Land reform

Landlordism in Scotland is the greatest curse that ever blighted the country (your report, 24 June). The unrelenting avarice that resulted in the eviction of the whole mass of the Highland population by Anglicised clan chiefs and landlords during the Clearances was selfish and unjust.

The aristocracy acquired a great taste for deer and sheep and the people were driven to the barren land on the sea coast or shipped overseas.

By 1913 the deer forests of Scotland had extended to no less than 3,599,744 acres and the peasantry driven from their native land. The self-indulgent pleasures of the clan chiefs and aristocrats was in direct antagonism to the best interests of the mass of the Scottish population.

Donald J MacLeod

Woodcroft Avenue

Bridge of Don