Patrick Sellar is one of the most notorious characters in the history of the Scottish Highlands & Islands. He is best remembered for is alleged role in the Highland Clearances.

Born in Moray in 1780 and died in Elgin in 1851. (Buried in Elgin Cathedral) His last will and testament can be accessed on the Scotland's People websitehttp://www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk/content/help/index.aspx?r=546&1164

Patrick Sellar was a lawyer, hired as the factor of the Duke of Sutherland, in the early 1800s to assist with the clearances. His undiplomatic style led to him standing trial at Inverness for culpable homicide when he presided over the burning of a croft in Strathnaver which still contained an old woman who refused to leave. He was acquitted after there was found to be little evidence of is involvement. It was later discovered that he had been the subject of a press smear campaign led by amongst others Stewart of Garth. He became a successful sheep farmer on the lands he cleared for the Duke. He was most prolific in the area of Strathnaver and presided over the improvement of much of the Highlands. It is a little known fact that the population of Sutherland actually increased during the "Clearances" and there was not the wholesale destruction which has now passed into modern mythology.

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