A new monument is to be unveiled next month to commemorate the transformation of a Scottish island township and to reflect on the significant historical events which eventually led to it passing into community ownership in 2007.
The announcement comes as today (Friday) marks 100 years since the resettlement of Galson in North Lewis.
The monument, na Dorsan (Scottish Gaelic for Doors), and its accompanying exhibition will tell a small part of the story of Galson’s past.
The monument was commissioned by Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (Galson Estate Trust) and designed by celebrated artists Will Maclean and Marian Leven, who are known for their work on memorials such as the Iolaire and Sùileachan and the Coigach clearances resistance art installation, which is currently being worked on.
In 1924, 52 families resettled in new homes in Melbost, South Galson, and North Galson, after decades of fighting for the land of their forebears.
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In 1863, the community of Galson was cleared to make room for a sheep farm and in 1888, Galson was raided by a large group, resulting in the arrest of four men, Malcolm Smith, Malcolm Saunders, Malcolm Maciver and John Nicolson. In 1923, after further threats to raid the Farm, the Board of Agriculture finally approved the scheme for crofters, with families moving in 1924. Fast forward to 2007 and Galson Estate passed into community ownership, to be managed by Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (Galson Estate Trust), on behalf of the community.
Agnes Rennie, Chairperson of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn Board, said: “100 years ago both my mother’s and my father’s parents arrived in the newly allotted crofts in Galson. I can only imagine their hopes for a new beginning as they and 52 other families established new homes and broke ground to sow the first harvest. That harvest was hard-earned, but like our community owned estate today, they always saw it as holding promise for future generations.
“This handsome monument, designed by Will Maclean and Marian Levin and beautifully crafted by Chris Barrowman, will speak to future generations as a reminder of our shared past and an open doorway for the community to a shared future.”
The name, na Dorsan, was inspired by Domhnall U MacGilleMhoire. On hearing of the plans for a monument, he remarked: “Doors of our histories, our minds, our culture, our place, our protection, our leavings, our blessings, our shelter, our gatherings, our dispersal, our kindnesses, our hopes, our spirits – openings intertwined.”
Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn will unveil the monument and its accompanying exhibition on November 1 with an official opening ceremony in South Galson, featuring pipers, Gaelic song and poetry to mark the momentous occasion.
The accompanying exhibition at the UOG Business Centre, and website content, shares the history of the fight for Galson Farm and features archive photographs and copies of original mortgage documents.
Jemma MacVicar, Executive Manager, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, added: “We hope that the local community and visitors alike will visit the monument, immerse themselves in the history and landscape whilst also using it as a quiet space for reflection. The exhibition provides a snapshot into the events of the past which led us to our now community owned and managed estate.
“We’d like to thank all those partners who were involved in the creation of this project and helped us bring it to fruition, including Will Maclean and Marion Leven, Chris Barrowman, The Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation (for additional funding to support the project), Comunn Eachdraidh Nis, Galson Grazing Committee and Airidhantuim Community Council.”
Members of the local community are invited to an Open Day on November 2, from 10am to 4pm at Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn Business Centre, to visit na Dorsan and to view the exhibition.
Individuals involved in na Dorsan will also be sharing stories, delving further into the history of Galson and behind the scenes of bringing na Dorsan to life.
For more information about na Dorsan and the work of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, which manages the community-owned 56,000-acre Galson Estate, visit www.galsontrust.com.
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