Clear view?

William Girvan refers to the “alleged” behaviour of 19th century landowners and casts doubt on history’s harsh judgment vis-a-vis their role in depopulating the Highlands (Letters, 29 July).

It must be obvious that feckless Highlanders, lured by opportunities in the New World, cleared themselves, burning their own crofts in the process.

The countless fatalities en route may be ascribed to the vagaries of sea travel in those days.deserted by ungrateful tenants, those muchmaligned landlords are surely more deserving of sympathy than condemnation.