Important Events in Hebridean History
Before and After the Clearances (with audio)
Main Article
The archaeology of more recent centuries in the Outer Hebrides differs from that of the preceding periods, in that remains of settlements and townships can be seen and visited throughout the islands. Settlement patterns varied from place to place, but the distinctive blackhouses with their thick stone and earth walls and central hearths, often housing the cattle at one end, were ubiquitous. Homesteads would comprise a blackhouse with combined byre, and a barn, and each township would also possess a kiln barn, used for drying out the year's grain harvest and a horizontal water mill or two, for grinding it. A reconstructed kiln barn can be visited at Shawbost, Lewis, as well as restored mills there and on Great Bernera. Systems of stone-and earth-built walls and ditches divided up the land, and remains of these dykes criss-cross the open landscape. The better land was intensively cultivated, leaving a 'combed' pattern of lazybeds or feannagan. The rough pasture on the hill land was used for summer grazing, and walkers will encounter shielings, the summer habitions, in amazing numbers scattered along remote streams and hillsides. Remains of fishing bothies occasionally survive on the shore.
Subsistence agriculture was supplemented, towards the end of the 18th century by the production of kelp from the burning of seaweed, needed for industrial processes such as soap and glass making, and faint traces of this once extensive industry can be found around the coasts. The decline of this trade at the end of the Napoleonic wars was devastating to the islands' struggling economy, and a prolonged period of emigration was followed by clearances throughout the first half of the 19th century. The abandonment of many of the ruined settlements visible in the landscape today date from this time.
Industrial activities have also left their marks in the Islands. As well as many sites connected with the fishing industry, a whaling station was built at Bun Abhainn Eadar in Harris by 1907.
This is now the best preserved example in the northern hemisphere.
Audio Interpretations
This event features additional audio content. To listen to this content, either click on the inline player below each audio item (this requires Flash player to be installed on your machine), or click on the filename to download a copy to play on your computer.
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