Blair Collection > Celtic magazine > Volume 2

396 THE CELTIC MAGAZINE.
DESTITUTION" m THE HIGHLANDS AND ISLANDS
OF SCOTLAND.
By the Rev. Alex. Macgregor, M.A.
IV.
"When the lands are once converted, as proposed in the preceding
article, by a local process of enlargement, into shares, severally
adapted for the maintenance of a single family, every encouragement
should be given to improvement, both by draining and fencing
that which is presently to some degree arable, as well as by trench-
ing in and reclaiming waste lands. It is known to everyone who
has made a tour of the Highlands, that vast tracts of land are to be met
with in a state of sterility, and Avithout even condescending on the spaces
and patches of ground which are presently useless within the very bounds
of their measured lots, immense ranges lie under moss, which are pre-
sently looked upon as irredeemable. It is acknowledged that waste lands
of this description incur considerable expense ere they are reclaimed, and
it may be objected that the crofter has no capital, and consequently no
means wherewith to eifect such improvement. This objection might be
justly pleaded were the crofter under the necessity of converting all his
waste ground into arable laud within the space of a year, or any other
limited period. But such need not be the case. Let the work go on
gradually, and however small the portion reclaimed in a season may be,
the benefits arising from it will prove a more powerful stimulus to proceed
with the improvement thus commenced, than could be effected by any
advices on the subject, however persuasively given.
As limestone is to bo found in most Highland districts, every family
might make lime for itself, miless the inhabitants of contiguous hamlets
would see fit to club together, and manufacture quantities of that most
useful commodity for the benefit of their lands. Lime is very little used
by the small tenants in the Hebrides as a stimulant, for many indeed are
ignorant of its good effect upon the soil. A variety of very important
improvements should thus be carried on, aU tending to the advantage of
the landlord and tenant, and thus to the community at large. Those
domestic concerns which are at present so grossly mismanaged, would be
conducted on more approved and genial principles. By the employment
of horses both men and women would be freed from a degree of slavery
by which they were so long inthraUed, and woidd be no more subject to
grievous and unnatural acts of labour. Creels would give place to carts,
and the " cas-chrom," so long an instrument of toU, would be for ever
discarded. Works of industry would arise from the due management of
their more extensive possessions — works which would amply repay their
labour. Thus, annual migrations to distant parts of the kingdom for
chance employment woiild for ever cease. Long, fruitless, and fatiguing
journeys would be discontinued. Tho natives would become a sort of
domesticated community, who would live ia comparative ease and comfort