Knoydart On A Visit To Lochaber West Coast Of The Highlands Of Scotland

Tour Scotland travel video with Scottish music of Knoydart, Scottish Gaelic: Cnòideart, a peninsula on visit to Lochaber, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands. Knoydart formed part of the kingdom of Somerled, died 1164, before passing to the Clann Ruaidhrí branch of his descendants, the eventual heiress of whom married John of Islay, died circa 1386. Members of Clan Donald held Knoydart from the 15th century to the beginning of the 17th century and is generally believed to have descended from Allan Macdonald, 2nd of Clanranald, died circa 1429. However, in the early 17th century, Macdonell of Glengarry succeeded in wresting control of Knoydart from Clanranald, receiving official confirmation of his ownership from the king in 1613. Prior to the 1745 Jacobite rising the population numbered nearly a thousand. There was much emigration, mainly to Canada, Knoydart, Nova Scotia, Canada, is named after the community. Despite this emigration, the population remained at nearly a thousand in 1841. In 1852 four hundred of the inhabitants were given notice of eviction for the following year and offered passages overseas, originally to Australia, but later their destination was changed to Canada. On 9 August 1853 three hundred and thirty inhabitants from the west coast of the peninsula went on board the Sillery and left for Canada. However, 11 families comprising over 60 people refused to go and the story of their eviction became notorious as part of the Highland Clearances. Knoydart was finally sold by the MacDonell family in 1856, passing into the hands of an Ayrshire ironmaster, James Baird of Cambusdoon. In 1948, an unsuccessful land raid was undertaken by the Seven Men of Knoydart, who attempted to claim land in the ownership of the estate for their own use. Their claims were contested by the estate owner, the Second Baron Brocket, who took the case to the Court of Session which ruled against the land-raiders. An appeal to the Secretary of State for Scotland was rejected and the Seven Men gave up their fight to obtain crofts on Knoydart. A cairn commemorating their land raid was unveiled at Inverie in 1981. Knoydart is sandwiched between Lochs Nevis and Loch Hourn, often translated as Loch Heaven from the Gaelic Loch Néimh, and Loch Hell Gaelic: Loch Iutharn, respectively. Forming the northern part of what is traditionally known as na Garbh-Chrìochan or " the Rough Bounds ", because of its harsh terrain and remoteness, Knoydart is also referred to as Britain's last wilderness. It is only accessible by boat, or by a 16 mile walk through rough country, and the seven miles of tarred road which are not connected to the UK road system. The area is popular with hill walkers, mountaineers, sailors and wildlife enthusiasts. It includes the Munros of Ladhar Bheinn, Luinne Bheinn, Meall Buidhe and Sgurr na Cìche . The peninsula also contains six Corbetts, including Ben Aden and Beinn na Caillich. All photographs are copyright of Sandy Stevenson, Tour Scotland, and may not be used without permission.

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