The MacAskills
by Bill MacAskill
The Changing Highland EconomyIt was now the time when sheep would transform the economy of the Highland estates. The need of manpower was long gone, industry had found a cheaper replacement for kelp, the return from the animals was greater than from people to support the now extravagant life style of the lairds. Ancient loyalties and sacrifices conveniently forgotten, the 'clearances' were about to start in earnest. It is perhaps ironic that a MacAskill would introduce the animal that would create so many problems for his kinsmen.
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At the 'set' of 1810, just as the Assynt evictions were commencing at Loch Beannoch, Duchlas, Polgarver, Line etc., MacLeod in Skye demanded a substantial increase in rents. This drew protests from every quarter. These, however, were ignored and advertisements appeared in the newspapers offering extensive farms to let in Minginish. Entry was to be at Whitsunday, 1811, 'a survey and measurement of land is now making out. Seasoned offers will be received.' Similar advertisements were being placed by Patrick Sellar seeking tenants for the 'cleared' lands of Assynt. He had the benefit of the earlier Home's Survey to describe the areas. Many Highland estates were now being surveyed with a view to establishing sheep runs. A man called May had earlier carried out a survey of the Barony of Coigach. It had recorded A.K.'s ancestor, Angus Macleod, as tacksman at Leorchircaig with 1650 acres and a community of about 30 people. He also held Sheanscaig with 3870 acres and, like Leorchircaig, a community of 9 tenants, costars and servants. A man of considerable means.
The Skye survey referred to was done by Charles Stewart and covered the whole of Minginish. Rhundunan farm was measured as 442 acres of arable and 26,835 acres of pasture. In the new lease the foxhunter's salary was to be paid by the farmer, one good farmhouse had to be left at the termination of the let, and kelp rights were to be retained by the landlord. Captain Kenneth, as he was by now known, accepted these terms for 'Rhundunan, Glenbrittle and Soay Island as delineated on Mr Stewart's Plan' but within a fortnight he wrote to MacLeod confessing he had only signed the new lease in order to give himself time to look through the world to find a spot to rest upon. Emigration was not to be considered lightly at his time of life. If the rent could be reduced somewhat he still hoped to be able to end his days in the glens of Brittle rather than on the banks of the Ohio.
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The rent demanded was £700 a year, the highest on the whole estate.