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Joseph MacLeod articles in People's Journal April 13 1935

Edited by Joseph's great-grandson, Peter Lawrie, ©2019
[Any comments in italics are mine]

Reform Leaders in Ross-shire and Argyllshire


By Ex-Bailie Joseph MacLeod, Inverness

Ross-shire stalwarts of the land movement whom I encountered were many in number, but of the lot, I knew best Wm. Ross of Pitmaduthy; John MacRae, solicitor, Dingwall; Alex. Ross, solicitor, Dingwall; Mr Sinclair, schoolmaster, Lochalsh, whose son is employed in the G.P.O. at Inverness; William Calder, Petley, our Gaelic bard, who is yet with us; Kenneth Davidson, Knockbain, who died two years ago at the age of 90; G. G. MacLeod, Ardgay; John Rose, Strathpeffer; John MacDonald, Mulbuie; David Rose, Parkhill; Alex Ross, Logie Easter; William MacDonald, Rootfield, who died recently; Duncan Cameron, still alive; Bailie Mrs Mackay, Invergordon, still very much alive; John MacLeod, Drumsmittal; and T. G. Meldrum, Kilmuir Easter. All were keen and eager fighters in the cause.

I do not need to trouble my readers with the story of the struggle. Truth to tell, it was not marked with the same turbulence as in many other areas. But the support of the men I have mentioned was invaluable. Only they could tell the true tale of their battle against rack-rents and non security of tenure. They fought well, and I know that all of them - and particularly John MacRae - rejoiced to see the day when the intolerable state of affairs was exposed.

A Good Speaker
Mr Duncan Sinclair, schoolmaster, Lochalsh, I knew well. He organised branches of the Land League all over his area, and, being a good speaker, was in great demand. As a member of the general executive he did good work, and I remember seeing him give evidence before the Lord Napier Commission. The aid he gave to Dr MacDonald, the crofter member, when visiting the islands was invaluable. He also accompanied Joseph Chamberlain during his famous land campaign. Although he died at the early age of 56 he left behind him a monument of good works.

I have mentioned William Ross of Pitmaduthy. There was no greater stalwart than he. At a time when the life of farm servants was far from comfortable he threw his heart and soul into organising branches of the Ploughman's Union, first set afoot in the county of Ross for the amelioration of the ploughman's lot, and was mainly responsible for the spread of a movement which bettered the agricultural community. I need scarcely say that he did much to secure the passing of the Crofters Act in 1886.

In connection with the latter another ardent worker was Mr Meldrum, Delny. He was a teacher of eminence, and never spared himself in the cause of the crofters. It was my pleasure to know him, and it is my pleasure now to record his good work.

I have already mentioned my good companion, Mr Wm. Calder, J.P., Petley, Fearn, who is still as lively as ever. Although now resident in Tarbat, he is a son of Creich, and along with his brother, John, did much good work for the cause. Many a time have I encored their Gaelic singing, which was a feature of most of our social meetings.

Argyllshire Men
Of the Argyllshire men I recall best that great veteran, Sheriff Campbell; John MacDonald, boot and shoemaker, who is still alive; and the two MacAllums, Rev. Malcolm and Rev. Donald. They were all fine workers, Sheriff Campbell in particular. He used his pen and his tongue to aid the crofters, and few men were more familiar with the movement than he.

And now I come to my native Sutherlandshire. As I cast my mind back names flash before me. Let me note some of them. Among the many reformers were William Mackenzie, Trantlemore; John Mackay, Strathy; John Murray, Tongue; Hugh Tulloch, Helmsdale; Donald White, Durness; Rev. Mr Mackay, Lochinver; Angus Mackay, Bettyhill; Wm. Gunn, Kinbrace; John Sutherland, Pittentrail; Alex. Bannerman, Langwell; John Gordon, Inchcape; Alex. Vass, Inchcape; Andrew Lindsay, Golspie; Mr Meny, Golspie (still alive); John Mackenzie, Brora; Andrew Murray, Rallan; Duncan P. MacLeod, the Clyne secretary; Rev. John Murray, Brora; Old Donald Simpson, blacksmith, East Clyne; James Simpson, Brora; G. F. Murray, Brora, (still enjoying life); George Fraser, Achvaich; Thomas MacBeth, jeweller, Bonarbridge; Alex. MacLeod, Navidale; Angus Mackay, Tannachy; Wm. Black, Lairg; and others whose names I forgotten for the moment.

A Real Christian
I have vivid recollections of Angus Mackay, Swordly, Bettyhill. Well can I remember him, as president of the Strathnaver Crofters Association, bombarding with pertinent questions the then Marquis of Stafford, who stood as candidate against Mr Angus Sutherland in 1885. Mr Mackay was the grandson of the famous Jane Mackay, referred to by the author of "Sutherland Clearances" as a woman with views far beyond her day, yet a real christian. Mr Mackay had a most retentive memory and was an authority on folklore.

John Mackenzie, Brora, was annother man of character. He often declared that the landlords had no legal right to either land or fishing, and in his speeches, which were given either in Gaelic or English, he often showed originality.

Of Andrew Lindsay, former convenor of the county, it might well be said that he gave a life service to the cause of the people. It is worthy of note that in connection with the settlement of the Strathnaver crofters matters so developed that an agreement could not be reached between the applicants and the powers that were. However, Mr Lindsay pled for another parley, and his request was granted. Therein lies the tale of coincidence. Strange to say Mr Lindsay left for Bettyhill and Strathnaver on the very day that the last hoof of the stock bred by a descendant of Sellar - the factor prominent in the Sutherlandshire clearances - was disposed of at Culmaillie. Thus was fulfilled the prophecy made years before that "when the last hoof of the Sellars was cleared out of the county then would the sons of the evicted return to the land of their fathers".

Might I say in connection with the settlement at Strathnaver that prior to 1885 Angus Sutherland, Alex. Bannerman, and I held a small demonstration of sowing oats and potatoes. Today there are 22 descendants of the men settled there - men who are among the most prosperous crofters in the county.

Never Missing
Another great character was Alex. MacLeod, Navidale. He was one of the most sincere land reformers I ever met. Come rain or snow he was never missing from a meeting, and his zeal knew no bounds. As a questioner at political meetings he had few equals. I remember how in the old Free Church school at Helmsdale, he tackled Mr MacLeod Fullerton, a lawyer and Tory candidate, about his knowledge of the Bible. Mr Fullerton said he knew it well. "Well", asked MacLeod, "do you know it contains the words 'Woe be unto you, oh ye lawyers'?". So staggered was the candidate that great confusion followed, and the meeting came to an abrupt conclusion.

The late Councillor John Sutherland, Pittentrail, was a most outstanding and active supporter of the movement. A fluent speaker and a good Gaelic singer, his house at Rogart was termed, the "Land League House of Refuge". When member of the County Council he was elected vice-chairman, and for a time he acted as secretary of the Sutherland Association.

Another interesting personaility was the late Councillor A. Bannerman, East Langwell, Rogart. Few people knew their Bible better than this son of Helmsdale, and the story was told of him that he won his wife through his knowledge of the Scriptures. Before his future father-in-law would permit him to marry his daughter Mr Bannerman had to prove his suitability. To do so he was asked one day by the venerable old man to take worship. Our hero did so, choosing as his text "Oh, daughter, hearken and regard and do thine heart incline. Likewise forget thy father's house and people that are thine." Needless to add, he won the day.

Devoted to Cause
I could scarcely conclude these rambling comments about heroes of the land reform movement without mention of Mr John Murdoch of Ardclach, who was one of our greatest leaders. His chief aim in life was to help his countrymen in the Highlands, and after his retiral from the Excise service he devoted himself almost exclusively to their cause. It was my great privilege and good fortune to make his acquaintance at an early period in the agitation for land reform. Often at my own fireside did I hear him rehearse the sufferings to which the people were subjected all over the Highlands. Just one story about Mr Murdoch. One day when John was absent from the editorial chair at the Highlander, which he owned, a paragraph appeared which averred that the flood in Skye was a judgement on the estate owner for the unjust treatment of his tenants. The laird sued him for £1000, and was awarded £50. When the last day for payment had arrived Murdoch had collected in all some £60 to meet the £50 and £34 costs. But he did not worry, having a firm belief that the money would be forthcoming. And it was. A telegram was received by a local lawyer bearing the words :- "If Murdoch is pressed today, stand to him and hold me responsible for £50". The sender was Mr John Mackay, of Hereford.