How The Poor Fought Highland Clearances in Sutherland

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

My Skye Land Wars video on Battle of Braes is at kzbin.info/www/bejne/i3Wxg4NjZ8t8ZtE

[@ritacummings2310]

Good story teller . Your cadence is perfect . To tell a story well is a gift and you have . Interesting stuff too. Thanks .

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thank you Rita

[@gregorytaylor3146]

That's a large part of why I love Bruce's presentations 😁

[@brianhaw9398]

I believe my ancestors were part of the clearances. They came to Canada in 1850. I will have to dig out some research my brother did about 15 years ago

[@TheBirdierouge]

Thank you so much for your videos. The vast majority of my ancestors were Scottish. They were removed from the highlands during the clearance... both branches of my family tree paternally and one maternally. I was born far from my ancestral homeland. The information you share is so helpful for the millions of us who sadly have lost the connection to the land and culture we came from. I know I can’t be the only one to miss a land I’ve never been to. I feel a strong responsibility to teach my kids about their past... it’s the tonic that puts so much of the present in perspective. I’ll be showing your videos to my kids, I know they’ll enjoy them.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Good lassie

[@TheAmerican1963]

Do you know what a treasure to us all you are ???.....great video as usual !!!!!! Thank you !!!!!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

You're welcome

[@Sasmafras]

I recognized the rhythm as you said it. My maiden name is Sutherland and this very interesting since I have been to Sutherland but didn't this about the clearances there.

[@lynnedavidson6006]

Thank You Bruce for making me laugh today! It’s donkeys years since I heard the 3 wee monkeys rhyme 😂 I might need to teach it to my grandson to keep a tradition going as my granny taught it to me.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Yes, yes, do it!

[@Bennycanofbeans]

Do it!

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

I enjoy hearing more about the Clearances as it is close to my heart (geographically and spiritually alike) We were always taught in school that, although "The Duke" is remembered via his monument (for good or ill) it was Patrick Seller that was the true _Architect of Evil_ if you will. What I am enjoying about these videos is the information and revelations about William Young, of whom we were never taught about but yet seems to be an equal player in the tragedies to follow Thank you for the education and bless you on all your future ventures, friend Bruce 🙏

[@dinkster1729]

Those that made it to Canada probably have descendants that have thriven, thrived more than you think. Free passage to Canada!!! What an opportunity!!! Although those who were sent to the Red River had a desperate time of it and would have died except for the Métis who saved them.

[@baikhous]

"What force or guile could not subdue, Thro' many warlike ages, Is wrought now by a coward few, For hireling traitor's wages." - Rabbie, 1791

[@liamchefstone87]

I lived in embo for a while and I could see Ben bhraggie with its statue of the duke on top from my back garden over the sand dunes and estuary . (side note for mountain bikers the trails are shit hot) . I love Golspie ! You did good research here Bruce …. I am an amateur historian and spent my free time researching sutherlands history .

[@hipcat13]

My family was from Farr. The clearances removed them to New Zealand where they did pretty well, actually.

[@dinkster1729]

The clearances weren't the biggest tragedy in your family history then?

[@georgejob7544]

Now do the lowland clearance, especially here in Lanarkshire.. Smallholders moved off to make bigger farms and people forced off to the growing industrial towns! Check out the Hamilton clan ,largest land owners in Lanarkshire..

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I know... and English enclosures, and many other injustices such as I point out in The Tranent Massacre studio.kzbin.info_epT9V0msFk/edit

[@dinkster1729]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours My f-i-l of somewhat Scottish ancestor--his great-great-grandfather came to the Madoc, Ontario, Canada area in the 1820s was born in Stromness, Orkney Islands in 1798. However, his wife was from Ireland and his great-grandfather's wife was also Irish and his father's wife had an English surname so she wasn't very Scottish either, I guess--considered himself to be "Scottish" because his surname was Scottish and had an intense dislike of the English. Whether that was because of the clearances I cannot say.

[@lynnemurphy114]

Why is Mr Bruce not on TV. He knows what he talking about and hes funny ☘👌

[@calgacusofcaledonia]

Yeah, he tickles my funny bone every now and then to. But hey, he was a stand up comedian…sooooooo. But then again, he was also a physics teacher 🤔 Someone must’ve bent the linear spectrum into a circle and made the opposite ends touch one another…it’s the only rational explanation 😳 (I’m a year late to this party 😦)

[@lynnemurphy114]

@@calgacusofcaledonia So im right he should be on TV teaching...He has a passion for history Ive learnt alot from him and im older then Mr Bruce...💚

[@calgacusofcaledonia]

@@lynnemurphy114 I agree whole heartedly, he should definitely be on T.V. Um…actually…I watch a lot of these videos on my television…🤔 Hang on, is this one of those “negative reality inversions” I’ve heard about? Weird

[@dinkster1729]

@@calgacusofcaledonia He was a physics teacher? He has no credentials in history at all? Physicists can be pretty funny though. I went out with one for several years. He ended up as a physician.

[@liamchefstone87]

I used to stay at the hotel at the end when I went mountain biking did a decent mince and tatties and cloughty dumpling an custard

[@neilshaw]

I thought this tour was going to about Sutherland shire. I worked as a Shearer around Dallas in 1979. We did travel north on one occasion, across the Firth on the Black Isle ferry, went through Bonner Bridge (as I recall) into the highlands and worked on the largest sheep farm in Scotland (at that time). I suspect that place would have experienced clearances back when.

[@grahamgoldie1577]

LMAO at 10:02 onward. "and one shepherd was ordered out of Sutherland never to return" (just as the lone shepherd in the background walks away into the distance). Did your video editor cut that in for a laugh? Pure Quality lol

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

High production values mate😎

[@steventhompson9875]

I'll be watching out for that then.. thanks Bruce, never heard the rhyme before or any variations. Still awesome vid. Quite interested in the clearances and the birth of the big coastal cities. Massive economical and industrial changes from then onwards for Scotland some really amazing history. Thanks again. Steve.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Thank you, but you really need to get your children's rhymes mugged up mate

[@leighcecil3322]

MacPherson clan descendant.... from the land clearences sent to Australia.. love Oz & Scotland.. great post history that wasn't taught at school 👍

[@dinkster1729]

You never heard of "the Clearances"? Does that sound like a pleasant prospect to you? It sounds more like "ethnic cleansing" to me.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

In February and March I'll be visiting the major towns in Australia and New Zealand with my live show Scotland Made the World. It would be great to see you. Get info at www.brucefummey.co.uk/shows.aspx

[@McConnachy]

Thank you for referring to his real title, Duke of Stafford. The clearances in Sutherland were shocking, a crime against humanity.

[@MargaretPinard]

Jeez look at that Dunrobin Castle! Behind you like that it somehow looks even more bombastic.

[@theophrastusbombastus1359]

Really enjoying these videos Bruce! If it takes your fancy, Caithness has a really rich history that is of, and apart, from the traditional Scottish lore. There is not only the rich viking history, being the only part of the mainland they ever settled (forget their brief sojourn in York), but the Camster Cairns, Brochs, and various other rich artefacts and curios unearthed from the little-known Picts are a window into a truly more ancient time It's strange that the Brochs, for example, while plentiful in Caithness, are almost non-existent even a few more miles south _The Land of the Cat People_ must surely warrant a deep-dive? I promise you won't be disappointed Brucey-Boy 😌

[@fearthekilt]

I love your stories. I am saving up for a long trip to the land of my ancestors. I'm a Campbell from America. Where should I start my tour. I want to immerse myself in history.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Start in Edinburgh, or Stirling

[@abigail1st]

Haven’t heard the three wee monkey rhyme in years....I’m from Central Scotland, but my grandpa also used to say it to me and he was from Gourock, so I’d say it was universal 😉 🎺🐒🥁🐒🐒🥞

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😂 I like the imoges

[@seaba56]

I’m from Airdrie and my mum used to say it to us though the first monkey had a banjo. No luck for the other 2 though they still had the drum and pancake. Then again we were always called cheeky wee monkeys if did something bad, a bit non PC in this day in age.

[@hairybattler]

Must be a Scottish rhyme. Never heard it before.

[@scientiautverum]

My granny was from Greenock / Port Glasgow and she used the same rhyme but it wasn't monkeys, it was witches - one with a fiddle, one with a drum and one with a pancake adhering to her posterior.

[@abigail1st]

@@scientiautverum fair enough, my Grandpa probably updated it as we were all living in central Scotland by then... 🎻🧙🏻‍♀️🥁🧙🏻‍♀️🧙🏻‍♀️🥞 😅

[@dannygmtg]

Here in Johnstone, renfrewshire my grandad used to tell me that rhyme but the first monkey had a whistle or maybe a flute, not a trumpet

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye I kent you Westies would get it wrang😜

[@dannygmtg]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours Wrang? Nah just a variation. Maybe this monkey was far the woodwind section instead ae the brass. Either way when I heard you mention it it was the first time I’d heard that rhyme on years. Brought back some braw memories. Talkin o being a ‘westie’ would be good to see some videos on the cotton industry of renfrewshire and figures like Coats, Patons, Semples, Habbie Simpson, Tannahill and the like.

[@pbc0174]

From Renfrewshire Not last night but the night before, three wee witches came to my door, one with a fiddle, one with a drum and one with a pancake stuck to it's bum.

[@692ALBANNACH]

I had a chance to see 3 crofts on different coast of Scotland each last inhabited by my ancestors before they left.They were the only places that had to live. 3 times I stood on their ruins and could easily throw a stone into the sea that is how close they lived to the sea.

[@dinkster1729]

There were no roads or railways or airports, you know. Where else would they live but beside the sea since that was the way you came and went and transported your goods out of the country, right? In Newfoundland, you will see the same thing. Railway, roads, and airports only came very recently to the Island of Newfoundland and the part of Canada known as Labrador.

[@692ALBANNACH]

@@dinkster1729 And.

[@stevenmackenzie1870]

Yes and proud we have "Freedom"

[@golach420]

Some of the pronunciations are a bit iffy, but good to see people learning about the Clearances.

[@kimberlyevans9637]

I saw that rhyme in a cartoon once,.,.,

[@amandagraham4254]

All I know is that there are a Hell of alot of Grahams in North America and we all showed up here in the 1800's. I would guess the "Clearings " Of course my Grandfather died when I was 2, and my Dad when I was 10. So I have basically put it together by reading and ancestry sites An interesting journey, and I know my dad would be completely into this. I've collected notes in a journal for my son, and grandchildren someday. I've taken notes from you videos as well, so everyone can get a better idea of who the Grahams were. What happened, and why we are scattered through North America and probably New Zealand and Australia.

[@angelaadams427]

My great grandfather x3 George Graham cm from perthshire to ballyshannon to Australia .

[@junestewart5098]

Left hanging on a thread, however I know that next video is only a matter of days away. Many times I have seen that wretched statue of Sutherland and every time wished some power would remove it from this earth. The controversy about removing statues is a difficult issue to address but for those who participated in and encouraged the removal of folk from the land they lived and worked on to be replaced by sheep for sheer profit is in my opinion a valid enough reason to see every last stone of it removed. That and butchers aprons.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye but if they take the statue doon folk might no ken aboot it. What about a clown mask and big long feet instead?

[@junestewart5098]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours Aye, however a memorial to what actually occurred could be erected with Sutherland relegated as a footnote to his barbarity.

[@tech9auto223]

If we take that statue down were do we stop as there's always going to be someone unhappy no matter what I say leave it alone the people see fit to have erected it and you know from Bruce's vid how rebellious they could be

[@dinkster1729]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours We took the statue of Sir John A. Macdonald down that was very prominently displayed facing a major arterial road in Kingston, Ontario a year or so ago. Kingston and Eastern Ontario was his home town, if you like, although he was born in Glasgow in 1815, I think. He was the first Prime Minister of Canada and had several statues across the country. Many of them were hauled down by mobs, but ours, in true Kingston fashion, was ordered taken down by City Council after pressure, and removed to be stored in some unknown location as the Cataraqui Cemetery where his body is buried wouldn't accept the statue. Statues, as Robert E. Lee found, out can be removed when the people and the ideology they represent fall out of favour.

[@andybell9982]

I’ve read accounts that when the crofters decended on the Suisgill sheep farm you show in the video when they couldn’t get hold of their targets they went back and killed the shepherds sheepdogs. They did this as they believed without their dogs they couldn’t run the large sheep runs? Have you heard this account?

[@jameslugton2209]

I traced the auld family tree back to East Lothian and the early 1700's. So there were three possible blood relatives at that time. But one was of interest. Simon Lugton. A Simon Lugton described as a tailor from Edinburgh was captured as a POW after Culloden. He was sentenced to death at Carlisle but it was commuted to a life of hell where he was shipped from Liverpool to (probably) Canada. But no other records can I find. He was described as a 'borderline idiot'. So were our POW's worked to death in Canada does anyone know? Cheers

[@dinkster1729]

Maybe, he was masquerading as a borderline idiot to escape the death penalty. They were probably transported to Canada and got a land grant which they homesteaded on and became very rich and respectable. I gather you are not in Canada? Strange! I have read about signs in Upper Canadian signs advertising jobs that said, "No dogs or Irish need apply", but I have never heard of any prejudice against the Scottish in Canada. I even attended a lecture a few years ago about how Gaelic almost became Canada's third official language, but I guess that was Irish, not Scottish Gaelic which is similar, but not exactly the same.

[@DianeLittle-dd6ej]

What happened to those people in the highlands where did they end up ?

[@shawncastillo210]

I'm from the U.S. - never heard your cute rhyme about the monkeys! Don't know what it means but it's funny! Also curious why you can't eat pancakes in January? I thought they were pretty much a year-round breakfast food!!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Pancake Tuesday is Easter 😜

[@dinkster1729]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours You only eat pancakes on Pancake Tuesday in Scotland? I've never heard that rhyme about the monkeys or the witches either. I guess it wouldn't do in collections of nursery rhymes, would it? I can see the bairns having a giggle over it though.

[@asignmaker]

I wonder if the Clan Keith were fair n honest. I read a lot of land etc was squired through marriages and battle participation. But fact and what is on Google are two different things I'm sure. Thanks I'm learning from these video ✊✌️🤓☕

[@angusmacdonald4860]

My great Grandfather John Macdonald worked in a coal mine near Glasgow. I've heard rumors that we have some gypsy in us. Or gypsy traveler. Apparently after Culloden. A number of Highlanders joined up with the gypsy creating anew group called gypsy travelers. Macdonald is a common name amongst gypsies. And my papa had a decent tan.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Now that's interesting

[@1981Marcus]

Highland Travellers existed before 1746 though.

[@angusmacdonald4860]

@@1981Marcus sure. Befor and after. The Gaelic language was outlawed by king James. So the process began befor Culloden. Your right

[@knight0fren551]

Apparently my mothers Clan Sutherland were very hated Although i would like to see a video on Something positive about my clan I Know they Backed The Hanoverians but is there Any other stories my clan did? i Did find out my clan was in the rising of 1715

[@rogana5158able]

I have Gunn, Mackay, Williamson, Polson, Bull, Hawkins and Scott ancestry. My genes are a walking history book.

[@MargaretPinard]

Love that there were sheep scattering behind you there by the burn 😝

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

THEY'RE EVERYWHERE!

[@Riggsveda]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours Plenty of room for them.

[@dinkster1729]

@@ScotlandHistoryToursI thought your car in the middle ground was a bit of an anachronism. You prefer Scotsmen to sheep, do you?

[@leighmeagher6836]

I live in rural New South Wales, the rhyme I remember from the last 1970s was as follows: Not last night, but the night before, 3 silly buggers (occasionally "robbers"),came to my door, 1 had a knife, one had a gun, and one had a finger up his bum Granted, it was a working class primary school, but hey, it was the rhyme I remember!

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Interesting how it changed on the boat over😆

[@leighmeagher6836]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours yes! Although the schoolboy humour could possibly had an effect as well!

[@dinkster1729]

@@ScotlandHistoryTours Maybe, it didn't. Maybe, your version has been sanitized.

[@stufromoz8164]

Why would there ever be 3 monkeys at anyones door especially one with a pancake stuck to his bum???? You Scotts are a funny breed.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I never got to find out WHY they were at the door, only their appearance and musical talents

[@timgrant1796]

Dh'ionnsaich m ’athair dhomh: Chan ann a-raoir, ach an oidhche roimhe, thàinig triùir fhireannach chun an dorais agam...

[@velondabe6868]

Is Golspie, the same family of Gillespie?

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Golspie is a village planned out by the Countess of Sutherland involved in the video. Gille Easbaig means adherent to the Bishop and gives Gillespie

[@kurtbogle2973]

Bruce ,whilst I think about this. WHO OWNS SCOTLAND? I saw a map recently that made it look like Scotland is mostly unpopulated. Is the map phony, or does daddy big bucks own most of Scotland?

[@odetbeauvoisin]

Oooh great, a serial .__ 😃

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

😂

[@colmhain]

"Izzaht ah pahnkeak?" Dude, LOL! How the hell izzit that I've never heard of you till a couple of days ago?

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

THANK YOU! My favourite bit and you're the first person to mention it

[@edowds]

I'm from Greenock and knew it as 3 wee witches came to the door...

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Witches? WITCHES ! Have ye nae imagination doon there?

[@stevenmcconnell3571]

Aye, it was witches in my part of Ayrshire.

[@christopherrawsthorne4332]

Bruce. My Great Grandfathers x3 & x4 both called Dougald McLachlan, were Master Mariners from Argyle. My Great Grandfather x2 was Duncan McLachlan, also a Master Mariner, but had emigrated to Liverpool eventually, thus the reason for me being English. All three were involved in the transportation of immigrants from Scotland to North America. I have some photocopies and transcripts on these. I also have Their sea chest which has painting of a sailing Ship (possibly “The Hope”) on the underside of the lid. I am very interested in furthering my knowledge of my Scots Heritage, any hints would be appreciated.

[@bettycrabtree3107]

Never heard that rhyme. Born and raised in Alabama.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Every day is a school day

[@dinkster1729]

I don't think you are allowed to talk about "the bum" in nursery rhyme collections in North America.

[@stephenlyon1358]

I know its controversial to want statues removed - I do feel thats one that should be taken down. He wasent a mere slave owner, he was part of the eradication of culture.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye, I think my point here though is that there were others beneath him just as eager... and humanity doesn't seem to have changed much

[@bethmccasland7165]

Statues of Confederate Generals are being pulled down here in the U.S. Something I thought I'd never see in my lifetime.

[@billycaspersghost7528]

And do we keep on cleaning up and sanitising history until it is how we want it to be ,or is just forgotten? If the statue is not an object of veneration it should remain and the context explained. Which is where Historians and teachers come in, Bruce being a good example. I`m not sure 100% either way . There was the Bristol statue torn down and that was right to me as every other means had been tried ,also now the taking down is part of history and its battered ,daubed remains are to be exhibited as part of the story.

[@stephenlyon1358]

@@billycaspersghost7528 the could dig a pit and stick the statue in. That way everyone can look down on him instead of him standing triumphant. Keep the statue - just put it in the right place.

[@billycaspersghost7528]

@@stephenlyon1358 Not a bad idea. They should have done the same thing in Spain with Franco... just making him disappear does not seem the right .

[@mckeamish]

Now stop me if you’ve heard this one but 99% of my ancestors are……………Dead!! Aut Pax Aut Bellum love your videos.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

🙄

[@mckeamish]

Ha. Yea that’s enough now. Just giggle to myself watching your videos thinkn of that yank saying “but I AM descended from Robert the Bruce!!!!” That cracked me up when I heard that. I’d think him the same sort of person that treats a visit to Scotland like a trip to Disneyland. Your videos are bang on. Who knows you might even get people thinking about the land o tha leal as a real place in red of a Braveheart out take. Cheers

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

@@mckeamish😬

[@kurtbogle2973]

Confusing; so far in Scottish History. I've heard about the McGregor's, I heard about the Highlanders raiding the low lander's and getting handed their butts. Now I here about all of this compassion.. I don't mind telling you that I find this confusing. Oh, those poor Highlanders, who will there be to abuse us now? I truly don't get it. I guess what the situation is in my mind is this. What so endeared the Highlanders to everyone else. You don't tell us that. There must be somthing?

[@tillerman7272]

The Highlanders are just overly romanticised

[@scotch_mist]

Not last night but the night before...

[@reginaldinoenchillada3513]

Oh, no, that statue needs to come Down

[@mckeamish]

Hahahah Donald Gunn was my grandpa’s great grandpa. Well except for the other 49 or 50 Donald Gunns floating around between Brora and Wick at any one time……and did I mention that by some coincidence they were all married to a certain Betty Sutherland. Well anyway like 99% of my ancestors they’re all dead(I promise I’ll stop now)

[@Barnaby_bo]

How come there's a massive tower memorializing the man who forced the peasants out of their houses

[@liamchefstone87]

It’s a statue , his wife payed for it . They also wrote of debts and payed for people’s journey across the Atlantic

[@dinkster1729]

@@liamchefstone87 Should their estate be made to pay for their descendants' home-coming as well?

[@jennifermcinnes8309]

I'm from Australia and the rhymy is incomprehen...I do not recognise such a rhyme.

[@ShaunPeterKelly]

If he's ammased £3.5 million why does he want more?

[@alethearia]

There are times of year when you do and don't eat pancakes????

[@waynemcauliffe2362]

The poor always cop it

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Aye

[@jennifermcinnes8309]

they were not done robbin anybody.

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

😬

[@golach420]

No different from what the aristocracy did in other countries. Bunch of see you next Tuesdays, if you know what I mean.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

I do

[@vespelian5769]

Halfway through this I reread the title. How the Pope fought the Highland Clearances etc. I thought this a bit unlikely.

[@ScotlandHistoryTours]

Oh Ye of little faith