Mapping the Scottish Highlands: Lochiel, 1772

Description

This article provides an overview of the British government's efforts to "improve" the Scottish Highlands in the 18th century through mapping and land reorganization. It focuses on the annexed estate of Lochiel, which was confiscated from Jacobite supporters after the '45 rebellion. The government hired surveyors to map the estate and make recommendations for commercializing the land. The article explores the motivations behind these efforts and the impact they had on the highland landscape. It also discusses the extensive archive of maps and documents left behind by the board of commissioners responsible for the annexed estates. The article acknowledges the resistance and opposition from the local population, who opposed the enclosures and subdivisions of their land. [Extracted from the article]