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The
Highland
Livestock Heritage Society (HLHS) was established with the aim of
commemorating and celebrating the historic achievements of the
livestock breeders and drovers in the Highlands & Islands of
Scotland.
The breeding, rearing, droving and trading in cattle and sheep
was the economic mainstay of the Highlands & Islands over hundreds
of years. The people who undertook the difficult, dangerous and
commercially complex business of droving and selling the livestock
were the economic heroes of their time. Many of them later
emigrated to new worlds and brought their breeding, droving and
commercial skills to establish thriving new livestock industries
in
USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and South America. Their story is proudly woven into the social and economic
history of
Scotland - rich in legend, folklore and song, and colourful
characters.
Sadly, these legendary heroes from
Scotland’s past are neglected and unremembered in the present day.
Until now, there has been no organisation dedicated to their
commemoration and to providing a focus for the future celebration
of their achievements. The Society exits to rectify that omission.
Our intention is to create in the heart of the
Highlands a cluster of commemorative facilities and activities.
There will be an exhibition, archive/research centre and a
commemorative sculpture. Located at Dingwall Mart, there will be a
living link to the modern day livestock industry.
We have now raised the funding to
enable us to go ahead with the exhibition. We are grateful
to Highland Year of Culture, Awards for All, the Underwood Trust
and Highland & Islands Enterprise and a number of individuals and
local firms for their contributions. Tulloch's have donated
£20,000 towards the sculpture.
We will also establish and maintain contacts with similar
livestock and heritage societies and organisations world-wide.
If you’ve read this far, the chances are that you share our
enthusiasm and our determination to celebrate these unsung heroes
of Scottish history. Do take a look at the Drover Project section.
If you like what you see, please do what you can to assist our
work. We would be very pleased to have you as a member and
supporter. |