Episode 8

The Clearance

Published on: 6th March, 2023

In this poignant and moving final episode we’re joined by leading historian, Professor Sir Tom Devine, to learn about the history of the clearances and how Inverlael was cleared of its people. We follow sheriff’s officer Hugh Ross as he goes from house to house serving notice for the residents to leave their home in Balblair for good.

In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum, archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.

Writer: Chris Dolan

Actor: Hamish Macdonald

Theme music is The Ghosts of Balblair, written and performed by Ruairidh MacLean

Audio engineering is by Steve Bull

Produced and Directed by Dan Holland and Pennie Stuart for Adventurous Audio Ltd and supported by the Audio Content Fund

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About the Podcast

Hidden in Plain Sight
Balblair is a lost township. Tucked away in the trees, just a stone’s throw from the road between Ullapool and Inverness at Inverlael, centuries of history lie buried and forgotten. In this series of drama-documentaries with the help of Ullapool Museum, archaeologists and historical experts we’re bringing the people and stories of Balblair and Inverlael back to life. 8 snapshots, re-imagined moments in Scotland's Highland history which have, until recently, been HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT.

About your host

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Adventurous Audio

The creative partnership behind Adventurous Audio is Pennie Latin Stuart and Dan Holland. We worked together as a team at the BBC for years—45 between us—producing an insane range of content, covering every conceivable topic from comedy to hard-hitting documentaries, food, the arts, science, music, sport and outside broadcasts, for just about every audio corner of the BBC - BBC Sounds and BBC Radio Scotland, Radio 4, Radio 3 and Radio 2.