Landraiders' Monuments - Balallan

I have now captured in pictures all three monuments to Landraiders in Lewis. These are erected in memory of 3 separate events in the last 120 years, related to the struggle for land in the island. I am going to devote separate entries to each.

In 1821, the area of Eishken, southeast Lewis, was forcibly emptied of its population. These people lived in 36 villages. The district was subsequently populated by sheep, and latterly deer for the shooting fraternity.

In 1887, a group of men, led by a Balallan schoolmaster, raided Eishken, killed some deer and had a great party. When the Sheriff arrived, he read them the riot act, upon which they left. Although the group was arrested, none were convicted of any offense. Under Scots law, the offense of trespass does not exist.

This monument stands about a mile west of Balallan (The Fair Village), in turn 17 miles southwest of Stornoway.