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To Canada From Scotland's Outer Hebrides |
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"Due to their separation from the mainland of Scotland the Western Isles have a unique character all of their own. This splintered sweep of islands, stretching 180 miles from the Butt of Lewis to Barra Head, incorporates six immensely beautiful holiday islands, namely Lewis, Harris, North Uist, Benbecula, South Uist and Barra. On the west coasts there are long stretches of pastureland with wild flowers and miles of clean sandy beaches. The eastern coasts are rugged with cliffs and small bays which have an atmosphere all their own. The islands are ideal for ornithology and archaeology, for fishing and sea angling, for the photographer, or the holidaymaker seeking peace and tranquility." For over two hundred years, these lands have been a source of emigration to Canada. This web site outlines the exodus from three of these islands, namely: Benbecula, South Uist and Eriskay, to different regions of Canada at various periods in our history. The Highland Clearances, as applied to these islands, ranged from voluntary departure to forced eviction. The lists which follow contain the names of only those people who have been identified as emigrating from these three islands and whose Canadian destination is known. |