McArthurs leaving Perth in 1803 b/c of Clearances?

[Aescleah]

Hi,

In 1803 brothers John William McArthur (MacArthur), William John and Arthur left Perthshire on a ship called the Roseanne for New Brunswick, Canada.

It's said the Canadian government offered them land to settle if they made the trip. I've never understood why they left, but a Scottish friend says it sounds like it might have been because of the Highland Clearances. I never really thought of that since it was Perth and not further north. What are the odds? How can I prove or disprove this?

I've read that in 1803 Lord Selkirk, who was sympathetic to highlanders, brought 800 colonists to Prince Edward Island. Which is an island right next to New Brunswick. Is it possible they were in with that lot and kept moving?

Thanks!

[Skoosh]

It's very likely that they were cleared to make way for sheep. For despite the boom in cattle sales to supply the navy during the war, clearance in all the Highland counties proceded unabated.

Skoosh.

[IMBER]

One of the problems of Scottish history is that discussion often tends to be dominated by Highland issues and tartan romanticism at the expense of the wider experience of Scottish society. Fortunately in recent years some have sought to correct this through lectures, the media and publications.  It's a huge area but you might find the following links a useful introduction:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/3030889.stm

http://www.windsorscottish.com/hist-sic-gotocanada.php

Imber

[Skoosh]

Unfortunately Perthshire had been so thoroughly cleared of people by the time of the Crofting Acts and the agitation of the 1880's, that it was excluded from the seven designated "Crofting Counties".

http://highlandclearances.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Perthshire

Skoosh.