largest township in the district, Mealastadh was also cleared. Parallel with the Highland clearances arose the birth of organised crofting in the 1840s. This produced the individual land holdings and linear township pattern recognisable today. The crofting system has always proved inadequate to provide an income for the people so other forms of income have always been crucial for the survival of these communities. Notable were the kelp industry and the great line fishing industry. The main sporting estates that were set up were at Uig Lodge, Morsgail and Scaliscro. Demographics and social history The current population of the district is around 400, which is the lowest recorded. This is compounded by an ageing demographic and a "constrictive pyramid" structure. The district had recorded 1,923 residents in 1841, prior to evictions that occurred over the next decade. The most notable evictions resulted in the passage of hundreds of people on the emigrant ships "Marquis of Stafford" and "Barlow" in 1851. At the turn of the twentieth century there were 1,631 residents in the district, and the population dipped below 1,000 for the first time after the Second World War. Notable people Dòmhnall Càm MacDhùghaill (c1560–c1640) – Born in the district. Clan chief of the MacAulays of Uig. Progenitor of the race of MacAulays including: Zachary MacAulay (1768–1838) – Anti slavery campaigner with the Clapham Sect. He was a notable Statistician and a founder of the University of London. Thomas Babington Macaulay (1800–59) – 1st Baron Macaulay and British Whig politician and historian. Author of "A History of England from the Accession of James II". Robertson MacAulay - President of the Sun Life Insurance Co of Canada then the largest insurer in the world and his son TB MacAulay also President of the Sun Life Insurance Co. Kenneth MacKenzie, Baile-na-Cille – Born in the district. Otherwise known as the Brahan Seer. He was a notable prophet of the 17th Century who predicted the arrival of oil revenues among other predictions. William J MacLean (1841–1929), Scaliscro/Gisla - Born in the district. Chief Trader for the district of Lower Fort Garry (Winnipeg) for the Hudsons Bay Company. Murdo F Macdonald (1849–1920), Geisiadar – Born and educated in the district. Founder of the Blue Mountain Granite Co of Vermont. Produced many civic statues for American cities and memorials for the American Civil war. Rev Colonel AJ MacKenzie (born 1887), Kinlochroag – Born and educated