The Highland Clearances Trail

by Rob Gibson

The Highland Clearances Trail answers the where, why, what and whens of the Highland Clearances. Taking you around the significant sites of the Highland Clearances this vivid guide gives a scholarly introduction to a tragic moment in Scotland's history. Perthshire, Ross-Shire, Arran, Sutherland and Caithness are among the many areas covered. With full background information supplied, along with maps and illustrations, The Highland Clearances Trail provides an alternative route around the Highlands that will leave the reader with a deeper understanding of this sublime landscape.

Genres: Nonfiction

111 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

Rob McKay Gibson is a Scottish politician. A member of the Scottish National Party (SNP), he was a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) from 2003 to 2016, first as a Highlands and Islands regional member (2003–11), then representing the constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross (2011–16).

Gibson was educated at the University of Dundee, where he headed the SNP student wing, the Federation of Student Nationalists. He was a district councillor in Ross and Cromarty and worked as a senior secondary school teacher in Alness and Invergordon until 1995.

Reviews

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Essentially a summary of the areas affected by the infamous ‘clearances’ during which, from the early 18th century to the end of the 19th century, people and their animals were forcibly removed from their homes and crofts to make way for sheep, deer and/or grouse. Both Lowland and Highland clearances are covered and the country is divided into chapters area by area, making it easier to find specific places or events. It is a whistle stop tour that will give an idea of the extent of the clearances to those with little or no knowledge of them. Those looking for more information should read Eric Richards’ The Highland Clearances or one of the other more comprehensive accounts. This is a useful addition to my library but I found it disappointingly superficial and dry.

[El Munro · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/4 really interesting

[Kevin McDonagh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kudos for the novel approach but the actual learnings shared regarding the crofts and their clearances in each of the regions were thin on the ground. However, Great bibliography for further jump off reading.

[Gaby · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detailed about locations of events, light on the history. Helpful for future research inspiration.