Lamlash: Arran Clearance memorial

Image: © Chris Downer Taken: 27 Sep 2010

Commemorating the interesting story of the colonisation by some of the islanders of provincial Canada, this monument has around the side a plaque which reads: Erected on behalf of Arran clearance descendants across North America, to their brave forefathers who departed from their beloved island home to Canada during the clearance years 1829 to 1840. Here at Lamlash on April 25th 1829 part of the clearance (89 souls) when embarking on the brig Caledonia (196 tons), the Rev. A. Mackay preached from The Mound (opposite) formed by the departing, his text "Casting all your care upon him: for he careth for you." 1st Peter ch.5 v.7. The Caledonia arrived at Quebec City June 25th 1829. The group was the first of more than 300 Arran colonists of Megantic County, Province of Quebec. The largest group, more than 400, had as their destination the seaport town of Dalhousie, New Brunswick, to be pioneer settlers of the Restigouche-Bay Chaleur District "Yet still the blood is strong, the heart is highland" A chlann eilean mo ghaoil bithibh dileas d'a cheile The Mound referred to in the text can be seen here: Image

Images are licensed for reuse under creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0