The Clearances:  A Legacy of Displacement on Eriskay

The Highland Clearances were a dark chapter in Scotland's history, profoundly affecting the people and landscapes of the Hebrides. Following the failed Jacobite Rising of 1745, the British government intensified efforts to suppress Highland culture and restructure the region’s economy. The Clearances, which began in the late 18th century and continued into the 19th, forced thousands from their ancestral homes to make way for large-scale sheep farming, deemed more profitable by landowners.

In the 1850s, Eriskay became a refuge for those displaced from Uist, Benbecula, Barra, and other nearby islands. Despite its rugged terrain, considered unsuitable for traditional crofting or extensive farming, Eriskay offered one of the few remaining places where people could settle. However, life on the island was far from easy.

New arrivals built their homes from peat, avoiding the permanence of stone structures due to a persistent fear of further eviction. This impermanence mirrored the fragility of their situation and the uncertainty that overshadowed their lives. Yet, through hardship, the people of Eriskay demonstrated remarkable resilience. They preserved their Gaelic language, customs, and traditions, maintaining a deep connection to the land and sea which are still preserved today.

Today, Eriskay stands as a testament to the strength of its people, who overcame displacement and hardship to sustain a vibrant community. The story of the Clearances remains a poignant reminder of the enduring impacts of forced migration and cultural suppression on Scotland’s islands.