The Highland Clearances

The years of 1750-1850 saw major economic and demographic changes to Scotland, following the disastrous Battle of Culloden, 1746, which resulted in the destruction of the ancient Clan system in the Highlands.  The Scottish nobility came to the fore and wanted resources to support a rich lifestyle. Traditional feudal farming, based on cattle and subsistence agriculture, was eliminated and many Highland villages were destroyed in order to make room for the lucrative business of raising sheep. Many poor folks moved to the coast or emigrated to the New World by ship. The Lowlands of southern Scotland were also depopulated to supply the labor for the industrial revolution in, for example, Glasgow. This talk will discuss the impact of these changes on the people and the land, which still haunt Scotland.

Our presenter, Dr Peter M. Smith is Scottish born and educated although he has lived in the USA for over 40 years, working in the Pharma industry as a project manager. He is married with two grown children and lives in Princeton. He has a strong love for his native Scottish landscape which he knows well.

The talk will be held at the Center for Modern Aging – Princeton, 101 Poor Farm Road, Princeton, NJ. on Sunday, March 23rd at 3:00 pm.  Refreshments will follow.