The priest, the crofters, and the Uist rocket range

This study examines the relationship between land, power, and cultural identity in the Uists, focusing on the mid-twentieth century when a proposed rocket range threatened the Gaelic culture. The Rev. John Morrison, a local priest, led a media campaign to protect the community’s heritage, also commissioning a sculpture of ‘Our Lady of the Isles’ and supporting wayside shrines as symbols of resistance. These monuments embody the community’s resilience and connection to their land, preserving their unique cultural identity amid external pressures. Morrison’s efforts reflect an interplay between land ownership, government intervention, and the shaping of cultural landscapes, with the monuments serving as enduring markers of the community’s past and aspirations for the future.