1883 - Malcolm Maclean & Norman Morrison

Seo mar a dh’innis Murchadh Chalum Sheòrais mun là a choinnich an Coimisean am Miabhaig air an 4mh là dhen Ògmhios 1883.

“Bha iad cruinn an Eaglais Cheann Langabhat. Bha
m’ athair na dhuine òg anns an eaglais air an là ud. Shaoil e gur e là mor an eachdraidh na sgire a bh’ ann agus is iomadh turas a chuala sinne seanchas an là ud. ’S e Lord Napier, fear na cathrach, bha Sir Coinneach Ghèarrloch ann, Dòmhnall Camshron, Loch Iall, Ball-Pàrlamaid aig an àm agus Friseal Mac an Tòisich, Ball-Pàrlamaid Liberalach Siorrachd Inbhir Nis, fìor charaid nan croitearan agus fìor sgoilear Gàidhlig. ’S e an t-Ollamh MacFhionghain an t-eadar-theangaiche a bh’ aca.

Mus do thòisich iad a’ toirt fianais, thubhairt Uilleam MacAoidh, siamarlan Lèodhais gun do dh’iarr
a’ Bhan-tighearna NicMhathain air innse nach deigheadh dad a chanadh iad a thoirt an àirde nan aghaidh an dòigh sam bith gu bràth.

’S e mo sheanair Alasdair Dòmhnallach a thagh muinntir Chrabhlastaidh na fhear-labhairt; Iain ’ain ’ic Eachainn a bh’ ann airson muinntir na h-Àirde; Tarmod Ruadh Moireasdan, athair Taggaidh bha bruidhinn airson Bhrèidhnis; Iain Gobha airson muinntir Chàiriseadar; Murchadh Ruadh MacIllEathain, ciùrair Bhaltois dha muinntir Bhaltois; Dòmhnall Iain Bhàin airson a’ Chnìp.”

Sanais an Samhradh, 1986

“ I was born in Uig and I was upon two occasions deprived of my possessions … we were deprived of the hill pasture which was given to the neighbouring tack and then our stock was taken from us, we were obliged to subsist as best we could upon the crofts. Subsequently we were summoned out of the parish altogether and deprived of everything we possessed – cattle, sheep and everything else. The people asked the Chamberlain at the time what he was then going to do when there were no homes, and he pointed to the sea, and told them their home was there.”

Malcolm Maclean who was among those cleared in 1837 and sent to Ness. He described the experience of the evictions to the Napier Commission in 1883.

“ Our places were crowded first when the neighbouring township of Mealista was cleared. Six families of that township were thrown in among us; the rest were hounded away to Australia and America, and I think I can hear the cry of the children till this day”

Norman Morrison, Breanish, giving evidence to the Napier Commission, June 4th 1883

Photo © St Andrews University Library
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