1832: Lewis; 2300 summonses for removal, with 358 summonses
in 1796
1800-1810: Kintail; notice of Clearances given by Duncan
Macrae
1806-1831: Major Clearances at Glenorchy; huge reduction in
people
1807-1810: Lovat; notice of the Clearances was given by
Fraser of Lovat
1810-1850: Minor and unsung Clearances across the Highlands
1815: Morvern Clearances; most removals achieved by 1815;
most tenants worked arable strips on the periphery of sheep farms after being
cleared
1820s-1850s: Hebrides; 1000+ people emigrated from Hebrides
in the 1820s, 100+ families were displaced before 1830
Unknown date: Leanachan; 14 tenants removed from land
Opposition
As mentioned throughout, many clearances had peaceful reactions
from the evicted tenants. However, other Highland areas had tenants who resisted
and rebelled against their landlords’ actions. Women often took a defiant role
in the resistance and led rebellions. Some people even stole sheep as a
rebellious act.
What Happened to the People?
What happened to the people who were evicted? In some
instances, it is not known where tenants who were evicted from particular
estates and areas went. Some people were recruited for military regiments.
Others were relocated to other Scottish estates, or they emigrated to the
United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. The total number of people
impacted by the Highland Clearances remains unknown.
Impact of the Clearances and Post-Clearance Conditions
In the post-Clearance era, there were rent increases. In 1860,
public opinion was anti-Clearance, and by the 1880s, former tenants were “land-raiding”
the lands they were evicted from. There was reduced pressure on Poor Laws that
provided relief to those in need. Population pressure also decreased. Modern
legislation governs what landlords can and cannot do to prevent what happened from
occurring again.
The Locations Today
The locations that were impacted by the Highland Clearances
have had a varying degree of upkeep and tourism. Some are well-signposted heritage
and tourist attractions. More remote places aren’t kept up as well, but these
tend to have a more powerful impact on visitors because they can see the impact
of the clearances on the land. Despite technological advances, people do not
want to live in the places where the clearances occurred.
Modern Beliefs on the Clearances
As with any historical event, people have varying views on
the Highland Clearances. Some people do not believe the Highland Clearances happened
at all. To some, the events of the Highland Clearances are fuel for Scottish
nationalism. In 1994, people demolished a statue of the Duke of Sutherland
because they viewed him and his actions as evil. In 1998, Scottish landowners
issued a formal apology for the Highland Clearances as a part of a possible
reform. There is still so much that remains unknown. It is believed that there
were smaller, lesser-known clearances than the ones mentioned here.
Related Articles
-Celtic Connections: The Choctaw-Irish Friendship: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2026/01/celtic-connections-choctaw-irish-friendship.html
-Book Review: "The Highland Clearances" by Eric Richards: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/06/book-review-highland-clearances-eric-richards.html
-Irish Potato Famine: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2024/12/irish-potato-famine.html