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Pre Clearance Townships

  1. Portover

  2. Aldan

  3. Geachreamh

  4. Borallie

  5. Clashneach

  6. Balnakeil

  7. Keoldale

  8. Sarsgrum

  9. Gruduie

  10. Rispond

  11. Ceannabeinne

  12. Sangobeg

  13. Smoo

  14. Sangomore

  15. Durine

  16. Port Chammill

  17. Slones

  18. Dornagil

  19. Freesgil

  20. Inverhope

  21. Mhuiesil

  22. Arnaboll

  23. Bregisgill

  24. Buddamheair

  25. Badillahamnise

  26. Heilem

  27. Eriboll

  28. Faoilin

The Clearances began in 1760 and ended over a century later. During this time tens of thousands of men, women and children were evicted, often with violence and cruelty, from their homes in order to make way for sheep farming. In some parts of the Highlands entire glens were cleared, homes were burned down (as were nearby trees to prevent rebuilding) and tenants were often forced to leave at sword or gun point, being allowed to take very little with them as they began a life of poverty and hunger.

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Many of the ruins that are scattered around Durness are not the remains of pre clearance townships but of ruins abandoned after the clearances. As townships were cleared the buidlings were in the main demolished, the stones being used for dykes to enclose pastures for sheep.

 

The images shown here are from The Mackay Country Trust archive and are illistratrave of emigrants.

Township and Place Names known to have been in historical existence.

 

  • Gualin

  • Rhigolter

  • Carbreck

  • Glashbhiniochdarrach

  • Shinins

  • Aultnacealich

  • Achchairn

  • Auchucharn

  • Grudie

  • Aultcorifraisgil

  • Sarsgrum

  • Auchunamar

  • Aultan

  • Geodha-nahairbhe

  • Geodh Chreamha

  • Achiemore

  • Daill

  • Port Odhar

  • Kearvaig

  • Auchnah-Anaite

  • Buailebhig of Keoldale

  • Keoldale

  • Clashneuch

  • Borley

  • Lanlish

  • Uibeg

  • Knockbreack

  • Balnakeil

  •  Aodann Mhor

  • Faraid

  • Balmhulich

  • Durine

  • Balvooloich

  • Sangomore

  • Smoo

  • Lerin

  • Sangobeg

  • Ceannabeinne

  • Clashcarnach

  • Eilean Hoan

  • Rispond

  • Uaighehaichie

  • Lochsian

  • Port Chamuill

  • Portnancon

  • Laid

  • Polla

  • Strathbeg

  • Phoalin

  • Eriboll

  • Inveran

  • Eilean Choraidh

  • Auchugarsaid

  • Kempie

  • Camas an Duin

  • Ard Neackie

  • Heilam

  • Auchnalochie

  • Hope

  • Inverhope

  • Freisgill

  • Arnaboll

  • Craigiemhulin

  • Braesgill

  • Merkan

  • Badamneair

  • Dail an Anairt

  • Cashel Dhu

  • Badnahachlash

  • Muisel

  • Lubain

  • Aultnacaillich

  • Dalnaheru

  • Elanroiar

  • Dun Dornaigil

  • Dalnadun

  • Crannach

  • Blaid

  • Dainaharow

  • Gobernuisgach

  • Altnabad

  • Strathurradale

  • Strathmore

  • West Moine

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