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The Battle of the Braes

Skye and Lochalsh Archive Centre
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Still suffering from the cruelty and injustice of the Highland Clearances, the crofters who remained in Skye in the 1880s were dealt a new blow when they were denied access to what had once been common grazing land by landowner Lord Macdonald, effectively destroying their means of earning a living and feeding their families.

In defiance of the ban, the crofters of Braes began to form an organised movement, grazing their livestock on the hill known as Ben Lee, and withholding their rents. The ringleaders were quickly identified, their eviction papers drawn up and additional sheriff officers and police were brought in to carry out the evictions.

The bloody clash that ensued on the 19th of April 1882 became known as The Battle of The Braes and played a vital role in land reform in Scotland in the following decades. This exhibition explores the events leading up to the battle, the battle itself, the aftermath, and its legacy. 

Click on the images below to explore the exhibition. 

A black-and-white photograph of a rural landscape on the Isle of Skye, showing traditional crofters’ houses with rounded stone walls and thatched roofs. A winding dirt road leads through grassy fields toward the houses, with haystacks visible nearby. The foreground features cut hay spread across the ground, and rolling hills stretch into the background under an open sky.

The background

Explore the background to the Battle of the Braes, with causes of unrest and crofter grievances

black-and-white group photograph showing eight men and two women seated and standing in two rows. The individuals are dressed in formal, heavy clothing typical of the late 19th or early 20th century, including jackets, waistcoats, and high-collared shirts. Some have visible long beards, and the seated figures rest their hands on their knees. The background appears to be a plain textured wall or outdoor stone surface

Agitation in Skye

Explore crofters’ protests in Skye, with records of rent strikes, hardship and resistance to landlords

A detailed historical map depicting part of the Isle of Skye, showing the three townships that formed part of the Braes. The map illustrates coastal areas with blue shading for water, including the Sound of Raasay and the Inner Sound. Land features such as hills and mountains are drawn in shaded relief, and fields are marked with boundary lines and names of settlements. Roads and tracks are indicated, and a sailing ship is illustrated offshore in the sea. The map includes handwritten labels for places like Balmeanach and other Braes townships.

Agitation in the Braes

Explore the Battle of the Braes with records of protest, land struggle and crofter resistance

Photograph showing a group of uniformed police officers posed in two rows outside a building. The officers are wearing dark formal uniforms with high collars, metal buttons, and peaked caps. Some uniforms display chevrons on the sleeves, indicating rank. Two officers are seated in the front row, while the others stand behind them. The background features a rough-textured wall with a multi-paned window, and the group is standing on grass.

The battle and the trial

Explore the Battle of the Braes and trial, with arrests, clashes and court proceedings against crofters

Painting

The aftermath

Explore the aftermath of the Battle of the Braes, with records of trials, evictions and reform

A black-and-white illustration depicting a large outdoor gathering near a simple stone built church. Groups of people are shown standing, sitting, and conversing on grassy ground, with some leaning on walking sticks. The crowd extends into the background, where hills and mountains are visible. A caption on the right reads: “Witnesses Waiting to be Examined.” The scene suggests a formal event or inquiry taking place in a rural setting.

The Napier Commission

Learn about the Napier Commission inquiry into crofters’ conditions and its role in reform

Black-and-white photograph showing a woman seated on a wooden chair, wearing a long, plaid-patterned dress and a head covering. The individual is holding a traditional spinning tool, with a spinning wheel positioned to the left. To the right, there is a pile of raw wool on another chair. The background features a painted scenic backdrop, suggesting a studio setting.

The legacy

Explore the legacy of the Battle of the Braes, with lasting impacts on crofters’ rights and land reform

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