SUTHERLAND
 Sutherland is the most Northerly
district of the Scottish Highlands. With an area of 2,200
sq. miles, it is also the largest and its population of
approximately 13,000 (under 6 people per sq. mile) makes
it one of the least densely populated areas in Europe. In
this part of the world, there is no industry, no traffic
lights, no roundabouts, no duel carriage ways, now that's
progress for you.
Sutherland has 3 coasts, a wild and rugged West coast,
indented with numerous sea lochs and bays separated by
rocky headlands, a wild and rugged North coast with fewer
sea lochs and more cliffs and a softer gentler East coast
consisting of long stretches of golden sand.
THE FIRST PEOPLE
Man has lived in Sutherland since the end of the ice age,
some 10,000 years ago. Small groups roamed the land
hunting herd animals like Reindeer, on the tundra, then
as the climate warmed and vegetation spread, they hunted
woodland animals like Red Deer and gathered fruit, nuts,
roots and shellfish
The first farmers arrived between 5,000 and 6,000 years
ago (Neolithic) and started to clear the forests, growing
crops and keeping livestock. The Bronze age began at
around 2,000 B.C. The population was growing rapidly and
small farms sprang up in every fertile strath and glen.
Towards the end of this age, the climate began to
deteriorate becoming colder and wetter. The land was also
being over cultivated and this, together with the
climatic change, led to the spread of peat which began to
engulf the settlements and fields which led to their
abandonment.
The Iron age began in about 800 BC and effectively lasted
at least until 1,000 A.D The deteriorating climate saw
cereal crops being replaced by vegetables and a major
shift towards cattle as the main food source. The cattle
were a valuable source of income. This together with an
increase of population, meant that there was a sudden
widespread appearance of defensive homesteads and
retreats (Brochs). The builders of these structures were
later known as Plots.
Pictish dominance soon disappeared with the Viking
invasions. From 800 onwards, these Norsemen began
settling in Orkney and they soon crossed the Pentland
Firth and colonised Caithness and then much of Sutherland
The Norman Scottish noble families were next to make
their presence felt, the lucky few being granted lands in
Sutherland. The next 500 years saw much feuding between
these families or Clans, each striving to gain more land
or power
.
Click next for CLAN
MACKAY & THE CLEARANCES
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