As mentioned in Part One of this story, the Highland Clan system was stripped of its power and the Clan Chiefs no longer had the ability to wage war. They were simply landlords of their holdings and forced to maintain their status through the making of money.

Slowly, change crept into the system; many Clan Chiefs leased their holdings to others or sold their lands outright and left for the cities and the lifestyle of the rich. Others found that they could lease their land to people who would pay much more than the Scots could afford. Thus a process of eviction started, gradually at first, which built to a floodtide of immigration later.

This first wave of immigration of the Highlanders that occurred from around 1770 to 1790 was not physically forced. It was simply a displacement of the people of the old system with those who worked the land to make money and therefore could pay higher rents. Many of these Scots considered the lands that they had lived on their own, as they and their ancestors had fought and died to maintain that land. But this was not the case, as they were sold out for others who could pay a higher price. This initial wave consisted of over seven thousand Scots who left their homes for the colonies and greener pastures. Some of these people sold their lands and left with cash, in a process that was draining Britain of its money. Although they did not realize it, these first immigrants were the lucky ones.

Many more were pushed from lands in the interior of the country to the coastline in favor of sheep. This was the first major cash crop of the new Scotland as wool and mutton was greatly desired in England. A new breed of sheep, called the Cheviot, was hardy to enough to withstand the rigors of the climate, and increased the cash value of the herds.

Some Scotsmen managed to hold their lands through this new means although the old tenants were forced to leave. Many of these people scratched out a living by fishing and collecting kelp. This was a hard life and some died in the attempt.

Around 1780 the cold hard pendulum of public opinion swung again against the Scot. This time however, it was not near as obvious in its prejudice, and targeted the lowest class. A generation had passed and a new one took its place. So often in society, the individual seeks some way to make themselves different from their forebears, and this generation was no different. The romantic writings of the time by Sir Walter Scott and others painted a picture of Scotland and the Highlands that was different from just a generation ago. The youth of England and lowland Scotland took this vision to heart and in a sweeping moment, it was now stylish to be a Highlander.

The Acts against Highland Dress were quickly repealed in 1782 thus allowing the people to fulfill the craze. This vision could be created with clothing and speech or by just finding an ancestor with the required breeding. To carry the illusion further and thus increase one's popularity, the more resourceful could actually buy land in the Highlands.

The floodgates were now open, and many moved into the Highlands from England and lowland Scotland buying the land outright. The tenants who had lived on the lands for years were forcibly evicted when they resisted the move by the law. Many of these had their homes burned, were arrested and sent to the colonies as indentured slaves without their possessions. This sudden popularity, along with the introduction of the Cheviot strain of sheep in 1790, changed the whole view of the previously barren and undesirable lands of Scotland.

There are many examples of the forceful Clearances of this time. They started in Glengarry around 1785, which was followed by other notable Clearances of Strathglass and Sutherland. There were others of course of less consequence, but the Strathglass Clearance alone was responsible for the displacement of two thousand Scottish families a day during its peak. It was during the Sutherland Clearances of 1813, that the first signs of real trouble began to rear its ugly head.

It was reported that the Gunn Clan refused to leave their lands: in actuality they were only grumbling. But the rumor spread like wildfire among the new English populace that the Highlanders were rising in revolt. In response, an armed force was sent to stop any such effort at rebellion. The incident ended peaceably, but it was only a harbinger of events that were soon to take place in Scotland.

by BW, March 2000

Back to Highland Clearances Main Page

Highland Clearances Part One

Highland Clearances Part Two

Highland Clearances Part Three

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The Acts Against Highland Dress

Bonnie Prince Charlie

A Story of the '45