County of interest - Caithness will be our focus county for this meeting.

Scotland Poor House and the Law  - Brian Maclachlan (15 Min)

Brian will take us through a picture of life in a Scottish poor house (workhouse). These establishments provided accommodation for the destitute and poor in Scotland and were based in the Scottish Poor Law Act of 1579. Scottish poor houses didn’t rely on earnings of inmates to contribute towards expenditure as was the case in England. The poor and destitute received accommodation and paupers outside the poor house could access food and clothing. This role influenced the design and construction of buildings. 

The number of poorhouses increased significantly during the period from 1850 to 1868 and the majority were around Glasgow and Edinburgh. Brian will take us through the available records and some websites that will be helpful to members looking for relatives that may have been provided for by poor houses. This is a bleak side of life in Scotland but one our ancestors may have been touched by. 

The Scottish Clearances - Lorna Steele-McGinn (Highland Archive Service) 45 min

For some of us the Scottish Highland Clearances were the catalyst for our ancestors to seek a different life. During the 1700's and 1800's  the Jacobite Risings and the Highland Clearances caused waves of emigration. These events changed the course of Highland history, have had lasting legacies for those who live there, and have resulted in a widespread diaspora of people who claim a connection to this part of the world.  This session will take us through the Highland Clearances and the impact on our forebears of this tumultuous period of Scottish history.

Skill level:  All, beginners welcome    

Leads: Diana Pecar, Elizabeth Gordon and Sally Skulte

This session will be recorded for those who are unable to attend live.