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1400s - Clan Macdonald took control of the
northwest area of Skye with their Duntulm
Castle being built 2 miles north of the
Museum.
Clan Macdonald and Clan MacLeod of Dunvegan
Castle, 38 miles southwest, fought for
hundreds of years over Land. The two Clans
ended their feuds in the early 1600s after
pressure from the King.
The Chiefs of each Clan owned vast areas of
land with their Castles used to control the
area. Crofters would pay rent to the Chief, and
most of the men would fight for the Chief when
required. This allowed Highland Clans to raise
large Armies at short notice.
1500s - England and Scotland began adopting
Protestantism as they claimed the Catholic
religion based on the Pope in Rome needed
reformed.
1689 - the first of a series of Jacobite
Risings began after the Catholic King James
II was overthrown by his Protestant daughter
Mary and her husband William of Orange.
Many Highland Clans fought for the Catholic
Stuart's to be restored to the throne, and many
fought on the side of the Government. Some
would change sides, depending on which side
looked most likely to win.
To fight on a loosing side at that time,
could lead to you losing your Castle and
Land.
1746 - the Jacobite's led by Bonnie Prince
Charlie lost for the final time at the Battle
of Culloden. Flora MacDonald
then helped Bonnie Prince Charlie flee to Skye,
then from there make his way to safety in
France. This Romantic Event led to Skye
becoming the most famous of all the Scottish
Islands.
Clan Macdonald and Clan MacLeod of Skye
supported the Government at the time of
Culloden, but remained in Skye, so never fought
at the Battle. Many other Clan Macdonald and
MacLeod, from other areas, fought for the
Jacobite's at Culloden.
The aftermath of the Battle of Culloden led
to Crofters being refused the right to wear
Tartan and own Weapons.
The Highland Clearances began soon after
with Crofters being forced off their land to
make way for large scale Sheep Farming, also,
to reduce the population so Risings would be
less likely.
Many Crofters moved to Cities, Coastal Towns
for Fishing that began booming from that time,
or emigrated to North America and Canada.
1776 - the American War of Independence
broke out as Americans fought to put an end to
British rule in America.
1783 - the American Revolution ended with
Britain loosing control. This led to Britain
using Australia as a place to offload people
they believed were trouble makers. Many
Crofters would then be deported to Australia
after being accused of Petty Crimes, with the
best known reason being Sheep Steeling.
1855 - Major William Fraser bought Kilmuir
Estate from the MacDonald's. Fraser became
known for being involved in the Highland
Clearances.
1790 - Flora MacDonald died on the Isle of
Skye, with her burried at Kilmuir Cemetery next
to the Skye Museum for Island Life, the Grave
with the largest Memorial Stone.
1965 - the Skye Museum of Island Life began
by using a Croft from the site since the early
1800s. That Croft had been lived in til 1957.
More buildings were added over the years to
feature all the Trades in Croft Life around the
1700s and 1800s.
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