Sheep and Deer v. People in Berriedale Part B

Written by Alexander Gunn and published in the Northern Ensign on 13 April 1887 – Part B

To the Editor of the Northern Ensign 31st March, 1887

Bridge over Langwell Water with uninhabited glens

“Is it to be wondered that there is a re-action, and that the people are beginning to be alive to their own interests, and to assert their rights, and despise the men who lorded it over them with such cruel oppression? Thanks to the Crofter Commission and the Crofter Act, with all its defects, together with the extension of the franchise, Jack is now as good as his master, and I do not share the despondent feeling of your correspondent, who places the re-occupation of his native straths and glens at such a distance. On the contrary, I believe that ere another generation passes away, most of these fertile straths and glens will be inhabited by a happy and industrious people.”

Langwell Strath near Turnal in the eviction list

“We hear a great deal about the hardships and the oppression under which the poor crofters of the Western Highlands are groaning, and they no doubt have suffered and are suffering much, but I affirm that we have no record of anything like the tyranny, oppression, and desolation that the unfortunate people of Berriedale have had to endure. We hear of arrears of rent in connection with the evictions in other places, but in the case of the crofters of Berriedale, they did not owe a single sixpence to their laird the day they were turned out of their comfortable homes.”

Eventually, the sheep venture at Wag was abandoned. But no re-occupation by crofters here.

“I understand that a petition has been presented to the present noble proprietor of Berriedale, pleading for more land. It is to be earnestly hoped that such a reasonable request will not be met by a refusal.”

Carnoustie now. No small holdings here.

“I was delighted to observe the other week in passing through part of the Panmure estate, between Carnoustie and Broughty Ferry, a row of neat cottages in course of erection, to be inhabited by small farmers at the town, the noble proprietor (Lord Dalhousie) having broken down a large farm and let it in small holdings. It is to be hoped that other proprietor will follow this example, and in this way form a bond of union between landlord and tenant, which is so desirable, and which would be so much to the benefit of both.”

ALEX. GUNN.

Glasgow, 31^st March, 1887

My Comments:

While the Berriedale tenants had no written legal tenure they had obviously believed that paying their rent (not owing a sixpence) would at least stand for some sort of security. No such luck. In Langwell as in many other districts such as the Western Isles the landlords were so fixated on clearing the tenants that whether rent was owing or not they found a way to evict and often with unspeakable cruelty.

Source: Welbeck/Langwell estate website

Unfortunately neither the Crofter Commission and the Crofter Act, nor the petition presented to His Grace the Duke of Portland for more land resulted in the re-occupation of a happy and industrious people that Gunn longingly anticipated. The current website for the Braemore and Langwell estates informs us that the deer forest which was purchased by the Duke of Portland in 1857, and has remained in the family since that date, is 52,000 acres and employs 4 staff!

Gamekeeper's road on Langwell

The Panmure estate, between Carnoustie and Broughty Ferry, that Alexander Gunn was feeling hopeful about never delivered for small farmers either. In fact Gunn would be horrified if he knew what happened to Panmure House. 

An old postcard showing Panmure House which was rebuilt in the 19th century. It was thought to be one of the finest baronial houses in Scotland, but following World War II it fell into disrepair and the money could not be found to repair and maintain it.  This beautiful building was blown up in December 1955.