Boreraig
Encyclopedia
Boreraig is a deserted township in Strath Swordale (Shuardail) on the north shore of Loch Eishort in the parish of Strath, Isle of Skye
, Scotland.
baile or township. It was forcibly cleared
by the agents of Lord MacDonald
to make way for sheep in 1853.
Many of the inhabitants, mainly crofters, emigrated after they were evicted.
The Scottish census reveals that, by 1851, in the parish of Strath, Shire of Inverness, approximately one hundred and twenty men, women and children lived in Boreraig's 22 households. Not every adult's occupation was recorded, but where the census taker kept a record, he described most individuals as crofters, agricultural labourers, or farm servants. Among them he also recorded a few weavers, a fisherman, and a house carpenter.
Croft tenancy records dating back to 1823, now held by the Clan Donald Centre at the Armadale Museum of the Isles in Sleat on the Isle of Skye, indicate that the twenty two households were spread across ten landholdings, each of 6 acres (24,281.2 m²). Many of the inhabitants were related. Anglicised death records indicate a good number of the inhabitants had maternal or paternal forebears born with the surname MacInnes.
The Boreraig evictions coincided with the high water mark of the Highland and Island Emigration Scheme(HIES). During the few years it operated, the scheme resettled some 5000 highlanders and islanders in Australia. By 1853 the HIES had accepted at least 8 of Boreraig's 22 households, or just under half the occupants of the cleared village, for sponsored resettlement. Passengers were dying before the ship reached Ireland.
In 1852 families from three Boreraig households sailed on the Araminta, the Allison, and the Ontario. Late in the same year, five more Boreraig households set out to emigrate with the HIES. The berths allocated to them were on . Fever broke out on board. Passengers were dying before the ship reached Ireland.
If other Boreraig families had been accepted for HIES resettlement, they decided not to take up the HIES option.
Clan Donald records indicate approximately seven of the household listed as 1852 Boreraig tenants (whether solely or jointly) eventually ended up as tenants of crofts in other villages. Scottish General Registry Office
records confirm this. In oral traditions, stories abound of dreadful hardship endured by Boreraig families who remained in Skye. Though some found another croft to go to, not all of them found house where they could live while they tilled the land to feed their family. They sheltered wherever they could.
The sheep farmhouse was abandoned in 1910. However the land is still used for grazing a flock of approximately 300 breeding ewes of the North Country Cheviot
breed, which are hefted
onto the area and run from Kilbride. Boreraig cannot be reached by any vehicular transport at all, thus making winter feed supplementation impossible, but the township has some of the most fertile grassland in Strath Swordale so the sheep remain in reasonable condition.
There is a standing stone and a remarkable footbridge over a stream consisting of a single slab of stone, which is said to have been lifted into place by one man - "Glagan-glùine" or "Knock-knees", who was alive in the early 18th century. The remains of a promontory dun
and an anchorage can be seen.
There is a very popular circular walk of about 8–9 miles, starting and finishing at Kilchrist (Cill Chrìosda or Cill a' Chrò), taking in Boreraig, neighbouring Suisnish (Suidhisnis) and Kilbride
(Cille Bhrìghde).
The land today, like much of Strath Swordale, is owned by the Scottish Government.
Skye
Skye or the Isle of Skye is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. The island's peninsulas radiate out from a mountainous centre dominated by the Cuillin hills...
, Scotland.
History
Boreraig, lying in a green and fertile glen, sheltered and south-facing, is a fine example of a traditional, pre-croftingCroft (land)
A croft is a fenced or enclosed area of land, usually small and arable with a crofter's dwelling thereon. A crofter is one who has tenure and use of the land, typically as a tenant farmer.- Etymology :...
baile or township. It was forcibly cleared
Highland Clearances
The Highland Clearances were forced displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies...
by the agents of Lord MacDonald
Clan Donald
Clan Donald is one of the largest Scottish clans. There are numerous branches to the clan. Several of these have chiefs recognised by the Lord Lyon King of Arms; these are: Clan Macdonald of Sleat, Clan Macdonald of Clanranald, Clan MacDonell of Glengarry, Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, and Clan...
to make way for sheep in 1853.
Many of the inhabitants, mainly crofters, emigrated after they were evicted.
The Scottish census reveals that, by 1851, in the parish of Strath, Shire of Inverness, approximately one hundred and twenty men, women and children lived in Boreraig's 22 households. Not every adult's occupation was recorded, but where the census taker kept a record, he described most individuals as crofters, agricultural labourers, or farm servants. Among them he also recorded a few weavers, a fisherman, and a house carpenter.
Croft tenancy records dating back to 1823, now held by the Clan Donald Centre at the Armadale Museum of the Isles in Sleat on the Isle of Skye, indicate that the twenty two households were spread across ten landholdings, each of 6 acres (24,281.2 m²). Many of the inhabitants were related. Anglicised death records indicate a good number of the inhabitants had maternal or paternal forebears born with the surname MacInnes.
The Boreraig evictions coincided with the high water mark of the Highland and Island Emigration Scheme(HIES). During the few years it operated, the scheme resettled some 5000 highlanders and islanders in Australia. By 1853 the HIES had accepted at least 8 of Boreraig's 22 households, or just under half the occupants of the cleared village, for sponsored resettlement. Passengers were dying before the ship reached Ireland.
In 1852 families from three Boreraig households sailed on the Araminta, the Allison, and the Ontario. Late in the same year, five more Boreraig households set out to emigrate with the HIES. The berths allocated to them were on . Fever broke out on board. Passengers were dying before the ship reached Ireland.
If other Boreraig families had been accepted for HIES resettlement, they decided not to take up the HIES option.
Clan Donald records indicate approximately seven of the household listed as 1852 Boreraig tenants (whether solely or jointly) eventually ended up as tenants of crofts in other villages. Scottish General Registry Office
General Register Office for Scotland
The General Register Office for Scotland was a non-ministerial directorate of the Scottish Government that administered the registration of births, deaths, marriages, divorces and adoptions in Scotland. It was also responsible for the statutes relating to the formalities of marriage and conduct...
records confirm this. In oral traditions, stories abound of dreadful hardship endured by Boreraig families who remained in Skye. Though some found another croft to go to, not all of them found house where they could live while they tilled the land to feed their family. They sheltered wherever they could.
Boreraig today
All that is left in Boreraig now is the ruined housing - much of it still standing to wallhead height - and the well-preserved field walls. There is a sense of displacement in Boreraig, as if the inhabitants had only left a short time ago. The biggest and most impressive ruins are those of the house and steading built for the tenant-farmer. The village lost its last residents in 1877. Scottish Gaelic was the language of the inhabitants.The sheep farmhouse was abandoned in 1910. However the land is still used for grazing a flock of approximately 300 breeding ewes of the North Country Cheviot
North Country Cheviot
North Country Cheviot sheep are a type of Cheviot. They are bred predominantly in Scotland, but are also bred in other parts of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland. They are raised primarily for meat.-Origin:...
breed, which are hefted
Heft
Heft and similar can mean:*Robert G. Heft, a designer of the 50-star and 51-star versions of the USA flag*HEFT, the Homestead Extension of Florida's Turnpike...
onto the area and run from Kilbride. Boreraig cannot be reached by any vehicular transport at all, thus making winter feed supplementation impossible, but the township has some of the most fertile grassland in Strath Swordale so the sheep remain in reasonable condition.
There is a standing stone and a remarkable footbridge over a stream consisting of a single slab of stone, which is said to have been lifted into place by one man - "Glagan-glùine" or "Knock-knees", who was alive in the early 18th century. The remains of a promontory dun
Dun
Dun is now used both as a generic term for a fort and also for a specific variety of Atlantic roundhouse...
and an anchorage can be seen.
There is a very popular circular walk of about 8–9 miles, starting and finishing at Kilchrist (Cill Chrìosda or Cill a' Chrò), taking in Boreraig, neighbouring Suisnish (Suidhisnis) and Kilbride
Kilbride, Skye
Kilbride is a small township in Strath Swordale, Isle of Skye, Scotland.The township is situated in a pocket of fertile lime-rich soil, between the Red Hills to the north and Beinn an Dubhaich and the Suidhisnis peninsula to the south...
(Cille Bhrìghde).
The land today, like much of Strath Swordale, is owned by the Scottish Government.