>>>Where can I find out more about the clearances on Shapinsay? Any books to recommend? As far as Rousay is concerned try: The Little General and the Rousay Crofters by P.L. Thomson, June 2000 or for more general background but focussing on Western Isles and Highlands (only a few but interesting spotlihts on Orkney) : The Crofters' War by I.M.M. MacPhail (1989). Bought both from the Orcadian Bookshop some time ago ...