Scottish landlords emptied whole valleys of tenants to make room for sheep

Between roughly 1750 and 1860, Highland landlords evicted tens of thousands of tenant farmers, replacing centuries-old communities with large-scale sheep farms that paid far higher rent. Wool prices had climbed steadily since the 1780s, and hardy Cheviot sheep could out-earn traditional mixed farming many times over. Evicted families were pushed to coastal crofts or driven to emigrate, feeding mass departures to Canada, the US and Australia.

— Wikipedia contributors, Highland Clearances — Scottish Highlands and Islands, c. 1750–1860