Garth

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The settlement of Garth
The settlement of Garth

Garth, on the shore of Garths Wick, at the south end of Fitful Head, was 'cleared' in the late 19th century by the Laird Andrew John Grierson (2) of the Grierson of Quendale family, to make way for sheep.
The Rattar photo on the right bears the name J. D. Rattar, but was taken by George Washington Wilson, prior to the clearances of 1874. The neighbouring township of Corston, which was also cleared at that time would have been immediately behind the photographer.

Identifiable remains of dwellings and other structures still exist at Corston, and at Quam to the north, another cleared township. Little if any signs remain of Garth or the others, the building stones having been utilised to create field dykes etc, and in some cases the sites of the townships entirely ploughed over and incorporated within present day farm fields.

The same view of Garth approx one decade later in the 1880's, only overgrown ruins remain.Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives
The same view of Garth approx one decade later in the 1880's, only overgrown ruins remain.
Photo from Shetland Museum and Archives
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