Aignish Memorial, Isle of Lewis

Aignish Memorial, Isle of Lewis

ID: PC_BRANLEY_RAIDERS_AIGNISH_2 DESCRIPTION: This memorial is built at the site of the former Aignish Farm, the place of confrontation between the crofters and the landowners, to commemorate a phase of the highland land struggle. On Christmas Day 1887, the crofters of Point met and decided to give the farmer at Aignish two weeks to vacate the farm before they would drive the cattle off and reclaim the land for crofts. When they raided the farm on 9th January 1888 they were met by Marines and policemen. Fighting broke out and Sheriff Fraser read the Riot Act. With the arrival of a company of the Royal Scots the riot dispersed. Thirteen men were arrested and tried in Edinburgh. They were found guilty of mobbing and rioting and given sentences ranging from six months to fifteen months. It wasn't until 1905 that Aignish farm was finally, officially broken up for crofts. Design The Design reflects the idea of confrontation and takes the form of two stone structures of local stone approx 4.5 metres in height, each with a flat face from which jagged stones protrude. These pillars have curved backs and taper in towards the top. The jagged stones face each other, reflecting the aggression and tension of the event. PLACENAME: Aignish DISTRICT: Lewis OLD COUNTY/PARISH: ROSS: Stornoway CREATOR (AV): Stephen Branley DATE OF IMAGE: 17 December 2009 PERIOD: 2000s SOURCE: Stephen Branley COLLECTION: Isle of Lewis photographs by Stephen Branley Asset ID: 21987 KEYWORDS: