The Mackay Country Project

The Poor Law and Emigration.

The new Poor Law was introduced in October 1845 and Parochial Boards were established in all parishes.  Maciver had charge of the three parishes of Assynt, Eddrachilles and Durness.  He found very few ‘businessmen’ available to act as members of the boards so the administration was almost all left to him. 

In 1847 and 1848 came the Potato Famine and the crops failed.  Crofters lived mainly on fish and potatoes, growing a little oats and barley.  Maciver claimed to be amazed at the reaction of the crofters which he described as panic. 

The memories of the vicious clearances, particularly in Strathnaver were very fresh.  These had been carried out on the orders of employees of the Sutherland.  Certainly Maciver had never encountered such distrust of landlords, agents and sheep farmers before. 

He claims that he was approached by many crofters who asked if the Duke of Sutherland would fund their emigration.  About a thousand people emigrated mostly to Canada at a cost of £7,000 to the Duke.  Some townships in Eddrachilles were cleared and added to sheep farms.  The ships sailed from Loch Laxford.  Even Handa Island was cleared and the island became part of MacvIver’s own farm.