THE CLOSING OF THE HIGHLANDS.
LTO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."]
SIR,—In reference to your well-timed article on "The Closing of the Scottish Highlands," will you kindly allow me to announce through your columns the formation of a "Highland Land-law Reform Association of London, the object of which, when secured, will, it is hoped, open up the Highlands, not only for the benefit of Highlanders, but for the health-preserving enjoyment of all ? The system which so ruthlessly expatriated the bulk of the native population, and drove the remnant to eke out existence on unhospitable, barren patches on the sea-shore, or to pine away in the slums of our great cities, is slowly but surely closing against health and pleasure-seekers the "land of brown heath and shaggy wood." As far as Highlanders are concerned, every effort will be made to effect such changes in the Land Laws as will prevent further encroachment upon their right to live and thrive in the land of their birth, and rectify the wrongs and mismanagement of a system which has scattered or crushed a brave soldier race, who in many a battle so bravely sustained the brunt on behalf of British honour.
The laws under which the few are permitted to rigidly pre- serve for deer and grouse large tracts of country that might be usefully employed in rearing sheep and Highland cattle, and on which large numbers of people now living on the borderland of starvation might be productively employed, require to be very radically amended. The appointment of a Royal Commission to inquire into the condition of the Crofters is a hopeful, though tardy, acknowledgement on the part of the Government that the condition of the Highlands is not satisfactory ; and to those "who have eyes to see and ears to hear," there are not wanting signs that a social reform must ere long take place. A "Clearance Map of the Highlands," showing the districts depopulated, the boundaries of deer forests, grouse preserves, &c., which is being prepared under the auspices of this Associa- tion, will, it is hoped, be an accurate bird's-eye view of how the welfare of the people has been sacrificed to the interests of game-preservers. The general public, though less directly than Highlanders, are interested in reforming the present system; and the object of this Association should, therefore, be gener- ally approved, and receive the support of all interested in making the Highlands the home of a happy, contented people,. and. breathing-space for all, rather than, as at present, the sporting-ground of aristocrats.—I am, Sir, ikc., DONALD MURRAY.
9 Bridge Street, Westminster, September 11a.
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