Joseph MacLeod articles in People's Journal April 6 1935

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

The Crofters' Champions in Caithness

By Ex-Bailie Joseph MacLeod, Inverness

When I cast my mind back to the heart-stirring events of the land reform movement many familiar figures flit before my eyes. I can see those humble heroes of the various Highland counties - most of them laid to rest - who worked with might and main for the cause, men whose names are now almost forgotten, save in their little family circles.

I could not within the compass of these articles, mention everyone with whom I came into contact, but I should like in passing to refer to the more outstanding characters of the fight. And if I omit any of my former friends I trust I shall be forgiven. My only apologies for such omission is that with the passing of time some memories grow dim.

Let me commence with the extreme North, the county of Caithness which played a great part in the fight. Older generations can never forget the work accomplished by such men as Hugh Donaldson, Watten; Dr MacLean, Thurso; Alex. Mackay, Thrumster; David Dunnet, Quoys; Hugh Campbell, Reay; Provost Nicolson, Wick; Sir Alexander Rae, Wick; David MacLeod, Reay, who is still alive; John Sutherland, Buldoo, Latheron; Donald MacLeod, Clyth; and Donald MacDonald, Dunbeath. These were all men of outstanding personality and ability. I regret to say that the county does not produce the same type today.

A Stout Band
Some of these men I knew better than others. Alex. Mackay, for instance. This North Yarrows crofter was the leader of a stout band, which included such men as James MacCurthy, David Macaulay, James Bremner, William Couper, and others whose names I cannot recall at the moment. He was a most prominent member of the Caithness Land League, and his powers of debate were keen. I have heard him take advantage of an incident in which a dog was shot on the local estate by saying "Wir cats and dowgs arena safe in 'e hands o' 'e lan'lords." But if the truth be told, the Caithness landed proprietors were much more sympathetic than others of the time.

In this connection let me pay tribute to Sir Tollemache Sinclair. When James Laurie was ejected from his holding on the Howe, mainly because of his views on land reform, quite a crowd of local people gathered to support him, but eventually he was forced to go. Thanks to Sir Tollemache he was given a place at Springpark, Thurso. A son of James Laurie now occupies his late father's farm, while another is a bank agent in Forres.

For that estimable man, David Dunnet of Quoys, I had a profound respect. I always enjoyed his conversation. He was the guiding spirit of the movement in Canisbay, and did good work for the return of Dr Clark. Among his ardent supporters were James Waters, Faulds; James Laurie, Springpark, Thurso; and William Dunnet, Kirkstyle.

Lovable Leader
The late Donald MacDonald, Lappan, was another of the same type. For many years he attended every demonstration of importance in the North of Scotland intended to forward the policy so dear to his heart. He was one of the speakers at a meeting I attended at Dunbeath in 1911, when it looked as if the House of Lords was again to throw out the Small Landholders Bill.

Can any who were present ever forget his statement - "If this bill is not passed a no-rent policy will be adopted in Caithness". But for all his fire he was a lovable fellow. Even those who opposed him in politics respected him.

Caithness has always been noted for men of outstanding ability. At the time of the Land League, however, it was unsurpassed in that respect. Among the many, as I have already mentioned, was my good friend, Mr Alexander Bruce, solicitor, a native of Lybster, who is still to the fore. In his day he has been county councillor and vice-convenor. Indeed he refused the convenorship, to the great disappointment of all Caithnessians. A very able fellow is Alick Bruce! When he retired but two years ago there was general regret.

Of Provost Nicolson of Wick I could say a lot. Here was a man with administrative ability and a kind heart. Can older members ever forget the great fight put up by him and Mr Bruce when they made Sir R. L. Harmsworth M.P. for the county in spite of the popularity of the famous Dr Clark?

In Wick there still lives another stalwart - none other than my old friend Mr Donald Oman. A tailor and a clothier to trade, to him land reform was practically a religion. His biblical quotations in support of his arguments often created consternation among his enemies. He was a terror in public debate.

Able Speaker
I could scarcely mention Caithness heroes without writing a word or two about Mr Hugh Donaldson, Watten, and councillor David Dunnet of Quoys. The former was always an able speaker, while the latter was a fine type of the old school. I could never forget Davie Dunnet, for he commanded the respect of friend and enemy. He was a genuine fellow in every respect.

Although self-taught, Mr Hugh Campbell, blacksmith, Reay, was a man of exceptional abilities. His fluency as a speaker was always effective, and in his heyday no meeting, whether social or political, was complete without him. I met him occasionally over a perid of 35 years, and always found him a friend. As we both spoke Gaelic, we had much in common.

There is no need for me to enumerate the virtues of Sir Alexander Rae. Not only did he wield a facile pen, but he was also well-known and admired in public debate. As the owner of the Northern Ensign, a weekly paper now defunct, he rendered excellent service for the cause, and so did William Nicolson, who spoke with no uncertain voice on the subject of land reform. Let me conclude by paying fitting tribute to the late John Sutherland, Buldoo. I am not the only one who could testify to the vigorous and enthusiastic manner in which he espoused the cause. Few indeed are the men blessed with intelligence of such a high order as he. His contributions to the press on all subjects were sound and solid.

While on the subject of Caithness I may say I had the pleasure in later years to make a tour of the county. I was conducting a series of meetings at the time for the purpose of putting into the County Council men who would support Lord Pentland's Land Bill of 1911.

With Difficulty
At that time the Tories had a strong majority; indeed it was said they were practically unassailable. They had opposed the Bill, much to the chagrin of many local crofters, so my job was to see the situation reversed. It was an exciting time, and I shall ever remember the stirring experiences we used to have at the meetings.

To be frank, it was only with difficulty that I persuaded twelve intending candidates to come forward. They were, of course, all out to support the Bill. I did not anticipate success, but the power of my candidates won the day. Ten of the twelve were elected, and the Unionists were put to flight.

Shall I ever forget the remark passed by one of the opposition, who suggested that "this swarthy son of the mountains should be driven out of the county"? Unfortunately for him I did not accept his suggestion; instead I stayed with my friends until my task was completed.

To the Island of Skye and the spirit of independance with which John Macpherson, Glendale; J. G. Mackay, Portree; Alex MacDonald, Ollach; Wm. Matheson, Kilmuir; and P. Stewart, Staffin, were imbued the crofter owes much. They were men among men. The name of John Macpherson is a household word in the land which gave him birth. I have heard him speak and have often had the honour of speaking under his chairmanship. His prayers in Gaelic were beautiful. I have heard him express righteous indignation at the greed of landlords while his worshippers gazed spellbound at his face. I have heard him describe the sufferings of his countrymen and seen the tears run down the cheeks of stalwart men.

His imprisonment for the cause in 1883, when he along with two fellow-crofters, was sentenced in Edinburgh for permitting their cattle to wander on the farm of Waterstein in the teeth of an interdict against them in the Court of Session, is still well-known, as is the story of his amazing welcome on the conclusion of their enforced stay in the Calton Jail. On that occasion they were met at the prison door by about 1000 people, headed by pipers, and when John Macpherson reached Skye he was welcomed with bonfires and carried ashore on the shoulders of enthusiastic islanders.

Undying Memory
Rev. Donald MacCallum said of John that he was like his namesake, the Baptist, crying in the wilderness - "O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?" But his call was answered. John has been dead many years, but his memory will never die. His son Norman, who lives at Milovaig, is of the same type as his father - a sterling and upright character.

Few men did more for the social amelioration of the Highlands than J. G. Mackay, Portree. A native of Lochalsh, he served his apprenticeship as a draper at Isleoronsay, proceeding to Glasgow in 1870. His indignation at the treatment meted out to the poor people burst forth at a meeting, under the auspices of the Irish Land League, addressed by Parnell and T. P. O'Connor - an action which forced him to resign his situation the next day. But he was soon reinstated, and gave of his best to the cause both in Glasgow and Portree, in which he started up in his own account.

During the Skye agitation Mr Mackay was arrested and charged with slandering, insulting and defaming the famous sheriff Ivory, whom he openly described as a judicial monster. But the case never went to trial.

Having known Mr Mackay personally, I can say with truth that he fully deserved to be called a champion of the Highlands. I could never forget the hospitality of the Mackay home. It was genuine.