Èirigh na grèine thairis air an Àird Shlèite, an t’eilean sgitheanach.

Aird of Sleat, Isle of Skye. Oil on canvas 30 x 20 inches. Framed size 36 x 26 inches.

Frame colour “Charleston Grey”, Slip colour “Dimity” both by Farrow and Ball.

Most of the Aird crofts were created in 1811 by subdivision of a large holding held as a Tack. Tacks were extensive tenancies given by the Clan Chief to Tacksmen. Historically, Tacksmen were higher status individuals, often relatives of the chief, but by the 19th Century, Tacks were often let to the highest bidder and Aird was let as a farm. Tenants on a Tack paid rent to the Tacksman. Prior to reorganisation, any tenants would have shared in the common land or lived as cottars but after reorganisation, tenants were settled on crofts with their own piece of improved land and with access to the common grazing land. Aird was created as a crofting township from the farm. Reorganisations of this type were commonplace in the 19th Century as traditional Highland society broke down. Tenants would pay rent to and usually work for the Chief, often gathering and burning kelp. Fishing would also have supported the township.

The white houses seen today replaced the ubiquitous stone and thatch Blackhouses in the 20th Century.