Scots Aboriginal Land Rights

Aboriginal peoples of Scotland are still fighting against feudal systems imposed by invaders.

Scotland is the only country in the world still with a feudal system in which tenants are "vassals" in law to their "feudal superiors". "Lairds" abuse the land and indigenous community as if it were still the dark ages.

Most indigenous crofting communities are on native reservations on the poorest land. These communities are disempowered and dysfunctional in the same way as other indigenous communities around the world. This includes high levels of unemployment, smoking, alcohol abuse and suicide.

In June 1997 aboriginal people of the Isle of Eigg, through years of aboriginal Land Rights activism, ended 169 years of feudalism by establishing native title through their Highland Land Council and the Scottish Wildlife Trust.

The words of the island's doctor sum up colonialism perfectly. He said that life before the native title determination was, "like living under enemy occupation, except you're not allowed to shoot the buggers". Another local aboriginal woman said, "Yesterday I had a house; today I've got a home."

Read more about international aboriginal land rights in Australia and Canada.

Or find out more about British Indigenousness.