The Most HATED Man in Scotland? Meeting the Mannie, First Duke of Sutherland. Ep. 209.
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.พ. 2025
- I climb the 1,300-feet high Ben Bhraggie in Golspie, Sutherland, to meet the infamous monument of The First Duke of Sutherland, known locally as 'The Wee Mannie'. Why is he the most hated man in Scotland? He was responsible for the controversial Highland Clearances. Find out why so many people want to destroy the monument and see his 185-year old statue replaced.
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#DukeofSutherland #Mannie #BenBhraggie
Your interloper in the outtakes was seriously funny, some people don’t take the hint, or think he was lonely 😀
Once again some seriously good cinematography of which I am hugely envious of your abilities, well done.
I just about laughed until I cried with the outtake of the man photobombing you!
Thanks for making my day a bit better!
Just so educational and professional. What would my week be like without you two. See you next week .
Your born and bred highlander from that neck of the woods has never forgiven nor will ever forget. That would be my SIL who was born in Kildonan parish (inland from Helmsdale) and whose family still live in Golspie. The parish church far up the glen is twinned with a community church in the Kildonan area of Winnipeg, Canada which was named by families from the clearances who settled in the Red River Colony. In one of those quirks of fate my husband and moved from Scotland to Winnipeg in the 1980s and lived there for 3 years.
My knees probably won’t ever let me do that climb, so thanks, Colin, for doing the heavy lifting and bringing us all along. Have a lovely birthday coming up. Might we see a photo of the view from up there in next year’s calendar?
Colin, that was wonderful. Your photography is amazing. The history is so interesting and you were exactly right. We cannot go back to right the wrongs of the past but we can remember and LEARN from our past mistakes.
Well what an incredible video. Colin your knowledge is encyclopedic. When I see the beautiful countryside of Scotand I feel so proud to be Scottish. I realy enjoyed this one and again feel entertained by you both. This is better than BBC standard IMHO. I hpoe you have a Happy Birthday Colin and I wish you all the best. (21 again lol). I could never do that walk now because I am getting to old. But you enable people like me who can't do this stuff any longer to see and experience it through you. A great public service. Keep well and safe. James.
Aww, cheers James 👍🏻❤️
Fabulous Colin. Stunning views and interesting history. Quite agree that we should keep history and learn from it. Thank you. Good to see Shaun, missed him not being up there with you. Said Hello to Dylan as we passed his special place this afternoon. See you soon. Take care.💕🐾xxx
As a hiker and biker, I felt I was with you all the way up. BEAUTIFUL. I fell out of my chair belly laughing at the look on your face with the man photo booming your video. LMGAO!!!!!!!! snort LOL
Loved the vlog today - beautiful scenery as well as a very interesting story. Thank you for all the hard work that you put into your research. All the work that you put into each vlog shows and is appreciated.
I just found you guys! In one day, I find you, follow your travels with silver fox, hear your dad die, your dog cross the rainbow bridge, and a new boat. I laughed with you, cried with you, I share your mental health issues as well. Now, your in Scotland lol. I have quite a bit of catch up to do and in order would be good too. Thank you boys. I am loving living through you. For now, I can’t stop watching all the beautiful countryside you film. History and calm, beautiful, green. Gosh it’s wonderful. Thank you
Well hello 👋🏻 We do have a playlist with all our vlogs in order 👍🏻
Happy Birthday 🎂 Colin on Monday Lovely video and the history lesson was spot on.Golspie is a beautiful place.
What a wonderful video! Thank you for going to such effort to share this. 💕
I had wondered if I'd miss the narrowboat and those goings on, and the answer is not a bit 😊 Obvious Scotland has been good for the both of you. Happy Birthday Colin!! ❤ p.s THAT MAN at 13.00.....
The future can be changed, but history can’t. It should be remembered and lessons learnt from it.
I, for one, appreciate your view on the subject matter (both literally and figuratively) in the view. A statue is just that, a carved lump of stone depicting a person or event. It is objective. It's the person viewing that statue that has a subjective view. And everyone has their own point of view on the matter. And for statues like this, it IS a historical item, reflective of the era in which it was erected. One doesn't destroy or remove history when things like statues are removed or destroyed; one cannot change history, even if it doesn't conform to a person's view of the current world.
Enough dwelling on that. The drone shots were absolutely spectacular, as were your shots from the top, and it's a wonderful bit of researching history. One would almost think you were born there :)
Hallo Foxies!! great vlog as usual. im so glad that you are doing well and you're all feeling better - Colin with mental health and Shaun with the tick bite! Lyme is no joke. akso I was thinking about your vlog about regretting your life changes - Before i moved us to Des Moines I asked my kids if they thought we could be happier there vs where we were. Chris, who was newly diagnosed with ASD said "we can't run away from things that make us unhappy because it will always be with us, but it would be ok to be unhappy someplace else for a while". i thought that was pretty well said. Anyway keep being happy, healthy, and keep having fun.
When you talk about those "new villages". A few miles up the road from Dunrobin are the remains of a clearance village - one of those villages. It is perched on a desolate windswept plot of land covered in gorse where crops would have been feeble and flocks and herds would struggle to survive. It is on the edge of a cliff meaning that getting to the sea to fish would have been dangerous. Sutherlan's factor would still expect rent to be paid on it though. If you get a minute, do visit
Are you talking about Badbea?
Colin, your skill as a filmmaker and broadcaster come shining through in this video. Well done, indeed, sir! Thank you... I truly appreciate you guys. May every good thing be yours!
That was brilliant Colin. Thank you. The Clearances affected so many thousands of people and are a questionable blight in Scottish history, but a history that, along with everything else, should be remembered. You may be interested to read about our island history in the West. If so,maybe a read of Calum’s Road. A more recent event that brings to life the effects of those clearances 😊
First, Happy Birthday, Colin! Hope you have a great day!
Agree with preserving history. Here is the U.S., we've suffered through people that are out to destroy our history by destroying monuments and statues.
Absolutely love how much you guys are embracing the beauty of Scotland as well as digging into the history. Glad to have you both in oor wee country 💙
💙💙💙 Just love you boys!!! The Vlog was beautiful Colin thank you. You know what comes next, give Ottis a huge hug please. 💙💙💙
We have climbed Crough Patrick, the Holy Mountain or Ireland several times, and the last stage is steep, and just when you think it isn't ever going to end, the sky ahead comes, and then the chapel as you reach the end. Magic.
Enjoyed the history lesson very much
and what a great view from the top
wishing you a very happy birthday Monday
Wow, guys. Your production values are going through the roof! Beautiful photography, and the history lesson was brilliant. Thank you! ❤
Our pleasure!
Great video… I love Colin’s “teaching”… the historical facts and documentary type videos. He does such a great job of them. Would love to see more of your homestead too! Thanks guys ❤️
Well done.... When I toured Scotland in 1998, our tour directors made an unplanned stop at Dunrobin. Our bus driver stayed at the bus while we were touring the site; he just frowned, waved his arm in the general direction of the castle and said, "Sheep! This all came from sheep!" And there might have been a few swear words in the mix as well...........
Colin, I absolutely LOVE your videos! I know they take a LOT of work, you make them very interesting and informative. I appreciate what you both do so much! Thanks!!
My family (the MacRaes) were one of those who were cleared from their homes, so it was cool seeing the statue of the man who started it. If you get the chance to go to the West coast - check out my family's home in Kintail - Around Mallaig - and Eilean Donan Castle! According to my family tree, I'm a direct descendant of Duncan of the Battle-Axe, who became Constable of the Castle. Unfortunately, after the 1745 uprising, the Castle was blown up - only to be restored in the early 20th century to a wonderful condition!
What a wonderful life your having, much joy and happiness
Dear Colin have a very great Birthday 🎂🎉
Granny from Logan Utah
Happy birthday Colin , you are a lovely couple always make me smile Xx
I am Scottish and have ancestors who were affected by gowers and sellars actions but I would rather people see his statue up there and learn about the history.
Also look at how he is immortalised - in stone with no one beside him, just a lonely old sod on a hill. Very fitting for the greedy ______ he was and what he inflicted on our People.
Alba gu brath 🏴
Despite a lot of viewers suggesting I am not allowed an opinion... I totally agree with you :) x
Hey Colin.... Really enjoyed your "history" lessen this morning (LA LA Land time - PDT), regarding the Duke. Drone footage was great. The views from the top of the hill, were really spectacular.
Cheers......
Have you read John Prebble's 'The Highland Clearances' ? he has quite a lot to say about this guy, Patrick Sellars, and the effects it had on the crofters etc.. Try visiting Croick Church for instance (if you haven't already) and read the story about the messages scratched into the windows.
Yes! Recently too.
Love the way you explain history in the sympathetic, explaining both sides, and not judging, brilliant. The views are excellent, happy birthday for Monday 🎊🥳 Nicola 🧜🐳🌟
Thanks again for a wonderful video and thoughtful discussion of a very worthy subject. There are few people who are entirely good or bad. We’re all a confused noise with a complicated blend of vice and virtue. Remembering (even celebrating) the good should be balanced with remembering and educating about, the bad.
I so look forward to your videos each week. Thank you for taking us with you to these beautiful places. You are a joy to watch and listen to .I learn something interesting each week You and Shaun are wonderful . Like the T shirt , may get me one if I can figure out how to get it. Happy Birthday Monday Colin Love you guys .Thanks again
Lovely scenic area. I think you are right, we can't change history, but we really do need to start learning from it. Great vlog. Cheers.
This was Devine! Thank you for the walk and history lesson 🎀
Great video, thanks for “taking us along”! Cheers from Colorado!
That was a great video. I was visiting Golspie and the matriarch of our family (93 years old at the time) and I had a long conversation about the statue of the Duke. She was among many living in Golspie who wanted it to remain standing because it makes it hard to forget the history of the Clearances. Then she told me about one of my 3rd great grandfathers who was cleared from Strathnaver with my ancestors. He watched as his home was burned down when he was a boy. The family fled to the coast that evening. I had no idea that had happened to our family before that day. Wish I had gone on the climb to see the view. Next time!
Great video Colin. Thanks. Half of me wants to knock this truly evil man off of his perch but the other half says leave him up there so that we are reminded of his crimes for generations to come. These large estates which still abound in Scotland need to be taken into public ownership for the benefit of ordinary working people with no compensation as they were effectively stolen in the first place and I really hope that the Scottish Government will have the courage to do so.
Thank you! Thank you! thank you! I watched on my laptop and will watch again on the 50" TV screen later. The views and photography and videoing were so crisp and clear and breathtaking. I would have been tempted to stay the night. I bet you can touch the starts. It is hard to describe with words to say thanks I am sure I will never get to see first hand but this is as good. Happy Birthday on Monday. We will be going to the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of South Carolina, specifically, Cherry Grove, North Myrtle Beach. Because water is our calming place, as well.
Awww man, best vlog yet…….totally agree with your thoughts on remembering history👍🏻 loving the Foxes new adventures btw #foxesrock
Brilliant! So thoughtful. One of your best. Thanks!
Thanks for taking us along on this adventure!
Interestingly there is another statue of the Duke of Sutherland just outside Stoke on Trent. He used to own the Trentham Estate. The monument is a significant local landmark but most people in the area now have little idea of who he was or why it was built. As such there has never been a popular call to remove it.
lovely views again of your new stomping ground. Thank you for the sensible reminder about history, that we should learn from it, that we cant change it but as long as we do something positive moving forward, we can move on making the changes for the better, for everyone. thanks guys x
I have been enjoying your adventures so much. I have loved your narrow boat adventures, and I am loving your new Scottish adventures. The history of the "off the beaten trek" sort of places that you and Shaun have been covering have been really interesting. I loved the train episode.
Awesome, thank you!
Spot on about history as those who refuse to learn about the past are doomed to repeat its mistakes.
Yes that's what drove my wife's ancestors to emigrate. Initially to Nova Scotia in Canada and then onto New Zealand after several years - apparently they didn't like the Nova Scotian weather....
Hello Gents after watching for such a long time I am near to where you are we were Kirkwall today and will be Invergordon tomorrow. Thanks to you we saw The Falkirk wheel and doing a cruise on the Loch Ness
Cool vlog. Love the narration about the local history. Also, beautiful drone footage!
Thank you for the lovely views and sharing . The end was so funny 😂 you crease me you two do . Loving it . Can’t wait for the next one lol . And happy birthday for Monday . 🎂🌼🌸🌻 have a fab day 😄
Woohoo! Thank you for showing us those killer views. I felt as though I were there looking over the beautiful countryside. Keep finding amazing places to take us to. Love your channel immensely! 🤗❤️
Colin thank you for doing Scotland proud keep up the good work
That was BRILLIANT, Colin! Such beautiful views! I always love it when you feature the history of the places you visit. The guy "photo bombing" you at the end was hilarious! Stay well! Big hugs to you & Shaun & a big cuddle for Otis! ❤ 🐕 ❤
There’s Sean and Colin one of the best things about your channel I get to learn a little bit of history on a time i’m finding history very fascinating I do agree that the statue should be left alone to teach the future generations of what happened but also I could sympathize with the people who were displaced to me that is a very very tough conflict well thank you for listening to me have a great day and I can’t wait until the next Vlog
He thought he did people a favour by killing them, scaring the hell out of children watching their parents and grandparents beaten up and cruelly mistreated , by driving the people from the place they grew up, the land they worked for generations... and all this for making even more money than this man already had.... I don't believe for a minute he or anybody else believed in this 'good Samaritan story'. He terrorised the area and there's a lot of blood on his hands.
It's a stunning place, Bonnie Scotland in her Sunday attire. However, the monument- I don't think he deserves one but that's just my opinion. Everyone has their own.
The views in this blog are amazing! Thanks for sharing them.
Great episode. Read the book"Set Adrift Upon the World".
My 5th Great grandparents were burned out of Kildonan in 1815 and resettled in Winnipeg, thanks to Lord Selkirk's expeditions to Prince Ruperts Land (present day Manitoba).
The Emmigrant statue has a facing mirror image in a park in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, along the Red River of the North.
So heartening that this was such a balanced and compassionate piece about the Sutherland Clearances.
Brilliant vlog, we stopped at dornoch last year, amazing area, thank you for doing this I could look at this monument from the caravan decking but as you say you need to be fit to do it and I have Sean,s knees lol, great to see the statue close up keep up the good work
Wow, what gorgeous views! Back in my younger days I would have tried that hike. But now with my dodgy knees I'd need a lift or a tram to get to the top. Even on the easy trail. I'd have to sit with Shaun and watch. Plus, I'm not fit at all.
You're photography is wonderful! Thanks for taking us on the hike, the views are fabulous
Back on top form with the history lesson, keep them coming. Out takes , so funny.
Very informative and agree with view on history..
Happy birthday for Monday Colin blessings from Queensland Australia
Another Queenslander here, Irena. Isn’t this the most wonderful channel to watch , with Colin and Shaun.
@@jackiestewart5062 definately. Always interesting.
Happy (early) Birthday !
YES, he should be remembered for the things he did to the people.
A Plaque on the statue base, should be affixed to tell of his actions.
It might have been better, if he had offered them shepherding jobs, if he wanted them to better themselves !
Take care, and enjoy your birthday !
Stu xx
Happy Birthday Colin - hope this will cover a birthday drink or two.
Thank you so much, Jennifer! x
Happy Birthday for Monday Colin . You are a fantastic history teacher, well done, can listen to you all day. Looking forward to seeing your vlogs 😊. Sean's a hoot bless him.
I love all the vids you guys put out but have missed the historical stories, enjoyed that! We do need to remember history how it was so future generations keep learning from the mistakes not repeating them!
Have a fantastic Birthday Colin. Thank you for taking us on your hike.
Well done Colin. I was tired just watching you. What a great piece of Scottish history and amazing views. Missed Shaun but I can understand why he wasn't with you. . Thank you.
After having a bad couple of days. Today even worse. Feeling low and emotional. It's so lovely to watch you both doing this brilliant vlogs.
Wishing you a very happy birthday! on another note, the gentleman was hoping for an interview! Shoulda asked him something completely unrelated to where you were, like "Sir, thank you for climbing all the way up here! Now please tell me, where are you from, and do you like ketchup, mustard or mayo on your fries?"
Thanks for the hike and interesting history lesson. I agree with your view on history and historic monuments. Removal of historic monuments seems to be quite prevalent these days around the world. Every monument will have a group that find it offensive and want it removed. Sounds good in theory, but soon becomes another piece of history people will not even come to appreciate. I think expanding on these monuments to better put events in context would be a better approach. Just my 2 cents.
Wonderful photography, great use of drone, great research and delivered in an entertaining and educational way. Well done Colin.
Have a wonderful happy birthday Colin, it's fun seeing your vlogs and it's always done in a professional way good seeing the jeep Shawn and Otis. xx
Love your defense of history! Thanks so much for the incredible views you showed us, and for your balanced presentation of a very controversial figure.
I have never laughed so much 🤣No seriously what was that guy doing, standing behind you, must have realised you were filming. 😂
Beautiful day for a hike! Love the views from the hilltop. Happy Birthday, Colin. Have a great year. 💖💖💖
very interesting fantastic views thank you for taking me there virtually
Great video guys, and nice to see a balanced view of the Wee Mannie.
There's a rumour that the workers erecting the statue built it so that it faces out to sea rather than facing the land he owned, out of spite towards him.
Hi guys! Brilliant vlog and photography - I love the openness, the colours and the landscapes. Being there myself ( or enjoying them vicariously through you is really soothing for the soul so thank you very much. Lovely to see Shaun pop up at the end. It was my birthday last Monday. I wish you a truly happy day on the 8th and a healthy and fulfilled year ahead. I could send a year's supply of Voltarol gel for those knees 🎁! Lots of love to you, Shaun, Otis and your new best friend! 🤪
Thanks for the vlog, I always enjoy your historical tours.....thanks again.
Thank you for taking me up with you by video and sharing this interesting history. I’ve been listening to the Hamish MacBeth stories by M.C. Beaton recently, which are set in that area, and it’s lovely to see the landscape through your lens.
Colin... Excellent lesson and perspective about not erasing history. You have schooled me today. Thank you. You are an inspiration to all humankind. There are far too many "monuments" in USA that stand for the same abuse of people. Many were vandalized, and all are in controversy over the American "leaders" that held slaves and were ultimately responsible for massacres of the native americans. I don't want to see those people in monuments anywhere. Perhaps the statues should be dismembered, and their heads laid sideways on a concrete slab with a plaque that tells their story and who they tortured. They can be made into "piggy banks" where people can throw coins into wishing wells and the money can go to the modern day descendants of the oppressed.
Happy Birthday Colin for Monday - hope you have an amazing day 🎂 thanks for the history & the glorious scenery too cheers Debz from Oz
Hi guys can’t wait to watch this, my daughters best friend is a descendant of the Clan Sutherland, I’ve been there also. She went and lived there for a couple of years abt 11 years ago to go back to her ancestry. I’ll have to send her a link to this. Her father ( lovely man is a Sutherland) the name is here in WA. I saw you were there a couple of episodes were. There’s a village of my name nearby also. Thx guys. 💕💕🙋♀️🙋♀️
Enjoyed your commentary Colin. What a walk. Fancy thugs trying to take some of the rocks down. Can't trust anyone today. We can't change history. Glad to see Shawn at the end.
Statues are not history, rather they throw light on how influential people of the day wanted history to look.
Completely agree with you about the statue. History should be remembered and learnt from so hopefully it doesn't repeat itself. Happy birthday for Monday, mine is on Tuesday but I am quite a few years ahead of you☺️
Happy birthday for Tuesday! ❤️
Outake of the man just standing there....brilliant 🤣🤣🤣
At first I really did miss the narrow boat vlogs but I must say this new tack is every bit as good 👍 😊 and as enjoyable, if not more.
Just spectacular vid, so thoughtful and gorgeous views. Statues, and what they represent is a volatile issue here in the US. Especially those from the Civil Wars. It’s terrific to see a perspective from abroad about the same issues. It on my to see list now!❤️
Great vlog, thanks. First time we climbed the Ben, we did it by accident! We were looking for the loch behind the Ben and got lost. It was misty on top, and suddenly the Mannie loomed out of the mist. I've climbed it the front way twice since then, and it did put a strain on my arthritic knees.
Thank you thank you! What a climb up, this 72 yr old woman may have done it if you'd give me a couple of days 😉 I loved your views up there!!
The Duke's memorial is still quite Impressive, good or bad. Happy Healthy Birthday, Colin 😍
I have driven up and down this road many times as I have family in Thurso and I have always wondered what the statue was for. Thank you 😊 now I'll need to stop and go up the hill next time I am up and see it for myself the views look amazing! 😍
Great vlog, and interesting as always 👍 Loved the views, especially three quarters of the way up. Looking forward to your next adventure 😊
Thank you sir as always for history lessons. I am visiting Scotland and so looking forward to