| |
| continued |
| Towards the end of the 19th century, Plockton's economic formula ceased to work
reliably and many young men began to emigrate abroad. A resident of Plockton at
the time, Sandy MacLennan, remembers the period. 'When I was a young man (in the
1890s) a whole crowd left Plockton to settle in New Zealand. I thought of going
myself but I had steady work and I was glad I didn't go. Their first harvest over
there was poor and they were longing for the slat herring and potatoes which we
still had in Plockton. Some of them soon came back home.' |
| Times in Plockton were quite hard between 1850 and 1918 with fishing on the decline
and the soil continuing to offer only survival harvests. Despite this, the influence
of the church was seen as important to most families. |
| When material success was proving elusive, constant reminders that material prosperity
was of secondary importance gave a source of comfort to many villagers. |
| Also of great psychological and economic value to some was the existence of a
good school. This school enabled those with ability and inclination to embark on
professional careers at minimal cost and with maximum encouragement from the community
in general. |
| During the fifty year period 1870 to 1920, the number of professionally qualified
people who had their basic education at Plockton School was, in relation to the
population, five times the national average. |
| The first few years after 1918 probably saw Plockton's lowest point in terms of
economic and social vitality. |
| Heavy war casualties and pre-war emigration had cut down the severely the number
of men in the 20–25 age group, while the total population of the village was
only half the 1841 figure. |
| The first marriage for ten years of a man resident in Plockton took place in 1924
(Dan MacKenzie). |
| Since the end of the Second World War, Plockton has seen its fortunes see-saw.
During the 1970s, and right up to the present day, tourism has gown in importance.
The people of Plockton have realised its importance in stabilising the local economy. |
| Plockton is now a thriving place and people from all over the world come to visit
what has been called 'Britain's Prettiest Village'. Because of this popularity,
which has also been enhanced by the fact that the hit TV series 'Hamish Macbeth'
was made locally, there has been a worrying trend whereby a significant number of
houses in the village have become holiday homes. |
| Despite this, the community is a vibrant, energetic one, and
visitors to Plockton and the surrounding area will always find a warm welcome awaiting
them. |
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