One hundred years since the resettlement of Galson, a new monument named na Dorsan (Scottish Gaelic for “the doors”) has been unveiled in South Galson, Isle of Lewis, celebrating a century of community resilience and marking an era of transformation for the community-owned estate.
In 1924, fifty-two families reclaimed land at Melbost, South Galson, and North Galson, after generations of struggle following the 1863 clearances that saw Galson’s residents displaced to make way for a sheep farm.
As history would have it, the people of Galson didn’t accept their fate lightly; in 1888, they raided Galson Farm, a bold act that led to the arrest of four men—Malcolm Smith, Malcolm Saunders, Malcolm Maciver, and John Nicolson—who were transferred to Edinburgh for trial.
Fast forward to 2007, and the Galson Estate passed into community ownership, managed by Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn (Galson Estate Trust), a pivotal step in the community’s ongoing journey toward self-determination.
Today, na Dorsan, designed by renowned artists Will Maclean and Marian Leven, stands as a powerful reminder of Galson’s history, using the symbolic doorway to represent homecoming, welcome, and the community’s enduring spirit.
Historian Juliette Desportes, who worked on the exhibition accompanying the monument, expressed pride in capturing the voices and stories of those who fought for the right to live on their ancestral land, noting that the struggles of Galson were largely overlooked in the history books.
The exhibition draws on historical documents like original deeds and mortgage records, offering a glimpse into the lives of early settlers, such as Seonaid Ruairidh ‘an Mhàrtainn and Murchadh ‘an Bhàin Dòmhnallach, whose descendants still live on the estate today.
Agnes Rennie, Chair of Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn and granddaughter of two original settlers, recalled her grandmother Seonaid’s fond memories of moving to Galson, describing it as “green and clean,” with each family bringing their sheep and possessions, ready to start a new chapter on their land.
The opening ceremony was a true community celebration, with music from a young piper of the Lewis and Harris Youth Pipe Band and poetry by primary school pupils commemorating the spirit of Galson.
Marian Leven shared that the vision behind na Dorsan was to create a monument embodying the spirit of homecoming, pride, and welcome at the heart of Galson’s community identity.
The Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, which manages the 56,000-acre community-owned estate, has invited both residents and visitors to an Open Day on Saturday, 2 November, to explore the monument and reflect on the township’s rich history.
Janet Macleod, Cultural Engagement Officer for the Trust, encouraged everyone to visit, highlighting how meaningful it is to reflect on the community’s journey and to honour the resilience that has shaped today’s thriving estate.
For those wishing to learn more, details of na Dorsan and the Trust’s ongoing work are available at www.galsontrust.com
