The Emigrants Statue
Thousands of Scots were forced out of their homes to make way for sheep during the Highland Clearances.
Now their plight and the success many have made of their new lives overseas has been commemorated in a new statue unveiled by First Minister Alex Salmond in Helmsdale today.
Entitled The Emigrants, the statue commemorates the achievement of the thousands of Scots who left the Highlands during the clearances of the 19th century.
The statue was commissioned by millionaire Dennis MacLeod, a local man who made his fortune in gold mining in South Africa; he says it is vital the clearances are not forgotten.Alex Salmond said the statue celebrated the Scots' triumph over adversity even today traces of the clearances can be seen.
At Croik Church in Sutherland, messages scratched onto panes of glass show how desperate and disillusioned tenants were with the system which placed the value of sheep above human life.But today First Minister said the statue also celebrated the Scots' triumph over adversity.
A permanent reminder of the clearances was the controversial statue of the notorious Duke of Sutherland, deemed one of the cruellest landlords of the period.
Those at today's ceremony hope The Emigrants will now stand as a tribute to the courageous and inspirational HighlandersThe Emigrants will now stand as a tribute to the courageous and inspirational Highlanders who forged a new life in a new world.