 The island has been occupied since the Mesolithic period and its history includes a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald . The 18th @-@ century Jacobite risings led to the breaking up of the clan system and subsequent Clearances that replaced entire communities with sheep farms , some of which also involved forced emigrations to distant lands . Resident numbers declined from over 20 @,@ 000 in the early 19th century to just under 9 @,@ 000 by the closing decade of the 20th century . Skye 's population increased by 4 per cent between 1991 and 2001 . About a third of the residents were Gaelic speakers in 2001 , and although their numbers are in decline this aspect of island culture remains important . 
 The island <a href='been_done' title='1'><mark>has</mark></a> been occupied since the Mesolithic period and its history <a href='uninflect' title='2'><mark>includes</mark></a> a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald . The 18th @-@ century Jacobite risings led to the breaking up of the clan system and subsequent Clearances <a href='null_relcl' title='3'><mark>that</mark></a>replaced entire communities with sheep farms , some of which also involved forced emigrations to distant lands . Resident numbers declined from over 20 @,@ 000 in the early 19th century to just under 9 @,@ 000 by the closing decade of the 20th century . Skye <a href='null_genetive' title='4'><mark>'s</mark></a>population increased by 4 per cent between 1991 and 2001 . About a third of the residents <a href='uninflect' title='5'><mark>were</mark></a> Gaelic speakers in 2001 , and although their numbers are in decline this aspect of island culture <a href='uninflect' title='6'><mark>remains</mark></a> important . 
Da island done been occupied since tdaMesolithic period and its history include a time of Norse rule and a long period of domination by Clan MacLeod and Clan Donald . Thda8th @-@ century Jacobite risings led to the breakin up of the clan system and subsequent Clearances replaced entire communities with sheep farms , some of which also involved forced emigrations to distant lands . Resident numbers declined from ova 20 @,@ 000 in the early 19th century to jus under 9 @,@ 000 by thedaosing decade of the 20th century . Skye  population increased by 4 per cent between 1991 and 2001 . About a third of the daidents was Gaelic speakers in 2001 , and although their numbers r in decline this aspect of island culture remain important .