Monument to the Deer Raiders on North Harris

Park (Scottish Gaelic: A' Phàirc), also known as South Lochs, is a huge area of land connected to the rest of Lewis only by a narrow neck between Loch Seaforth and Loch Erisort. This had a wall called Gàrradh an Tighearna ("The Laird's Dyke") built across it by the Earl of Seaforth in the early 17th century, the outline of which can still be seen.

Only the north of Park is now inhabited: settlements in the south were cleared by Sir James Matheson in the nineteenth century. A famous deer raid took place here in 1887 as a demonstration by starving people, commemorated by a broch resembling a cairn at the Eishken junction. Much of this area is still used for deer stalking.

Proposed community purchase[link]

The Pairc Estate extends to 10,845 hectares (26,800 acres) and includes 11 crofting townships with a combined population of nearly 400. In 2011 the Pairc Community Trust received approval from Roseanna Cunningham, the Environment Minister, for a bid to buy the estate under the crofting "Right to Buy" provisions of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003. Pairc Trust chairman Angus McDowall, said: "This is an historic step forward for our community, and sends an unambiguous message to the landlord that the economic and social development of Pairc in the interests of the whole community should be ranked above private financial gain. It is a complete vindication of the persistence which we and the whole community have shown over so many years in trying to exercise our rights under the Act in order to plan a better future for local crofters and residents."^[1]

Crofting townships in Park[link]

• Orinsay
• Lemreway
• Gravir
• Garyvard
• Kershader
• Habost
• Caversta
• Marvig
• Calbost
• Eishken
• Shiltenish
• Torastay
• Cromore

Natural environment[link]

Loch Cromore, which has a slight salt water content, is good for wildfowl, including wintering whooper swans and common seals frequent the inlets. The deserted village of Stiomrabhagh is a short walk from Orinsay. Fine views of the Shiant Islands may be obtained from Lemreway and Orinsay.

References[link]

1. ^ "Pairc Community Right to Buy Approved". Rural Gateway. Retrieved 26 Mar 2011.

External links[link]

• The Park Deer Raid

v t e Lewis and Harris / Leòdhas agus na Hearadh Outer Hebrides Scotland Inhabited islands Lewis/Leòdhas and Harris/Na Hearadh Great Bernera/Bearnaraigh Mòr Scalpay/Sgalpaigh Other islands Bayble Island Eilean Chaluim Chille Eilean Chearstaidh Eilean Liubhaird Eilean Mhealasta Ensay/Easaigh Fuaigh Beag Fuaigh Mòr Hermetray/Thearnatraigh Killegray/Ceileagraigh North Rona/Ronaigh a Tuath Pabbay of Harris/Pabaigh na Hearadh Pabaigh Mòr Scarp/An Sgairp Seaforth/Shìphiort Sgeotasaigh Soay Beag Soay Mòr Stockinish/Stocainis Sula Sgeir Taransay/Tarasaigh Vacsay/Bhacsaigh Settlements Stornoway/Steòrnabhagh Adabroc Aignish Aird An Rubha Ardroil Arnol Bail' Ùr Tholastaidh Baile an Truiseil Balallan/Baile Ailein Barvas/Barabhas Bayble/Pabail Borghastan Borsham Borgh na Hearadh Borgh na Leòdhas Bragar Branahuie Breacleit Breasclete/Brèascleit Breibhig Brenish/Bréanais Brue/Brù Cabharstadh Calbost Callanish/Calanais Carloway/Carlabhagh Coll Fivepenny/Còig Peighinnean Nis Flesherin/Fleisirin Garenin/Geàrrannan Garrabost Gravir/Grabhair Gress/Griais Habost/Tabost Holm Huisinis Leurbost/Liurbost Leverburgh/An t-Ob Lionel Lingerbay Marybank/Bruach Màiri Melbost Newvalley/An Gleann Ùr Ohagro Parkend Portnaguran/Port nan Giuran Portvoller/Port Mholair Rèinigeadal Rodel/Roghadal Shawbost/Siabost Skigersta/Sgiogarstaigh Shulishader/Sulaisiadar Tarbert/Tairbeart Timsgarry/Timsgearraidh Tong/Tunga Districts Back/Bac Ness/Nis North Lochs/Na Lochan a Tuath Park/Pairc Point/Eye Peninsula/An Rubha Uig West Side/Taobh Siar Geographical features Butt of Lewis/Rubha Robhanais Clisham/Cliseam The Minch/An Cuan Sgìth Eilean Glas Historical sites Callanish Stones Clach an Truiseil and Steinacleit Dun Carloway/Dùn Chàrlabhaigh Dùn Èistean Lews Castle St Clement's Church/Tur Chliamainn Teampull Mholuaidh

Coordinates: 58°0′N 6°34′W / 58°N 6.567°W / 58; -6.567

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