THE GLENDALE CROFTERS FIGHT BACK

       The outrages inflicted on the crofters of Skye in the 1880s were equally deplorable but had a much different outcome from those experienced in the earlier Clearances. Back then the crofters accepted their fate with little resistance and left the Highlands to seek a new life in the cities or overseas. In the later period, they fought back in an organized way that paid off for crofters all over the Highlands.

      The principal leader of that fight was John Macpherson of Glendale on the northwest side of the isle. His efforts in this struggle gained him the title of 'Martyr of Glendale' . A memorial cairn now stands where he and his fellow crofters who formed the Glendale Land League challenged the Government forces who sought to suppress their resistance to the landowner's efforts to clear them from the land.

      In January 1883 forceful resistance by the Glendale men against law officers from Glasgow resulted in warrants being issued against the crofters' leaders for breaking an order of interdict. Respect for the law resulted in John Macpherson and two others agreeing to give themselves with the proviso that they not be compelled to travel to trial in Edinburgh in a gunboat that had been sent to aid the police.

      Their March trial in the Court of Session resulted in their being found guilty of breach of interdict and contempt of court. Sentenced to two months confinement in Edinburgh's Calton Hill prison, they were well looked after by the Edinburgh Highland Association who arranged for their being served with food from a nearby restaurant and entertained with pipe music. In May they emerged to a heroes' welcome which was repeated even more enthusiastically when they sailed into Portree Harbour where bonfires blazed on the hills and flags were flying.