history , information and local knowledge for glendale on skye

Perhaps the greatest crime committed against a people by its own leaders.
Whole crofting communities removed from the face of the land to make way for sheep.
"The departure of the redundant part of the population is an indispensably preliminary to every kind of improvement" The Economist C1840 .
During the 19th century 83,000 people on Skye were forced to leave their homes to be shipped off to all parts of the Empire.
The Lorgill people (10 Families) with what they could carry were marched to Loch Snizort for shipment to Nova Scotia. Anyone over 70 was sent to the County poorhouse. To make sure none returned their house were torched , saving only what the factor thought had some value.
One ship , a slaver , registered for 250 slaves , left Kyleakin for Nova Scotia with 419 men , women & children on board and arrived with only 18 remaining alive.
In 1882 John Macpherson and the Glendale crofters were at the forefront in the fight against the clearances. A monument to them is at the top of the hill into the glen.

John Macpherson The Skye Martyr by George Macpherson ISBN 0 9508790 3 7
footnote . In 1801 the population of Skye was 105,596 now it is just over 10,000.

That's all this corner of Skye. It has the tallest sea stack on Skye , Skye's most
beautiful cliff top walk ., and Skye's highest sea cliff.
1 Macleods Maidens near Orbost are three sea stacks the tallest of which is 63m (207ft).
2 Idrigill to Lorgill. The finest cliff walk. Take a good map and strong boots.
Best to be dropped off at Orbost and picked up at the other end. This is a tough walk
3 Highest sea cliff is Waterstein Head at 296m (970ft) and is best seen on the way to Neist Point.

Skye - walking , scrambling & exploring by Ralph Storer ISBN 0 7153 9223 9