THE GLENDALE LAND LEAGUERS MEMORIAL CAIRN

       The Memorial Cairn to the Glendale Land Leaguers is located on Colbost Hill on the right side of the road that leads to Glendale village. The Cairn is dedicated to the memory of those who resisted the efforts of the Government to clear them from their land in 1883. The unveiling took place on 25 July 1970 in a ceremony that included John Macpherson, a grandson of the 'Martyr', who blew the original rallying horn used to assemble the crofters of the time.

      The dedication address was given by Dr. Charles Ferguson, M.B.E, J.P., another grandson of John Macpherson. His oration was short considering the occasion's importance yet too long to give more than a few highlights here. He likened John Macpherson's achievements with that of the Bruce at Bannockburn. He went on to say that "attempts have been made and are being made, through oblique and devious means, to influence the Highlanders to forget the Land Leaguers and to brush aside the atrocities and barbaric cruelties inflicted on the Highlanders . . . over a period of over 100 years. CAN YOU FORGET? Can the world forget Hitler's atrocities? The Jews forget Buchenwald? Can the Macdonalds forget Glencoe? There are some events in history that defy oblivion, and the Highland Clearances is one of them."

      Dr Fergusson continued, "What inspired those martyrs to take up the cudgels against oppression after suffering so long?" His answer -- "the hunger for human dignity, for freedom and for justice. Protest is not only right at times but an obligation. The martyrs' leadership and stand, was not only brave but heroic. To remember them is an obligation. . . . It would be a cosy and ungrateful attitude to their sacrifices, if their efforts and achievements were forgotten."