Mention has been made that the Highlanders made up a large part of the British Army and the title page of Prebble's book contains the quote "since you have preferred sheep to men, let sheep defend you". Britain was at war with France at the beginning of the Clearances and many Highlanders on coming home discovered that their glens had been cleared as in the song "I will go" (in the DT)Thought I'd mention this as another perspective