 In the late 18th century the harvesting of kelp became a significant activity but from 1822 on cheap imports led to a collapse of this industry throughout the Hebrides . During the 19th century , the inhabitants of Skye were also devastated by famine and Clearances . Thirty thousand people were evicted between 1840 and 1880 alone , many of them forced to <unk> to the New World . For example , the settlement of <unk> on the west coast of Duirinish was cleared on 4 August 1830 . Every <unk> under the age of seventy was removed and placed on board the Midlothian on threat of imprisonment , with those over that age being sent to the <unk> . The " Battle of the <unk> " involved a demonstration against a lack of access to land and the serving of <unk> notices . The incident involved numerous <unk> and about 50 police officers . This event was instrumental in the creation of the Napier Commission , which reported in 1884 on the situation in the Highlands . <unk> continued until the passing of the 1886 <unk> ' Act and on one occasion 400 marines were deployed on Skye to maintain order . The ruins of cleared villages can still be seen at <unk> , <unk> and <unk> in <unk> <unk> , and <unk> on Minginish . 
