Scotland. Isle of Skye.Tarskavaig Crofting Village and the Blaven.

    Prev Next

    View On Black© All rights reserved
    Ascending up a ridge
    we came upon a croft
    set leeward on the hill- aloft
    a stream and granite bridge

    guarding the high domain
    of empty jagged land.
    The ruined house defied its band
    of moss that dripped with rain,

    but kept a young hawk dry
    to tear at rabbit skin;
    We stooped aside and saw within,
    beneath an open sky

    the ragged chimney stack
    where cooking pots once hung,
    on hefty iron bars still slung
    between the stones in black

    recesses of the fire,
    where logs once hissed and popped-
    We bore witness awhile then cropped
    some thistles from a brier

    and cast them to the fen
    to see them washed away-
    As men were cleansed from here to lay
    in graves outside the glen.

    During the Clearances in the 19th Century, whole families were evicted and burned out of their homes to make way for sheep, so that landowners could make more money, and they were forced to live on narrow coastal strips of land where the ground was then very poor. Tarskavaig is one place where people were evicted to, it now looks quite idyllic, but I imagine the folk that first came here were destitute, cold and starving, dwelling in hovels.
    # 72 on Explore

    Paul Cook Photography - The Imaginarium, and 102 other people added this photo to their favorites.

    View 20 more comments

    1. s u b u 61 months ago | reply

      Traveling the world.
      *World Trekker*


      Please tag your photo with
      "World Trekker"

    2. S Debras 61 months ago | reply

      I saw your wonderful photo in this pool. Thank you for tagging it... onlythebestare....Photo's not tagged will be deleted !


      "Only The Best Are" In The Gallery

    3. Grethieu 61 months ago | reply

      Congratulations! A great picture deserves an award, seen on Travel on 5 Photos a Day.

      Please tag photos with "5PhotosaDay".

    4. sergiopigo 61 months ago | reply

      Complimenti. Una foto fantastica.

      Compliments. This shot is fantastic.

      The beautiful image TOP

    5. Alessandro Ornelli 61 months ago | reply

      Compliments. This shot is fantastic.

      The beautiful image TOP

    6. Experiencing 61 months ago | reply

      woah that's so pretty!
      Traveling the world.
      *World Trekker*


      Please tag your photo with
      "World Trekker"

    7. judibluemed 61 months ago | reply

      Superb capture!

    8. spearbearer 61 months ago | reply

      Very beautiful.

      Complimenti. Una foto fantastica.

      Compliments. This shot is fantastic.

      The beautiful image TOP

    9. dan_mueller20 61 months ago | reply

      Wonderful house picture. I would love if you added it and any others to our group collecting pictures from throughout the world. Thank you!!

      www.flickr.com/groups/housesoftheworld

    10. unicorn 81 59 months ago | reply

      Excellentes picture and first-class image format.

    11. norvegia2005sara 58 months ago | reply

      Hi, I'm an admin for a group called We travel the World *(Post 1 Award 1)*, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    12. Phineas_Nigellus 54 months ago | reply

      My god. There can't possibly be places like this.

    13. Lila Rache 53 months ago | reply

      Simply amazing. Beautiful!

    14. NickD58 50 months ago | reply

      Nice shot.

    15. Time and Hour 49 months ago | reply

      Lovely capture.

    16. XYZXY [deleted] 47 months ago | reply

      Hi, I'm an admin for a group called The United Kingdom, and we'd love to have this added to the group!

    17. svetlana1961(very busy) 45 months ago | reply

      GOLD SEAL OF QUALITY - AWARD CODE!!
      Thanks for sharing your photo with us!!


      And commenting on 3!!

    18. Millie_Scarlet 44 months ago | reply

      Beautiful shot :o)

    keyboard shortcuts: previous photo next photo L view in light box F favorite < scroll film strip left > scroll film strip right ? show all shortcuts