Lorg na Còigich
This stunning new monument commemorates the local people who, in the 1850s prevented five attempts to evict them from their homes and land.
It is believed to be the first successful rebellion against evictions during the notorious Highland Clearances.
Now, today’s community has come together to celebrate this remarkable story.
The Story
The estate factor, police and sheriff’s officers tried to land their boats at Culnacraig, Achiltibuie, and Achnahaird to serve the Summonses of Removing. Each time the women seized and burned the papers and forced the officers back to their boats, humiliated.
News of the ‘Coigach Rebellion’ spread nationwide and, amid adverse publicity, the estate abandoned its plans.
The Artists
A monument to people and community
Internationally acclaimed local artists Will Maclean RSA and Marian Leven RSA have created a landmark monument on the hillside above Acheninver.
The great central stone, A’ Chlach Mhòr, represents the community and the three surrounding stones the women leaders.
The engraved boats point to the sites of the five attempted landings. Coigach means five Achs, or settlements, and these are cast in bronze in their original Gaelic spelling.
Wall stones were gathered from local ruins, the standing stones from the shore near the home of a family threatened with eviction.
We are reminded that life here continues because of earlier generations. Their determination challenges us to consider that legacy we leave behind.
“The events at Coigach became the best known of the rare triumphs of the people over the landlord”
Podcasts
Hear the story from the people who know it best.
Designing the monument: Watercolor, Marian Leven.
Marking the site and scale of the monument, Achavraie.
Splitting the stone shelf for the 1st time, using traditional methods at Achduart.
The first of 4 split stones for the 3 ‘women stones’ and the central A' Chlach Mhòr’ stone.
Will Maclean. artist, and Steve Husband, local volunteer, discuss the next stage of splitting the stone shelf at Achduart.
Moving the stones onto the raft.
Success! Raising a cheer for a major accomplishment.
The first stones are transported by sea from Achduart to Old Dornie harbour.
The first dig - start of excavating the An Lorg site at Achavraie.
The Achavraie site prepared for erection of the 4 stone monoliths and walls.
Erecting the central A' Chlach Mhòr Stone.
Success! A great team effort of local volunteers.
Collecting donated stones for the 2 rings of drystone walling from ruined crofthouses & byres.
Collecting donated stones for the 2 rings of drystone walling from ruined crofthouses & byres.
Drystone wallers from Wildland Services start on the circular wall construction.
Circular drystone walls construction in progress.
Drystone wallers from Wildland Services work on the circular wall construction in all weathers.
End of the day on the An Lorg site.
Brian Wilson, master mason, working on the capstones.
Aerial view of the completed monument showing incised capstones representing & pointing towards the 5 landing sites of the Sherrif's officers.
Lorg na Còigich completed, summer 2026.
Lorg na Còigich looking east towards Conival & Ben Mòr Coigach.
Lorg na Còigich looking south by south-west.
Tapadh Leibh - Thank you
To all our donors, supporters and volunteers
Source: The Cromartie Estate Papers, National Records of Scotland.
II
Summons of Removing
The Marchioness & Marquess
of Stafford
Agt
John Macleod
& others
1852
G. Mackenzie
THE STORY
From the Clearances of the 19th century to the creation of a permanent memorial,
this timeline follows the journey of the people of Coigach.
CHAPTER ONE
DISPOSSESSION & RESISTANCE 1800–1853
c1800
THE CLEARANCES
Communities begin facing upheaval as people are moved across Coigach and Assynt.
1848
A NEW ESTATE VISION
Andrew Scott plans reorganisation
for sheep and deer farming.
1852 - 1853
RESISTANCE
Repeated attempts to deliver removal summonses are met with opposition.
1853
COMMUNITY VICTORY
Landlords concede defeat.
CHAPTER TWO
MEMORY TO MEMORIAL 2019–2026
2019
Coigach Heritage begins exploring
a memorial project.
2022
Coigach Heritage becomes a charity.
2023-2025
Legal transfer of land from SWT to Coigach Heritage
2025
A’ Chlach Mhòr erected.
2026
Opening Ceremony.
Further Reading
Cromartie: Highland Life, 1650-1914, Eric Richards and Monica Clough
The Highland Clearances, Eric Richards
Peoples & Settlements in North-West Ross 1994, Edited by John R Baldwin