Gruids

Gruids Wood to the south shows traces of prehistoric and post-mediaeval settlements. A Conflict or Battle of Gruids was fought around 1520 on ground to the north. On 15 June 1820, Donald Bannerman who was the local sheriff-officer, accompanied by two colleagues, Alexander Ross and Alexander Mackenzie, attempted to deliver eviction orders at Gruids, on behalf of the landlord, Sir George Munro of Poyntzfield. This was part of the Highland Clearances where tenants were removed to make way for more profitable sheep farming. To get to Gruids they had to take the ferry over Loch Shin. As they approached the other side they received word from the ferryman, John Murray, that the people there were…