INTRODUCTION. XXXVH 



Q. " But would it not be better to sub-divide the land to 

 fewer, and send the rest away to the colonies ; as, by the 

 time you speak of, the colonies would be filled up, and 

 there would be more to send away ? " 



A. "Well, that is a question; but I would divide the 

 land in the meantime, and let the future look after itself. 

 Do you not think, my lord, that I have a good right to 

 the lands for which my forefathers died. I had an uncle 

 who was taken away by Macleod of Macleod for the defence 

 of his country. My grandfather and my father went into 

 his croft at Colbost, but they were afterwards evicted. 

 Have we not as much right to these lands as strangers or 

 deer ? It is the claiming of such rights in respect of what 

 our fathers did for the country that has been causing the 

 little disturbances in the island." 



Rents were increased to an incredible amount, while the 

 hill grazings, and the best portions of the arable land were, 

 at the same time, taken away, and that not less than on 

 four different occasions, since Major Fraser acquired the 

 property. The case of 



THE BRAVE OLD CROFTER 



will illustrate this and other high-handed proceedings on 

 this estate so completely that I am tempted to give it at 

 length. The following authenticated version of it is from 

 the Celtic Magazine for August : 



Donald Nicolson, formerly of Totescore, but now of 

 Solitote, Kilmuir, stated that he was past 78 years of age ; 

 that he was formerly a crofter, but that Captain Fraser all at 

 once doubled his rent, which increase he most reluctantly 

 agreed to pay. He was then asked to pay i more, which 

 he naturally refused, after which he was forcibly evicted, and 



