The Rannoch Clearances

Copyright © 2007 Iain Kennedy

Perthshire doesn't get as much coverage in dicussions of the Highland Clearances as the more northerly areas like Sutherland. However there is a chapter on Perthshire in Alexander MacKenzie's 'History of the Highland Clearances' containing accounts of Athol (his spelling), Breadalbane and Rannoch.

Of Rannoch, MacKenzie, writing in 1883, said this (himself quoting 'a correspondent' [unnamed])

"Several no doubt left the district voluntarily; but the great bulk of those who left were evicted. Take the Slios Min, north side of Loch Rannoch, first. Fifty years ago the farm of Ardlarich, near the west end, was tenanted by three farmers who were in good circumstances. These were turned out, to make room for one large farmer, who was rouped out last year, penniless; and the farm is now tenantless. The next place, further east, is the township of Killichoan, containing about thirty to fourty houses, with small crofts attached to each. The crofters here are very comfortable and happy, and their houses and crofts are models of what industry, thrift, and good taste can effect. Further east is the farm of Liaran, now tenantless. Fifty years ago it was farmed by seven tenants who were turned out to make room for one man, and that at a lower rent than was paid by the former tenants. Further, in the same direction, there are Aulich, Craganour, and Annat, every one of them tenantless. These three farms, lately in the occupation of one tenant, and for which he paid a rentalof £900, at one time maintained fifty to sixty families in comfort, all of whom have vanished, or were virtually banished from their native land.

Then take the Slios Garbh, south side of Loch Rannoch. Beginning in the west end, we have Georgetown, which, about fifty years ago, contained twentyfive or twentysix houses , every one of which were knocked down by the Laird of Struan, and the people evicted. The crofters of Finnart were treated in the same way ...

Lastly, take the north side of the river Dubhag, which flows out from Loch Rannoch, and is erroneously called the Tummel [this is always marked River Tummel on modern day maps]. Kinloch, Druimchurn and Druimchaisteil, always in the hands of three tentants, are now held by one. ... The whole district from Kinloch to Auchitarsin belongs to General Sir Alastair MacDonald of Dalchosnie, Commander of Her Majesty's forces in Scotland..."

There is plenty more Rannoch coverage, plus similar detail on Atholl and Breadalbane, in the book which is published by Mercat Classics in Edinburgh.

I have marked in bold the places which feature in my own Kennedy family history.