That was conducted by SCOTTISH landowners.
I think perhaps the richest and most powerful of the "SCOTTISH landowners" (some of which were previously English who had been awarded the estates for political rewards) were, as we have seen all through history in all countries, greedy and ruthless and wanting more money and power, so they did what came natural to them. But, instead of stopping them, the English government/crown allowed it and promoted it. The crown was happy to rid the land of the "Highlander clans" to avoid future uprisings. Or am I wrong?