Kildonan’s Children
tune – Farewell to Loch Broom

I walked to Kildonan as did times before
Did view the ruins from hill and from shore
A ‘deep’ eerie silence no life did abound
The Laird he decreed he wanted the ground.

They came from Glen Gruinard evicted before
The Laird he was ruthless their pleas did ignore
Crops were destroyed it was his desire
Buildings left standing were all set on fire.

Livestock and people dispersed were with ease
The factor instructed the Laird had to please
The land it was leased to sheep men from away
Substantial rent for its use they did pay.

For a while at Kildonan harassed they were not
Evictions before from their minds they did blot
But then it was rumoured they were to be cleared
Evicted again now to be feared.

Proceed with evictions the Laird did command
A sheep farm for profit he wanted the land
Families were scattered some far and some near
No choice did they have to them he made clear.

Thoughts were directed when forced had to leave
Their homeland beloved for it they did grieve
Where ere they did wander their hearts did return
They yearned for Kildonan the Laird they did spurn.

They slept ‘mong the heather on that bleak rocky moor
Many a hardship they had to endure
Eventually shelter and food did provide
No worldly belongings but dignified pride.

A people resourceful in life they did prove
In Scoraig, New Zealand, where ere they did move
A God fearing people respected by all
What ere their vocation in the world they walked tall.

And now to Kildonan its Children return
Of forefathers think as they walk by the burn
Bordbuie they do visit their quest to attain
Where Kildonan’s Children forever remain.

Kildonan is an old settlement. Today there are just ruins, at least 25 buildings as well as field walls, lazy beds, stone clearance piles and both a stone and a turf head dyke. The dwelling house ruins are quite long in comparison with others in Wester Ross which could indicate that Norse settlers once lived in the settlement.
It is known that families from Strath na Sealga and Glenarigolach in the Gruinard area were cleared from their homes to live there so that the estate could establish a sheep farm. Then in 1840 twenty families, 136 persons, were evicted again from both Kildonan and Dundonnell to Scoraig as another sheep farm was planned. They were only given forty days but before leaving they burned their crops.
Bordbuie is the cemetery in Dundonnell.