One often hears claims from defenders of the landed aristocracy that they are but stewards of the land pro tempore.

So much for "stewardship":

Fife Council has backed 150 villagers who face eviction after a wealthy laird put their homes up for sale.

Landlord William Wemyss has written to 49 households, informing them their homes will soon be on the market.

The move has shattered the tiny Fife mining village of Coaltown of Wemyss and provoked claims of a "modern day Highland Clearance".

Many of the tenants earmarked for eviction are elderly pensioners, including one 97-year-old woman.

The Wemyss family owns 70 cottages in the village, 49 of which are being sold off, netting the family more than £6m.

Tenants last week received a four-line letter from Mr Wemyss, informing them that their homes are being sold "as an investment portfolio" and giving them details if they want to purchase their own property.

But, most in the village are unable to afford the asking prices of about £130,000 and the quaint cottages are expected to generate much interest from investors or people looking to buy holiday homes.

Nice way of doing business. Positively Victorian landlordism at its worst by the sounds of it.

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