1851 - “Beannachd leis an Talamh Eòlach…” – “Farewell to the Familiar Earth…”

When the work schemes were withdrawn new estate proposals involved the removal of 400 people. John Munro-MacKenzie, Sir James Matheson’s factor, kept a diary of his transactions, including the logistics of forced emigration. The estimated arrears of each village, and the pitiable value of the stock, are recorded in the diary.

Village	1	2	3	4	5

Kneep	6	43	£74	£25.5s	1
Valtos	8	50	£111.15	39.15s	1
Breanish	4	27	£52	£6.5s	None
Islivig	3	18	£54.9s	£14.5s	None
Mangersta	6	34	£72.15.5	£38.12s	None
Carnish	12	61	£183.10.8	£57.5s	5
Crowlista	6	44	£38.8.4	£16.15s	None
Aird Uig	8	43	£41.10s	£68.00s	None
Geshader	2	4	£19.9.7	£10.10s	None
Carishader	2	11	£22.1.6	£3.10s	None
Enaclete	1	8	£1.10s	£10.10s	None

1 = Families to emigrate: 2 = Souls: 3 = Arrears: 4 = Value of stock: 5 = Willing to emigrate

The Poetry of Calum MacLeod, Crowlista, as he left for Canada in 1851

Chunnaic mise là an dealaich Aig an eaglais mhòir ud
Leigeil beannachd le na clachan ’S leis an talamh eòlach.

I saw the day of the departing
At the high church there
Leaving farewell to the stones (walls) And the familiar earth.

^{Source: Comunn Eachdraidh Uig, Sanas (1986)}