The Polmaddy Settlement

Описание: A short drive to Polmaddy, and a walk around this historic abandoned village in Galloway, Scotland, known for its fascinating ruins and rich agricultural history dating back centuries.
Polmaddy was abandoned over 200 years ago, with records indicating its abandonment by the early 19th century. The village, once a traditional farming settlement, fell into ruins due to The Highland Clearances which were a series of evictions that began in the mid-18th century and continued into the mid-19th century. The primary reason for these clearances was the introduction of sheep pastoralism, which was more profitable than traditional farming. The clearances led to the destruction of the traditional clan society and resulted in a significant number of people being displaced from their land. The process was often coercive, with homes being set alight to prevent the evicted from returning. The clearances also had a profound impact on the culture and language of the Scottish Highlands, leading to a low point for Gaelic from which the language is still trying to recover. The clearances were a response to the need for landlords to increase their income, driven by the need for substantial debts and potential bankruptcy. The eviction of tenants went against dùthchas, the principle that clan members had an inalienable right to rent land in clan territory, which was never recognized in Scottish law.
Polmaddy, once a thriving farming community, with records of its existence dating back to the late medieval period. It is believed that the village was occupied much earlier, and local lore suggests that Robert the Bruce took refuge there during the Wars of Independence in 1307. The village was characterized by a shared runrig system of land use, a water-powered mill for grinding crops, and common grazing lands for cattle.