Oblique aerial view of Loch Sgaire, Lewis and the surrounding landscape.

Description Oblique aerial view of Loch Sgaire, Lewis and the surrounding landscape.

Date 1966

Collection John Dewar

Catalogue Number RC 2728

Category Photographs and Off-line Digital Images

Copies SC 1528134, SC 1676655

Scope and Content Aerial view of Loch Sgaire, Lewis, Western Isles Uig was an area which was transformed by the eviction of tenant crofters. In 1783 Lewis was inherited by Mr Francis Humberston Mackenzie, later to become Lord Seaforth, and in 1793 Mackenzie designated the whole parish of Uig to be rented as a sheep farm. In 1796 a total of 133 summons for eviction from Uig were issued to the tenants. In 1823 Kirkibost and Little Bernera in Uig were cleared of people, and the land became part of Linshader Farm. By 1825 many families had been removed from the townships of Hamnaway, Aird Beag, and Ceann Chaolais, and resettled at Kinresort. Between 1825 and 1828 land used by Uig tenants for over-wintering their stock was taken away, and the houses of the tenants in Timsgarry were removed to create land for the minister in 1826. Mealista, a large township, was cleared in 1838 with the inhabitants being forced to move to Canada, although some were sent to Brenish. Clearances continued under Sir James Matheson (1796-1878) who bought Lewis in 1844. In total, at least 39 townships were cleared of people in Uig. Lewis and Harris are both parts of the same island, collectively known as 'the Long Island', which is the most northerly in the Outer Hebrides. Together they are about 95km in length and around 32km at the widest point. Most of Lewis is quite low-lying, whereas Harris is mountainous. Loch Sgaire is situated on the west coast of Lewis in the parish of Uig. Source: RCAHMS contribution to SCRAN.

External Reference 4135/9

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