A century of resettlement of Galson township, in North Lewis, will be marked next month with the unveiling of na Dorsan monument, reflecting on the village’s significant historical events which eventually led to community ownership in 2007.
In 1924, Galson Farm was removed from the control of its tenant farmer after decades
of fighting for the land of their forebears. Three villages - Melbost, South Galson,
and North Galson - were created and the land broken up into crofts for 52 families.
Nearly 60 years previously, in 1863, the community of Galson had been cleared to make room for a sheep farm and in 1888 Galson was raided by a large group, resulting in the arrest of four men, Malcolm Smith, Malcolm Saunders, Malcolm Maciver and John Nicolson.
In 1923, after further threats to raid the farm, the Board of Agriculture finally approved the scheme for crofters, with families moving in the spring of 1924. Fast forward to 2007, Galson Estate passed into community ownership, to be managed by Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (Galson Estate Trust), on behalf of the community.
Agnes Rennie, chairperson of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn board, said: “100 years ago both my mother’s and my father’s parents arrived in the newly allotted crofts in Galson. I can only imagine their hopes for a new beginning as they and 52 other families established new homes and broke ground to sow the first harvest. That harvest was hard earned, but like our community owned estate today, they always saw it as holding promise for future generations.
“This handsome monument, designed by Will Maclean and Marian Levin and beautifully crafted by Chris Barrowman, will speak to future generations as a reminder of our shared past and an open doorway for the community to a shared future.”
The name, na Dorsan, was inspired by Domhnall U MacGilleMhoire, when on hearing of the plans for a monument, he remarked: “Doors of our histories, our minds, our culture, our place, our protection, our leavings, our blessings, our shelter, our gatherings, our dispersal, our kindnesses, our hopes, our spirits – openings intertwined.”
The monument will be unveiled on 1st November with an official opening ceremony in South Galson, featuring pipers, Gaelic song and poetry to mark the momentous occasion.
The accompanying exhibition, at the UOG Business Centre, and website content, shares the history of the fight for Galson Farm and features archive photographs and copies of original mortgage documents.
Lewis township marks century since resettlement in 1924
14 October 2024