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The Highland Clearances Badbea, Caithness The east coast of Sutherland, near Badbea Helmsdale to Wick road. The site is clearly signposted, and is about 5-10 minutes' walk from the road. The ground slopes quite steeply, and as you come through a miniature valley or gully the first thing you see is a tall, square, stone-built monument. The inscription on it reads: "This monument was erected in 1911 to commemorate the people of Badbea by David M. Sutherland of Wairarapa and Wellington, New Zealand. Son of Sir Alexander R. Sutherland, born in Badbea in 1806, and who left for New Zealand in 1839 where he died in 1877. William Sutherland's family William, Malcolm, Kenneth, David, Alexander Robert (above, New Zealand), John, Christina, Margaret, Esther. Also very specially in memory of John Sutherland widely known as John Badbea, loved for his Christian character and the charm of his personality and gifts, as one of the "men". He was born at Ousdale in 1788 but his home for the greater part of his life was at the site of this monument, where he died in 1864. Donald, brother of the above, killed at Waterloo." The remains at Badbea are many and widespread, extending at least half-a-mile north and south from the memorial. The best-preserved remains are about ten minutes' walk south of the monument. |