The Little General and the Rousay Crofters: Crisis and Conflict on an Orkney Estate

by William P.L. Thomson

On the Orkney island of Rousay, between the years 1840 and 1890, an extraordinary conflict raged between the landowner, Burroughs, and the Crofters on his property. The scene was almost that of a Greek tragedy in which landlord and tenant fought each other on the national stage to the bitter end, where no compromise was possible, and where neither side could or would, back down. This brilliant story now reprinted, is full of great characters and incident and is told against the dark gales of economic change. Burroughs nearly succeeded in driving off all his tenants, and his behavior instigated a special Act of Parliament, directed specifically against him.

Genres: History

248 pages, Paperback

First published March 7, 1981

About the author

William P.L.Thomson born in 1933 was Rector of Kirkwall Grammar School from 1971 to 1991. Previously he was Principal Teacher of History and Geography in the Anderson High School, Shetland. He is the author of many books about Orkney.

Reviews

[Richard Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good history of a real horror story particularly timeous in light of the prosects of land reform in Scotland.