1850:Decision Time

This is a novel by Scottish Author Sandy Mckay. This book is the first in a series called Far Flung Scots that follows the adventures of the MacDonald family from the events that lead to their decision to emigrate through their long journey to the other side of the world. The second book deals with the journey and the perils of the high seas combined with the problems created when three hundred people are cooped up in a boat together for three months. The third book looks at how they fared in Australia at the time of the Gold Rush and the youngest sons move to New Zealand at the time of the wars between the white settlers and the native Maori. Book One. 1850 and the land grab, euphemistically called the Highland Clearances was well into its second and most brutal phase. The new English, grown wealthy on the riches created by the Industrial Revolution, now looked for ways to spend their money. Many chose to buy large estates in the Highlands of Scotland to entertin their clients from home and overseas. It also served to impress their rivals in the old Aristocracy. As the old Highland Lairds had discovered these estates had very high running costs. The old feudal crofting system was creaking at the seams and contributed little to the coffers of the owner. Wool was a high value commodity and sheep were seen as the best way to offset the costs of running a large house and paying stalkers and ghillies to manage the deer stalking and salmon rivers that entertained the important visitors. No consideration was given to the poor crofters who had farmed the meagre land for generations. Many of them were told to leave their homes at short notice with only a few possessions and nowhere to go. Those that refused were burned out and were lucky to escape with their lives while their possessions were consumed by the flames. Sometimes whole villages would be burned to the ground and the inhabitants left with no shelter to freeze to death in the unforgiving Highland winter. It’s against this backdrop that Neil MacDonald must make a decision. Already he and his family are being watched by the local constabulary for their illicit activities. A ferocious act of violence brings him close to the hangmans noose as the presure mounts on him to leave home. With the tacit help of the estate factor and the encouragement of his brother Duncan, who had already made a success of himself in America, Neil prepares his family for their greatest and most dangerous adventure, one that will change their lives forever. Will his older children go with him and leave their friends behind? Or will they be torn apart like so many other families? Find out who will go and who will stay as you read this story that explores the circumstances and presures that sent these Far Flung Scots to the four corners of the earth. Some went willingly but many had no choice as fate scattered them to the wind.