The Highland Clearances of Scotland (A Short Documentary)

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for watching this mini documentary on The Highland Clearances! 🏠 Though short, it's probably the most time I've put into a video, from research to travel to editing it together. I'd love for as many people to learn about this part of Scotland's history and the value of Gaelic culture as possible, so be sure to like and share the video to ensure it reaches a wide audience! 😃

[@MidwestLori77]

This is really beautifully done. You can tell you have respect for your subject and took great care telling this. Thank you!

[@nicholasmorrill4711]

A lovely we bonnie lassy. Said by a sasanac well south of the border (though apparently with links to Robert the Bruce). 🙂

[@Thomas-lg6jx]

Lass shame on you ( you need a spanking ).... You forgot to say the MOST IMPORTANT THING.... The highlands kept the true CATHOLIC FAITH given to them directly from God himself!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sláinte

[@Thomas-lg6jx]

There is still a part of cape bréton where they speak Gaelic in some towns enclaves. Along with Anglo/ Mic Mac ( not a Gaelic slang ...but aborigine language ) & acadienne française.

[@bennyhill5938]

make some more about Scotish history and historical events maybe some battles etc

[@anndarley9229]

I'm a descendant of the Irish clearances and the Highland clearances. Thank you for keeping the history alive. Love from Australia.

[@fairyvert]

Hello from a fellow descendent of both, here in Australia.

[@anndarley9229]

@@fairyvert Hello from very cold country Victoria

[@fairyvert]

@@anndarley9229 Oh amazing! Thanks for the reply! I’m on Surf Coast Victoria and it is freezing today! (For us 😉) O’Sheas amongst others from Ireland and MacLeods and Frasers from Highlands. Would love to go back to visit Culnacnoc on Skye.

[@anndarley9229]

@@fairyvert I've had my open fire going all weekend, it's freezing in the hills. Family from Ireland came from County Clare and Limerick. From Scotland from the highlands Forbes, Ross, MacKay and the lowlands Munro, Brown. I hope one day you follow your dream and visit Scotland; I did a very long time ago. Weekend is nearly over work tomorrow enjoy your week.

[@IskBrul]

Hello fellow defendant of the highland clearances. Only made it as far as the midlands though not quite Australia 😂

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Even though I'm Puerto Rican, I've always been fascinated with the Gaels, and Scottish history and culture. Having read the history of Scotland, I was very aware of the Clearances.

[@penelopepitstop7748]

You should probably look into your own history - if you are blessed with melanin your family name won’t be a ‘slave’ name but indeed your true family name and along with it your European history. Search for it yourself and see. Try Nature has no colorline by R.A Rogers..

[@Brucemcleod2345]

My family moved to Australia and New Zealand after the clearances. We still celebrate the Bards birthday- Rabbie Burns, play the bagpipes and attend Highland Games. “Auld Lang Syne”

[@gracenotes5379]

Thanks for educating me about the Highland Clearances and helping me feel the weight of the injustice done there. This was excellent production in the service of an important story. While I'm here, I can't help but comment that the quality of this production was stellar in every respect!

[@PilgrimKat]

Such kind words, many a late night went into it so your comment means so much! It was a heart breaking part of Scottish history but remembering it will hopefully help us to hold onto the precious parts of Gaelic culture.

[@bobbieolsen7264]

From the beginning of time, time has marched it’s way down through history witnessing one atrocity after another, Barack Obama, in arrogance and ignorance proclaimed “we are not those people.” Many commentators give this video a “tisk tisk” from the same vain, as yet, he was the dirtiest, corrupt President in American history; we too are mankind, fallen and in need of redemption, let us pray his arrogant foolishness and 8 years of repeated drone attacks on innocent escapes us.

[@celticspike7]

​@@PilgrimKatvery interesting. thank you

[@lindyc.2552]

I am pretty sure this is how my great great grandfather (James Campbell) ended up immigrating to Ontario Canada, from the Highlands of Scotland, in the mid 1800's. I still have his daughter Sarah's (my great grandmothers) Gaelic Bible from 1862 I can't read it, but, oh how I cherish it as part of my Highland ancestry!

[@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko]

PRAY YOUR Grandfather was NOT an Argyle!

[@EDD519]

sooo africans were NOT the first SLAVES !

[@avlasting3507]

What a treasure.

[@bengilkes7676]

@@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko What did the Arglyes do?

[@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko]

@@bengilkes7676 They cold bloodedly MURDERED the MacDonalds (and associated clans) at Glen Coe, after accepting their hospitality. Massacre of Glencoe, (February 13, 1692), in Scottish history, the treacherous slaughter of members of the MacDonald clan of Glencoe by soldiers under Archibald Campbell, 10th earl of Argyll. Many Scottish clans had remained loyal to King James II after he was replaced on the English and Scottish thrones by William III (A Bloody Dutchman) in 1689. In August 1691 the government offered an indemnity to all chiefs who should take an oath of allegiance before January 1, 1692. “Letters of fire and sword,” authorising savage attacks upon recalcitrants, were drawn up in anticipation of widespread refusals; the chiefs, however, took the oath. Alexander MacDonald of Glencoe postponed his submission until December 31, 1691, and was then unable to take his oath until January 6 because there was no magistrate at Fort William to receive it. Sir John Dalrymple, William’s secretary of state for Scotland, thereupon issued an order under the king’s signature for military punishment of the MacDonalds. More than 100 of Argyll’s soldiers, who had been quartered amicably, in their bothies; fed, kept warm due to a raging snow storm by the MacDonalds for more than a week, suddenly attacked and murdered the MacDonalds whilst they slept. Many of the clan escaped, but the chief, 33 other men, 2 women, and 2 children were killed; but many more pf the Clan MacDonald of Glen Coe died in the snow due to exposure. John Campbell, earl of Breadalbane and Holland, a neighbour and an enemy of the MacDonalds, was widely suspected of planning the attack but was not its main instigator; his imprisonment in 1695 was for earlier involvement with the Jacobites. Those bloody murdering sassanach bastard's also murdered a MacDonald Piper at Castle Duntrune, by cutting both hands off and bleeding him to death. The one thing that Clansmen of opposing clans NEVER did was to harm or murder a Piper from the opposing clan. That did not stop the bloody Campbells of Argyll. To this day, try walking into the shop at Glen Coe and you will find a sign that says "ALL WELCOME - CAMPBELLS NOT ALLOWED" Just about every English person I have spoke to has said to me that they find it eerie walking through Glen Coe. It is eerie if you are a member of the Campbell clan.

[@frednorman1]

I am well aware of the history of the great land clearances- Scotland’s loss was Canada and America’s gain. When I drove across the Highlands last October from west to east, I couldn’t help but have a little sadness at looking at the great open spaces, now occupied by sheep, and thinking about all the people who were driven out of their homes, betrayed by their clan leaders.

[@bobmitchell8012]

Yes, and they formed the. Ku Klux Klan. !!......is that hypocritical or what.

[@sidhuprakash1949]

Yes, The clan leaders were well informed of the eviction by the authorities, and these leaders as usually and widely practiced throughout the world kept the information a secret until the eviction officers arrived, still only a handful of tenants came to know that the whole operation was executed with the help of their own beloved and respected leaders. These leaders were offered better living standards and money in the big cities in return for the betrayal. These leaders had to keep in touch with displaced tenants elsewhere in Canada, New Zealand, America, Australia, or within the other cities of Britain but they did not work on the bookkeeping or documentation of the lost clan and left the clans members in the wilderness for quite a long time but somehow these clans members reached out and established contacts with each other later after many years in exile.

[@Parker_Douglas]

It’s so sad that most of Scotlands land is owned by a few wealthy landowners including the royal family & im sure there is some Canadian’s in there too . I hate the idea of foreigners coming in & buying up Scottish lands.

[@perryanderson5642]

@@Parker_Douglas Unfortunately it's the Every Single Time or small hat People. Look up who they are and Pray for the poor Scottish People 🙏

[@johnkidd797]

​@@perryanderson5642No offence but we don't need your prayers or your sympathy. We are still strong with a massive sense of identity. I worked hard and own my own house and land in the Highlands where I was born and have lived all my life so far. I've worked all over the world and nothing compares to coming home to no neighbours and the Moray Firth to look down upon. No prayers as most of us don't do religion nowadays and no sympathy as we don't need it.🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@lorinapetranova2607]

Very beautiful countryside. Greed is a horrible scourge especially when combined with power. Thanks for quite interesting history. Many blessings.

[@stevepowsinger733]

Having Scots-Irish ancestry, I enjoy hearing that Scottish history is reviving.

[@pattyhill4682]

Same

[@karphin1]

Wonderful! Am so glad you mentioned Canada. I live in Nova Scotia, “New Scotland”, which was the destination of a good many of the displaced Highlanders. The heritage is strong here. Our provincial flag is the inverse of Scotland’s, a Blue Cross on a white ground. And Cape Breton still has much of that musical tradition, with Ceilidhs and fiddlers starting young, and entertaining in pubs….as well as some communities meeting often for a ceilidh. The Gaelic language is being taught in Cape Breton, too, at a college there. Names of some communities are in Gaelic, as well as English. There are probably as many MacDonalds in Cape Breton, as in Scotland, a VERY common name there. (As well as MacIntyres, Mackenzies, MacIsaacs, macMasters, etc.) I love Cape Breton, with its highlands and friendly people. A wonderful place to visit, lots of history.

[@sandralibeau4795]

My grandmother's family came to New Zealand from Nova Scotia. They were Parker's, no doubt from Scotland originally.

[@p.s.anders]

Have you figured out who was in New Scotland before the Original Scottish arrived ?

[@stellashepherd3229]

My MacDonald ancestors first ended up in Nova Scotia. My great grandfather later went to the United States, New England and we lost touch with most of that heritage. But visiting Skye and Cape Breton were wonderful experiences.

[@Occident.]

Greetings from Tyneside England my fellow Gael. Some of my ancestors emigrated to Onterio.

[@PilgrimKat]

Wow, this is amazing, I'm learning so much! 😍 I have relatives in Canada so really hope to visit someday 🤗🌿

[@McConnachy]

It’s not just the Highlands, the lowlands also suffered. I’m a lowlander, of Highland descent on both sides. I am also learning Gaelic, for 3 years now. But the Highlands have not recovered and still today, some of the poverty is off the scale compared to anywhere else in Europe. Some of the clearances were still going on in the 1940s. However, the huge loss of life from Scotland more than anywhere else in WW1 hit the Highlands hardest. Looking at any rural communities war memorial the massive number of names is heartbreaking Thank you for the video

[@clivelangman8696]

Whilst I have no doubt that there was considerable WW1 loss from the Highlands nowhere suffered more than Lancashire towns, indeed this led to a change in government recruitment policy and practices, for instance take a look at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accrington_Pals

[@fredgillespie5855]

And England had the enclosure of the common lands with the evicted forced out to beg.

[@marktwaine9344]

I've got Nordic roots, so like a 2nd cousin twice removed....if the highlanders didn't fight in WWI couldn't they have formed an assault on the 'land owners'...and taken back their lands as possession is 9/10s the law....?

[@ronhall9394]

England - especially the marginal lands - moors and hills - had the same clearances in the late 1500's. The Northern Counties - Lancashire, Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland Cumberland and Westmorland all had the same 'improvements', smallholders turfed out and sheep brought in. A select bunch of people got very rich because of the wool trade, but it devastated Northern England, especially as at the time there was no alternatives - no Industrial Revolution, no colonies to go to.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for watching, that's fantastic you're learning Gaelic! I'm still in the very early stages, just basic phrases - do you have any advice? I've recently found a resource that teaches beautiful Gaelic songs which has been lovely 🤗

[@Hana-su7zg]

I am actually "Czechoslovakian" but when you said the number of Gaelic speakers is steadily increasing, I burst into tears of joy. I have been living in the UK for 30 years, currently near Dartmoor where I like to go hiking and that's what brought me this video in my suggested.

[@Hana-su7zg]

@@justine_holloway it's not an overreaction by any means, it's a natural response for someone who deeply feels the whole complexity of the tragic story behind this video and the gratitude for these signs of some amount of renewal.

[@hhhsf4357]

Bet you cry watching christmas adverts

[@talex1625]

​@Jade-nh8kn what a shame you can't appreciate someone feeling passion for something.

[@pipfox7834]

Yes! The Celts are supposed to originate in Bohemia...European history is fascinating

[@Hana-su7zg]

@@pipfox7834 it sure is. Im not sure that they originated but we certainly have that heritage all over the place. They came up to the British isles from Europe.

[@Me2Lancer]

Thanks for your post. This is the first I've heard of the expulsion of Highlanders from Scotland by land owners. What a shameful act! I can only wish the Scottish people the best.

[@richardpeychers4076]

The clearing of Ireland during the potato famine had the same affect so depopulation is nothing new and people should take note

[@PilgrimKat]

There has certainly been a pattern round the world of rural to city living! Of course not a bad thing if it's voluntary, but very sad when languages and cultures are lost along the way. Thanks for watching!

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you, I appreciate you taking the time to watch and comment 😌

[@whiskeycook3323]

Great that the people are working at keeping their culture alive.

[@thestevenjaywaymusic7775]

Wonderful. It is important that the Clearances are spoken about. As a British Jewish person, my ancestors know of the reality of forced eviction. I now live in France and have become friends with a Scottish writer named Peter May who told me of the atrocities. He has written about this and also wrote and produced a series for Scottish television set in the isle of Lewis in Gaelic. This was never taught in English schools. Best of luck with your channel, I will follow you avidly.

[@jasonallen9144]

They had a similar thing in England and Wales called “ the enclosure act”.

[@elizabethroessner8487]

He must be the writer who writes about Provence. I have all his Life in Provence themed books.

[@veronicaroach3667]

As adults if we read & stay curious we learn a lot of truths about who-did-what-to-who over the years of history - it is not at all pretty in many places ! I'm 83 & still read a lot every day, rarely bother with fiction, there's too much reality to learn about !

[@nledaig]

Some of the worst aspects of clearance were not the complete eviction and being forced abroad but of being evicted after spring seed planting and being forced to move ten or twenty miles to start a new township. Some of these families spent months under upturned boats for shelter -including through the winter while they built new homes for themselves. Sometimes they would be evicted again a few years later.

[@bovellois]

and in a very recent pas. My great-grand father was born at that time, that's how close it is.

[@nledaig]

Obviously much younger than I am@@bovellois

[@jefflanam]

There is a Gaelic festival every year in the small Cape Breton town of Christmas Island. I was there in 2016 for their opening concert, held in the town firestation. It was delightful to see the local people as well as estabished Celtic artists performing.

[@PilgrimKat]

This is so wonderful 😍 Thank you for commenting ❤️

[@northernembersoutdoors1045]

This was so professionally done with passion. Well written to the point, the fact that sheep were more important than people is a major crime. I walk a lot here and quite often see the shell of buildings, sometimes one, sometimes a community. Forgotten voices, seeing the thatch on the roof really brings it back to life. Great video thanks.

[@rapier1954]

Worse yet in many cases they were done in by their own kin for herds of sheep. Adds more force to the old adage the love of money is the root of all evil.

[@Jack-ur3wv]

This was a beautiful, well presented documentary, hosted by a lovely well spoken young lady. So enjoyable. A sad story, not unlike our own here in Ireland. Sceal bronach go deimhin

[@PilgrimKat]

ohh thank you for your sweet words, and for taking the time to watch ☺️🌿

[@WuhanMan2013]

I really enjoyed your video. My ancestors were cleared from Milovaig, Isle of Skye and went to Western Quebec in 1865.

[@karensayer3089]

Mine came from Bracadale Isle of Sky.Some other relatives went to PrinceEdward Island known as PEI

[@frankgellenthin3733]

Very nicely done. My second Mum taught me about the Clearances when I was young. Being a Yank it was a story that was hard to wrap my head around. You've done a great job of making this tragic history relatable to many. Cheers from Wildwood, New Jersey

[@fredgillespie5855]

I'm sure some of the native Americans could explain what it was like to be expelled from your homeland.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for your kind words!

[@Sabbathtage]

Fellow Yank here and not trying to be a jerk. I'm honestly, worriedly wondering... Did your education skip over the whole "Manifest Destiny" or how often the US government would sign contracts to give some land to the natives only to take it all back as well? These aren't the only people that got uprooted once the land owners saw profits over people in our country. It's scary when this isn't taught or taught poorly and is forgotten.

[@fredgillespie5855]

@@Sabbathtage - Dawes act 1887. And a joke that appeared in an economics book: A colonist is having a discussion with an African, he was explaining that colonalism was of mutual benefit. Yes, replied the African, we got your laws and you got our land.

[@juanleahy2202]

Thankyou for this video as one of my grandmother's as a child lived in a croft near Fort William in the early 20th century. I am retired now, but as a student I read the classic highland history books by John Prebble including The Highland Clearances. What a terrible time it was for all those affected, as indeed the equivalent was happening in Ireland well before & after their terrible potatoe famine.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for watching and sharing your story 💛🌿

[@robertmagnusjamieson1759]

John Prebbles books are a masterclass in how major historical events should be researched and written, his books on the highland clearances and the massacre of Glencoe are quite simply superb.

[@juanleahy2202]

@@robertmagnusjamieson1759 & thankyour for your good comment which I saw earlier today.

[@philiprufus4427]

@@robertmagnusjamieson1759 Culloden,too is excellent one of the first books to point out that many of The Government Army were Scots. Some of the oldest regiments in The British Army in fact. French Heugenot's,Dutch and Germans were also represented. The Bulk of The Government was English admittedly but at least four Scots Regiments were present,not slow to commit attrocities either. Captain Carolyn Scott comes to mind. No Englishman he,it was not a conflict between Scots and English.

[@michellejenner9954]

Wow, superbly produced!

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you so much Michelle!

[@iainmackenzieUK]

As a Mackenzie, raised in Yorkshire, Father from Glasgow, this video makes me wonder about the history of my family and raises the thoughts of returning to explore the homeland. Very interesting - thank you for taking the time to make this ; I look forward to more iain

[@lesliesmith5797]

I hope people continue to learn their language. Lovely presentation ❤

[@katiehay6343]

An amazing job, Kat! Seeing the different places you explored and visited for this - that is quite an investment of time. Congrats on the collab too - you have a gift for storytelling and a voice that lends itself to documentaries. It might have been a short video, but it's exactly the length that sparks people's curiosity and engagement.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for your support Katie

[@perryanderson5642]

Sad Story of such a Beautiful Place. I am Scottish too. I'm yearning to Go to my Homeland. Great Presentation! You have a Beautiful Voice.

[@nwatt1475]

This was so well done! And so sad. It made me cry😔

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you so much, it is a very sad story :(

[@karphin1]

I have learned through a DNA study, that I had an ancestor who fled Scotland after the clearances, and went to Northern Ireland. I knew my grandfather her was from there, but had no idea of the Scottish connection. Am proud to know I have that!

[@PilgrimKat]

That's really cool, I'm glad that you keep in touch with your heritage 😊

[@nigelsheppard625]

Clearances such as this happened all over Great Britain and Ireland for exactly the same reason- Sheep+ profit. Also it created a surplus workforce for industry. It created a patriarchal dependence upon the working man who was duty bound to care for his family. It also weakened the speaking of Erse, Gaelic and Cymraeg.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for adding this insight 💛

[@huskytail]

And in that patriarchal dependence where the women working in the factories, in the domestic services, in laundries, bakeries and small manufactures, are placed? Poor women have always worked and the families depended on every little piece of money men, women and children could bring.

[@I14Realok]

Im glad you're keeping it alive! I think a lot of Aussies would love to learn the language of their ancestors too.

[@PressenzaIPA]

Well done, Kat. It really is a fantastic piece of work. The positive comments are testament to that.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for your support with the project!

[@thesilversurfer7136]

So fascinating! My boyfriend speaks Scottish Gaelic and kept calling my kids “clowns” and I was all offended and then I realized he just meant “kids or children “.

[@nledaig]

Clann - children

[@SuzannesSimpleLiving]

Loved this Kat, thank you for the time and hard work you put in to make it 🙂

[@PilgrimKat]

Thanks Suzanne! :)

[@Rufan-yy7rn]

Amazing stuff! It's about time somebody made a feature film about the highland clearances. Similarly, we had the enclosure acts in England, folks were kicked off their land, dragged out of their houses and packed off to fight in wars or worked to death in prison factories.

[@bogtrottername7001]

Lovely presentation, Kat. I encourage you to carry on with these efforts - those of us with Celtic heritage appreciate it. I hope everyone who watches this listens to Andy M. Stewart's music, very stirring & he speaks of the Laird's & their actions.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you so much for your kind words, I can't create as often as I'd like for lack of time but will do my best to keep going ☺️💛

[@wendellfugate4225]

Thank you for making this. It is tremendously good in my humble opinion. Please try to remember that many went to American Appalachia where many of my kin are and tried to forge good lives for themselves. Distilling and deep culture was and is cherished by us. Truly a pity that the two and three row barley needed to make the best of it does not thrive there for some reasons.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you so much for your kind words, it really means a lot 💛 It's so wonderful to read comments from those who left Scotland and are now living wonderful lives in many places. Is that where the Appalachian trail is? Would love to try hiking part of it someday 😊

[@Ru_1963]

Not many Highlanders went to Appalachia, there were a lot of Scotch-Irish who settled in Appalachia. There was a relatively large settlement of Highland Scots in North Carolina where they brought their Gaelic language.

[@mandychapin9411]

Its so nice to see people enjoying and celebrating their culture. If I did that here in the states, I'd probably be run out of town. Keep up the good work, and keep sharing!

[@BeyondLimits3D]

Wow, even as a history buff, I had not heard of the Highland Clearances. So many localized injustices in this world. And when people don't know the past, they are doomed to repeat it. Thank you for the knowledge. Great production.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for your comment and encouragement, you're right - it is so important to remember these stories. I feel like I only scratched the surface with this, so much more to learn!

[@BeyondLimits3D]

@@PilgrimKat I swear the more I learn the more there is to learn!

[@1unsung971]

The cruel irony of this story is that migrating Scots took over land in Canada, Australia and New Zealand that was owned by indigenous peoples who were dispossessed of their territories by these brave migrants from Scotland. The Duke of Sutherland has much to answer for. Human greed is a repugnant trait. Very good video and lovely narration. Best wishes from New Zealand

[@branthomas1621]

That is very true and is something that most of the time is left out when discussing the clearances.

[@Rosesraspberries72]

Hmm very true 👌🏽

[@elspethfougere9683]

It's very true, and it's also more complex than that. Many scots people worked with Maori to try to resist english taking crown rule here in parts of NZ and try to inform local tribes what could happen if they entered agreement with the betraying two faced english. Because clan and tribe hierarchies were more similar and more similar in consensus decision making styles, intermarriage and living alongside was very easy in some parts... And then totally not in others, totally violent, or ignorant, or people shifted in and settled into agriculture under the military rule of the English and by that stage British army. These things are not always so black and white and it's important to keep in mind the kinship, friendship, mutual support, as well as be honest about the devistation, harm, violence, and theft at a large scale. Our ancestors were not ignorant, unkind, unthoughtfull or incapable people, just like now, to varying degrees, there were differing extent of insight and kind actions

[@brucemacallan6831]

The Duke of Sutherland, - An Englishman from London who married a Scots noblewoman (and all her money) It's an abomination his statue still stands overlooking the descecration he left behind to this day.

[@RonRicho]

This is so beautiful. So moving. Touching. Thank you, Pilgrim Kat.

[@rickj.9202]

This is excellent work. Thank you!

[@johnnymayo8534]

You did a great job on this!!! Awesome subject matter!! Please share more about this part of Scottish history.....you have really piqued my interest!

[@PilgrimKat]

Ah thanks Johnny! Glad you enjoyed, I'm considering doing a video delving a bit deeper into Gaelic culture, or perhaps a bookish video into Scottish literature and the impact it has had on forming romantic ideas of Scotland :) Let me know if there's any other topics you'd like me to cover!

[@johnnymayo8534]

@@PilgrimKat Ur literature idea is great!! Maybe consider traditional farming ways or traditional foods. Have a blessed day & week!!!

[@Ezra.emerson]

Beautifully narrated, presented and produced. Thank you

[@Dandelionfleur]

Hi! My g-grandmother, a Gillies/Cameron was born at Port Hastings, Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia in 1844, she spoke Gaelic. We are here on the West Coast of Canada now and some in Ontario, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, etc. It's all good, now! I plan to visit Scotland again, hopefully soon, such a lovely country and lovely people! Always remember Mony a mickle maks a muckle.

[@PilgrimKat]

Aw amazing, I have some Cameron relatives! I love how beautifully the Gaelic culture has been preserved in Canada - hadn't realised just how much until I researched for this documentary. I.e. many a mickle maks a muckle - my grandfather still says that to this day!

[@suzannehaigh4281]

@@PilgrimKat Think the saying originated in Yorkshire, sorry

[@elizabethmair2948]

I am sure a visit to Kilmartin Glen would interest you. The churchyard there is interesting with many Gillies. Also knights Templar graves and artifacts. Do a little research before you come. I live in Scotland but when I visit Kilmartin I have such a sense of being home.

[@FlyingLibrarian1111]

Scotland has so much to be proud of. The Scottish culture, the beauty of its land never fails to amaze and delight. I wish I could live there 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🤍💙

[@PilgrimKat]

It really is a wonderful place! Has its issues much as the next country but you really can't beat the landscapes (and food!)

[@maxsch8454]

Outstanding work, well done

[@PilgrimKat]

Thanks Max, that means a lot! 🤗

[@rebeccakennedy1167]

This is a very nice documentary. Thank you! 😇

[@lesliekwan6654]

Love Scotland and can't help but feel very sad the people suffered so much.

[@overworlder]

My parents went to Scotland to see where a branch of our family came from. They ended up on a bare mountainside looking at some tumbled overgrown bricks. Now I know why.

[@nledaig]

Bricks? Very modern.

[@overworlder]

@@nledaig - I think they said bricks. It was years ago.

[@nledaig]

@@overworlder Very few Highland homes were built with bricks at the time of the Clearances - probably none.

[@overworlder]

@@nledaig - these people would have left Scotland in the mid-19thC.

[@nledaig]

@@overworlder That's the Clearance period. Only the Crofters Act of 1886 put a stop to mass evictions.

[@kentbyron7608]

Wow! World class presentation full of intelligence and heart. Great storytelling! Great cinematography. Great communication skills. Great creativity! Subscribed. Gratitude!

[@PilgrimKat]

Oh gosh, such a kind kind comment, thank you so much 🤗🌿

[@johnearle1]

The Highland Clearances are the reason why Nova Scotia, and Cape Breton Island in particular, have the highest percentage of Highland Scot descendants of the Scottish diaspora. Gaelic is still spoken and taught in Cape Breton. Whisky is made in its glens. Folk music is a vibrant part of the culture.

[@marktwaine9344]

why didn't they have guns...?....I'm American, so it goes with the territory....we will never surrender our guns, and the Gov knows it....

[@damionkeeling3103]

@@marktwaine9344 The Highlanders belonged to clans. While individuals may have resisted being thrown out of their homes they didn't consider rising up against the authorities who were mostly their own clan leaders and even the displaced ones that ended up in the Americas still supported Britain in large numbers during the Revolution there. The average highlander had been disarmed in 1716, not allowed to own a sword, gun or other warlike tool without government permission. When the 1745 rising happened they had to rely on the French to give them guns and then any captured guns they could get from the British army. The really bad clearances though took place in the mid 19th century, a hundred years later. The clans no longer existed except as names for local highland regiments of the British Army. The people considered they lived in a safe place, they had one government, no fear of invasion, no American Indian equivalent so they didn't need guns to defend themselves.

[@marktwaine9344]

@@damionkeeling3103 that's a pity, an enemy is still an enemy, when they threaten your home and croft...but we're all rebels over here, but that spirit is dying out now...

[@nledaig]

@@marktwaine9344 They were disarmed after Culloden but really whatever the case in your country it would have made little difference, It was more important to these people to have a cow and a spade than a gun. Where necessary the powerful used police and army units to subdue resistance.

[@marktwaine9344]

@@nledaig according to American law the 'active duty' military can not be used against the people...BUT the National Guard CAN...since they are a mostly 'inactive' unit...but really, we no longer trust our Gov in anything...

[@willsherman1049]

Very nicely done. Good subject that doesn't get enough attention from mainstream history. I enjoyed it and hope you do more.

[@lucyfriesen1044]

This Hiighland Clearance videos is outstanding. Thank you for sharing this history. Some of my ancestors came from Scotland to the American colonies in the early to mid 1700's. Not sure when these evictions took place in your video. I'll watch it again. I'm not certain where the Carmichaels. McCrory, Coulter, Pennington, and other of my ancestors lived in Scotland. They fought on the side of the Colonists during Indepence. I've never been to Scotland, but I get chills and really snap to attention when I hear bagpipe music. I'm in Missouri so that's not often. Great work on this video!

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you Lucy, I appreciate you taking the time to comment :) That's incredible that you're so aware of your ancestors and history so far back! I believe the evictions began from the mid 1700s but the particular eviction I discuss in the video (at Arichonan) happened in 1848. Come visit! You'll love it :)

[@jamesmccreery250]

Many McCrorys moved to Ulster in the 1730s where the name was changes to McCreery, McCreary and some other variations. My understanding of the 1700s highland clearances, were that the Scots were removed by the English from the highlands who forced them into the small coastal "crofts".

[@Hereward47]

Pennington is an English surname

[@johnbaird4912]

@@Hereward47 What do you expect from Americans 😂

[@Hereward47]

@@johnbaird4912 🤣

[@elfkey1409]

My family, Cross, moved here to Australia in the 1840s from Argyle. They did decently for themselves. Cleared land, fenced it and created new lives until the great drought around 1890 when many were forced to walk away to something greener. Which they did :D They moved back to Murchison and Mooroopna but spread throughout Victoria to Bonnie Doon and many other farms. The family has been super successful since moving to Australia and I know of at least 10 generations my direct line has put down since we moved here. It's massive though when we have a reunion lol

[@PilgrimKat]

I'm so happy to hear that things have turned out so well for your family 🤗 Interestingly my great grandfather moved from Argyle to Australia but had to come back briefly for a family funeral - in which time he met my great grandmother so decided to settle back in Scotland after all (thank goodness for my family's sake haha 😅)

[@elfkey1409]

@@PilgrimKat That's it. Home is always where you find whatever love this cruel world allows us :D I can see why someone could so easily live there looking at your vlog. I hope you get the chance to try swimming in Qld though up past Bundaberg. It's like jumping into a heated pool lol The water there must be freezing haha

[@douglasmcneil8413]

My family's be in America for some 300 years. Or so I'm told. I was born and raised in the US. I've never been to Scotland. And it's likely that I'll never have the chance to go there. As much as I am proud to be an American, there's still a part of me that is just as proud of my highland ancestry. And Scottish history holds a great fascination for me. Thank you for the work you did on this video. It is greatly appreciated.

[@gerryhatrick6678]

My ancestors were a part of this. They were kicked out of Iona in 1849. Hugh and his wife CIrsty had 8 children, all grown or nearly grown. They were in their late 60's at the time. They did not survive the first winter homeless and both died. Of their 8 children, 3 died as paupers., 2 were poor all their lives but did manage to eke out a small living. 1 moved to the city of Glasgow and did survive. His youngest son only 19 went to Australia were descendants still live, and my 3x's great grandfather, his wife and his kids, including my 8 year old gr gr grandmother all made it to Canada. Once there my gr gr gr grandfather, Donald, his wife Anne and children took part in land settlement where they recieved 100 acres of bush land. Donald rather than clear it for farming, set up the first saw mill and used his bushland as a way to supply lumber to the homesteaders. As a result, Donald went from a poor crofter to what would be considered middle class businessman and he and his family prospered. Most of us still live in the area where he settled in 1850. Donald was a McGillivray (or McGilivra/MacGillivray) depending on how the census taker wrote it. His wife Anne from Mull was originally a MacDonald. Her mother was a Bell and and Donald's mother was a MacNeil.

[@komo06]

Wow such an amazing video!!!! You are so beautiful and such a good speaker, it's so easy to see how passionate you are. This video is honestly so well rounded, the depth of production is amazing!

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you so much for your kind words, this comment really cheered me up ☺

[@komo06]

@@PilgrimKat nooo ty for the video! Ur amazing

[@pennylane9730]

I'm aware of this. It was a dark time in Scottish history.. So sad..😢

[@petrsson]

Simple and very informative...Good job..😎👍

[@haimbenavraham1502]

A very moving doc. a similar history in Ireland.

[@calicomist9213]

Thank you for posting. Amazing what our Scottish ancestors endured. I recently found out that I'm descended from Alexander MacIntosh of Blerie and Moray, and his wife Isabelle Duff, daughter of William Duff, First Earl Fife. They came to America around 1728. All told, he and his wife had 22 children. :)

[@cathybenson5119]

It's good to see that the Gaelic language still thrives in Scotland. My maternal grandparents were from Scotland. I would love to travel to Scotland n explore the country, but I'm too old now. Plus, I have health issues, n that would make it too difficult to manage. 😢

[@PilgrimKat]

I believe it is mainly spoken as a second language now but certainly interest is growing. I look forward to seeing how things evolve over the next generation! 🌿

[@PilgrimKat]

PS. I'm sorry you're unable to travel to Scotland in person but you're always welcome to virtually "visit" through these videos 🤗🌿💛

[@veronicaroach3667]

Loits of videos of just about any area you want to 'visit' - I'm old too & that is how I keep up with what's going on & learn new things every day ;visiting' places all over the world, KZbin is weonderful !

[@guyluck9253]

On the Island of Kerrera just off Oban are many remains of such stone dwellings. Before the clearances the island had about 300 people living on it. In 1972 and 1973 I spent two summers on the island doing my geological map work. The island had a population of 10.

[@LUIS-ox1bv]

Great to hear of the efforts to keep Scottish Gaelic alive. It's a beautiful language.

[@johnspringstubue3395]

Thank you for the history lesson, My Grandmothers maidan name was McLaughlin, 80percent Scotts Irish, she loved to cook, garden, and loved her.flower garden, your videos are very heartwarming, I walk my friends dog occasionally he is a Border Collie, I love the energy he has, pure sheep dog, born for the beautiful Scottish Highlands. Thank you.

[@PilgrimKat]

So lovely to read about your grandmother - she sounds wonderful! Thank you for watching 😊

[@isabellemills2917]

I remember visiting Croick church in Glencalvie as a kid. It's cool to learn more about the context around the clearings, and clear up some of my misconceptions.

[@PilgrimKat]

Glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching! :)

[@nledaig]

Did you see the inscriptions left by the cleared?

[@AnnieNelson-m4j]

It's wonderful that the history and language of this beautiful land is remembered, more that it has endured. So happy to know the language is being spoken, and taught...the hearts of the Scots are their language, and customs...

[@AngusMacKinnon-xm5ko]

Thank you Pilgrim Kat for an insightful synopsis into my Highland culture. Though born awa frae ma hameland, I have since childhood felt the surge of Highland blood in me veins. Nothing will ever tak that awa frae me. You can tak the boy out of Scotland but YOU WILL NEVER TAK SCOTLAND OUT OF THE BOY! Listen to me, as when ye heard our father Sing long ago, the song of other shores- Listen to me, and then in chorus gather All your deep voices, as ye pull your oars: CHORUS. Fair these broad meads - these hoary woods are grand; But we are exiles from our fathers’ land. From the lone shieling of the misty island Mountains divide us, and the waste of seas- Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is Highland, And we in dreams behold the Hebrides: Fair these broad meads - these hoary woods are grand; But we are exiles from our fathers’ land. We ne’er shall tread the fancy-haunted valley, Where ‘tween the dark hills creeps the small clear stream, In arms around the patriarch banner rally, Nor see the moon on royal tombstones gleam: Fair these broad meads - these hoary woods are grand; But we are exiles from our fathers’ land. When the bold kindred, in the time long-vanishd, Conquer’d the soil and fortified the keep- No seer foretold the children would be banish’d, That a degenerate Lord might boast his sheep: Fair these broad meads - these hoary woods are grand; But we are exiles from our fathers’ land. Come foreign rage - let Discord burst in slaughter! O then for clansman true, and stern claymore- The hearts that would have given their blood like water, Beat heavily beyond the Atlantic roar: Fair these broad meads - these hoary woods are grand; But we are exiles from our fathers’ land. SCOTS WA HAE!!!

[@PilgrimKat]

Thanks for watching! Great comment 🤗🌿

[@russcelt1]

The legacy continues: my mother's family was from Skye and my father's family was from Aberdeenshire. I've just had surgery to remove skin cancer after 70+ years of living with the Sassenachs. For more on the Highland Clearances, read The Heather on Fire: A Tale of Highland Clearances. By Mathilde Blind, (1841-1896).

[@Sean-oe1xg]

Thanks pilgrim kat for your very informative film,short and to the point..the Highland's look absolutely stunning..and Will look for other material to increase my knowledge of the subject.. Keep on making these beautiful films kat,so much history in your country and your presentation draw's you in to the topic..

[@deborahcox7784]

Excellent job, young woman!!!!

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you so much! 💛💛

[@JanineOliver-xv1xj]

Years ago I was lucky enough to visit the lands of my ancestors in Scotland. I visited a place high in the mountains on what was Chisholm land, and felt very emotional at finding a rock cairn made from rocks all over the world, brought to this place from the new lands of members of the Chisholm Clan, in Scotland for a world wide clan gathering. In Australia there is excellent documentation of all those with the name of Chisholm including many links with Chisholm families in New Zealand

[@gerardnolan2939]

There were similar evictions in ireland by landlord for the same reasons, great video

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you, it's sad to read about these kinds of injustices in so many different places

[@packrat1210]

The longer I have lived the more saddened I have become watching the powerful and wealthy mistreating those with no power or money. The rich never seem to be satisfied, always wanting more at someone else’s expense. I have given up hope that people will ever begin to try to understand and really care for their fellow man. In America now we have this group of powerful democrats who have infiltrated ever part of our government and are outwardly lying about others who disagree with them politically. They are demonizing them, calling them facists and racists. The entire main stream media has also been corrupted and they are also run by powerful democrats and our supposed free press has been turned into the propaganda arm of the liberal democrats. They call conservatives domestic terrorists, the FBI threatens and harasses parents to intimidate them into shutting up when all they want is to have a say in what their children are being taught in schools. They are pushing a transgender ideology on school children as young as kindergarten and have been actively assisting children who are not even old enough to get their ears pierced with out parental permission to declare they are of a gender other than the one they were born with. They assist them behind the parents back to undergo the taking of puberty blockers and push them towards mutilating their bodies such as having mastectomies when as young as 13. They have passed a law in California where if a parent does not fully support a child physically transitioning their bodies they can have their child taken away from them and the state will provide these so called treatments for them without parental consent. Many children who had under gone these mutilating procedures and now as people in their 20s are suffering greatly realizing what they have done to themselves and suffering much psychological trauma because of their regrets. If they try to speak out to warn others they are harassed and silenced. The dept of education is also full of these same liberals that have been active for decades brainwashing young people in colleges to hate their country, question their religious beliefs in an effort to separate them from their parents. The FBI has begun targeting Catholics even attempting to put spies into Catholic Churches because they disapprove of abortion on demand. They arrest pro life people for praying in public and are daily passing laws to stop people from exercising our rights to free speech. Our courts and department of Justice are mostly headed up an run by liberals who charge their political enemies with made up crimes while ignoring the actual crimes of powerful democrats. Our own FBI has been intentionally interfering in our elections since at least 2016. Shutting people down, throwing them off social media sites if their dare voice an opinion different from the democrats. They are throwing republicans in jail for supposed crimes like not registering as a foreign agent if they are taking money from others like the Chinese but when elite political families commit the same crime they cover for them, give them special protection and offer them plea bargains with no jail time, and no punishment. They media hides and covers up crimes committed by the elite and powerful. In democrat run cities crime is rampant because of their refusal to punish criminals. If someone uses lethal force in a clear attempt to protect themselves from imminent harm they are the one arrested and charged with crimes while the criminal is turned into a hero. District attorneys who were given millions of dollars by George Soros to get help get them elected are using their power to turn our once great cities into hell holes that people are trying to escape from. Our border is wide open to anyone who cares to walk in. Drug trafficking, human trafficking and child trafficking are going on and the liberals turn a blind eye to all of it while these drugs are killing untold thousands every year. The drug cartels of Mexico control our border. Christian and white people are the only segment of society that are allowed to be persecuted. Perversion is promoted. Abortion is used as birth control. The only institution that conservatives have a majority in is our Supreme Court thanks to President Trump. We had to put up with a liberal court for the last 60 years while they decimated our rights. Now that they lost control the liberals are harassing our judges, threatening them, accusing them of crimes they didn’t commit in an attempt to shut them down. I no longer recognize this country I was born in and grew up in. There is obvious cheating in our elections and no one has any power to stop it. If someone tries or speaks out against it they are harasses into oblivion, they are investigated and hounded and deplatformed and have their businesses destroyed and are having to spend millions of dollars trying to defend themselves. If you think you want to come here, don’t do it. I’m sorry for this rant but hearing about the Scottish clearances just reminded me of all the craziness that is happening and it’s all because a group of people have subverted our government and are in an all out attempt to completely destroy our constitution, take away our rights and turn this nation into a communist hell hole all while claiming to be protecting democracy. I would not believe it if I was not witnessing it every day. My family are Scott’s and Irish and Welch and English and cane here during the potato famine to try for a better life. Their sacrifices paved the way for my generation to finally succeed and gain a foothold, but it is all being destroyed now and it makes me sad that the dream only lasted for about 150 years. We are trying hard not to allow this country to be destroyed but without a miracle it’s looking pretty bad right about now. Pray for us please.

[@donnaconnell]

Thank you for making this video and your empathy for our ancestors❤

[@jonimrye5722]

Hi Kat, loved your video very well presented and produced. I am a fellow creator on the south side of the border telling the history of Northumberland. As Im sure you know the Northumbrians supported the Scottish claim to the throne which is why we are mostly accepted by you Scots 😉 I see you are at 900 subscribers so I have subscribed to help you get to the magic 1K. I look forward to your future productions. Best Wishes Jon

[@PilgrimKat]

What a kind and lovely comment, thank you so much for watching, commenting and subscribing. It means a lot 😊 Currently have a "detox" from watching KZbin but will check out your channel when I get back!

[@jonimrye5722]

@@PilgrimKat 👍

[@aleksandrarutyunyan5925]

Dear Pilgrim Kat, I was pleased to watch your video, dedicated to Scotland. We Armenians love Scotland - your fabulous nature, your history, your art, your literature and, most importantly, the proud Scottish people. The melodies of your national musical instrument-bagpipes - are dear to us. We are proud that the mother of Armenian-American composer Alan Hovhannes is Scottish. And the son of these two peoples dedicated his symphonies to nature, especially mountains, oceans and seas. His creations tell us that our fantastic, fabulous, beauty of the universe-the Earth-is a living creature, like man, dolphins, butterflies, and we need to love and cherish the greatest gift of God- humanity- a child of the Universe, our Holy Land. P.S. In Armenia, Robert Burns' birthday is often celebrated beautifully - on January 25, bagpipes sound and guests are served a traditional Scottish dish -haggis. Sincerely, Aleksandr. From Armenia Հարգելի Պիլգրիմ Կատ, հաճույքով դիտեցի ձեր տեսահոլովակը, նվիված Շոտլանդիային։ Մենք՝ հայերս, սիրում ենք Շոտլանդիան՝ ձեր հեքիաթային բնությունը, ձեր պատմությունը, ձեր արվեստը, ձեր գրականությունը և ամենակարեվորը հպարտ շոտլանդացի ժողովրդին։ Մեզ հարազատ է ձեր ազգային երաժշտական գործիքի՝ պարկապզուկի մեղեդիները։ Մենք հպարտ ենք, որ կոմպոզիտոր Ալան Հովհաննեսի մայրը շոտլանդուհի է։ Եվ այդ երկու ազգի զավակը իր սիմֆոնիաները նվիրել է բնությանը, հատկապես լեռներին, օվկիանոսներին և ծովերին։ Նրա ստեղծագործությունները մեզ հուշում են, որ մեր ֆանտաստիկ, հեքիաթային, տիեզերքի գեղեցկուհի՝ երկրագունդը, կեդանի էակ է, ինչպես մարդը, դելֆինները, թիթեռները, և պետք է սիրել, փայփայել այս Աստծո մեծագույն նվերը՝ մարդկությանը՝ տիեզերքի զավակին, մեր Սուրբ Երկրագնդին: P.S. Հայաստանում հաճախ, գեղեցիկ ձեվով նշում են, Ռոբերտ Բերնսի ծննդյան օրը՝ հունվարի 25-ին, հնչում է պարկապզուկը և հյուրերին մատուցվում է ավանդական շոտլանդական ուտեստը՝ Հագիսը։ Հարգանքներով՝ Ալեքսանդր: Հայաստան

[@jayroberts7208]

Thank you for making this video so this history is understood by their ancestors. Makes sense why the Scots are so tough. Guess we can look at it like this- We had things to influence in the US, Canada, and australia. :) Long live Gaelic culture.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you for watching ☺️ and for leaving such a lovely comment! I really appreciate it 💛

[@pattifriend6676]

This was stunning!

[@johnmc67]

I speak with an American accent, and live in Detroit, at least partially thanks to The Clearances. My ancestor was forced (with his family) to live on South Uist. He was the only one to survive “life” there. Somehow, with no family & no resources he was able to finagle his way to Canada & wound up in Sault Ste. Marie. Eventually stealing a boat & crossing into Michigan, finally settling in Manistique.

[@johnmc67]

The Potato Famine was the other reason. And people wonder why I have no desire to visit London…😂😂😂

[@Hun_Uinaq]

Lovely video. Great job. I found it very moving.

[@orangelgaspar7760]

Excelente trabajo,me gustó mucho,siempre me he sentido atraído por las Highland,encierran tanto misterio e historia,saludos desde Venezuela

[@angusdrummond6719]

Well done. Thank you!

[@bill-2018]

I knew of the clearances years ago but interesting to see those buildings. I remember a camp site at Strontian and a pub where I got talking with a local man who after about ten minutes said, "Excuse me but my friend has come in and I'm going to talk to him for a while." No problem. Then they both started talking in Gaelic. it's good to hear it being used on a regular basis.

[@Valhalla88888]

I can hear the emotion in your voice but yes as you said hope for a better day❤

[@lisabolo26]

I would like to hear more about how this goes in Glasgow. Please keep us up to date!

[@alexmacdonald258]

That's a very gentle presentation of what actually took place. I've no love lost for an t-sassanach

[@euanmccrindle6638]

Great video Kat!

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you Euan! :)

[@rpgadventurer32]

Great video. Scotland is one of the most beautiful countries and territories in the world. The highlands are breathtaking. It's very interesting hearing about the history of the place.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you so much for your kind words about Scotland, I'm glad you enjoyed :)

[@brucesteele5810]

Informative and well done.

[@PilgrimKat]

Thank you Bruce, glad you enjoyed!

[@chastidymann4370]

America, needs this channel. 📡

[@adriaanboogaard8571]

Your doing wonderful things. I'm first generation Dutch in America. I only spoke my Parents home language until I was 3. I've mostly lost 95 % of it do to what is and isn't language shaming. Mostly just adapting. I'm 55.my Dad spoke enough to get by in French Finish German . Fluent Dutch and English. I pick up accents but don't hold a candle to my Dad. He was borne in the Netherlands 1919. No matter what place your family's from keep the heratage alive.

[@dianewuchevich6208]

Thank you! This was touching and informative. I enjoyed this very much!

[@stanjuan1178]

I'm an American "Mutt" of sorts. Primarily French and Indian on my mothers side, and a mix of Welsh, Irish, German and English on my fathers side. With a healthy sprinkle of several other flavors in there too for good measure. For some reason, I've always been drawn to Irish and Scottish and yes, english, culture. Without being able to explain why (as I truely don't know why), my heart lays there somehow. I feel a connection without having a connection. I've been a follower of Bruce Fumey's channel for quite a while (among others). I think I have found another person to add to that list. And while I do LOVE me some Bruce, If I'm honest, you're easier on the eyes. But don't tell Bruce I said so. =)

[@Rosesraspberries72]

Hi I’m a born and bred west Aussie. But my heart has always been pulled to England, Scotland, Wales & Ireland. However when I was a young woman I had a burning desire for the US for I loved everything to do with the Natives Americans. So I truly believe that as ancient souls we have lived many life times upon Mother Earth, and I think the cultures that pull on our heart strings this lifetime, are the cultures we loved living in the most. For some reason I’ll always look at the UK as the Mother land.

[@SkyeSage17]

UR love and compassion for ur beautiful country comes thru the video.Scotland is at the top my list to visit. Mystical land of my people.❤

[@loneprimate]

Yup, that's why my family's lived in Ontario since the 1830s. My uncle gave me a photocopy of the letter our ancestor used to petition for land here on the basis of his service as a Royal Marine before immigrating.

[@piccalillipit9211]

*LOOKING AT THE COMMENTS* youtube has decided its your time to be famous - CONGRATULATIONS - great video - you got a sub.

[@NCCorruption]

The clearances took place in England as well. The fishing village I live in was created to dump the peasants in after they were cleared off the land to make way for sheep.

[@AhJodie]

Horribly sad, and then wonderfully hopeful! Thank you for this video!

[@shireboundscribbles]

It's very nice to see a documentary on the Clearances that does not blame the English (the wealthy rulers came for us first, in the Enclosures and in the Draining of the Fens, which destoyed lives remarkably similar to the Clans, in no small part to force us into their city factories).

[@PilgrimKat]

I'm so glad this came across! Of course there were English who pushed the clearances but also many Scots - my understanding from what I've read is that it was perhaps connected more with class than nationality

[@HalifaxPeacock]

This immediately made me think of the Expulsion of the Acadians out of what is now Nova Scotia (New Scotland). Clearance, Expulsion, Ethnic Cleansing… different words with similar meanings and ending with the same devastating results. Thanks for posting.

[@Occident.]

Im born in England, but im a Gael. My recent DNA test proved me to be 50% Irish 44% Scots and 6 % Germanic Europe. Im pleased they are trying to revive the Gaelic language.