LOOKING DOWN

THE Duke of Sutherland became one of the wealthiest landowners in Europe when he married Elizabeth, the Countess of Sutherland, in 1785. Their combined landholdings were 1.5 million acres.

The duke’s factor, Patrick Sellar, and his men are credited with carrying out some of the most violent evictions of the Highland Clearances.

According to accounts, the duke’s factor called on the estate’s remaining tenants to contribute towards the cost of the 27ft statue and 75ft pedestal, which were completed in 1837, or face eviction.