Ceann Cropaig, Harris

A conversation with Hamish Taylor from Flodabay, eastern Harris, is always fascinating. As is often the case with islanders, he is a man of many parts, having been a radio engineer, radio officer in the merchant navy and a fisherman; he loves anything to do with the sea, and boats. He is also the boatman for the island of Pabbay to the south west of Harris, a trip from Leverburgh of some 35 to 40 minutes. The island had a considerable population in past centuries and most of the St Kilda stewards were Pabbay men. In the early nineteenth century the population was estimated at about 100 and they produced corn, barley and illicit whisky! But then it was cleared of its inhabitants in the 1840s to make way for sheep, yet another example of the Highland and island clearances and the valuing of sheep over people by landlords.