James Hunter - Set Adrift Upon the World: The Sutherland Clearances

Set Adrift Upon the World

First published in 2015 by

Birlinn Limited
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10 Newington Road
Edinburgh
EH9 1QS

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Copyright James Hunter 2015

The moral right of James Hunter to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the express written permission of the publisher.

ISBN: 978 1 78027 268 9
eISBN: 978 0 85790 262 7

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Typeset by Hewer Text (UK) Ltd, Edinburgh
Printed and bound by Gutenberg Press, Malta

For
Abi, Louisa, Alec and Jamie

It would be as well for them to be killed as set adrift upon the world Soon-to-be evicted residents of the Strath of Kildonan in conversation with one of the sheep farmers who were to take their place

Tuesday 5 January 1813

Contents

List of Illustrations

Plate Section One

Plate Section Two

Map 1: Northern Scotland

Map 2: Eastern Sutherland

Map 3: North America

Map 4: Manitoba

Some actors in the clearance drama

Auld, William Senior Hudsons Bay Company man with a very low opinion of the Sutherland people the Earl of Selkirk recruited for his Red River settlement.

Bannerman, Donald Much-loathed sheriff-officer and constable in charge of the clearance of scores of Sutherland communities.

Brander, James Clerk or secretary to Patrick Sellar until 1817. Afterwards Sutherlands procurator fiscal. Supervised many evictions.

Brougham, Henry MP Leading Whig politician. Close friend of James Loch. Helped Loch ensure that Sutherland Estate policy was not criticised in parliament.

Cameron, Duncan Senior North West Company man at Red River. Key organiser of efforts to sabotage the settlement there of clearance refugees from Sutherland.

Chisholm, William Tenant at Badinloskin, Strathnaver. The burning of his home by Patrick Sellar in June 1814, and the subsequent death of Chisholms mother-in-law, Margaret MacKay, led to Sellar being charged with culpable homicide.

Cleugh, John Shepherd. Targeted by 1813 protestors in the Strath of Kildonan. Afterwards sheep-farming tenant of Pollie on the north-western fringes of Strathbrora.

Clunes, William Army officer and member of long-established Sutherland family. The creation of his Torrish sheep farm in the Strath of Kildonan precipitated the Kildonan uprising of 1813.

Colquhoun, Archibald MP Lord advocate who dealt with the repercussions of the opening phase of clearance in Sutherland.

Cranstoun, George Edinburgh lawyer and Sheriff of Sutherland during opening phase of clearance. His independent mindedness led to his falling foul of James Loch and the Staffords.

Dudgeon, Thomas Easter Ross farmer whose opposition to clearance led to his organising in 1819 a subscription-based mass movement. Seen by James Loch and the Staffords as a serious threat to their plans for Sutherland.

Edwards, Abel Hudsons Bay Company surgeon who helped care for Kildonan emigrants at their encampment on the Churchill River in the winter of 181314.

Gordon, Joseph, of Carrol Sold his Strathbrora estate to the Staffords in 1812. Edinburgh-based businessman and lawyer. Opponent of clearance. Acted for several clearance critics. Detested by the Staffords and James Loch. Helped clearance victims leave for Nova Scotia.

Gordon, Robert, of Langdale Long-established tacksman (tacksmen were traditional tenants of gentry background) at Langdale, Strathnaver. Father-in-law of David MacKenzie. Gordons lands were among those taken over by Patrick Sellar who treated him contemptuously.

Grant, Cuthbert Mtis leader who, in alliance with the North West Company, harassed Red Rivers Kildonan settlers who were seen as a threat to the Mtis way of life.

Grant, George MacPherson MP Owed his Sutherland parliamentary seat to the Staffords. Very much their poodle. Staunch supporter of clearance.

Gunn, Donald Caithness teenager who, following his recruitment by the Hudsons Bay Company, accompanied emigrants from Kildonan to Hudson Bay. Wrote about this, many years later, in his History of Manitoba.

Hall, James Shepherd targeted during 1813 protests in the Strath of Kildonan. Afterwards sheep-farming tenant of Sciberscross, Strathbrora.

Jackson, Andrew Commander of American forces at the Battle of New Orleans where hundreds of Sutherland soldiers, serving with the British armys 93rd Regiment, were killed at a point when, back home, their communities were being destroyed.

Loch, James Commissioner to the Marquis of Stafford and, in effect, chief executive officer of the Stafford business empire. In overall charge of Sutherland Estate developments from 1816. Planned the mass evictions of 181920.

McDonald, Archibald Appointed by the Earl of Selkirk to help get emigrants from Kildonan to Red River by way of Hudson Bay.

MacDonald, William Recruiting sergeant for the 93rd (Sutherland) Regiment. In 1813 travelled to London on behalf of the Kildonan rebels. Instrumental in involving the Earl of Selkirk in Sutherland affairs.

Macdonell, Miles Appointed by the Earl of Selkirk as initial governor of the earls Red River settlement.

MacKay, Angus As a boy of 11, fled from one of Patrick Sellars evicting parties in Strathnaver. As an old man, testified to Lord Napier about his experiences.

MacKay, Angus and Jean Married in Kildonan in 1813. In April of the following year, trekked on snow-shoes from Fort Churchill to York Factory. Settled eventually in Ontario.

MacKay, Donald Strathbrora-born fur trader. Active in the North American interior in the late eighteenth century. Returned to Sutherland and settled at Ascoilemore, Strathbrora. Collaborated with the Earl of Selkirk. Leading opponent of clearance.

MacKay, John Successful businessman and railway contractor of Sutherland background. Gave evidence to Lord Napier and backed land reform.

MacKay, William, of Achoul Member of long prominent Strathnaver family. Tacksman of Achoul beside Loch Naver. Dispossessed twice in the course of the clearances. In his nineties when evicted for the second time.

MacKenzie, David Minister of Farr, the parish including Strathnaver. Vacillated between endorsement of, and opposition to, clearance.