tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90360462072621381222024-03-13T02:16:56.924+00:00Napier Commission in SutherlandSutherland and CaithnessADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.comBlogger117125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-50145585397114252942012-03-27T16:00:00.001+01:002022-07-31T21:09:48.872+01:00IntroductionOn this site have been posted transcripts of the findings of the Napier Commission during its sessions in Caithness and Sutherland in the summer and autumn of 1883. More formally, this Commission is known as The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Condition of Crofters and Cottars in the Highlands and Islands.<br />
<br />
West Highland College UHI - Mallaig digitised the thousands of
pages of the report. These have been made available on the <a href="https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/research-enterprise/cultural/centre-for-history/research/research-alliances/the-napier-commission/" target="_blank">website</a> of the UHI Centre for History, from where the below background information was copied.<br />
<br />
The commission was set up as a response to crofter and cottar demonstrations against excessively high rents, lack of security of tenure on land that had been in families for generations and the forced evictions of crofters.<br />
<br />
The demonstrations started in Wester Ross and Lewis in the 1870's, and by the early 1880's had moved to Skye. Local police forces were called upon by the landlords to enforce what they believed to be their rights. However, with limited resources, the police found it difficult to cope with the increasing demands put upon them. Therefore, it became an issue needing the attention of Prime Minister Gladstone’s government and he ordered the appointment of the commission.<br />
<br />
Under the orders of William Gladstone, and backed by Royal approval, the commission was appointed in 1883, by the Home Secretary, Sir William Harcourt. Francis Napier, 10th Lord Napier, was selected as chairman, with five other members - Sir Donald Cameron of Locheil; Sir Kenneth MacKenzie of Gairloch; Charles Fraser – MacIntosh MP; Sheriff Alexander Nicolson of Kicudbright and Professor Donald MacKinnon of Edinburgh university – making up the panel.<br />
<br />
The commission began its work in Braes on the Island of Skye and travelled the length and breadth of the Highlands and Islands (including Orkney and Shetland) gathering evidence from crofters, landlords and others who were familiar with the plight of the indigenous population.<br />
<br />
The final report was hastily published in 1884 and led obliquely to the 1886 Crofters’ Holding Act.<br />
<br />
The Napier’s Report is a valuable piece of documentary evidence from the Highlands and Islands (including Orkney and Shetland) in 1883, presenting facts and information on the population, as well as the political, historical and social climate of the time.<br />
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The text of the original report has been broken up into locations (listed in the panel to the right). On the front page of each location, the witnesses have been listed by category (e.g. crofters, clergymen, factors &c). <br />
<br />
The text was copied from the PDFs, supplied by UHI Lochaber, and pasted into a word processor for cleaning up and correction, where necessary. In case of doubt, the original text was consulted. Spelling errors in local names have <i>not</i> been corrected.<br />
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The six members of the Commission taking evidence in Caithness and Sutherland were:<br />
<br />
Lord NAPIER AND ETTRICK, K.T., Chairman.<br />
Sir KENNETH S. MACKENZIE, Bart.<br />
DONALD CAMERON, Esq. of Lochiel, M.P.<br />
C. FRASER MACKINTOSH, Esq., M.P.<br />
Sheriff NICOLSON, LL.D.<br />
Professor MACKINNON, M.A.<br />
<br />
It should be noted that evidence was taken in the western parts of Sutherland in July 1883, with submissions resuming in Caithness and eastern Sutherland in October of the same year.<br />
<br />
The evidence from two witnesses, heard at Dingwall on 10 October 1883, is included as it pertains to the hearing at Bonar Bridge the day before.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-82499617339803915342012-03-27T15:55:00.000+01:002012-03-29T17:44:08.603+01:00Appendix LXIVSTATEMENT by JOHN CRAWFORD, Esq., Factor for His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, K.G., in the Tongue District.<br />
<br />
House of Tongue, 3rd September 1883.<br />
John Crawford, aged 71. I have been factor for the Duke of Sutherland in the Tongue district since Whitsunday 1859. The district extends from the March of Caithness on the east to Loch Eriboll on the west, and from the sea on the north to Benhrinin on the south. The population of the district under my care is, by last census, 3900 souls. Rental shown by the Valuation Roll of the county is £17,959.<br />
<br />
For the convenience of the Commissioners, and in the interests of the inquiry, I propose to deal categorically with the statements of witnesses at Bettyhill on 24th and 25th July last, so far as they relate to the property under my factorship.<br />
<br />
I. The Rev. James Evidence, Cumming, witness, made statements as to what he was pleased to call oppression and misrule on the part of the factor, and illustrated these acts by references to—<br />
<br />
1. Fines.<br />
I herewith submit copy of Estate Regulations in force before the Reay property was purchased by the Duke of Sutherland. These have been continued with considerably less stringency until now. Being sixty miles from a law court if order is to be maintained amongst a crofter population, the landlord must establish suitable rules to enforce it other than by formal process of law. Small fines of 2s. 6d. or 5s. are inibcted for repeated transgressions by cutting peat on green ground, for improper peat cutting or for subdivision of the lots, and taking in permanent lodgers.<br />
<br />
2. Harsh treatment on the part of Officials, of which the following are instances :—<br />
(1.) As to Thomas Morrison and Angus Rankin in a case of removal. Rankin was tenant of a lot of land at 1s. per annum of rent. He was an old man living alone. About 1865 he applied for and obtained permission to take in Thomas Morrison as a lodger, whose wife was to keep house and attend to Rankin. This arrangement continued until 1878 when Rankin's condition, from Morrison's neglect, was found to be lamentable, and the old man was placed under the charge of the inspector of poor, who had him attended to until his death. By estate rule it is inconsistent for a man to be both a tenant and a pauper. Rankin and his lodger were therefore asked to grant a voluntary renunciation of the place that a new tenant might be selected. By advice they declined—mentioning Mr Cumming as their adviser—and formal steps were taken to obtain possession. On the term day the key of the house was asked and refused. Ejectment was about to be enforced when Morrison, for the first time, intimated his wish to take the lot. I stopped proceedings, and told Morrison the terms on which I was prepared to recommend him as tenant, viz., on his paying the expense of legal proceedings, amounting to £4 . That the old rent of 1s. would be the rent for crop or downlay 1878, and that the new valuation of Messrs M'Donald & M'Kenzie of £3 , 7s. would be his future rent for crop 1879, and thereafter during the Duke's pleasure. He agreed to these terms at once, and has continued in possession, paying from and after 1879 the rent of £3 , 7s. as mentioned. <br />
<br />
(2.) The case of George M'Kay (More), Talmine. <br />
<br />
This man also occupied a lot for over forty years at 1s. per annum of rent. <br />
He applied tor permission to take m a relative as joint-tenant and successor. Consent to this arrangement was given on the condition that the new valuation of the croft, £3, 1s. 6d. per annum, should be paid from and after the term of Whitsunday 1878, when the joint-tenancy began. He and his relative had free option to accept or reject this proposal. They voluntarily accepted the joint tenancy on the terms mentioned, and paid the rent accordingly until 1882.<br />
In consequence of one of George's sons being drowned in Talmine Bay, and another who went abroad not being heard of for some years, by which the old man was left without help other than by his late son's widow, the Duke of Sutherland has reconsidered this case, and has reduced the rent to a nominal sum of 10s. per annum, on condition no other party is admitted to an interest in the lot other than his son's widow.<br />
<br />
(3.) Case of Hugh Munro, Talmine. <br />
This man occupied for a similar period at 4s. 10d. per annum, and having made a similar request for the admission of a friend, he got a similar reply. He and his friend William Munro agreed to pay the new valuation,£2, 18s., as from Whitsunday 1877 ; and they have since regularly paid it without complaint. In each of these three cases above mentioned, according to the practice of the estate, no change in the rent would have been made so long as there was no change in the tenancy, and so long as the sitting tenant chose to continue in possession by himself.<br />
<br />
3. Improvement of houses and lots which Mr Cumming confines to the last few months, and were instigated, as he alleges, by the appointment of the Royal Commission. <br />
<br />
I have to state that in 1862 I applied for and obtained a grant of £150 for purchasing lime and timber by way of assisting the crofters in building division walls between their families and their cattle. The only condition required of the tenant in order to share in this grant was that he should supply the necessary labour ; and in cases where slates were used for new roofing of cottages, they were supplied by the landlord at cost price, and the tenant was allowed three or more years, according to his circumstances, for their repayment These grants, and the conditions on which they could be shared in, are well known since 1862 to the tenantry in this district. This allowance of £150 was annually continued by the Duke, but for ten years the grants of lime and timber were only very partially taken advantage of by the tenants. In 1873 the allowance was slightly exceeded, but for the next five years the full amount was not applied for by the tenants. From 1879 to 1882 inclusive, very considerable progress was made in improving existing dwelling-houses and in erecting new ones of a superior character, and, by way of encouraging this movement, the Duke, with his usual consideration for the comfort of his people, more than doubled the annual allowance. For dwelling houses of the better class the crofters were allowed from 30 to 50 bolls of lime, timber for roofing, flooring for parlour, closet, and attics, partition and door standards, and glass for windows ; slate at cost price on three or more years' credit. State showing annual allowance and grants applied for from 1862 to 1882 is herewith submitted. <br />
<br />
4. Improvement of lots<br />
Improvements, as a rule, are very imperfectly executed by the crofters, especially drainage. I prefer that improvements be done by the landlord, because they are better done. A crofter rarely possseses sufficient capital, or the practical experience requisite, for carrying on such works with expedition or benefit to himself. When the landlord improves, the tenant, as a rule in this district, executes the work either by contract or on day's pay, and he has a special interest in having it well and cheaply done. While maintaining his family by his daily earnings, he at the same time secures the foundation for future profit as well as comfort.<br />
<br />
5. Mr Cumming refers to the persecution of people on the estate for poaching. I not remember more than four, or at most five cases, during the whole twenty-four years of my factory here. Two of these were of trivial character, and were dismissed with an admonition. Two were of more serious character —one being combined with a charge of theft—and these more serious cases were prosecuted by the procurator-fiscal, and resulted in conviction and sentence. One of these cases was referred to by William M'Kenzie, delegate from Strathhalladale.<br />
Cumming complains that I am eyes and ears, hands and feet, to the Duke of Sutherland. I have to thank him for this no doubt unintentional compliment, for I always consider it my duty so to act for His Grace in his absence. <br />
<br />
The next witness examined was William M'Kenzie,Trantlemore,Strathalladale. This witness did not by any means represent the majority of the crofters in the Strath, nor even a respectable minority of them. He gave a very inaccurate report of the hill-grazings in connection with the Strath lots. The grazing is fairly good, some of it very superior, and on an average quite equal to<br />
the general grazing on that side of the country. The average extent is estimated at about 90 acres per croft. The people of this Strath are considered on the whole about as comfortable and independent as any in the county. There are, no doubt, poor people amongst them, as there always will be in every community, but this does not arise from any peculiarity in the management. <br />
<br />
Adam Gunn, delegate from Strathy, complains of smallness of lots and high rents.<br />
The Strathy-point and Totegun lots average 7¾ acres arable and pasture, besides hill-grazings. There are thirty tenants, occupying a cumulative rent of £73, 5s. 3d.—average per tenant, £2, 0s. 10d. Ne w valuation of this township is £97, 10s. 6d.<br />
<br />
Last year the Duke made a township road of two miles in length for this place at a cost of £184, by which the crofters will be much benefited ; and this year His Grace has made another road to the township of Brawl, over a mile in length, at a cost of £160, which will also be of great service to the tenants of that place, while at the same time it has—in connection with other works of reclamation of land going on in the district—provided labour during a season of local pressure. These reclamation works consist of draining and trenching waste land for the crofters, to some without interest during first five years, and to others at 2½ and 3 per cent, on' outlay, according to the quality of the land and expense of reclamation. The following are the present rents charged in the townships said to be represented by this witness, and the new valuations by Messrs M'Donald & Mackenzie, from which the Commissioners can draw their own conclusion, viz.:—<br />
<br />
Strathy: Present rent: £98 4s 8d, new valuation £134 11s 6d<br />
Balligall: Present rent: £23 9s 5d, new valuation £38 15s <br />
Brawl: Present rent: £19 4s 10d, new valuation £26 10s<br />
Altiphuerst: Present rent: [illegible] 0s 18d, new valuation £16 11s 6d<br />
Laidnagullin: Present rent: £18 12s 6d, new valuation: £29 6s 6d<br />
<br />
Other townships are on a similar scale.<br />
<br />
John M'Kay, Melvich, delegate for Melvich and Portsherray district. <br />
This person's evidence is grossly inaccurate and misleading. I will refer to his own case first. <br />
He obtained his present lot in 1873. See letter of 4th August 1873, and minute of agreement of 8th August and acceptance of same date. M^Kay by these missives got 20 acres of arable land, with hill pasture in addition, for the annual rent of £10 sterling (valued at £14, 3s. 6d). He was bound to erect a dwelling-house and offices, with right to the usual building privileges. He had also by these missives the option to improve and take in 9 acres adjoining his lot, at a nominal rent of 2s. 6d. per acre. He has been in possession for ten years since his entry in 1873. During this period he built office houses but not a dwelling-house, and he lives in what is properly the barn. During the same period he has not improved any part of the land put at his disposal; while, on the contrary, I have more than once spoken to him on the subject of improvement, and offered to improve for him on the terms that he should pay a small interest on the outlay. These offers on my part he always declined, stating that he already had as much land on hand as he had means to manage. The land by the river side to which he refers is not suitable for tillage, inasmuch as it is subject to being from time to time flooded. It is singular, and worthy of observation, that if the crops in Melvich district are so poor and high rented as this witness describes them, how the valuators could have considered them of so much more value than the tenants presently pay for them. The following example may suffice:—<br />
The township of Melvich presently pays £95, 6s. 1d. The new valuation amounts to £175, 2s. 3d. Portsherray presently pays £112, 14s. 4d., while the new valuation amounts to £155, 2s. 6d.<br />
<br />
Hector Munro, delegate from Scullomie. His statements are quite inaccurate. The township contains 57¾ acres of fairly good land. The cumulative rent of the township in 1859, including hill-grazing, was £61, 7s. 7d. In 1882 it was £57, 15s. 4d., including hill-grazing. The new valuation is £60, 15s. In 1878 a waterspout did some damage to the banks of a small burn he refers to. The Duke spent a small sum in executing repairs, and an offer was made by me last year to cut a new channel, so as to direct the stream another way, on condition the two tenants interested would pay interest on the expense. The amount would probably not have exceeded 3s. each. This offer was refused.<br />
<br />
The Rev. John Ross M'Neill, delegate, Strathtongue. Mr M'Neill came recently to the parish of Tongue, and an entire stranger to it. He has hardly had time to know much of the people, and his knowledge of the working arrangements between landlord and tenant must be very slender indeed. Finally, it is not too much to say that his evidence is obviously founded on mere hearsay, which has not been by any means carefully sifted. It is not true that the Coldbacky rents have been doubled, or even to any extent increased. On the whole, they have been reduced, at my solicitation, within the last twenty years. The current rent of Coldbacky is £40, 18s. 2d. The new valuation is £44, 11s. The township of Rhitongue is presently rented at £29, 15s. 11d. The new valuation is £35, 8s. The township of Braetongue is rented at £57, 14s. 10d. The new valuation is £95, 9s. 10d. In every instance the new valuation is higher than the actual rents charged. This witness refers to a new activity he has observed in the building of houses within the last six months. There has been nothing special in this way to my knowledge. The improvement of dwelling-houses has been going on since 1862, but with more activity within the last five years, as my separate Enclosure statement of expenditure will show. <br />
<br />
Peter M'Kay, builder, Strathtongue, delegate, complains of losing employment, of high rents, and oppression by the factor.<br />
On my appointment in 1859 I gave all the old contractors the first chance of work, and afterwards retained the services of those whom I found most reliable. <br />
Sutherland. I wished to impress on the contractors that their real interest, as well as the<br />
Duke's, lay in the honest discharge of their duty. That people who did inferior work, and charged exhorbitant rates, would not be employed by me as contractors. Mr M'Kay^s croft consists of over 13 acres arable and over 5 acres pasture. Rent £5, 5s. 4d. as stated by him. He, however, omitted to mention in his evidence that he has a relative living on the lot with him, whose stock of sheep is probably equal to his own. I am not aware of ever having interfered between this man and the Duke. I have no knowledge of the Duke's desire to remit his rent for the remainder of his life. The new valuation of this lot is £12. The other townships referred to by this witness<br />
are Blandy, rented at £16, 6s. 10d., and valued at £20, 5s.; Strathtongue, present rental £23, 19s. 10d, new valuation £31, 0s. 8d.<br />
<br />
Angus M'Kay, Cattlefield, crofter's son, delegate for three townships of Farr. His complaint is as to the smallness of lots, high rents, and acts of oppression on part of officials. The present rental of the townships said to be represented by this delegate are all under the new valuation. The land is of fair quality. I deny in toto the alleged cases of hardship mentioned by this witness.<br />
<br />
1. As to the erection of a store on the late Angus Gordon's croft.—It became necessary for the convenience of landing lime, timber, &c. in the Naver River, for both large and small tenantry improvements going on, to erect a storehouse on the beach. This was done in a creek just above high-water mark and opposite the late Angus Gordon's lot. A cart track was made, sloping down a steep bank, mostly outside the arable land, for access to this storehouse, and to which the tenant consented. The track admits of the crofters carting sea-ware from the river in place of carrying it in creels on womens' backs as formerly. The actual quantify of arable land taken up by road is not more than 18 square yards. The Duke has no interest in the storehouse beyond the convenience it affords to the improving tenants of the district for storing lime, timber, & c , allowed by the landlord for their new houses when unable to cart these materials direct from the ship.<br />
<br />
2. Cases of oppression and unjust treatment to two old women.—<br />
Previous to 1862, John M'Kay, a crofter in Airdneiskich, deserted his lot—leaving two old sisters upon it. One was in delicate health. They were quite unable to do anything with land, and voluntarily agreed to remove after the crop of 1862 was reaped. I gave them a house elsewhere. They were afterwards placed on the roll of paupers and supported by the parish. From whatever source this young man may have got his information—for the event he refers to so pathetically took place about the time he was bom—there is not one word of truth in it. There was no written renunciation ever asked or obtained from these old women, neither was there the slightest act of compulsion exercised, far less deception, as he alleges. The transfer from one place to the other was strictly voluntary and beneficial to the parties concerned. The land thus vacated, with other land thereafter voluntarily given up, was partly divided amongst the tenants of the township, and a new arrangement of marches made, which has very much added to the harmony of the place for the last twenty years.<br />
<br />
Rev. Donald M'Kenzie, Free Church Minister, Farr, delegate, complained of oppression by officials, and undue interference at School Board and Parochial Board elections. I emphatically deny every statement this witness makes relative to oppression or undue influence at School or Parochial Board elections. I never interfere with people going to the Duke about their matters. <br />
It is well known that I rather encourage this course. The Duke is as easy of access to the poorest tenant on his estate as he is to me. His Grace entertains a parental regard for the well-being of all his people, and would not tolerate any antagonistic feeling or action on the part of his officials. As regard His Grace's enterprise for the benefit of his estate, I have only to point out the fact that there has been spent in my district alone within the last thirty years the sum of £140,826 in permanent improvements. This sum has been disbursed to the extent of about two thirds in the form of wages amongst the resident population during the last twenty-one years.<br />
I have never solicited, directly or indirectly, a single vote at a School Board election, but I have notwithstanding always been placed at the head of the poll by the free will of the electors. The memo I beg to submit to the Commissioners will show the amount of work I have undertaken for the Board. My services have been given gratuitously from first to last, and, except by Mr M'Kenzie, have been gratefully acknowledged.<br />
<br />
Hew Morrison, schoolmaster, Brechin, delegate for Torresdale district. Mr Morrison's statistics are rather at fault. There are, as he states, eighty tenants in the district referred to, occupying 316 acres of arable land (in place of 246 acres as stated) at a cumulative rent of £264, 14s. 6d., equal to 16s. 9d. per acre (not £ 1 , 2s.), but with hill-grazing only 8 ½ d. per acre over all. New<br />
valuation of the township embraced £304, 13s., being £40 per annum more than the rent exacted.<br />
<br />
Ewen Robertson, delegate for Tongue and Invemaver, refers to cases of oppression.<br />
Inchverry case. —In 1861 George M'Intosh went abroad and left his sister on the lot without help, and unable to manage the land—upwards of 10 acres in extent. The lot was divided—the sister retaining 3 ½ acres, with out-grazing, at £2 per annum of rent (new valuation £ 4 , 13s.). The remainder was let to John Munro at £6 per annum (new valuation £6, 14s.). This arrangement was willingly accepted, and the rent has been regularly paid to this day. <br />
<br />
Braetongue case.—Widow George M'Kenzie had two sons and a son-in-law living with her. They went to Canada last year. Neither of them ever applied to me for the lot. The widow came to me about the middle of February last and asked me to take the lot off her hand as she could not<br />
manage it. I did so, and same day re-let the place to a neighbour, reserving a parlour and two bedrooms for the widow's use.<br />
<br />
Invernaver case.—Some time ago the tenant of Invemaver applied for a section of Achnabourin Farm adjoining their township. This could not have been granted without sacrificing the farm house and offices pertaining to the farm, as they were situated on the section of ground asked for. An additional inquiry would have arisen from cutting off a portion of upland grazing ground, of which there is already too little for the benefit of the stock. If these tenants had asked the whole farm, and agreed to manage it as a joint-stock concern, I believe the Duke of Sutherland would have favourably considered such an application, providing they could have given satisfactory evidence of their ability to stock the farm and pay a reasonable rent for it. This probably would have been too heavy an undertaking for them; besides, there is reason to believe that their ideas of managing a club farm were very far from being matured. In an Appendix to the foregoing statement will be found the various documents alluded to in it, and others relating to general statistics of estate matters bearing on the question at issue, which will, I trust, afford the Commissioners the material for forming an accurate opinion as to this district management.<br />
The Commissioners will find from these documents that the Duke of Sutherland has expended between 1861 and 1882 in the permanent improvement of the estate in this district about £133,000, and that the increased rental is only about £1757 per annum, or equal to about 1⅓ per cent. The chief benefit of this large outlay has accrued to the local tradesmen and labouring population as already stated. From my personal observation and knowledge I can confidently affirm that the condition of the crofters has greatly improved and is improving. They are better clad and better housed; and I am certain they are in all respects in a better condition than they were thirty years ago. I may add, in conclusion, that since the inquiry at Bettyhill, I have received many verbal and written communications from crofters, denying that the delegates who appeared there correctly expressed the true views of the population, and I am satisfied from my own experience, gained from personal communication with the tenants during these many years, that they are, as a body, as happy and contented as any in Scotland.<br />
<br />
Finally, I have to express my sincere thanks to Lord Napier and the other Commissioners for granting me the privilege of making this statement, after reading the publication of the evidence, as my infirmity of deafness prevented me from hearing the statements tendered by the delegates at the meeting of the Commission, and of giving rebutting evidence on the spot, as I should otherwise have done. JOHN CRAWFORD, Factor.<br />
<br />
ENCLOSURE.<br />
<br />
REGULATIONS for the Estate of Reay, as referable to the Small Tenantry and Others Possessing at Will. <br />
<br />
1. It shall he at will, and the term of entry to any holding is understood to be at Whitsunday as to the houses and grass, and to the arable land at the separation of that year's crop.<br />
<br />
2. That the rent shall be fore-rented; that is, that at the first term of Martinmas after'entry, and so forth yearly, the year's rent from the Whitsunday previous to the Whitsunday following shall be payable, with every other burden effeiring to that rent, of schoolmaster's salary, statute labour assessments, & c , as provided for by law.<br />
<br />
3. That the straw of the waygoing crop shall be left in steel-bow for the benefit of the landlord or incoming tenant.<br />
<br />
4. That it shall be optional in the proprietor to take the benefit of any tenant's manure, and downlay of waygoing crop, on paying half-rent, unless when value or rent of such holding is constituted more than usual from the extent of grazing, in which case an abatement for same shall be made from the said half-rent.<br />
<br />
5. That it shall be optional in the proprietor to take waygoing tenant's dwelling and other houses at the valuation of such sworn appraisers or others in the place as are accustomed to such matters, such appraisement to extend over moss, fir, and foreign timber only ; and, where the proprietor declines taking the same, the tenant shall be at liberty to dispose of them, for his own benefit, taking care, however, not to demolish or injure the walls or other wood in said houses, which at all times are considered the landlord's own property, unless otherwise provided for in writing.<br />
<br />
6. That every tenant shall be bound to perform gratis the usual services in repairs to manse, manse offices, school and schoolmaster's houses, mills, smithies, and kelp houses, when and in such manner as may be appointed by the proprietor or his officers. [These services are all abolished long ago]<br />
<br />
7. That every tenant shall manufacture such a quantity of kelp as may be allotted him on the shores of the estate when, where, and according to such rate per ton, and other regulations, as from time to time may be adopted. [No kelp made now]<br />
<br />
II. Cattle herdings<br />
<br />
1. That in every township the factor for the time being shall have power annually, or oftener if he sees proper, to appoint one, two, or more persons for taking charge and giving directions for the proper herdings of the township's stocks ; for attending to the repair of the town dykes; for settling all petty disputes amongst neighbours; and, in short, for settling every little matter tending to the peace and welfare of the community, and whose orders or award must be considered final by the parties until after performance, when it may be competent to appeal therefrom either to the ground-officer or factor.<br />
<br />
2. Such person or persons so appointed shall have full power over the herding of the towns' stocks, and shall engage a shepherd or shepherds for that purpose, and shall assess the different parties concerned, in proportion to their respective stocks, for defraying the expense of such shepherds, and the same to be levied annually before the term of Martinmas, and the wages paid.<br />
<br />
III. Erection of houses. <br />
No tenant shall erect, or permit others to erect, any dwelling-house or other house upon his holding without leave being first asked and obtained from the ground-officer of the district, or factor.<br />
<br />
IV. Quantity of stock. <br />
1. No tenant shall be permitted to keep a greater quantity of stock than what may be considered by the ground-officer or factor as a fair rate for the holding.<br />
<br />
2. That no tenant, on any account whatever, shall take in any summering or winter stock without leave first asked and given by the ground-officer or factor.<br />
<br />
REGULATIONS FOR THE POPULATION IN GENERAL.<br />
I. Cutting of peats and turf. <br />
<br />
1. No turf for houses, or any other purposes, shall be cut unless when it may be ordered through application to the ground-officer, or through any depute or deputies he may appoint, such as the men appointed for regulating the cattle herdings.<br />
<br />
2. The cutting of peats shall be under the control of the ground-officer, and on no account whatever shall any new moss be broke up without his special instructions, or of any depute or deputies he may appoint for that purpose, such as the men having charge of the cattle herdings ; and the ground-officer or his deputies shall not permit irregularity in such cutting, and shall take care that the bottom of the moss is regularly and neatly covered with the turf taken off before the cutting is commenced, and 6uch turf so placed as the peats are dug out, taking care at the same time that no water is allowed to stagnate thereon.<br />
<br />
II. Searching for moss fir<br />
<br />
1. No wood shall be permitted to be taken up for sale.<br />
<br />
2. None other than a tenant shall be permitted to search for or take up wood without the permission of the ground-officer.<br />
<br />
3. Any person who does search for and take up wood shall at all times cover in the pit neatly and closely with swarded turf, and so as that no water will stagnate thereon.<br />
<br />
III. Woods<br />
<br />
All woods, young and old, natural and planted, are considered sacred, and shall on no account be entered or touched on any pretence whatever, saving in the manner following :—<br />
<br />
1. By an order (written) by the ground-officer or factor.<br />
<br />
2. No order to be effectual unless on the first Wednesday of any one month,<br />
3. No order to be effectual unless eight days' previous notice be given to the wood-keeper by the person holding such order.<br />
[Orders 2 and 3 cancelled, office always open for business]<br />
<br />
4. No wood shall be cut on the day appointed, on any pretence whatever, unless in the presence of the keeper or one duly authorised by him.<br />
<br />
5. It shall be optional in the keeper either to permit such order to be executed or otherwise as he shall deem fit [Cancelled]<br />
<br />
6. The keeper shall have supreme command in the woods of which he has charge, and every party must be satisfied to accept of such quality or quantity of wood as he may permit.<br />
<br />
7. At all times when wood is cut, the branches or refuse must be collected<br />
<br />
8. Where no woodkeepers are established, it shall be competent to the ground-officer to accompany any party thither, and act in the capacity of keeper. <br />
<br />
9. It shall be competent to the ground-officer, either in the season of kelp or in any other case of emergency, to grant wood at any other period of the month, but in all such cases he must accompany or meet the parties personally in the woods, and act in the capacity of keeper. [Cancelled, see 8]<br />
<br />
IV. Smuggling<br />
1. All smuggling, making of malt or whisky, or in any manner being connected with the infringement of the Excise laws, is strictly prohibited.<br />
<br />
2. Every tenant or other householder shall be held as responsible for their household.<br />
<br />
3. Every tenant or other householder who , either by himself or any of his household, are detected in such practices, shall forfeit all protection on the estate, and shall be removed therefrom as soon as possible. [Restriction not enforced; all parties held responsible for misconduct under Excise law]<br />
<br />
4. Every miller making or permitting malt to be made in his mill, shall be held as acting art and part, and will incur the same penalty as mentioned in the foregoing article.<br />
<br />
V. Sheep stealers, plunderers of wrecks, deer, salmon or black-fish killers and other delinquencies. <br />
<br />
All and every person who is detected in any practices coming under this clause, or in any other act not therein enumerated detrimental to society, will be severely punished, either as the law directs, or failing, in such other manner as may be thought advisable for the interest of the estate.<br />
<br />
VI.Statute labour assessments<br />
Every tenant shall be responsible for every personal assessment on individuals, either in his own house or sheltered by him in his holding; and householder otherwise shall be considered as responsible for his household. <br />
[Cancelled, except for payment of road assessment, of which tenant pays half]<br />
<br />
VII. Driftwood<br />
Belongs to the proprietor, and shall not in any manner be interfered with unless for and on his account; and any person finding and saving the same, must without delay report to the ground-officer of the district, and such person, or persons concerned therein shall be entitled to be paid salvage thereon according to use and wont.<br />
[Cancelled, now under Board of Trade regulations]<br />
<br />
VIII. System of fines. <br />
[Fines now restricted to cases of divot-cutting on improper ground, improper peat cutting and taking in lodgers without authority. Cancelled; now under Board of Trade regulations]<br />
<br />
In furtherance of the due performance of the above-written regulations, it is laid down as a rule that, in all cases of delinquency, it shall be competent to factor to take cognizance of the same, and either exact fines on the party offending, or otherwise as he may deem proper,—such fines, however, not to exceed (in any case) 10s. or be less than 1s. sterling. And in respect that have been in the habit of not turning out to kelp manufacture on the day appointed, and of deserting their posts whilst in the manufacture, and others of authority, adulterating their kelp and otherwise destroying it, it shall be understood that the principle of fine shall in that department more especially be established, and the same deducted from the price of manufacture. <br />
<br />
IX. Days of business at Tongue House. <br />
<br />
Weekly ; on the Wednesdays, the office at Tongue will be open for business, and on no other days of the week, saving or excepting at the rent collections, or any case of emergency.<br />
<br />
X. Petitions<br />
<br />
The factor shall at all times be ready to receive petitions, either directed to himself or proprietor.<br />
<br />
XI. Authorities and powers of officers<br />
<br />
Every person or persons appointed under these regulations, on this and the six preceding pages, shall be understood to represent the proprietor or his factor, and disobedience thereto taken cognizance of accordingly; and it is farther to be understood that all inferior officers, in their respective departments or duties, shall be under the control of the ground-officer, who shall hold superior authority immediately under the factor on the estate ; and it shall be competent to the said ground-officer to make such bye-laws and minor regulations affecting his duty from time to time as he may see fit. [No such powers now exist]<br />
<br />
XII. Duties of ground-officers on the Estate of Reay.<br />
<br />
On reference to the preceding regulations of the tenantry and others, the officer's duty is defined : in respect that his charge will consist in seeing said regulations put in force, and in general attending to every interest of the landlord in his district; to ensure which it will be his business to be constantly visiting the different parts of his district, and giving such orders as from time to time may be necessary.<br />
<br />
His Superintendence over the kelp manufacture in all its details will be a principal object; and not less so to prevent and detect all thefts, smuggling, and wood-cutting, with other delinquencies; and to put a stop to the three first will require the utmost attention and perseverance. He will take care to have all repairs on kelp-houses and others duly and sufficiently executed before the term of Martinmas annually, and every other part of business performed in its proper season. [No kelp now made]<br />
<br />
Integrity, impartiality, and the most upright conduct in performance of his various duties will be expected ; and,<br />
<br />
Lastly, a monthly report will be required at Tongue on every matter connected with his office.<br />
(Signed) JOHN HORSBURGH.<br />
TONGUE HOUSE, May 15, 1826.<br />
<br />
Sutherland Estates (Tongue Management).<br />
Systems of Melioration for Tenantry Cottages.<br />
31ST December 1831.<br />
To the tenant in the district of Assynt, Reay country, Farr, and Strath Halladale who, within one year from this date, builds a dwelling-house according to the plan and specifications signed as relative hereto by the factor, and in the hands of the respective ground-officers, and on a site approved of by the factor, wood will be furnished gratis by the proprietor for roofing; and<br />
<br />
The terms of melioration to be allowed for the same, in case of removal of the tenant at the instance of the proprietor, are as follows, viz.:— <br />
1. Full melioration, saving on furnishings by the proprietor, if such removal takes place within seven years from Whitsunday 1833. <br />
2. Two-thirds if within fourteen years from Whitsunday 1833.<br />
3. One-third if within nineteen years from Whitsunday 1833; and,<br />
<br />
Lastly, exceeding nineteen years from said period, all claim of melioration to cease.<br />
<br />
COPY CORRESPONDENCE with Inspector of Tongue relative to<br />
Case of Angus Rankin, Talmine.<br />
<br />
Tongue School House<br />
Saturday, 2nd March 1878<br />
<br />
DEAR SIR,—I herewith enclose you two letters which I received from Mr Cumming, Free Church minister, Melness, relative to the case of Angus Rankin, Talmine. I would have sent the first sooner had you been at home. Please let me know if I will render any assistance, or take any further steps in the matter.—I am, dear sir, yours faithfully,<br />
(Signed) A. M'NEILL, Inspector.<br />
John Crawford, Esq., House of Tongue.<br />
<br />
***<br />
House of Tongue, 2nd March 1878.<br />
<br />
DEAR SIR,—I have your letter of this date, enclosing two from Rev. Mr Cumming, Melness, regarding the case of Angus Rankin, tenant, Talmine. You must exercise your own discretion in the matter, and see that the man is not neglected. This is clearly your duty in the meantime, and until the first meeting of your Board, when the case will most likely come up for discussion.<br />
Mr Cumming is wrong in looking upon Rankin as Morrison's lodger. The reverse is the case. Rankin continues tenant and Morrison is the lodger, and was admitted as such with the view of taking charge of Rankin, which it now suits him to lay aside in a great measure.—Yours faithfully,<br />
(Signed) JOHN CRAWFORD.<br />
Mr A. M'Neill, Inspector of Poor, Tongue.<br />
<br />
***<br />
House of Tongue, 25th May 1878. <br />
DEAR SIR,—Referring to the case of Angus Rankin, Talmine, about which I wrote you to-day, I find Morrison is about to leave the old man alone ; and to prevent any such neglect, it will be necessary to take immediate steps—if you have not already done so—to have the old man looked after. To prevent any trouble to yourself or the Board, I have no doubt you will see the propriety of immediate action in the matter.—Yours faithfully,<br />
(Signed) JOHN CRAWFORD.<br />
Mr A. M'Neill, Inspector of Poor, Tongue.<br />
<br />
***<br />
Tongue School House, 27th May 1878 <br />
DEAR SIR,—I went over to Talmine on Saturday and visited Angus Rankin. He is in a very weak state, and still confined to bed. I told him he would require to remove to another place, but I fear he did not understand me, as his mind appears to be wavering from age and frailty. I with difficulty got a nice place for him with that young woman, Mrs William M'Kay, (Don) Skinned. She is willing to take him into her own house, provided he will be allowed to take his own bed with him, and that she will receive 3s. per week for keeping him clean, free from vermin, and taking proper care of him. This is exclusive of his own aliment of 10s. per month. He is so weak and emaciated it is necessary that I have a medical certificate stating that he is in a fit state to sustain the fatigue of being removed in a cart from Talmine to Skinned (about half a mile). If, however, the Morrisons are removed, Widow M'Kay will at once go to his own house and attend on him there, until arrangements are made for his removal. <br />
I will call a meeting of the Board, immediately after the Communion, to consider his case and a few other cases.—I am, yours faithfully,<br />
(Signed) A. M'NEILL, Inspector.<br />
John Crawford, Esq., Tongue.<br />
<br />
***<br />
House of Tongue, 27th May 1878 <br />
DEAR SIR,—I have your letter of this date regarding the case of Angus Rankin, Talmine. It is absolutely necessary that you should obtain a medical certificate as to the capability of removing the pauper to proper lodging, and the sooner this is done the better. Be good enough therefore to lose no time in having this done, and act on the certificate if favourable, taking every caution to effect the old man's removal as quietly as possible. You, of course, take everything belonging to him with him. The rate to be paid for his caretaking must be such as you can best arrange until first meeting of your Board, when the matter can be arranged finally.—<br />
Yours faithfully,<br />
(Signed) JoHN CRAWFORD.<br />
Mr A. McNEILL, Inspector of Poor, Tongue.<br />
<br />
***<br />
MELIORATIONS given to Crofters for Dwelling-Houses, from 1862 to 1883.<br />
3rd September 1883<br />
The following annual grants have been allowed by the Duke of Sutherland for—<br />
<br />
1. The purchase of lime for building partition walls between the family and the cattle, and for providing timber and glass for otherwise improving existing dwelling-houses. <br />
<br />
2. For purchasing lime, timber for roofing, joisting, flooring, lining, glass, & c , and slates in cases where superior dwelling-houses were erected.<br />
<br />
Allowance from 1862 – 1878 (incl): £150<br />
Allowance in 1879 and 1880: £200<br />
Allowance in 1881: £250<br />
Allowance in 1882 and 1883: £300<br />
<br />
Amount accepted per year.<br />
1862: £43 10s 3d<br />
1863: £15<br />
1864: £6 6s<br />
1865: £39 8s 5d<br />
1866: £45 4s 7d<br />
1867: £49 4s 2d<br />
1868: £63 12s 11d<br />
1869: £61 7s 10d<br />
1870: £80 3s 4d<br />
1871: £98 2s 8d<br />
1872: £126 9s 6d<br />
1873: £271 0s 8d<br />
1874: £53 2s 4d<br />
1875: £70 14s 10d<br />
1876: £55 13s 2d<br />
1877: £124 7s 3d<br />
1878: £69 17s 3d<br />
1879: £206 2s 7d<br />
1880: £222 5s 8d<br />
1881: £345 13s 8d<br />
1882: £485 14s 3d<br />
TOTAL: £2533 0s 6d<br />
1883: Expenditure will exceed my allowance this year, which makes expenditure over £3833<br />
<br />
In addition to the above allowance of £300 for houses this year, the duke has allowed £500 for improving tenants’ lots by draining, trenching, &c, the crofter in every case being employed in the execution of the work. Since 1862 upwards of sixty superior new dwelling-houses have been built, over twenty more have been improved and made good dwellings, while a considerable number more have been improved and made more comfortable.<br />
JOHN CRAWFORD, Factor<br />
<br />
***<br />
Offer of Melvich Park to JOHN M'KAY, residing at Bighouse, Strath Halladale.<br />
<br />
MELVICH INN,<br />
4th August 1873.<br />
Mr JOHN M'KAY (Gow),<br />
Bighouse, Strath Halladale.<br />
SIR,—You applied to me some time ago for a lot of land. I have one now at Melvich to dispose of: the large park at east end of Melvich, some time possessed by the late Mr Donald M'Donald, Melvich.<br />
If this would suit you, I can let you have it at £10 per annum, with hill grazing included, and you will receive the usual allowance of timber, lime, and glass for a dwelling-house, and rough timber for offices. Free access to Portaherry Quarry for stones. <br />
<br />
I can give over the crop to you on reasonable terms, and the straw you would have free—leaving it in the same way. Entry at Martinmas first, or as soon as the crop is taken off the ground. Let m e know if this will suit you by return of post, as I have other applicants and must let the place at once. I could give you nine or ten acres of muirland adjoining to improve at 2s. 6d. per acre ; this would make your farm up to thirty acres in extent—a nice little place. I expect to hear from you in course.—Yours faithfully,<br />
(Signed) JOHN CRAWFORD.<br />
<br />
***<br />
MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT with JOHN McKAY GOW, for Park at East End of Melvich.<br />
8th August 1873.<br />
<br />
I, John M'Kay Gow, residing at Bighouse, Strath Halladale, do hereby offer His Grace the Duke of Sutherland the annual rent of £10 sterling for the field at east end of Melvich, sometime occupied by the late Mr Donald M'Donald, merchant, Melvich, and that during His Grace's pleasure. I am to have hill privileges in common with the other tenants, and in like proportion to the rent I pay. I agree to erect a dwelling-house and offices on the park according to plan and specification approved of by your Grace's factor in the Tongue management; and in consideration of my doing so, I am to receive from your Grace timber for roofing said houses, lime for the dwelling-house, and also ass. If the dwelling-house is slated, I am to have the slates at prime cost at Tongue, and three years to pay them by equal instalments. I agree to take the crop on the park, and also the dung at the valuation put on the same by Mr Crawford, Tongue, and Mr Gunn, Swinny Mains, viz., £89, 17s. 6d., being the proportion effeiring to this park ; but if I get the crop of the upper small lot also, I agree to take it at the value of £ 1 , 18s. 3d., and will pay the said price at the term of Martinmas next, 1873—the date of my entry to the said park. And if the said Duke of Sutherland allows me to take the crop presently on the ground home to my father's lot, seeing there are at present no houses on the place where it can be managed or the straw consumed, I do hereby engage to lay down the ensuing crop in a proper manner with artificial manures, to the satisfaction of the factor on the estate. I also do hereby engage and bind myself and my heirs to conform to all estate regulations now or hereafter imposed for the proper management of the property, and shall never infringe any rule laid down or in use for the regulation of the small tenantry of the district. In witness whereof this Memorandum, written on this and the preceding page by John Crawford, factor at Tongue, is subscribed by m e at Tongue office, before these witnesses,—the said John Crawford, and John Crawford, junior, also residing at Tongue, this eighth day of August 1873 years.<br />
(Signed) John Crawford, Witness. (Signed) John MACKAY.<br />
(Signed) John Crawford, jun., Witness.<br />
<br />
***<br />
Copy LETTER—J. CRAWFORD to JOHN MACKAY.<br />
House of Tongue, 8th August 1873.<br />
<br />
DEAR SIR,—On behalf of the Duke of Sutherland, I hereby accept your offer of this date for the park in Melvich, lately occupied by the late Mr M'Donald, your entry to which will be at Martinmas 1873, or at the lifting of the crop, as suits you best.—Yours faithfully,<br />
JOHN CRAWFORD.<br />
<br />
***<br />
TONGUE MANAGEMENT.<br />
State of expenditure from 1853 to 1882—30 years<br />
1st Decade—<br />
Woods and Nursery: £2,001<br />
Roads and Bridges: £2,574<br />
Kirks, Manses, and Schools: £2,002<br />
Farm Buildings, Lodges, & c: £12,172<br />
Reclamations and Improvements:£1,936<br />
TOTAL: £20,685<br />
<br />
2nd Decade—<br />
Woods and Nursery: £3,060<br />
Roads and Bridges: £2,717<br />
Kirks, Manses, and Schools: £1,974<br />
Farm Buildings and Lodges: £11,490<br />
Reclamations and Improvements: £8,067<br />
TOTAL: £27,308<br />
<br />
3rd Decade—<br />
Woods and Nursery: £5,816<br />
Roads and Bridges: £6,727<br />
Kirks and Manses, & c: £1,033<br />
Farm Buildings, Lodges, &c: £41,507<br />
Reclamations and Improvements: £45,750<br />
TOTAL: £100,833<br />
TOTAL (1853-1882): £148,826<br />
<br />
NB—Expended by late Duke of Sutherland from 1853 to 1860 inclusive: £15,883<br />
Expended by present Duke from 1861 to 1882: inclusive: £ 132,943<br />
<br />
JOHN CRAWFORD, factor<br />
3rd September 1883<br />
***<br />
<br />
CIRCULAR showing School Board Expenditure in Parish of Farr.<br />
April 1882<br />
<br />
The following statement, issued to the ratepayers of Farr previous to last School Board election, will show the full extent of my interference in that parish. With respect to Tongue, the ratepayers nominated and elected me without my consent, and without my having either directly or indirectly solicited a single vote.<br />
<br />
To the ratepayers of the parish of Farr: —As m y tenure of office as a member of the Farr School Board is about to expire, I deem it expedient, as well as a duty to you, now that the school buildings have been completed, to lay before you a state of the total expenditure incurred in the erection and equipment of these schools.<br />
<br />
After the introduction of the Education (Scotland) Act, 1872, the Education Department issued plans for new schools requiring to be built, and these being found of a character so expensive, that a heavy burden would have devolved on the ratepayers, I suggested the propriety of adopting buildings of a more simple exterior, but equally substantial, and after considerable correspondence and consequent delay, the Department yielded the point, and new plans were agreed too. The erection of new schools and teachers' houses, with other improvements, were sanctioned, and Government grants awarded on production of statutory certificates that the school buildings were completed in terms of the plans sanctioned and sealed by the Education Department. To avoid a large outlay by the immediate existing ratepayers, the School Board, after consultation, resolved on obtaining a loan of a sum sufficient to meet the estimated expenditure, which I submitted for their approval, repayable within a term of fifty years, as being the least burdensome. I accordingly negotiated a loan for £2700 with the Government Works Loan Board on the above terms. I then obtained plans and estimates for the respective works, which were in due course submitted to the School Board for approval, after which the works were let, and from time to time inspected by me as well as by the architect, and I now have in my possession letters from the Government Works Loan Board, and from the Secretary of the Educational Department, acknowledging the certified statutory statements sent them from time to time showing the expenditure of the loan, and signifying their satisfaction therewith.<br />
<br />
The last of these letters are dated 26th January and 28th February 1882.<br />
<br />
The former is to the following effect.—<br />
"I am directed by the Local Government Board to acknowledge receipt of the statutory declaration and return relating to the expenditure of the loan of £2700 advanced by the Public Works Commissioners to the Farr School Board ;" and the latter reads thus—<br />
" The Lords of the Committee of Council on Education in Scotland are satisfied from the certificate presented to them, that the condition on which their lordships' grants were awarded in the above named cases have been fulfilled.* <br />
The following abstract of the expenditure on the respective school buildings in the parish of Farr will show you the total cost, and the amount of Government grant obtained on behalf of each school, & c<br />
<br />
I. Loan from Public Works Commissioners: £2700<br />
1. Cost of Strathy School: £609 6s 3d<br />
2. Do. Teacher's house, '&c, £553 2 0<br />
3. Do. Armadale school and teacher's house £841 17 0<br />
'4. Do. Kirktony do. £748 2 0½ <br />
5. Do. Farr school class room and offices £252 6 9<br />
6. Do. Two small schools in Strathnaver £124 18 1<br />
Gross total expenditure: £3129 12 1½<br />
<br />
II. To Government Building Grants received—<br />
1. For Strathy school: £99 6 10<br />
2. Do. teacher's house: £65 0 0<br />
3. For Armadale: £119 10 10<br />
4. For Kirtony: £101 0 0<br />
5. For Farr: £39 18 9<br />
£424 16 5<br />
Total expenditure: £2704 15 8½ <br />
<br />
Excess over estimated expense and over loan, and paid from rates: £ 4 15 8½ <br />
<br />
I need scarcely say, that having had the honour of being intrusted with the management of Farr School Board business, which has been considerable, from 1873 until now, I have had no other object or interest to serve beyond what I felt was for the general good of the parish, and, I trust, the lasting benefit of the rising generation. My time and labour have been given gratuitously and without a grudge. Insinuations of a very unworthy character, I hear, have been made in reference to me in regard to the discharge of my duties as clerk and chairman of the School Board. I treat all such innuendoes with the contempt they deserve, knowing full well that a majority of the members of the School Board will equally repudiate them.<br />
<br />
The whole of the Board's financial transactions have passed through the hands of the Board's treasurers, first, Mr Coghill, and, latterly, Mr Cameron, both of the Commercial Bank, Thurso (not through mine), who had kept the Board's accounts and relative vouchers. These accounts and vouchers have been annually submitted to and examined by the Government auditor and docqueted as correct, so that the ratepayers have the most perfect assurance of the accuracy of all the Board's financial affairs. But if anyone has the least doubt regarding the above statement of accounts, they have ample means of satisfying themselves regarding their accuracy by examining the registered records of the Board's transactions.<br />
<br />
As the school buildings are now completed, I had resolved to retire and not to solicit re-election, leaving some fitter person to take m y place. I find, however, that I have again been nominated for re-election, and, if returned, I will, if spared, endeavour to act as in the past to the best of my ability ; but if the ratepayers are in the least dissatisfied with the past performance of the duties I have had to discharge, they have only to express themselves publicly to this effect, and I will have the greatest pleasure in intimating m y retirement previous to the day of election [I was, as formerly, placed at the head of the poll]. Thanking you all for past favours, and for your indulgence In regard to m y many shortcomings, I remain, your faithful servant, <br />
<br />
(Signed) JOHN CRAWFORD.'<br />
<br />
TONGUE MANAGEMENT.<br />
Memo of expenditure in draining, trenching, and fencing crofters’ lots, and also in outgoing meliorations, from 1853 to 1882<br />
1. Expended in Drainage Works: £529 6 3<br />
2. Do. Trenching Land: £461 8 4<br />
3. Do. Fencing Crofts: £102 10 6<br />
TOTAL: £1093 5 3<br />
<br />
Meliorations paid to outgoing or retiring tenants, being value of timber or erections made by them during their occupation, and within the period fixed by estate regulations: £75 6 9<br />
TOTAL: £1168 12 0<br />
(Signed) JOHN CRAWFORD, Factor<br />
House of Tongue, 19th September 1883 <br />
***<br />
Arrears of rents remitted to small tenantry by the Duke of Sutherland at Whitsunday 1840:<br />
£2857 14 4<br />
<br />
Arrears of rents remitted to small tenantry by the Duke of Sutherland from 1853 to 1883 (1st January 1883): £893 2 1<br />
TOTAL: £3750 18 5<br />
<br />
J. C.<br />
<br />
***<br />
TONGUE MANAGEMENT.<br />
Memo of Comparison between 1853 and 1882, with a few facts added for the Information of the Commissioners.<br />
3rd September 1883.<br />
<br />
<br />
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Tenancies 1853</div>
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Tenancies 1882</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Description</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Rental 1853 (£)</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Rental 1882 (£)</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Deer forests, gross rental</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
415</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
12</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
13</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Large farms</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5,094</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
10,844</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
695</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
687</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Crofters’ holdings including hill grazings</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1,597</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2,118</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
17</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
38</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
House property &c</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
138</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
436</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
30</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Cottars paying rent</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
22</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
14</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Shootings</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
310</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5,390</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
13</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Fishings</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
260</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1,495</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
728</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
795</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Total, as per special return made</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
7,397</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
20,720</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
70</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
66</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Cottars from whom proprietor receives no rent</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.1pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
798</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 60.05pt;" valign="top" width="80"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
861</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 244.75pt;" valign="top" width="326"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 63.75pt;" valign="top" width="85"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
7397</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 62.05pt;" valign="top" width="83"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
20,720</div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Public assessments, consisting of parochial, school and road rates, one half of which is payable by landlord and tenant respectively. Rates presented as per £ sterling. <br />
<br />
Poor rates: <br />
Parish of Reay: 2s (1853) – 1s 6d (1882)<br />
Parish of Farr: 2s 10d (1853) – 1s 2d (1882)<br />
Parish of Tongue: 3s 6d (1853) – 2s 1d (1882)<br />
<br />
School rates:<br />
1872: 3d in all three parishes<br />
1882: <br />
Parish of Reay: 10d.<br />
Parish of Farr: 6d.<br />
Parish of Tongue: 1s 6d.<br />
<br />
Road rate in all three parishes: 7d in 1872, 8d in 1882<br />
<br />
—Crofters and cottars paying under £2 of annual rent are exempted from paying poor and school rate, of which in parish of Reay there are 65, in Farr 121 and in Tongue 39, totalling 225 for whom the landlord pays the assessments.<br />
The game rents have reduced rates about 25 per cent.<br />
Previous to 1872 the crofters paid no school rate, and previous to same date the annual road rate was 3d. per sterling as the tenant's proportion.<br />
<br />
<br />
Area of Tongue Management, consisting of: <br />
<br />
1. Crofters' holdings—arable land: 3,068 (1853), 3,136 (1882)<br />
Do., unreclaimed within boundary of croft: 692 (1853); 624 (1882)<br />
Total area of arable and pasture: 3,760 (1853 and 1882)<br />
<br />
Total area of hill pasture attached to crofts: 62,118 (1853 and 1882)<br />
Total combined area under crofts: 65,878 (1853 and 1882)<br />
<br />
2. Deer forests—total area: 200 (1853); 7,880 (1882)<br />
3. Large farms under sheep—arable and moor: 344,111 (1853); 336,431 (1882)<br />
<br />
Total area of estate: 410,189<br />
<br />
Average, extent, rent per croft and rent per acre of crofters’ holdings as undernoted.<br />
Parish of Reay: <br />
Average area of croft: 3.11 acres<br />
Average rent per croft: £3 3s 10d<br />
Average annual rent arable: 12s 1d (1853), 14s (1882)<br />
<br />
Parish of Farr: <br />
Average area of croft: 3.65 acres<br />
Average rent per croft: £2 5s 2d<br />
Average annual rent arable: 8s (1853), 10s 2d (1882)<br />
<br />
Parish of Tongue: <br />
Average area of croft: 4.87 acres<br />
Average rent per croft: £3 11s 4d<br />
Average annual rent arable: 17s 1d (1853), 14s 7d (1882)<br />
<br />
Average rent per annum, arable and hill: 4d (1853), 7½d (1882)<br />
Average rent of deer forests per acre: nil.<br />
Average rent of large farms, including arable and moor as let together on the basis of number of sheep each farm is estimated to keep: 3½d (1853), 8¼ d (1882)<br />
<br />
N.B.—The land lately reclaimed for the large tenants realises an average annual rent of about 20s. per acre, and this in addition to the average rent of 8¼ d. per acre as above calculated.<br />
Remission of crofters' rents, being arrears cancelled by the Duke of Sutherland at Whitsunday 1840: £2857 16 4<br />
Ditto. from 1840 to 1st January 1883: £893 2 1<br />
TOTAL: £3750 18s 5d<br />
<br />
Crofters’ stock: <br />
33 horses (1853), 405 (1882)<br />
2379 cattle (1853), 2282 (1882)<br />
5583 sheep (1853), 5165 (1882)<br />
30 pigs (1853 and 1882)<br />
<br />
Large Farm hill stock <br />
Sheep, estimated numbers on which farms rated, 42,200 (1853) 40,400 (1882)<br />
<br />
N.B.:—To make the comparison mere intelligible, it may be stated thus—<br />
Crofters’ stock: Horses 405, equal to 5 sheep each =2025 sheep,<br />
Cattle 2282 each, equal to 3 sheep = 6846 sheep<br />
Sheep kept : 5165<br />
Total, 14,036 sheep,<br />
or equal to about 3 ½ acres to the sheep on the extent of ground occupied, or 3s. per sheep in the shape of rent. The stock on the large farms will be equal to about six acres per sheep, and 5s. 1¼d. per sheep as rent<br />
<br />
Memo of extent and expesnse of land reclaimed from heather on the following sheep farms from 1869 to 1882 inclusive. <br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Farm</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Acreage</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Expenditure (£)</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Cost per acre (£)</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Interest rate</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Expenditure on old arable land</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Rate of interest</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Borgie</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
50</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
729</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
14.58</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5%</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Rhifail</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
86,230</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3,450</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
40</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Melmes</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
51,881</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1,800</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
34,69</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
£117 18s 6d</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5%</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Skelpick</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
100</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3,750</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
37.5</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Eriboll</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
70</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2,800</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
40</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Ribigill</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
147</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5,880</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
40</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
£252 12 11</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5%</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Langdale</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
100</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2,000</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
20</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
£44 11 8</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5%</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Bighouse</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
216</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
5,630</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
26</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
TOTAL</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
821,111</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
26,039</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
252.77</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
£415 3 1</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 10; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.35pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
£31 14s average </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 70.4pt;" valign="top" width="94"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Expenditure made under agreement per lease 1870—equal to 2½ % of outlay.<br />
<br />
***<br />
AlRD, 13th March 1863. <br />
<br />
J. CRAWFORD, Esq., Tongue House. <br />
<br />
SIR,—I write these few lines to say that I agree to the arrangement you made with regard to the land between myself and George M'Kay, same time I expect to be allowed to enclose the ground below the house and the patch at the back of the house together, I thought proper to let you know of this before I commence.—Meantime, I remain, your obedient servant,<br />
ANGUS GORDON.<br />
<br />
***<br />
We, the tenants in Airdneiskich, do hereby consent and agree to your making any change you may see fit in the line of Road from the Icehouse at Naver towards the post on the shore westward where we lift sea-ware, on condition said alterations are pointed out on the ground before we begin to lay down our crops. In witness whereof we, George M'Kay, Angus Gordon, and Jane M'Kay for widow John M'Kay, and Janet M'Kay for brother John M'Kay, subscribe this Minute, written by John Crawford, Factor, Tongue House at Bettyhill, this 17th day of December 1861 years, before these witnesses, John Barclay, Accountant at Tongue, and John Ross, Ground Officer, Fiscary. (Signed) J. Barclay, Witness. (Signed) GEORGE MACKAY, , John Ross, Witness, „ ANGUS GORDON, JANE M'KAY, JANNET X M'KAY (her mark)ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-50356328035678580032012-03-27T15:46:00.000+01:002012-04-09T15:27:09.154+01:00Appendix XCII<b>COMMUNICATION on the WEST COAST.</b><br />
<br />
THE MANSE, LOCHINVER, N.B.,<br />
25th January 1884.<br />
<br />
SIR,—Will you have the goodness to submit the enclosed resolutions to the Royal Commission.<br />
—I have the honour to be, Sir, you obedient Servant,<br />
<br />
NORMAN N. MACKAY.<br />
The Secretary,<br />
Royal Commission (Highlands and Islands).<br />
<br />
Resolutions passed at a meeting of crofters and fishermen, held near Lochinver, Sutherlandshire, on the 24th January 1884.<br />
<br />
1. That the attention of the Royal Commission for the Highlands ought to be called to the following facts :—<br />
<br />
2. That although a large body of herring has for the last two months been in all the lochs on this coast, from Cape Wrath to Ullapool, the fishing has been comparatively unremunerative, owing to the want of proper communication with the south, and the necessary facilities for prosecuting the fìshing,—such as quays, stores of salt, and barrels, &c.<br />
<br />
3. That at Lochinver about 1000 crans were landed in one day, which had to be sold at 3s. the cran for the reasons stated in the foregoing resolution; and that in some of the other lochs the fishing had to be given up because there were no means of curing the herring, nor could they be sold at prices which would pay the damage to the nets.<br />
<br />
4. That the fishing on this coast is being prosecuted under very great disadvantages and discouragement, and that the consequence has been a loss of several thousand pounds within the last two months.<br />
<br />
5. And that this meeting desires humbly to request the Royal Commission to press upon the Government the necessity of giving, without delay, proper facilities and encouragement for the prosecution of the fishing on this coast.<br />
<br />
6. That the Chairman of this meeting, Rev. N. N. Mackay, Lochinver, be requested to send these resolutions to the Secretary of the Royal Commission.<br />
<br />
NORMAN NICOLSON MACKAY,<br />
Chairman of the meeting.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-55212358784403316542012-03-27T15:30:00.000+01:002012-03-27T16:26:43.630+01:00Appendix LXIIIStatement by General Sir Arnold Kemball. K.C.B., &c, Commissioner for His Grace the Duke of Sutherland, K.G.<br />
<br />
STAFFORD HOUSE, LONDON,<br />
18th May 1883.<br />
The Duke of Sutherland infers from the tenor of your letters, asking for statistical information respecting the crofters and cottars on the west coast of Sutherland, that the Royal Commission propose to confine their operations to that quarter.<br />
<br />
His Grace while hailing their advent there with much satisfaction, desires me to submit for their consideration, that their investigation would probably be incomplete if not extended to the east coast, where the condition of the small tenants is sufficiently prosperous to exclude them from the distress which has elsewhere overtaken the fishermen, and crofters, and cottars, owing, almost exclusively, to the effects of storms and bad weather, or to causes beyond their control, and beyond the control of the proprietor.<br />
<br />
In addition to the returns called for by the Commissioners, which shall be forwarded with all possible despatch. I take the liberty to enclose herewith statistical returns, carefully collated, which may serve meantime to elucidate the points deserving attention. You will observe that, while on the east coast, out of an aggregate of 1216 tenants, there are (excluding cottars) 809 holding crofts which do not exceed £ 4 of rent in the Tongue district, out of an aggregate of 722 tenants there are 532 ; and in the Scourie district, out of an aggregate of 578, there are 314 of the same denomination.<br />
<br />
I subjoin a statement (A) of the average rent per acre of arable land occupied by these people, in the respective parishes of the Dunrobin district. This average is necessarily confined to that district, as time does not admit of my procuring similar distinctive returns for the districts of Tongue and Scourie. This is, however, of the less importance, that the same average will, I believe, be found to apply to all, and will at least admit of correction when the returns called for by the Commissioners have been duly rendered. <br />
<br />
For facility of reference, I subjoin statement (B) of the acreage of the pastures alloted to the small tenants in the several parishes. Here, their averages vary very considerably, some of the townships on the east coast having comparatively no hill grazings, a (defect which is being gradually remedied as opportunity offers), but, taken as they stand, it will be seen that the average for Dunrobin is 15 acres per holding, while that for Tongue is 68 acres, and for Scourie 133 acres.<br />
<br />
This disparity apart, the terms being very generally the same under which the crofters occupy their lots on the east and west coasts of Sutherland, the contrast in their condition respectively at the present crisis, is to be accounted for by the fact that on the one side more generally than the other, crofters combine tillage with a seafaring life, limited to the herring fishing, of which the proceeds are always precarious, and rely therefore less exclusively on their proper craft for a livelihood.<br />
<br />
At Brora, and more especially at Embo, the fisher population are without crofts, and confining themselves as they do to their trade, are not affected by the bad seasons and other causes, which bring distress to the small crofters. This contrast, however, is also in no small degree due to the superior advantages enjoyed by the east coast fishermen in the means afforded them of transit to southern markets, as well by the railway as by their proximity to the ports of Aberdeen, Banff, & c , &c. Again the available arable land on the west coast being generally inferior in quality, and the climate perhaps more adverse to agriculture, the industry of the people seems to be prejudicially affected thereby, to the way of indisposing them to improvements, and of exposing them to distress from causes which are less severely felt by their equals on the cast coast, whose crofts are little or no larger, and whose grazings are infinitely less.<br />
<br />
Some weight may be given to the fact that their is a larger expenditure by the proprietor and his large tenants on the cast coast than on the west, also that very large sums of money have in recent years been disbursed for railways and reclamations on the east coast; though, in this last respect, in all that concerns the supply of labour, the people of the west coast are believed to have been benefitted to an equal degree.<br />
A. B. KEMBALL.<br />
P.S. (2)—It must be understood that the rent of which the average is given annexed at 8/9 per acre of arable land includes the hill pasture for which no separate rent is charged. The same remark applies to all the districts.<br />
<br />
APPENDIX A.<br />
STATEMENT of CROFTERS in the DUNROBIN DISTRICT,<br />
paying rent up to £4 per year.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
No of crofters</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Parish</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Arable acres</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Total rent (£ s d)</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Average rent per acre (£ s d)</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
208</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Clyne</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
958 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
401 19 9</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 8 5</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
7</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Creich</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
40</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
22 19 9</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 11 6</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
153</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Dornoch</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
829</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
311 15 2</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 7 6</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
25</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Golspie</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
144</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
56 4 9</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 7 9</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 5;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
181</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Kildonan</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
644</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
307 6 8</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 9 6</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 6;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
53</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Lairg</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
263 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
115 17 5</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 8 9</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 7;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
66</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Loth</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
121 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
108 9 1</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 17 10</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 8;"> <td style="border-bottom: double windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
116</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: double windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Rogart</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: double windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
654</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: double windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
267 11 7</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: double windowtext 1.5pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-bottom-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 8 2</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 9; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 84.9pt;" valign="top" width="113"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
809</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 59.15pt;" valign="top" width="79"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 77.8pt;" valign="top" width="104"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
3649 ½ </div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 100.6pt;" valign="top" width="134"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1592 4 2</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; mso-border-top-alt: double windowtext 1.5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 158.9pt;" valign="top" width="212"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
0 8 9</div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Appendix B.<br />
<br />
<table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="MsoTableGrid" style="border-collapse: collapse; border: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-padding-alt: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; mso-yfti-tbllook: 1184;"><tbody>
<tr style="mso-yfti-firstrow: yes; mso-yfti-irow: 0;"> <td style="border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Number of tenants</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Districts</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Total acres</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Hill grazing</div>
</td> <td style="border-left: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Average acres</div>
<div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Hill grazing</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 1;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
1216</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Dunrobin</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
13,640</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
15</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 2;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
722</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Tongue</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
45,650</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
68</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 3;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
578</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
Scourie</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
65,350</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
113</div>
</td> </tr>
<tr style="mso-yfti-irow: 4; mso-yfti-lastrow: yes;"> <td style="border-top: none; border: solid windowtext 1.0pt; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
2516</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.15pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
<br /></div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
129,640</div>
</td> <td style="border-bottom: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-left: none; border-right: solid windowtext 1.0pt; border-top: none; mso-border-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-left-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; mso-border-top-alt: solid windowtext .5pt; padding: 0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt; width: 123.2pt;" valign="top" width="164"><div class="MsoNoSpacing">
51</div>
</td> </tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
SUTHERLAND CROFTERS.<br />
STATEMENT showing details of Evictions that have been carried out on the Sutherland Estate, from the accession of the present Duke in February 1861 to 31st December 1882, a total of 22 years.<br />
<br />
1861. None.<br />
1862. William Murray, Balvraid, Dornoch. Large croft neglected. Rent 2 years in arrear. Olfered a smaller lot which was not accepted. <br />
1862. Widow William Bannerman, Gartymore, Kildonan. House in ruins. Offered a tiled house.<br />
1862. William Mackay, Muie, Rogart. Nephew of late tenant. Croft required for a neighbouring crofter who had to be removed from the lot previously held. <br />
1863. Robert Macdonald, Astel, Dornoch. Took possession of a house on another person's lot, in right of his wife and children by a former husband.<br />
1864. None.<br />
1865. David Davidson, Creich, Dornoch. House in ruins, land added to adjoining tenant.<br />
1865. Lexy and Johan Campbell, Rhianmore, Lairg. Nieces of late tenant, considered unable to manage the croft. Offered a smaller croft, which they ultimately accepted.<br />
1865. Gordon Matheson, Portgower, Loth. Rent 9 years in arrear.<br />
1866. Hugh Murray, Linside, Creich. Succeeded on his brother's death to 2 lots, and refused to give up one to his brother's widow.<br />
1867, ’68 and ’69: None.<br />
1870. Widow Alexander Mackay, 83 Inchope, Rogart. Croft neglected, no stock. Would not give up place to a son who promised to come and work the croft, and take care of his mother.<br />
1870. John Mackay, 148 Little Rogart, Rogart. Rent 2 years in arrear. Croft neglected. Tenant recently imprisoned for stealing meal.<br />
1871. None.<br />
1872. Widow Niel Lamont, Inverkirkaig, Assynt. Lived in a house next door to a tenant, with whom a feud arose and a fight. Another house was offered and declined. She was removed, and subsequently accepted the other house.<br />
1873. None<br />
1874. Henrietta Ross, Tomich, Lairg. Persisted in interfering with a road drain.<br />
1874. Robert Mackenzie, Balvolich, Durness. Commenced to erect a bothy on his father's lot, in which he persisted. <br />
1875. None.<br />
1876. John Melville Doll, Clyne. Occupied part of the house belonging to a crofter, having been allowed to squat there by a previous tenant, he was a most disagreeable neighbour.<br />
1877. Colin Mackenzie, Clashnessie, Assynt. Occupied a house on the common pasture. He was a notorious swindler. <br />
1878. Murdo Macrae, Culkeia Drumbeg, Assynt. Took violent possession of a house which was previously occupied by his brother. It was an old Schoolmaster's house, and on the brother's vacation of it had been given to the tenant of adjoining lot, who had a very bad house.<br />
1879, ’80 and ’81: None.<br />
1882: Andrew Mackenzie, Muie, Rogart. The second of four sons of widow Donald Mackenzie, the tenant of the croft. For some time this son and another unmarried son, who also lived on the croft, have not agreed, and Andrew has behaved unkindly towards his mother ; so much so, that she determined to leave the croft, and live with another married son. It was explained distinctly to mother and son, that, if their disagreements ended in her giving up the croft, mother ultimately left the croft, and Andrew was removed.<br />
STAFFORD HOUSE. 29th March 1883.<br />
[subsequent table omitted as truncated in scanning]ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-38003579401549092662012-03-27T15:00:00.001+01:002012-03-29T19:29:35.267+01:00Appendix LXVALLEGED CASES of Hardship on the Estate of His Grace the DUKE of SUTHERLAND, K.G.<br />
EXTRACT from LETTER of ANGUS SUTHERLAND, Glasgow Academy, Glasgow (aged 30), <br />
Delegate from the Federation of Celtic Societies.<br />
<br />
I had the honour to appear before you on a previous occasion, namely at Helmsdale, Sutherlandshire, on Saturday, 6th inst. On that occasion I submitted a statement on behalf of the crofters of the parishes of Loth and Kildonan in that county. At a subsequent sitting of the Commission, namely at Golspie, Sutherlandshire, on Monday, 8th inst., your Lordship, in order to check some of the assertions contained in my statement, put certain questions to Sir Arnold Kemball and Mr Peacock as representing the Sutherland estate management. I am entirely satisfied with the general result of that examination. I desire, in passing, merely to note the wonderful faculty of memory displayed. As to money spent or misspent on the estate for the last thirty years, everything was known and remembered; but when questioned as to the grievances of the people and the curtailment of their scanty privileges, memory was a blank, or it happened before their time. I offer no opinion as to the truthfulness or otherwise of the statements then made. My position is simply this :—<br />
I made certain statements ; some related to matters of fact, others were matters of opinion. What I stated as matters of fact, I am prepared to substantiate in any reasonable manner ; what I stated as a matter of opinion must of course be taken for what it is worth, like every other opinion submitted to the Commission.<br />
<br />
At Helmsdale, your Lordship tried to get at the principle of what is locally known as the ' death tax’. I was asked if this increase of rent was progressive. I replied that I was not aware at the moment of any case where there were two successions to the same holding within my memory except one, and that a witness coming after me would be better able to say if there was a progres sive increase of rent. That witness stated that there was. The estate management<br />
denied the principle, with qualifications of course. I now submit documentary proof that the increase of rent is progressive. Here are three receipts granted in the case referred to, (I)in the year 1872, to John Macdonald (father) for £1,10s. 8d ; (2) in 1880, to Janet Macdonald (daughter) for £2 , 8s.; and (3) in 1881, to Margaret Macdonald (daughter) for £ 3 , 8s. [These receipts examined by me, and bear out Mr Sutherland's statement. Subject in each receipt: Nos. 25 and 321, Gartymore.' C. FRASER-MACKINTOSH]The receipts all bear the signature Joseph Peacock. In nine years the rent has been trebled. This is the only case of two successions to the same holding within my memory that I am able at present to recall, and you have the result. So much for the assertion that increase of rent is not progressive. I stated that part of the holdings of nine crofters was taken from them on the pretence that the proprietor wanted it for the purpose of planting trees, and that upon that understanding the people gave up the land, and that the land was immediately added to the holding of an estate official, and that not a tree was planted there to this day, though this happened ten years ago. The Sutherland estate management did not deny that this had been done, but Mr Peacock is reported to have stated that it happened before his time. Now at the Golspie sitting itself, it was stated that Mr Peacock had been factor for twenty-five years, and if the above transaction took place ten years ago (as it did) Mr Peacock must have been factor for fifteen years before it took place. I have here the names of the nine people who were thus deprived of part of their land, and can hand them in if desired.<br />
<br />
Crofters of West Helmsdale, parish of Kildonan, county of Sutherland, who were deprived of part of their holdings on the pretence of the land being wanted by the proprietor for a plantation, but which was at once added to the holding of the harbour-master :—<br />
1. Peter Poison. <br />
2. William Gunn. <br />
3. John Macintosh..<br />
4. Francis Macintosh. <br />
5. Alexander Macintosh.<br />
6. Hugh Bannerman.<br />
7. Isabella Bannerman.<br />
8. Alexander Mackenzie<br />
9. William Sutherland.<br />
<br />
I also stated that the small holdings in the parish of Loth, as they fell vacant, were added to the neighbouring large farm of Craikag. This was not denied, but the number was doubted. I have here a list of thirty-three holdings which have been so added, and can hand it in if required.<br />
Small holdings added to the large farm of Craikag, parish of Loth, county of Sutherland :—<br />
1. Alexander Sutherland. <br />
2. Lucy Sutherland. <br />
3. Margaret Gilchrist. <br />
4. Margaret Mackay. <br />
5. George Sutherland. <br />
6. John Murray. <br />
7. John Grant. <br />
8. William Ross. <br />
9. Donald Mackay. <br />
10. William Ross. <br />
11. Widow Bannerman. <br />
12. George Mackintosh. <br />
13. Roderick Ross. <br />
14. John Sutherland. <br />
15. Hugh Sutherland. <br />
16. Janet Matheson. <br />
17. Widow Mackay.<br />
18. Christina Macintosh.<br />
19. Margaret Bannerman<br />
20. Alexander Sutherland, senior.<br />
21. John Gow.<br />
22. Alexander Sutherland, junior.<br />
23. Widow Budy.<br />
24. George Gordon.<br />
25. John Mackay.<br />
26. George Sutherland.<br />
27. James Gordon.<br />
28. Margaret Fail.<br />
29. Barbara Sutherland.<br />
30. Joseph Sandison.<br />
31. Alexander Campbell.<br />
32. The Schoolmaster's holding.<br />
33. Mary Bannerman.<br />
<br />
There was also doubt thrown upon the statement, that part of the holdings, of fifteen others was added to the holding of the local ground officer. I have here a list of the names of the persons who were so deprived, and can hand it in also if required. Mr Peacock is reported to have stated that it was added to the holding of the present ground officer. In justice to that gentleman I am bound to correct that statement. It happened before the time of the present ground officer, but during Mr Peacock's time.<br />
<br />
Crofters of West Helmsdale, parish of Kildonan, county of Sutherland, part of whose holdings were taken away, and added to that of the local ground officer.<br />
1. John Murray.<br />
2. Widow William Mackay.<br />
3. John Fraser.<br />
4. Donald Munro.<br />
5. Widow Joseph Macleod.<br />
6. Donald Sutherland.<br />
7. William Macleod.<br />
8. William Bannerman.<br />
9. Christina Bannerman.<br />
10. John Ross.<br />
11. John Macdonald.<br />
12. Robert Ross.<br />
13. Robert Gunn.<br />
14. Christina Ross.<br />
15. Widow Alexander Bannerman.<br />
<br />
There were several other inaccuracies, but in consideration of the value of the time of the Commission I let them pass.<br />
<br />
I crave the indulgence of the Commission while I read a letter in regard to evidence given at Golspie concerning Alexander Gunn, Inchcape, Rogart<br />
<br />
GLASGOW, 19th, October 1883.<br />
ANGUS SUTHERLAND, Esquire.<br />
<br />
DEAR SIR,—I have just learned from our mutual friend M r J. G. Mackay, that you are to appear to-morrow (Saturday) before the Royal Commission, to give evidence on matters regarding the county of Sutherland, and I shall feel greatly obliged if you will kindly bring before the Commissioners the case of my brother Alexander Gunn, Rogart, who gave evidence before the Commission at Golspie, and the explanation afterwards made by Mr Peacock, factor on<br />
the estate, maliciously reflecting on my brother's character. Will you please state to the Commissioners that m y brother was never guilty of any irregularity, and that the statement made by the factor is a vile insinuation, attempting to cast opprobrium on my brother to cover his own grinding process of management. In proof of which my brother has by private letter, and publicly through the columns of the Scotsman newspaper of the 15th current, resented the indignity cast upon him, and calls on the factor for an explanation.<br />
<br />
M r Peacock has also been written to on the subject by Gilbert Gunn, lance-corporal in the 93rd Regiment (Sutherland Highlanders), eldest son of the said Alexander Gunn, challenging the factor to prove the insinuating aspersions cast on his father, and so far there has been no reply to either. You can see that this sort of treatment is no great encouragement for young men from the county joining the Territorial Regiment.<br />
<br />
I enclose copies of the letters above referred to, viz., Alexander Gunn's letter to the Redman, on the 15th current, and his son Gilbert Gunn's letter to the factor on the 11th current, which you are at liberty to use in evidence, and trusting the matter to your hand, in which I trust you will oblige,—I remain, Dear Sir, yours truly, THOMAS GUNN.'<br />
<br />
EXPLANATION WANTED.<br />
SIR,—I read a paragraph in your paper of October 9th, that M r Peacock, on being asked as to the increase of rent referred to by me, said that the increase was due to irregularities on m y part. The Duke had in view putting me out altogether, but His Grace decided to put on the valuation rent as a sort of mild punishment. I do not know of any irregularity on m y part. I was never behind in paying m y rent, nor broke any of the estate regulations, unless they consider it an irregularity that I sheltered the Rosses at Inchcape when on the point of starvation, after being deprived of their holding, and inhumanly used by some of the Duke's officials ; or, secondly, that I remonstrated against the removal of Widow Alexander M'Kay, Inchcape, over seventy years of age, who was dragged out of her house to the hill, where she was for nearly two days, after which she went into her own barn, where she spent the remainder of her miserable life. If there has been any case of irregularity on my part it is unknown to me, and I consider it unjust to punish a man for what he is ignorant of. So I wait an explanation from Mr Peacock about the so-called irregularity.—I am, & c ALEX. GUNN, Tenant.'<br />
<br />
BARRACKS, MARYHILL,<br />
GLASGOW, 11th October 1883.<br />
J. PEACOCK, Esquire, Factor, Golspie.<br />
SIR,—My attention has been called to the proceedings at the meeting of the Crofters Commission at Golspie, where you are reported by the North British Daily Mail to have stated that my father, Alexander Gunn, Inchcape, Rogart, was on inquiry found to be implicated in some irregularites for which a fine of 25s. per annum was imposed as a mild punishment. Will you please let me know, per return, if you confirm this report, and if so, I challenge you to verify your statement, and call upon you now to let m e know—<br />
1st, The crime with which my father was charged ? <br />
2nd, Before what tribunal was he tried, and the date ? <br />
3rd, The name of the judge who sentenced him to pay a fine of 25s. per annum, and ordered the same to be paid to his grace the Duke of Sutherland ? <br />
4th, And if you can state whether his grace is aware of this item forming part of his revenue ? <br />
I beg to request that you give me a distinct and categorical answer per return post to each of the foregoing queries,—and waiting your reply, I am, your obedient servant,<br />
GILBERT GUNN, Lance-Corporal,<br />
93rd Regiment, Sutherland Highlanders.<br />
<br />
I mean to confine m y few observations to the county of Sutherland, for the double reason that I know it best, and that it affords the best and most complete illustration of the system that has brought the Highlands of Scotland to the present unsatisfactory condition. Not only is the county of Sutherland representative of that system, but my native parish of Kildonan is a strictly representative one in that county, and whatever applies to it applies to the county at large, and to a great part of the Highlands. There is no necessity to recur to what happened there some seventy years ago. Several justifications have been attempted of what was done then ; but let us look at the facts as they stand to-day—the result of seventy years of unimpeded and unfettered sway, and let us judge the system by its results. In making this estimate of the value of the system by its results, I am content for the time to lay aside the historical aspect of the question altogether. To sum up the situation then, there are in this model county three sharply-defined classes—proprietor and factors, large farmers, and crofters. Each of these classes has been heard before this Commission, and not one of them is content. Their grievances may be summed up as follows :—<br />
Proprietors and factors—decreasing revenue, increasing rates, and no return on investments. Large farmers—unable to meet their legal obligations, and going to ruin generally. <br />
Crofters—too little land, with plenty lying waste beside them, increasing rents on their own improvements, oppression by estate management, and great and growing discontent.<br />
<br />
This is the nett result of seventy years of the Loch and Scotsman dispensation. It has been asserted that something required to be done in order to do away with the middlemen. Granted that this was necessary, where was the necessity of doing away with the people at the same time ? He would be held to be a very unskilful and illogical physician who, in order to cure toothache, would take off a man's head. Whatever may have been the faults and shortcomings of the middlemen, they discharged important social functions, and were qualified to do so. Their successors—the sheep-farmers—bad not these functions to discharge, nor the qualifications to discharge them if they had. Thus the useful functions performed towards the people by the middlemen ceased, while the oppression was ably continued and improved upon by factors and ground officers.<br />
<br />
It has been stated on behalf of the Sutherland estate management that there has been a tendency to enlarge the bounds of the crofter population. All I have got to say on the point is, that neither has my own experience nor the evidence led before you shown anything of the kind. We have the fact brought out, however, that the tenant of the large farm of Craikag, in the parish of Loth, has a clause in his lease providing that all the crofts as they fall vacant are to be added to his farm. For aught we know to the contrary there may be a clause to the same effect in the lease of every large farmer in the county; and in that case the only limit to the rapidity of consolidation would be the rate of the extinction of the crofter population. Whatever effect the march of events may have had on the policy of the estate management, we have it on the authority of the Scotsman newspaper that the object of the Duke of Sutherland's reclamation works was to enable the sheep-farmers to winter their stock without being under the necessity of sending them out of the county.<br />
<br />
A great deal has been made of the fact that the rates paid by the proprietor plus the rates paid by the large farmers exceed the rental of the crofters ; but I consider that to be an argument capable of proving something very different from what was intended. There can be no doubt that of all the phases of this land question, in the Highlands especially, statistics that relate to pauperism are the most instructive and important. I think it a question of far more importance how the many may be able to make a decent livelihood, than how the few can make fortunes. It must not be forgotten that rates are assessed upon property and not upon persons, and that crofters pay rates as well as proprietors and large farmers, and upon a much higher valuation. The fulfilment of an obligation imposed by statute cannot, with any fairness, be claimed as a virtue. Whoever holds the land must pay the rates. The crofters would pay them as well as the large farmers, and as a matter of fact they pay more. Strictly speaking, however, no crofter is a pauper. Otherwise we would have the anomaly of a man being a ratepayer and a pauper at the same time. In practice, and so far as known to me, no person in Sutherlandshire receives parochial relief if he holds any land. It is only the landless who are paupers. If they are landless of their own free will, then they are blameworthy, but if they are landless against their will, then doubly great is the guilt of those who have made them so ; and I can scarcely conceive anything more mean and contemptible than forcibly making people paupers, and then turning round and reproaching them with their pauperism. It cannot be denied, and it is within my own knowledge, that pauperism is largely on the increase ; but the important question is, What is the cause of that pauperism ? Within even my memory it was considered a reproach to be a pauper, and nothing short of the direst necessity would induce any person to accept parochial relief. The stigma of pauperism was regarded with the most positive horror. Many and many a time have I seen old people on the brink of the grave, when their children were forced to emigrate, lament that they themselves would have to be buried at the public expense. The grief of parting for ever with their children was intensified by the dread of this fate—a fate which a witness giving evidence before this Commission at Lybster aptly and forcibly characterised as the ' the burial of an ass.' It is surely interesting and edifying to trace back to its origin this honourable feeling,—this dread of pauperism. In Sutherlandshire there cannot be a shadow of a doubt that it had its origin in the circumstances of the people before the clearances. Nothing tells the history of a people so clearly and unmistakably as the survival of a popular sentiment. Dread and loathing of pauperism could have its origin and growth only in a comfortably circumstanced community A normal condition soon ceases to be an object of feeling one way or the other. I myself have seen, in m y native parish, the decline and I fear the death of this honourable feeling; and I have not the slightest hesitation in laying its death at the door of the large-farm system. The simplest statement of the problem is this : two thousand people were impoverished that six people might make fortunes out of their confiscated labour. This was simple enough, and required but little inspiration' or 'masculine energy' to carry it out. But side by side with this fortune-making grew up other questions—social, moral, and economic. Before the Kildonan clearances £8 collected at the church door sufficed to maintain the poor of the parish in comfort. In the year 1882 they cost the parish £50. That is to say, during sixty-seven years of the so-called ' improvement' system, pauperism has increased close on 700 per cent., and that in the face of a decreased population. A more complete and crushing condemnation of a system of ' rural economy' I venture to think statistics cannot supply. But this is not all by any means. It was stated before this Commission over and over again that the sheep-farmers of Sutherland were getting an abatement of 50 per cent off their rents ; and if I mistake not it was also stated that this abatement was to extend in all over five years. Now, referring to the parish of Kildonan again, the rental of the sheep-farmers in that parish as per valuation roll amounts to £4180. Deduction of 50 per cent, on the same for one year is £2090, and for five years, £10,450. The maintenance, & c , of the registered poor cost the parish for the year ended 14th May 1882, as per official return, the total sum of £44, 7s. 11d.; and we have the authority of the estate management for saying that the Duke of Sutherland's share of that was £231. Now, dividing the one sum by the other, we have that his six sheep-farmer paupers cost the Duke of Sutherland in five years as much as his sixty crofter paupers in forty-five years, another striking result of sixty-seven years of ' improvement.' But great as is this pecuniary loss, it is but trifling compared with the moral loss. This is simply incalculable. The amount of moral degradation implied in the compulsory pauperisation of a people famous for their self-respect and moral integrity, furnishes an example of incapacity and shortsightedness unequalled in the annals of human folly. I am not prepared with any cut and dry theory as to the remedy for the present state of the Highlands. Generally speaking I agree with Mr Purves and I am glad to be able to agree with him on any point) that education is be agency that will have most to do with the settlement of the question, though I anticipate that it will operate to that end in a very different manner from what he anticipates. Mr Purves thinks that the effect of education will be that the people will leave the Highlands—their native country—entirely to him and his class. But if they also are to be paupers as they at present virtually are in Sutherlandshire, I fail to see where the benefit could be even to the landlord, while I have no difficulty in seeing where the expatriation of the people would be a great loss to the nation. I think that education will have the effect ultimately of removing Mr Purves and his class, for ignorant people will submit to many hardships and oppressions that an educated man with a knowledge of his rights and capabilities would not for a moment submit to. I can appeal to Mr Purves himself with confidence on this point, and I have no doubt his experience will confirm m y statement. But the education the Highland people stand most in need of is not that directly supplied by the School Boards, but education in their political rights and privileges. Of course they are at present outside the pale of the constitution, but that is a state of matters we all hope to see remedied very soon. Let them once have a voice in their own destiny, and the rest is a mere matter of time. I can see no difference in the way by which matters must be righted in the Highlands and the way in which matters have been righted elsewhere. The question in the Highlands is but a local manifestation—aggravated no doubt by local circumstances—of a much wider question—a question which I venture to think will occupy public attention more and more as time progresses. Two principles diametrically opposed to each other are here brought face to face, namely, the right of the state to govern and protect the subject, and the right claimed by the proprietor of land to do with his own as he likes. The crofters of the Highlands now claim the one, the proprietors of land have for a long time claimed and practised the other. The two are incompatible. I confess that I can see no via media—no device by which a present and temporary settlement can be arrived at until public education is ripe for a final and logical settlement of this important question.<br />
<br />
STAFFORD HOUSE,<br />
LONDON, 1st December 1883.<br />
DEAR SIR,—The Duke of Sutherland has perused the accompanying letter (with its enclosures), forwarded to me by Mr Peacock under flying seal, and by his Grace's desire I forward it to you. I have only to reiterate the hope which I expressed in person to the President of the Royal Commission, in the Duke's behalf, that opportunity should be allowed to the factors on his Grace's estate respectively, of explaining any grievances (arising out of deviations from estate rules), however exceptional, which may be alleged against these gentlemen. It is not only his Grace's wish that wrong, if proved to have been perpetrated in his time, should be righted, but that its recurrence should be effectually prevented.<br />
A. B. KEMBALL<br />
<br />
To Mr Joseph Peacock, Factor for His Grace, the Duke of Sutherland, K.G., Golspie.<br />
<br />
Helmsdale, 8th November 1870<br />
<br />
We , the undersigned, hereby agree to give up possession, as from Whitsunday 1870, of the detached bits of land or pasture that we respectively occupy on the face of the Shore Braes, at West Helmsdale, north of the Parliamentary road, and between the lot occupied by Donald Watson and the Castle Park, it being understood that our rents are to be reduced as understated for the land so given up.<br />
<br />
[table omitted]<br />
<br />
2. Reply on behalf of The DUKE of SUTHERLAND to the Statement by<br />
Mr. ANGUS SUTHERLAND, Glasgow Academy, Delegate from the Federation of Celtic Societies.<br />
Golspie, Nov. 28, 1883<br />
MY LORD AND GENTLEMEN,<br />
The following remarks on the statement by Mr. Angus Sutherland will be confined to matters of fact, in explanation of the cases he mentions:—<br />
<br />
Case of MARGARET MACDONALD, 25 and 321 Gartymore.<br />
In 1848, John Macdonald (father) succeeded his brother Robert at a rent of £1.<br />
In 1869, the father got an additional piece of ground, for which he paid 10s. per year.<br />
The eightpence, charged in addition, was the tenant's proportion of school salary and road money then collected with the rents.<br />
In 1873, the widow of John Macdonald succeeded at the former rent—£1, 10s. 0d.<br />
In 1876, Janet Macdonald (daughter) succeeded on her mother's death, and the rent was increased to £2, 8s. 0d.<br />
In 1877, the re-valuation of the crofts was made.<br />
In 1881, Margaret Macdonald (daughter) suceeeded on the death of her sister Janet, and the rent was then fixed according to the valuation, at £3, 8s. 0d., at which it now stands.<br />
The father and his widow were thus in possession from 1848 to 1876—28 years—and, with the addition made in 1869, held 5.3 acres arable and 3.1 acres unimproved land, besides a share of the hill pasture, at £1, 10s. 0d. per year, being less than half the value of the arable land alone, as fixed by the valuation in 1877.<br />
It remains for Mr. A. Sutherland to explain how " in nine years the rent has been trebled." I may add that I never before heard the phrase " death tax " or "death premium," and I have been 25 years factor on this estate.<br />
This case is extremely exceptional in the rapid changes of tenancy that have taken place.<br />
<br />
Cases of WEST HELMSDALE CROFTERS, 9 and 15 in No.<br />
It is alleged that portions of 9 crofts in West Helmsdale were taken under pretence of forming a plantation, but were at once added to the holding of the harbour master, and that portions of 15 others were also taken and added to the ground officer's holding.<br />
If Mr. Sutherland had, when he first brought forward these cases at Helmsdale, mentioned that the construction of the railway was the cause of the changes—thus fixing the date when they took place,—it would have then and there recalled all the facts, which are simply these :—<br />
<br />
In the extension of the railway to Helmsdale, and within a quarter of a mile on the south side of the station there, it was necessary to divert the public road In order to make way for the line, which encroached on the cultivated parts of some rigs of land occupied by these crofters, and left them only a steep brae face, very wet, and quite unfit for cultivation. His Grace desired to improve the appearance of this brae, and the tenants were asked to give it up. This they did at once, quite willingly, and on Nov. 8, 1870, signed a Memo to that effect, a copy of which I enclose (along with the original, to be returned after verification), in which it will be noticed reductions of rent from 2s. 6d. to 3s. for each rig were given, amounting in all to £3, 10s. 6d per year.<br />
<br />
It will be observed that there is no mention of planting in this Memo, it was, however, spoken of by those in charge of the Railway works, as a means of beautifying the approach to Helmsdale ; but this ground was found to be unsuitable—some other bits of land nearer the station were utilized for this purpose. Subsequently it was decided to add the eastmost portion of the brae to the adjoining croft then occupied by Robert Cruickshanks, and the westmost portion to that occupied by Mrs. Mackay, the mother of the present harbour master. A few years later, an exchange of crofts took place, and some re-arrangements were made, by which the eastmost portion of the brae was added to the ground officer's holding, along with another small piece of land that had fallen vacant. It was this latter addition that I had in view when giving evidence at Golspie.<br />
<br />
Case of ALEXANDER GUNN, Inchcape, Rogart. Evidence,<br />
In this case it was stated at Golspie that Gunn's rent had been last raised on account of some irregularities in which he was found on inquiry to be implicated.<br />
His brother William, the former tenant (who died in 1866) paid £6, 6s. a year.<br />
Alexander entered in 1866-67 at £5 6s 10s. 0d. per year.<br />
In 1873, he was supplied with timber and lime gratis, to the value of £28, 10s. 0d., to assist in building a new house.<br />
In 1876, he was allowed £5 for reclamation at 5 per cent., which increased his rent to £6, 15s. 0d.<br />
In 1879, his rent was increased to £7, 16s. 0d., being the amount fixed in the valuation of 1877—the holding consisting of 12'2 acres arable and 6.'5 acres pasture unimproved, besides a share of the hill grazing. Gunn's own statement of his stock for the return to the Royal Commission gives 2 horses, 5 cattle, 11 sheep, and 1 pig.<br />
<br />
The rent was increased in 1879 because His Grace considered he had good reason to be dissatisfied with the conduct of A. Gunn and his family respecting a small house near the boundary of his lot, which had become vacant by the death of Barbara Leslie, and was promised to Christy Mackay, to whose occupancy thereof Gunn and his wife were strongly opposed. On the night of Nov. 9, 1878, this house was partly broken down, and in the ordinary course the matter was reported to the police. On the 29th of the same month, this cottage was partly destroyed by fire, under circumstances that could not fail to give rise to suspicions of a very painful character. The police inquiries resulted in Gunn's wife, along with Christy and Jessie Mackay, being apprehended. Subsequently Christy Mackay was convicted on her own confession of the crime of malicious mischief on the 9th Nov. and fined 10s., but no sufficient evidence could be obtained as to the cause of the fire on the 29th Nov.<br />
<br />
The irregularity on the part of A. Gunn, as it appeared to His Grace, was that from the first he exhibited great aversion to the tenant selected for the vacant cottage ; and that on its partial destruction, first by pulling part of it down and then by setting fire to it, it did not appear that Gunn or any of his family had made the slightest effort to protect the property, but that on the contrary they made no secret of their desire to prevent its occupation by the tenant selected for it by the proprietor.<br />
<br />
In places so far removed from police supervision as Inchape, His Grace thinks it not unreasonable that the inhabitants should understand that it is a duty incumbent on them to take due care of property to whomsoever it belongs, and, if they are unable to do so, at least to afford every assistance in bringing to punishment persons guilty of maliciously destroying it. In this respect, His Grace concluded that Gunn had failed in his duty, and to mark his displeasure he put Gunn under notice of removal. Gunn, however, evidently saw it was his interest to stay, and His Grace permitted him to do so on condition that the rent should be as fixed by the valuation of 1877. Gunn agreed to this, but owing to an oversight in the estate office—which Gunn did not fail to take full advantage of (conduct it is unnecessary to comment upon)—the increased rent was not paid for the two following years.<br />
<br />
Case of 33 HOLDINGS in Loth, said to have been added to Crackaig Farm. In this, as in other cases, Mr. A. Sutherland gives no dates, or any information to fix the period when this absorption is alleged to have occurred, but merely gives a list of 33 names. Respecting these, inquiries have been made, extending back over 40 years, in some cases more ; and according to the information obtained, it appears that many of these holdings were sub-tenancies under the former tacksman of Crackaig or Lothbeg, to whom the tenants paid higher rents than are now charged for similar holdings, and, in addition, had to render services from which the crofters are<br />
exempt. <br />
<br />
In the negotiations with the former lessee of Crackaig, it was arranged to put an end to these sub-tenancies; and as the holdings fell vacant, certain of them were to be added to the farm within the boundary of which they were situated.<br />
<br />
As the result of the inquiries about the 33 names above mentioned, the information obtained may be thus tabulated :—<br />
7 crofts have been added to the farms of Crackaig or Lothbeg by vacancies arising from deaths in 5 cases, the tenants leaving no successors ; and in other 2 cases by the voluntary removal of the tenants to better holdings elsewhere. <br />
11 cottars having died out, and their cottages not being further required, or not worth repair, the sites, including in some cases small gardens, were added to these farms.<br />
7 crofts are still occupied by the successors or survivors of parties included in Mr. Sutherland's List, assuming the names to have been correctly traced out.<br />
7 names appear to be double entries for one and the same house or holding, or are cases where the parties cannot be traced.<br />
1 site of the old parochial school (now the public school) erected specially for the accommodation, at the most convenient place, of the children of the crofters and cottars.<br />
<br />
The correctness of this analysis, it may be stated, rests upon information obtained from old people now resident in the locality. This statement being merely one of fact, all that need be stated in conclusion is, that Mr. Sutherland's calculations on page 6 of the proof of his statement are founded on hypotheses altogether erroneous. <br />
<br />
I have the honour to be, etc,<br />
JOSEPH PEACOCK.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-65768028448511163792012-03-27T15:00:00.000+01:002012-09-09T18:13:43.826+01:00Appendices<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lx.html">Appendix LX</a><br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxi.html">Appendix LXI</a><br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxii.html">Appendix LXII</a><br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxiii.html">Appendix LXIII</a><br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxiv.html">Appendix LXIV</a><br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxv.html">Appendix LXV</a><br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxvi.html">Appendix LXVI</a> <br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxvii.html">Appendix LXVII </a><br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxviii.html">Appendix LXVIII</a> <br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxix.html">Appendix LXIX</a> <br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxx.html">Appendix LXX</a> <br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/04/appendix-xcii.html">Appendix XCII</a>ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-42432475606371569552012-03-27T12:57:00.000+01:002012-04-02T12:58:36.374+01:00Appendix LXXSTATEMENT by the Rev. WILLIAM HALL TELFORD, Minister of the Free Church of Reston, Berwickshire (a native of the Tongue District of Sutherlandshire).<br />
<br />
FREE CHURCH MANSE, RESTON, BERWICKSHIRE,<br />
8th Nov. 1883.<br />
When I had the honour of appearing before your Lordship's Commission on the 22nd of October, your Lordship desired me to put in writing the bulk of the evidence which I was then prepared to give. I now beg to submit the following statement, which is meant to apply to the Tongue district, and to bring out more fully than has been elucidated some facts connected with the more recent administration of that district of the Sutherland estate, and the present circumstances of the people there. <br />
<br />
This district extends from the Caithness march to the east side of Loch Eriboll, and has a seaboard of about 45 miles, it contains a population of 4857, of whom 4000 at least may be regarded as forming the crofting and fishing population, and all of whom, with the exception of the Strath Halladale section of the community, skirt the seaboard. Two-thirds of this number form the descendants of those who formerly occupied the three straths that belong to the Tongue factorship, viz. Strath Halladale, Strath Strathy, and Strathnaver. Their removal from these straths took place between 1807 and 1820, at the period now known as the time of the Sutherland clearances. The three straths above mentioned are now occupied by seven sheep farmers. Besides these seven, there are other four located within the factorship, making eleven in all, three only of whom are permanently resident on their farms. I have given the wide margin of 800 to represent the sheep-farming and sporting constituency, with their servants and dependants, and also the local officials and their households. <br />
<br />
That the state of the people prior to the removals at the period aforesaid was that of comfort, may be inferred from the fact that, according to the statistical account of 1790. there were in the parish of Farr, then containing a population of 2600, the following tradesmen : 4 millwrights, 16 joiners and carpenters, 34 weavers, 24 shoemakers, 20 tailors ; and there are other circumstances that point in this direction. The tacksmen of that time, representing such families as Langdale, Halmdary, Achiness, Achool, Clibrig, and Mudale, were all resident, and were men of education, as can be proved by deeds and documents now preserved in the Dunrobin charter chest. By their status in society as local justices of the peace and officers in the army, they exercised a wide and elevating influence on the tone and circumstances of the people in their neighbourhood. The effect of this was that a special regiment—the Reay Fencibles—was raised almost entirely in Strathnaver and officered by Reay countrymen, many of whom were the sons of Strathnaver tacksmen; and I may mention that one of them, Gordon of Halmdary, afterwards became Colonel of the 93rd. In 1802, when this regiment—the Reay Fencibles—was diàbanded at Stirling, Major-General Baillie, their colonel, spoke of them in the following terma:—"Major-General Baillie embraces with eagerness an opportunity of expressing his highest approbation of the uniform good conduct of the regiment since it was embodied and repeats his acknowledgments to the whole corps individually and collectively for the general respectability they have at all times and on all occasions maintained, with an anxious wish that they may speedily reap the fruits of so meritorious services, by the full and permanent enjoyment of all the comforts of a private life now so justly become their due."—<br />
Dated from Stirling Castle, 24th September 1802. Vide History of the Clan Mackay, p. 552.<br />
<br />
It may be mentioned that out of these disbanded Fencibles the 93rd Regiment of the line was raised, and that to the men forming it a promise was given of security for the land tenure of themselves and their parents; and it was while this regiment was serving in the Cape and elsewhere that the Strathnaver evictions took place. So that when the discharged men of the 93rd left their regiment " to reap the fruits of their meritorious services," their declining days had to be spent in circumstances and amid surroundings which no patriot could regard, or even now contemplate, save with the most painful and outraged feeling.<br />
<br />
1.—The Strathnaver Peasants. <br />
I quote the following sentence as to the social state and comfort of the Strathnaver peasantry of that day, from the testimony of the Rev. Mr. Macgilivray, late minister of Lairg, Sutherlandshire, and who had charge of the Achiness Mission between 1801-12. When asked as to the state of the people and their comfort generally, he said :—" There was not a single cottage in the strath where, if they knew I was coming, I could not be as comfortably entertained at table, and provided for for the night, as in m y own manse." And the late Dr. Angus Macintosh of Tain spoke<br />
as follows of the Strathnaver tenantry:—"For hightoned Christianity and moral character, they were the noblest peasantry I ever saw, and I have been to all parts of Scotland." In the New statistical account for the parish of Tongue, No. 30, page 185, I read the following regarding the status of the evicted people of Strathnaver:—"When introduced here, several hundreds—many of them of a grade quite superior to mere peasants —were driven from their beloved homes, where they and their fathers enjoyed peace and plenty."<br />
<br />
II.—Alleged Destitution<br />
Representations of another kind owe any truth they may possess to the fact that the harvest of 1816 was a disastrous one—unprecedented before or since—and brought the people, hitherto comfortable and contented, into a state verging upon destitution. Advantage was taken of this temporary and exceptionable state of matters to urge a change in the condition of the people by those to whom such a change would be personally advantageous, and who had already secured a footing in the district. When the evictions took place, the people were sent to the sea coast, with a view, as was said, if proximity to the sea fishing (vide Loch's letter, Feb. 1818, in evidence). The places to which they were sent were already occupied; so much so, that in the New Statistical account for the parish of Farr, I find the following sentence :—<br />
"In some instances 30 cottars occupying land formerly in possession of 12." This may be said to apply to the whole inhabited seaboard to which the people were sent. Since then little practically has been done to benefit the fishing and crofting population. No harbours were erected, no special interest worth speaking of taken in the fishing industry. <br />
<br />
It has been represented to the members of the Commission that the sum of £140,826 has been expended during the last twenty-one years in permanent estate improvements, and that of this sum two-thirds has been disbursed mainly for the benefit of local tradesmen and the labouring population. This statement at first sight appears to be a somewhat formidable one. But I shall analyse it. It represents for local purposes, as mentioned above, an expenditure for twenty-one years of £93,800, which gives a yearly average of £4470, which at the rate of 15s. a week gives employment to 114 men and a boy. This it will be observed from the whole factorship containing 4000 inhabitants, requiring such labour employment, which means four men and a boy out of each township in the factoriate, i.e. dividing the latter into 25 townships. The local effect in the way of ameliorating the condition of the people generally by the giving of work is thus inconsiderable. Nor has this large sum of money been expended upon the crofting population, but upon the large farms, eleven in number, and also in building shooting lodges and making approaches thereto.<br />
<br />
Of this £140,000 expended, it has been represented that £133,000 has been laid out in what has been termed " permanent estate improvements "—the Melvich water supply being one of them. But this large expenditure is admitted by the factor to have given only an Increase of £1757 of rental, or a return of 1½ per cent, of interest upon the outlay. The parties engaged in farming, for whom this large expenditure has been made, were compelled to go last year to the Duke to ask for a reduction of 50 per cent on their rents, which reduction was granted. <br />
<br />
The rental of the crofting population in the Tongue factorship is £2127, the value of which is the outcome of improvements on the land effected by the people themselves. A re-valuation of their holdings has been recently made, and judging by the returns given in this respect, for the townships located between the Halladale Ferry and the Armadale sum, and also the Skerray and Tongue townships—the increased valuation must be at least 5700—equal to one-third of the present rental. This represents an additional capitalized value of £20,000 for land which was brought into cultivation by the crofters themselves, and for which, under existing regulations, they cannot demand, and have no title to receive compensation.<br />
<br />
V.—Production from crofts. <br />
But there is a further point which I desire to bring before the Royal Commission. The foregoing statement will make plain the disproportion that exists between the local distribution of the crofters and their rental; so much so, that production for their support must be largely imported. This, on economic principles, shows how futile have been all attempts to improve the Sutherland property permanently, or to secure for the people what Mr. Crawford, factor, Tongue, was pleased to call " a foundation for future profit as well as comfort."<br />
I take the number of families represented by the 4000 crofting population in the Tongue district to be 800, and I allow 535 to be the annual sum required for the support of each family. Thus would require £28,000 for annual maintenance. <br />
<br />
To meet this the annual value of the production of their crofts allowing two returns for the support of the families, would amount to £4254. Add to this the annual average disbursed in the interests of local labour £4470, which brings up the sum to £8700 ; this with the value of local fishings, prosecuted at present under great disadvantages, brings up the total to about 216,000, leaving £12,000 to be otherwise provided for This means that their crofts etc, only contribute four-sevenths of their necessary support, three-sevenths for which must be got elsewhere ; or in<br />
other words, that of every twenty shillings spent in maintenance, 8s. 6d. must come from some source outside the estate. This statement proves the necessity for increased holdings, in order that each family may have within itself the means of producing on their own land the necessaries of life.<br />
<br />
Sutherlandshire, with its beautiful and fertile straths and glens, is admirably adapted for such a purpose, if only facilities were granted to the people to take small farms. Such facilities would in the landward districts of the county be the proper application of wealth or labour capital to material resources, and would be a means of increased revenue to the proprietor and of widespread benefit to the country.<br />
<br />
VI.—Mildewed crops in the strath.<br />
<br />
I am aware that statements have been persistently made to show that, on account of mildewa and frosts prevalent in the straths, and so-called " mountains," arable farming could not be carried on with any advantage either to labour or capital.<br />
To refute this cherished theory on the part of certain interested individuals, I have only to state the following facts:—In Strathnaver there are upwards of twenty shepherd homes, attached to each of which there is arable ground, which has been regularly cropped since 1820 with corn, barley, and potatoes. Excellent crops have been reaped from year to year, and with the single exception of the harvest of 1846, when potatoes failed, neither mildews nor frosts have ever been known to prevent the Strathnaver shepherds from reaping the most bountiful and remunerative crops.<br />
<br />
VII.—Pauperism<br />
Representations on this subject have been made to the Commissioners. A few facts, however, will bring out that the pauperism of the county is a direct result of the estate policy of the last sixty years. I will deal with two representative parishes—Assynt and Farr—the former belonging to the Lochinver district, and the latter to Tongue. In the former there are by last published report 104 registered poor. Of this number 22, or one-fifth, are aged 80 and above; 52, or one-half, are aged 70 and above, while 10 only are under 30. In the parish of Farr there are 110 registered poor. In this roll I find there are 20 aged 80 and above, 45 aged 70 and above, and only 4 under 30 years.<br />
<br />
The above table of returns goes to show that the pauperism of those two parishes, and by inference of the whole county, is to a large extent a legacy carried down from the eviction period, at which time numbers must have lost their health from the hardships then experienced. The present system of estate management, moreover, develops pauperism in this way; that if a crofter should happen to lose his health in consequence of his toiling at improvements or otherwise, he must necessarily become chargeable to the parish, in which case he loses his holding and forfeits all right to any interest in the value of his improvements.<br />
<br />
I wish to add further under this head, that an appreciable element in the pauperism of all Highland parishes results from the present law of settlement. I have known instances of individuals who were absent from 20 to 30 years from their native parish, and after bestowing their labour elsewhere, became permanently chargeable to the pariah of their birth.<br />
<br />
VIII. School rates. <br />
It is to be observed in this connection that the burden of the school rates in Sutherlandshire has been aggravated by the fact that advantage was not taken by the Sutherland family of the advance made by Government to the Highland counties in the interests of education. The money thus advanced was of immense advantage to destitute Highland parishes, particularly to those that had their populations scattered in inaccessible hamlets and outlying localities. This special grant being denied to Sutherlandshire, necessarily caused the school rate to be excessive; so much so, that in one parish in the county, the school rate has been 2s. in the £ for three years since 1874. And in the same parish the parochial burdens for poor rates, school rate, and road money amount to 4s. 6d. per £ for the current year. This is payable by parties to whom no reduction of 60 per cent, has been allowed, and who in their struggles have actually benefited the estate through the capitalized value of their labour.<br />
<br />
IX.—.Pasture.<br />
Under this head I desire to controvert the evidence of Mr. Crawford, factor, Tongue, which would lead the Commissioners to suppose that the common pastures or hill grazings are good ; this is entirely misleading. I admit that the Strath Halladale grazinga are on the whole fair ; but those attached to the following townships—Melvich, Portskerray, Baligill, and Strathy, including Strathy Point—are of a poor character, unworthy altogether of being called hill grazings for stock of any kind, e.g. the hill grazings attached to the Melvich and Portskerray townships, though comparatively wide in extent, are really no better than waste land. From this ground 150 families have for the last 50 years been cutting their fuel, thus still further rendering the land inefficient for grazing purposes. The comparative worthlessness of the land I here speak of can be seen by any one travelling from Melvich Inn to Strathy Free Church.<br />
<br />
X.—.Fences.<br />
There is additional ground for complaint in the fact that from the Halladale Ferry to the Strath of Melness, a distance of 35 miles, there is not a single fence between the crofter's pasture and the large farms, with the single exception of a dyke fence, erected about 25 years ago (barely extending one mile) to bound some new pasture given to the Farr tenantry, and for which they have been taxed £66 annually. This want of fences gives rise to ceaseless annoyance and discomfort to the tenants, and hurt to the stock. In some instances cattle have to be driven daily two miles from home ere any passable pasture can be reached. This brings them near the boundary of the sheep runs, into which they at once wander, where they are not infrequently poinded. It will at once be apparent how serious a drawback the want of fences is within the bounds of the Tongue district.<br />
<br />
XI.—Harbourage.<br />
The Sutherland estate has a seaboard of 140 miles, and along all its coast, with the exception of one or two small piers, there is not one single harbour worthy of the name. I should state that there is what is termed, by the estate management, a harbour at Scullornie, near Tongue, but the access to it is so intricate and dangerous that it is practically worthless for fishing purposes. The location and building of this harbour has a history peculiarly its own, and is one of the many instances of useless and profitless so-called Sutherland improvements. The fact is that nothing practically has been done to encourage or foster the fishing industry, which can never be successfully carried on until proper deep sea harbours are erected at Portskerray, Armadale, Kirtomy, Skerray, and Talmine. Three of these places are admirably adapted for the erection of such harbours, and with comparatively little outlay safe and commodious sea basins could be constructed at Portskerray, Skerray, and Talmine.<br />
<br />
The hardships connected with the present state of matters are very great. I instance the difficulty of launching and hauling their deep-sea boats. The writer has witnessed every available man and woman in some of the fishing villages on the Sutherland coast, engaged in hauling up their boats over a rough, rocky, and exposed beach. Such scenes have been witnessed for the last fifty years, and yet the Royal Commissioners have been asked by an estate official to believe, " That the Duke of Sutherland entertains a parental regard for the well being of his people." In consequence of the grievances thus experienced by the Sutherland fishermen, the fishing industry has actually declined, and must necessarily until harbourage is provided for them. It will be patent that if it were otherwise, better boats would be provided, and the feeling of security thus gained would enable the fishermen to prosecute their calling with advantage and success.<br />
<br />
I now feel compelled to make a statement as to the possibility of providing harbours for the fishermen who skirt the seaboard of the Sutherland estate, from the known refusal of the Sutherland family to permit second parties, under any conditions, to build harbours in the interests of the fishing community, as such erections with their results might infringe upon their proprietory rights. I make this statement on account of the refusal of the offer made by the late Mr. Bremner, of Wick, to erect a harbour at Portskerray. I submit, then, that as there does not seem to be any change in this policy of indifference—on the part of the proprietor or of his officials — to the wellbeing of the representatives of the people, who sixty years ago were evicted from their large holdings in the straths, in order that they might reap the wealth of the ocean," representations should be made to Government, in order that by a special arrangement with the Scotch Fishery Board, harbour accommodation may be provided for the Sutherland fishermen. Circumstances may conspire to induce the Duke of Sutherland to offer to Government his proprietory rights, in order that they may spend public money in the construction of harbours for the benefit of the resident and fishing population; which means that the British tax-payer will step in to remedy the grievous mismanagement and reckless expenditure of the Sutherland estates, and this not in the interests of the 40 sheep farmers who have hitherto enjoyed the benefit of the hundreds of thousands already expended, but because there are 15,000 loyal and industrious subjects resident in the county, who have suffered from the dire effects of studied neglect at the hands of the proprietor and his officials, who would fain have the people keep silence, accounting them to be but step-children, entitled to no heritage in the resources or privileges of their motherland.<br />
<br />
XII Remedies.<br />
It follows that any satisfactory dealing with this whole question must embrace,—<br />
I. Compensation for improvements.<br />
II. Conditional fixity of tenure, or leases with the right to make the lease an asset.<br />
III. The providing of harbours as already referred to.<br />
IV. No solution of the Land grievance will be satisfactory that does not in some way give additional land to the people. This necessarily involves the breaking up of some of the large farms ; but I am assured that the granting of this, with the outlay necessary to its realization, would result in a doubling of the rental of the straths aforesaid.<br />
<br />
In conclusion, it will be apparent to your Royal Commission that the present state of matters in Sutherlandshire haa arisen from gross mismanagement and mistaken idea of improvement. If it continues, the results will be most disastrous in the way of denuding the country of its best and most loyal sons, and of embittering the relations between landlord and tenant, and thereby inaugurating a social discontent which may have serious issues.<br />
<br />
And the day may come when some other may be compelled to reiterate the words of General Lake at Castlebar, " If I had m y brave and honest Reays here, this would no have happened."<br />
<br />
WILLIAM H. TELFORD.<br />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-50222445029485689162012-03-27T12:56:00.000+01:002012-04-02T12:57:21.368+01:00Appendix LXIXSTATEMENT by the Rev. John MACPHERSON, Free Church, Lairg. <br />
<br />
Lairg, 20th October 1883. <br />
<br />
In giving evidence before the Royal Commission at Inverness on the 12th current, Mr Thomas Purves, sheep farmer, Rhifail, made the following statements:—<br />
“The sole object, he believed, of the improvements in Sutherlandshire, was the desire of the Duke to make provision for the small crofters, but His Grace found that the small farms were not taken up by the class of people he wished, and recently larger farms had been made.” Continuing, Mr Purves repeated explicitly the statement that the Duke of Sutherland's object in making the reclamations (the old reclamations) at Lairg, was to encourage the living on that land of small tenants. He laid out holdings of about £10 a year each, but they were never taken by the class for whom they were formed. If they went to Lairg to-morrow they would find many of the cottages attached to those holdings empty.<br />
<br />
The only part of Mr Purves's evidence of which I intend to take any notice is that in which he refers to the land reclamations at Shinness. His statement in regard to these, as every person who resides in this part of the country knows, is without any foundation whatever. The state of matters is the very reverse of what Mr Purves told the Commission, The small farms on the land reclaimed by the noble Duke were at once taken ' by the class for whom they were formed,' and the cottages attached to them have all been occupied, whereas the several large farms on the land reclaimed, and, as I have good reason to believe, because they are so large, remain on the Duke's own hands, with the exception of one of them, winch, it is understood, has been taken over recently by an Englishman whose shooting grounds are contiguous to the farm.<br />
<br />
The valuation roll for the country, having the names of the tenants on the land reclaimed recorded in it, will show that Mr Purves's statement is entirely without foundation.<br />
<br />
JOHN MACPHERSON,<br />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-76081492156845001162012-03-27T12:55:00.000+01:002012-04-02T12:56:26.882+01:00Appendix LXVIIISTATEMENT by the Rev. J. Ross, Free Church Minister, Durness, Sutherlandshire.<br />
<br />
July 23, 1883.<br />
It is to be regretted that the Commissioners pass over without enquiring into the condition of the crofters in this parish. It is not easy for poor people to go to Kinlochbervie, 20 miles off, and thus sacrifice three days, even though they were not under the influence of intimidation, as they are, of which there could be sufficient evidence had the Commissioners come to the parish. Though the outward circumstances of crofters here may seem more comfortable, as to being well housed and clad, than some districts in the Western Islands, yet there are many hardships in their lot and many depressing influences which they desired should be laid before the Commissioners, had there been a fair opportunity. Durness having the largest acreage, 140,812, and larger rental than the neighbouring parishes (£6615), contains by far the smallest population (987), and always diminishing for several decades; and there is no room for increase, no room for marriages, as neither house nor land can be got. When parents get old and frail, the son or son-in-law, if there be such, occupy and work the croft, and is expected, besides bringing up his own family, to support his aged parents and any other members with them, while the croft is by far too small to support one family; indeed, no croft by its produce alone could furnish a livelihood for one family.<br />
<br />
There are 100 crofters paying rent from 5s. up to £ 5 ; many of the holdings being very small, from 2 or 2½ acres up to 5 acres. The rent and most of the livelihood must be obtained from other sources, from the sea or from some other employment at home or from home. Nor could any family live from the sea alone under the present system; besides the precarious and perilous nature of the fishermen's life, from the exceeding wild and stormy coast, and the want of suitable boats and fishing gear, they have no ready transit to market. For this there is needed a pier at which a steamer could periodically call.<br />
<br />
There are four sheep farms and part of another from which the people were removed, and condensed into the townships now occupied by the crofters. There was thus a deprivation of both arable and pasture lands from which they suffer to this day. Balnakiel farm, which contains a large slice of good arable land taken from the crofters long ago, was in the Duke's hands a few years ago, and then less favourable to the crofters than the neighbouring tacksmen. There was an attempt made to intercept them from the drift sea-ware, as they would have to come through a portion of the sheep pasture, though it was not fully carried out. The customary arrangement by which the crofters got grass to cut and season, themselves getting the half and the tacksmen the other half, was departed from, nor would they get dairy produce to buy, and when they did get it afterwards it was at an increased price. So the crofters sought advanced wages, women from 8d. to 1s., men from 1s. 8d. to 2s. or 2s. 6d. About thirty years ago the township of Durine was deprived of a large park of some scores of acres in the middle between the north and south sides of the village, and given to Balnakiel without any reduction of rent or compensation, except that Balnakiel dropped the ancient custom of washing their sheep in the loch on the people's commonality on the moor. The people resisted that deprivation, but without avail.<br />
<br />
On the same system they have been deprived last year of the ancient right and privilege of grazing their horses for two months at Fionnbheinn, which they held from time immemorial. They paid for a herd with the horses Is. 6d. each, and removed them about the 1st of August. An order came from the factor's office last year not to send the horses, and such as sent their horses were fined 5s. for the offence against the factorial order. They petitioned the Duke, and the result was that the 5s. tax is made perpetual for grazing and herding, and 2s. 6d. on the few surviving of the older tenants; and each tenant was asked separately to sign an agreement of that sort. Some demurred, and were told or threatened to be reported as disloyal. Another part of the system which causes discontent is the increase of rent, some one-third, some one-fourth, at each succession, which is interest on their own improvement without any expenditure on the part of the proprietor.<br />
<br />
Sangobeg, which originally contained three families, had successively at one time three families thrust in, and ultimately other six families removed from other places to make room for sheep, so that there are now twelve or thirteen families where there were formerly only three.<br />
<br />
On the Leathad, aside Loch Eriboll, there are upwards of twenty families driven on that barren slope of shore from various parts, their only advantage being the loch near them and the heather pasture on Ben Spionnadh behind them for stock, but they can have very little for provender in winter. They need a pier or port for their boats. Their rents are generally under £2. Their holdings of land are of the poorest description, as also are those of Sangobeg, the smallest narrow stripes, and also Lerin and Smoo, so that when the potatoes fail and fishing not successful, they have very little help off the land—small miserable patches. The soil by continual cropping and constant use of sea-ware is getting thinner and more exhausted, the crops consequently weaker, and more readily destroyed by the severe gales of autumn. It would need rest by rotation of grass sowing, which on several of the larger crofts is now practised. But fencing from sheep would be also necessary to secure the young grass as well as the corn, and that on the part of some was resisted and opposed by the Local Authority.<br />
<br />
At the best, though the rents may not be considered high, if the amount of labour and toil in spring taking ware from the tide, carrying on the back, and the constant round of working and watching were estimated in money value, the produce of the ground is exceedingly dear, the countervailing advantages being a country home, fresh air and water, milk and potatoes, and such privileges. And several improvements and reform would add to the content and comfort of the people, and remove causes of discontent.<br />
<br />
The manner in which personal rule is exercised, often fitful, arbitrary, or capricious, is one such cause of discontent. The factorial order issued through the ground officer, or the latter's own order as bearing ducal authority being the supreme law, people being hindered or allowed improvements on house or land as the case may be. Instances enough might be given. There is no doctor for the parish nearer than the remote corner of Edrachillis, 30 miles off, this parish paying the half of his salary for the benefit of Edrachillis. There is no sheriff court nearer than Scourie once a year; no police officer, and for many years no resident justice of the peace, and it was recently there is a resident inspector of poor. Wanting some of these we could get along fairly, as there were only two or three criminal cases within the last eighteen years.<br />
<br />
There is now and then cropping out, as if under breath, a frequent grumbling as to the state of education generally, and that all the offices and conduct of the teaching and of the school are concentrated in one family—the ground officer's. Himself was till this year compulsory officer; his son-in-law both teacher and registrar; his daughter, the teacher's wife, sewing mistress; his son, assistant teacher, inspector of poor, and sanitary inspector; and his daughter pupil teacher. All these possibly might be good appointments, but people complain and are discontent, and there are children in this neighbourhood up to twelve or thirteen who can't read a word, as well as some in other parts not being kept at school, neither can read. The ground officer is the sole meal-dealer in the parish, and it suits him better than it would suit any other, for he knows their capability and their stock, and he is kind and considerate in giving meal on credit, and many are in his debt, which gives him great influence, and people would be afraid to utter a complaint about the school or any other matter. Such concentration in one, and the spirit of fear on the one hand or favouritism on the other, tends to deteriorate and demoralize the spirits of the people.<br />
<br />
From the domineering spirit, I resigned m y place at the School Board after its first meeting. Mr M'lver (the "returning officer " keeping aloof or absent) emphatically announced "that he must constitute the Board” and further, that he “was appointed chairman” in the other parishes, and “if any other should be nominated there” it would be held a slur on the Duke of Sutherland ;" and as the representative of the parents I held aloof since, unwilling to submit to the assumption of authority nor disposed to contend against it. Not that I have anything against the factor or other official. He may be the very best for any such office, but concentrating all affairs of this parish in one place, 30 miles off, and all the offices in one family here, as well as the influence of intimidation, is objectionable.<br />
<br />
Now, it may be difficult to devise a remedy for the state of the crofters here. Emigration can scarcely apply, the population being so small; and the rental paid by the 100 crofters so small a proportion (£224) of the total rental, £6615; and some of the districts, as Lathad and Lerin, and so unfit for cultivation. The great bulk of the land in Durness, arable, pasture, and heath, is bound at present under lease, and no room on that side for the population to expand. But there might be given to the people a firm hold of the land they have, their interest in it and improvement of it, without fear of disturbance or removal from it, and freedom from irritating interferences; farther encouragement and stimulus to education and learning of trades, with a pier for steamers to call in at regular intervals, and thus create traffic for the fishing; for the lobsters at which the fishermen are engaged in winter and spring, and even the whelks which women and children gather every spring-tide during winter and spring, though not very fit employment, but of which the people of Leathad make good help for their living, until they get other ways and means of living.<br />
<br />
These are the subjects, or some of these, on which I was willing to be examined by the Commissioners had they come ashore here, and as I am not able from ill health to go from home, I now write and submit to them.<br />
<br />
JAMES ROSS.<br />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-76959788291577656232012-03-27T12:54:00.001+01:002012-04-02T12:55:32.049+01:00Appendix LXVIISTATEMENTS submitted by the Crofters of the Parish of Dornoch.<br />
<br />
PARISH OF DORNOCH,<br />
21st September 1883.<br />
The crofters and small farmers of the parish of Dornoch having held several meetings in view of the Royal Commission visiting the County of Sutherland, have agreed, as the result of their consultations, to submit the following statement, which shows their grounds of complaint on the one hand, and what they suggest by way of remedy and improvement on the other.<br />
<br />
The complainants wish it to be understood that this statement is intended to form a basis for the examination of their delegates, whom they expect to be prepared to enter more into detail.<br />
<br />
The various items of complaint may be summarised as follows :—<br />
<br />
1. High Rents.—<br />
The complainers are willing to allow that the rents are in some instances throughout the parish reasonable enough, and afford no cause for complaint to the occupiers. Those thus situated are not represented by this document. But, under the recent valuation, lands formerly moderately rented have had the rents enormously increased. The occupiers complain that the rents in many instances are too high under any circumstances, but they feel the grievance all the more, because any value belonging to the land is due to the labour expended upon it by the occupier in company with his father, or some other relative who preceded him. Cases are found throughout the parish of rents which have been increased 50 per cent., and in some instances were more than 100 per percent per annum. The burden of such an increase in rents is felt to be all the more oppressive, because the land so taxed has been improved for the most part from a wild and waste heath to cultivated land.<br />
<br />
2. Limited pasture.—<br />
Even where the land has been improved, and when there maybe probably sufficient provender for the winter months, it is complained that there is little or no pasture for the summer months, as the amount of land held is too circumscribed to graze cattle and produce crops at the same time. Because of the privileges allowed to game and sheep, and the exclusion by wood enclosures from land formerly appropriated as a common, either all, or almost all, the ground formerly held by the different townships on which the cattle of their respective tenants were wont to walk is absorbed.<br />
<br />
3. Uncertainty of tenure—<br />
The crofters of Dornoch and of Sutherland generally have not hitherto complained of this publicly, but they feel it notwithstanding. They feel that they have not the same encouragement to improve their land or expend upon their holdings, when they are without the guarantee of continuance in respect to the one, and no certainty of compensation in respect to the other. Besides, destitute of this guarantee, they are destitute of that feeling of independence which they believe it good for men to possess, and which is enjoyed by the large farmers.<br />
<br />
4. Injury done to the crofts by game.—<br />
The land of crofters is usually situated in the neighbourhood of woods and other places accessible to game. These are making constant incursions on the ground of the crofters ; and the evil is aggravated by this fact that anything done to disturb the game, on any ground, is likely to be resented. So that the crops, scanty and poor enough independent of this circumstance, suffers a considerable reduction in value by the preservation of game.<br />
<br />
5. The grass in the woods interdicted—<br />
Formerly, the woods in general, and some of them in particular, formed a common for pasture, but the whole of these are now so carefully fenced in, and the grass which grows inside is so strictly inhibited, that it dare not be even cut; and thus what might suffice for tolerable pasture in summer, if allowed, or if closed against the entrance of cattle in summer, permission were given to cut the grass in certain parts, the supply of provender to the poor crofters might be considerably augmented during winter.<br />
<br />
6. Difficulty of obtaining redress.—<br />
Neither the crofters nor the generality of the people on the estates of Sutherland deny that his Grace is approachable by his tenantry, and is disposed to hear what they may have to say regarding their grievances. But his Grace is seldom found on his northern estates, and when found, his Grace is believed to be influenced by his subordinates, by the valuation roll, and by other hard and fast rules of the estate, more than by the real facts of each case. Some of the crofters are of opinion that, while it may be difficult to adduce proof that the discretion given to subordinates is opposed to the generous policy which a liberal proprietor might be expected to observe in his dealings with his tenantry, in any case the crofters have to complain of the extreme difficulty of obtaining redress.<br />
<br />
II. The Remedies<br />
<br />
The crofters, without condescending upon all the possible remedies, are free<br />
to mention two which they deem of special importance in connection with any<br />
means of redress available.<br />
<br />
1. The restoration of the land alienated from the ancestors—<br />
Some seventy or eighty years ago, large numbers of the people were expelled from their original holdings on which they had been enabled to live with ease and comparative comfort, and were under the necessity of emigrating to the colonies or settling down on poor and unproductive land, which, after long and expensive labour, scarcely yields a livelihood. What they wish is the restoration of part of the land alienated, and such a redistribution of the land now possessed as that there may be fair remuneration for labour. The crofters do not presume to dictate how this may be done. But they believe his Grace can effect it if he wishes, and if his subordinates can be induced to take the trouble of carrying out his Grace's instructions. By way of suggestion, they would remark that his Grace has several farms presently in his own hand, in consequence of failure or surrender on the part of their occupants. Should his Grace either subdivide or apportion parts of these in lots of sufficient size to afford the means of supporting a family, and not in excess of what limited means might be able to stock, the districts presently overburdened with population would be relieved; and the crofters are confident that his Grace, by a cautious policy of this kind and a little patience, would be no loser financially. To specialise, there is presently a farm to let, or soon to be let, in the neighbourhood of the Poles, nearer the Mound, which, if subdivided between some of the crofters on the north side of the road who are supplied with poor land, and stinted in measure, would have the effect of amply providing for the crofters, and yield as good a return to the proprietor. This is only an illustration of what might be effected without much trouble, and within the bounds of this single parish.<br />
<br />
2. The appointment of men to manage the estate who know the people and have sympathy with them.—<br />
The crofters are unwilling to attribute their hardships to the present officials of the proprietor; but they believe and know that much of the hardship and oppression practised upon the people for the last two or three generations, is traceable to the influence of officials who were strangers, and bereft of all sympathy with the people. Much of the harsh treatment experienced might have been avoided, without any detriment to the interests of the proprietor, had men of humanity and men who felt interested in the wellbeing of the people been intrusted with the management. The Highlands of Scotland are not without illustrations of the mutual advantage to proprietor and tenant of humane and sympathetic omcials. They can point to Sir Alexander Matheson of Ardross, whose factor, the late Mr M'Kenzie, arranged the estate of Ardross so that the tenantry were retained on terms advantageous to both landlord and tenant—the principle adopted being a reasonable subdivision of land with aid to stock it and the allowance of reasonable time to pay up both interest and capital. Did the estates of Sutherland enjoy a factorate during any period within the past seventy years similar to that of Mr M'Kenzie, the crofters of Domoch are confident that the lands of the Duke of Sutherland would be prosperous and peaceful, and a model to all the Highland estates in the country. The crofters of Dornoch are free to allow that the Duke of Sutherland, compared with others in the north of Scotland, is a good landlord. They admit that the disposition for wholesale eviction which existed formerly, and which still prevails in some parts of the Highlands, seems to be absent. They further allow that improvements effected are not, as a rule, wrested from those who have been the immediate promoters. They even allow that some crofts are very moderately rented. But with all these admissions it is undeniable that they are tending towards the curtailment of popular privileges all round. Instead of more land being allowed there is rather less ; instead of the common ground formerly held being restored, what is held is being withdrawn; rents are tending upwards without guarantee of tenure or any compensation for improvements made, or compensation for damages by game.<br />
<br />
The crofters of Domoch profess to be attached to the Sutherland family, and they believe that his Grace, the present Duke of Sutherland, has both the power and the heart to rectify the grievances of his poorer tenants, provided he takes some trouble and exercises more personal oversight. In respect to territorial possession, he has an opportunity which few or none among Highland landlords have, of adjusting matters between himself and his tenantry. Nor do they regard his Grace as lacking in respect to those generous and noble qualities becoming his order, which would enable him to make such temporary sacrifices for the sale of his poorer people, as would contribute greatly towards repairing the wrongs of the past, and thereby make all his people his servants for ever. In conclusion, they venture to apply to their case the wise counsel given by wise men to an ancient king : “If thou wilt be a servant to this people this day, and wilt serve them and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever.”—1 Kings XII, 7.<br />
At Birechan, at meetings held in the schoolroom there on the 8th of August, and subsequently on the 21st September 1883, the following parties were appointed to act as the delegates of the crofters at the meeting of the Royal Cniomission, and with authority to give evidence on all the questions raised by the Royal Commission. In particular, they instruct Alex. M'Intosh, the sixth delegate, and the oldest of their number, to give evidence on the subject of the Crofters of evictions effected within the last seventy years. <br />
<br />
Names and addresses of delegates:—<br />
1. Sergeant M'lNTOSH, Torbal.<br />
2. JOHN CAMPBELL, Balvraid Muir.<br />
3. ANGUS M'KAY, Badninish.<br />
4. DONALD CAMPBELL, Rearchar and Astle.<br />
5. HUGH M'KAY, Birechan.<br />
6. ALEX. MACKINTOSH, Achavaich.<br />
Signed by NEIL TAYLOR, Chairman of meeting<br />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-50954305348281094362012-03-27T12:54:00.000+01:002012-04-02T12:54:50.604+01:00Appendix LXVIScheme of Mr George Greig for Advancing Money to Small Tenants on the Security of their Stock.<br />
<br />
INDIA Buildings, EDINBURGH, 24th October 1883.<br />
I have now the honour to submit in some detail the proposal I hinted at in my examination by the Royal Commissioners at Helmsdale for improving the condition of the Highland crofters.<br />
The Government granted funds for the drainage of land, which was largely taken up in Scotland, and resulted in much permanent good, the Government loan being preferable to all other creditors. Government advances have also been made to the crofters and small tenants of Ireland, the loan in like manner being preferable to all other creditors.<br />
<br />
My proposal was to apply the same principle of advance to crofters and small tenants in the Highlands to enable them to acquire animals to stock small pastoral farms of a size sufficient to maintain a family, and thus afford them an outlet for their energies.<br />
<br />
In the other cases referred to the advance was made to the individual, involving the machinery necessary for collecting over a period of years at considerable expense. In this case m y proposal is to advance the money to a financial organisation, composed of leading men of respectability and responsibility, who will undertake the loans and recovery of the cash advanced by instalments or on sale of the animals bought.<br />
<br />
The business of this financial organisation would be, by approved inspection, to visit farms and crofts, report the stock necessities of the occupant and estimate the cost, inquire into the character of the borrower, and, if trustworthy and industrious, see the purchases made on which the Association would advance to the extent of three-fourths of the gross sum required, repayable with interest not exceeding 5 per cent, per annum at fixed terms.<br />
<br />
The Association would have right to draw from Government to the extent of three-fourths of the advance made on completion of the security, at a rate of interest not exceeding 2½ per cent, per annum. The security to the Association would be a writ under the hand of the borrower, registered in the county register, to be discharged by simple acknowledgment written on the back, and marked in the register and delivered to the borrower. The animals acquired would be branded with the Association's brand, and whatever was acquired with the loaned money would remain the property of the Association till the borrower had his recorded discharge in his hand. The Association loan on these animals would be declared preferable thereon to all other creditors for rent, furnishings, or other debts or advances, saving only Her Majesty's taxes. <br />
<br />
The advantage of this scheme would be that it would induce landlords to divide their territorial acres into comfortable and manageable little farms, to select honest industrious tenants from the over-populated crofting centres, and to clothe the hills with stock in quantity, quality, and kind suitable for the particular district, which would necessarily result in a large increase of produce, and with it reproductive employment to the people; and in m y opinion it would operate also as a certain security to landlords for payment of their rent, for it is and can only be produce that pays the rent in the end ; and where the produce in any area increases, the security for rent is necessarily enhanced. Loans might also be made by the Government direct to landlords for building houses and fences tnd making drainage, which this subdivision would necessitate.<br />
<br />
The scheme may be thought to have disadvantages, but I fail to see them. Adventurers, it may be said, might offer high rents and get possession of land without any capital, and leave the Association lenders in the lurch and their ordinary creditors too. But that is a matter in the landlord's own hands. Doubtless the effect will probably be to raise rents, but the responsibility of accepting tenants will always be with the landlords, so loss on these heads need not be anticipated; and then it will be kept in mind that the Association has always a margin against loss of one-fourth of the entire advance. In my humble opinion, if such a scheme as that suggested were made specially applicable to the Highlands, it would in a very short time lead to the full employment of the crofter population, and contentment and happiness would result. The proprietor would get higher rents and the country double the produce.<br />ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-81543679750101284702012-03-27T11:19:00.000+01:002012-03-27T11:19:09.212+01:00Appendix LXII<b>STATEMENT of WILLIAM R. TAIT, Esq., C.E., Factor for the Murkle Estates, Caithness. </b><br />
<br />
MURKLE ESTATES OFFICE, THURSO, CAITHNESS, <br />
1st Nov. 1883. <br />
<br />
In the evidence taken before the Commissioners at Lybster in Caithness, Mr. Donald Mackay, delegate from Bulldoo, Reay, lodged a statement regarding a district upon the property of Sir Robert C. Sinclair, Bart, of Murkle, etc., occupied by twenty-seven crofters. There were other statements lodged by the delegate which have not appeared in print so far as I know, and my remarks must therefore be confined to the statement about the Bulldoo and Achreamie crofters.<br />
<br />
I have had the management of Sir Robert's estates in Caithness for the last twenty-four years, and during that period very extensive agricultural improvements have been executed by the proprietor, mainly in conjunction with the tenants under specified agreements.<br />
<br />
Without going into details, there has been expended by the proprietor the following sums upon the specified works, and it may be said the expenditure has proved judicious and remunerative:—<br />
<br />
Buildings: £14,888 19s 8d<br />
Drainage: £15,933 10s 3d<br />
Interior fences: £2,414 12s 2d<br />
Ring Fences: £1,519 19s 3d<br />
Farm Roads: £434 10s 4d<br />
Farm March Fences: £648 2s 5d<br />
Property do.: £496 16s 9d<br />
Service Roads: £646 7s 10d<br />
Flag Quarries: £11,822 14s 2d<br />
Miscellaneous: £3,174 0s 11d<br />
TOTAL: £51,979 13s 9d. <br />
<br />
The delegate admits there were no evictions made in connection with the improvements. This is so far satisfactory, and I shall say nothing whatever about the estates before Whitsunday 1859, the period at which the improvements were begun.<br />
<br />
The delegate complains of the crofts being too small, and of their being surrounded by large farms. If the crofters are not to be transformed into small farmers, but are still to retain what has hitherto been regarded as the character of crofters, the quantity of land occupied by them should not, I think, be a matter of complaint. Of course there can be no objection to the cherished ambition of wishing to rise from the condition of a crofter to that of a small farmer. But I am dealing with those who were found crofters in 1859, and who at that time were unable to take more land than they then occupied. It is with some satisfaction that I admit the fact of their being surrounded by large arable farms. Under all the circumstances they could not be better or more advantageously situated. There are five large farms surrounding the crofts, paying the undemoted rents — £593, £615, £578, £319, £305. These five arable farms should supply a fair amount of work to the crofters and their families, and that too within easy distance of their homes. I hardly think there is one of the seven-and-twenty crofters who entertains the fear that any one of his big surrounding neighbours will either encroach upon or covet his croft. The crofters were offered leases some few years ago, and some took them, and some declined. The big farmers, however, do not appear to be equally secure in their possessions, for, in spite of the tenth commandment, the delegate gives a longing look at the "rich lands in their possession, at lower rents than paid by the crofters," and, in reply to a question, says, "some of the crofters" (I hope the majority of them) "would be able to stock a fair proportion of these rich lands, if they were divided amongst them." One may be pardoned for regarding this frank admission of ability to stock a proportion of the rich lands of the large farmers as evidence of the possession of no small amount of means by the crofters in spite of all their grievances.<br />
<br />
The delegate complains again that their crofts are too dear, and that the proprietor has done very little for them. According to the delegate himself, the crofters occupy about 471 acres at a rent of about £221, being at the rate of nine shillings and fourpence per acre. The bulk of the waste land consists of a moss lying alongside the crofts, and as the peat disappears for fuel the ground is then easily improved and makes fair land. The delegate has suggested division of the large farms. Now suppose the croftera themselves set the example (and example is better than precept), and divide their land equally amongst themselves. What would be the result? This, that each crofter would have 17 acres of land, with house accommodation for himself and his stock at a yearly rent of about £8. Now to put the most moderate value upon the home with its privileges which the crofts afford, say £8, the rent of the 17 acres of land cannot be said to be too high.<br />
<br />
Let us now look at the complaint about the proprietor having done but little. Well, as I have said, the proprietor surrounded the crofters by large farmers with capital at a time when they were themselves quite unable to occupy profitably more land than they then possessed, and on these surrounding farms and others in the near neighbourhood he has expended a sum of £35,985, 10s. 3d, which gave the crofters and many others what was felt to be much needed—a large amount of employment at fair wages. This was something, I think, which the delegate should have acknowledged. Further, the proprietor has expended upon the said crofts and in connection with them, the sum of £505, and for which practically no interest has been charged. On two sides of their ground, which roughly forms a triangle, the large farms have been fenced out from the crofts, and the crofters performed no part of this work—extending to about a mile and a half. To enable the crofters to drain the moss as it became ready for improvement, an outfall at a heavy expense was made without charge to them. Surely, these are some things and not very small things which the proprietor has done for these crofters, and still they are not contented. With a delegate so able and skilful as Mr. Donald Mackay at their disposal, I am not surprised to see grievances stated and claims made of which I never heard a word until I read his statement lodged with the Commission.<br />
<br />
I am far from saying the crofters are as comfortable in the way of house accommodation as their proprietor would like to see them ; but, considering what he has already done for the property as a whole during the last four-and-twenty years, I think he has given the best evidence of his earnest desire to fulfil his duties as a landlord, and has shown his recognition for the principle that landlords have duties to perform as well as privileges to enjoy.<br />
<br />
If the twenty-seven crofters represented by Mr. Donald Mackay had been all equally successful with himself in their exertions and industry, the Bulldoo and Achreamie crofters would have been at this moment, I venture to say, the model crofters of the county of Caithness. Why they have not been so successful, is not for me here to explain.<br />
W. R. TAIT.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-39988498179607968662012-03-27T10:55:00.002+01:002012-03-27T10:55:33.661+01:00Appendix LXI<b>PETITION from the Inhabitants of the Island of Stroma</b> to the Right Hon. Lord NAPIER and ETTRICK, K.T.<br />
<br />
My LORD,—We, the undersigned, the inhabitants of the Island of Stroma, pray that you will hear us in the undemoted petition:—<br />
<br />
As your Lordship is aware, our Island is situated in a very dangerous part of the sea, where navigation is carried on, at any time, at great risk to life and property.<br />
<br />
From the earliest time it has been the custom of the Islanders to burn peats as fuel. There is no turf suitable for such on the Island; and your petitioners have (generally in the month of May) to cross to Duncansby and Gills, a distance of three miles, to cut their fuel, where the moss is some distance from the shore. After it has been cut, we have to cross again and scatter it, so that it may dry. When it is dry we have to take our carts and horses across in boats of 15 feet of keel or thereby, so that we can cart it to the top of the brae, whence we have to carry it to our boats. This having been completed, we take back our horses and carts, and commence to boat the fuel across. There is no harbour at Gills nor at Duncansby, and the landing places here are of the poorest description, the water being shallow at the shore, and the bottom rocky. As soon as the boat touches ground on this side, we have to discharge the fuel at once owing to the nature of the bottom. The fuel has to be left at the top of the beach, and afterwards carried to the top of the brae, whence we drive it home. This is very laborious work, and it has to be done at a season when we could do best at fishing, and when fish would require little attention in drying.<br />
<br />
All our live stock, meal, provisions, &c, have to be landed in the same manner.<br />
The herring fishing has increased amongst us of late. Last year one boat of 50 feet of keel was built for the place, and this year four of nearly similar dimensions have been added to the number of large boats, which before was ten, besides small line boats which number forty-five. These boats have to be beached, or rather hauled up on the Cat rocks as soon as they return from the fishing, as there is no place of safety to leave them in, until a suitable opportunity offers itself for beaching them.<br />
<br />
From the above particulars your Lordship will see in what need of a harbour we stand. Had we a harbour we could charter a small vessel with a cargo of coals, which would save us from toiling so hard for fuel. Again, we could fish (from which we mainly derive our support) during the time we formerly spent in cutting fuel, all of which would tend to promote our comfort. A harbour could be constructed at very little expense, as there are plenty places around the island, whose natural shape would make it a very easy task to form a harbour where they are. There is abundance of material in the shape of stones and gravel, at hand, that could be used for the purpose of making concrete, &c.<br />
<br />
We approach you in hopes that you will do whatever lies in your power to help us in the construction of the proposed harbour.<br />
<br />
And your petitioners will ever pray,<br />
ALEXANDER SINCLAIR, Fisherman, Crofter and 113 others.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-33454046166381233672012-03-27T10:50:00.002+01:002012-03-27T10:50:51.251+01:00Appendix LX<b>STATEMENT by Mr JAMES BROWN, Delegate, Torse, Caithness. </b><br />
<br />
I, James Brown, have been appointed delegate by the crofters in the Torse district. I am a farmer; my age is thirty-six.<br />
<br />
One thing we have to complain of is, that so much of the land in this parish is laid idle from economic use in the shape of a deer forest at Langwell and Braemore.<br />
<br />
If the half, the third, or the tenth of the parish is laid waste, how can it be expected that the remainder will support the people and pay the local taxes ? Another thing is, that all grouse moors held by landlords in their own hands, such as Latheromwheel in this parish, should be free from local taxes. Surely it is a crying injustice that the poor man should be taxed on the sweat of his brow and the bread that he eats, and that the rich man should have his sport scot-free. I would suggest as a remedy that the agricultural value of all lands used wholly for pleasure should be ascertained, the rent confiscated and applied to the relief of local burdens, and that all grouse moors should be assessed at their letting value as other subjects are for the same purpose. This would in some measure check the evil, but it would still leave a national loss of all that these idle lands might produce, for which you in your wisdom may be able to recommend a remedy.<br />
<br />
JAMES BROWN.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-36040161074488659762011-02-05T17:33:00.000+00:002012-04-20T15:26:10.289+01:00Dingwall, 10 October 1883 - John Forsyth<b>JOHN FORSYTH, Factor for Balnagown (61)</b>—examined.<br />
<br />
40181. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—You have got a statement you desire to make in connection to what occurred yesterday ?<br />
—Yes, as to what was said by one of the Bonar delegates. I do not know that there is great need for my addressing you on this occasion, and in doing so I simply desire to make clear to your Lordship and the other Commissioners some things which I do not think the delegate Alexander Campbell made plain to you at Bonar. Alexander Campbell has only been a rent-payer on the Balnagown estate since 1871 (see his offer for croft). Previous to this date he was a sub-tenant to the late Dr Gordon, who held the farm of Badvoon and Kincardine, and who brought him on to the Balnagown property. I understand about 1868, Dr Gordon had besides Alexander Campbell thirteen sub-tenants, not thirty or forty as stated by him. On the expiry of Dr Gordon's lease, and at the time these farms were let to Mr Anderson, the then sub-tenants were continued in their holdings at the rent they now pay, £27, 5s. At the time I had not the smallest difficulty in arranging the rents with them. I had no complaints then of the rents being too high, and Alexander Campbell's statement to your Lordship and other Commissioners was the first I ever heard, with one exception. One tenant complained that his rent was too much; this was about six months ago. Neither had I any difficulty at the time in satisfying these tenants that they were better without sheep ; they consented to want them without any pressure on my part; and I am satisfied, after the experience I have had, that on that particular ground they are better without them still. If these tenants at any future time, are in a position to stock the whole of the hill, it might then be a question for reconsideration. If the crofters on the Balnagown property in Kincardine are too high rented, I assume the responsibility so far as it can be laid on my shoulders. I blame no one except that the crofters must take their share of it in their not having at the proper time complained of the rents they were asked to pay and willingly agreed to pay. Notwithstanding the present complaint, I have no hesitation in saying, that if these holdings were to let now, I could not only let them at the present but an increased rent.<br />
<br />
40182. There were two complaints brought before us prominently in connection with the farms occupied by Mr Anderson. One complaint was that the tenants had been prohibited from keeping sheep upon a piece of ground on which they had been formerly allowed to keep sheep, and that when they were deprived of this convenience there was no reduction made on their rent. It was also stated that they might have continued to keep the sheep there, if a fence had been put up between them and the farmer ?<br />
—It would not have paid to put a fence up there, and the piece of ground they allude to is not suited for sheep.<br />
<br />
40183. The farmer says that the sheep upon the crofters' ground molested his farm by going across the marsh, and that it would have been impossible for him to have continued to occupy the farm if the sheep of the crofters had not been prevented coming over ?<br />
—That was so.<br />
<br />
40184. Well, when the sheep were put off and when the farmer was relieved of this claim, was his rent increased at all ? Did he pay anything additional for this convenience ?<br />
—I forget whether he paid any increase or not when he took the farms. I cannot answer that question, but I rented him at what I thought fair value for the farm, and I acted in the same way to the crofters.<br />
<br />
40185. But did he pay anything more to the proprietor in consequence of being relieved of the neighbourhood of the crofters' sheep ?<br />
—I think it is likely he would. <br />
<br />
40186. He paid you something more ?<br />
—I think so. <br />
<br />
40187. Was any portion of the increase paid by the farmer removed from the crofters ?<br />
—No, their rents were the same, with the exception of a few shillings. I think a few shillings were taken off each of them, to the best of my recollection. I think the delegate stated yesterday that<br />
his rent was £4, 5s. and he formerly paid £4, 13s.<br />
<br />
40188. How long would the fence have been if a fence had been put up between the two parties ?<br />
—Over two miles.<br />
<br />
40189. What is the expense of putting up a wire fence, supposing the proprietor to have his own wood, which I presume is the case with you ? What would be the expense per mile of putting up a wire sheep fence?<br />
—I think it would have cost about Is. per yard. A good bit of it would have required to be iron altogether, as it was on rocky hill ground.<br />
<br />
40190. That would be altogether £170 ?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40191. What is the rent of the farm?<br />
—The rent of the two farms is Badvoon £105, Kincardine £111, 5s. 6d.<br />
<br />
40192. Then the rent of the two farms concerned in this case was about £216 ?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40193. Do you consider it would be a very extraordinary outlay on the part of the proprietor to fence a farm from its neighbours with a wire fence of this value—at an expense of £170?<br />
—I think under the circumstances it was an unnecessary outlay, because the ground the crofters had was unsuited for sheep.<br />
<br />
40194. But they do not seem to have considered it was unsuited for sheep. At least they complain ?<br />
—I had no difficulty in arranging with them, not the slightest, at the time. I can show you Campbell's offer for his place if you wish to see it.<br />
<br />
40195. What was the increase which the farmer paid in consideration of being relieved for the molestation of the crofters' sheep ?<br />
—I cannot answer that question.<br />
<br />
40196. Was it anything considerable? Was it £20?<br />
—Very possibly it was. I could answer that afterwards, but I cannot do it now. (<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2012/03/appendix-lxiii.html"><i>see Appendix A. LXXIII</i></a>)<br />
<br />
40197. Does it seem to you quite equitable to take an increased rent from a farmer in consequence of an advantage granted to him at the expense of others, and not to give the others some appropriate compensation?<br />
—I don't think I took advantage of either the one or the other—either the tenant or the crofters. I acted between the two as fairly and justly as I could.<br />
<br />
40198. And the crofters made no complaint at the time ?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40199. When deprived of the liberty of keeping sheep, do you think they were able to keep more cattle and horses ?<br />
—-No doubt of it, but the ground is not suited for sheep in summer. Sheep would not live on the<br />
ground they complain of.<br />
<br />
40200. In the other case there was a fence put up between the farm occupied by Anderson and the adjacent tenants, but in putting up a piece of ground was withdrawn from them, and added to the tenant ?<br />
—Allow me to explain that Dr Gordon held those farms and brought the sub-tenants on to the ground, and in making this arrangement with him I did the whole thing to the best of my ability. Mr Anderson put up a fence to keep them off a particular part of the ground, but at his own expense.<br />
<br />
40201. He told us he put it up at his own expense, and he enclosed a piece of ground which formerly belonged to them ?<br />
—No, these crofters never claimed any right to that bit of ground.<br />
<br />
40202. I understood the farmer to tell us they did ?<br />
—I did not hear him, and if he said so I am certain it was a mistake.<br />
<br />
40203. Then in either case the crofters were not deprived of anything ?<br />
—No, the crofters were entirely on the Kincardine ground, not on the Badvoon ground at all.<br />
<br />
40204. As a general statement, can you say that during the period of your management there has been no consolidation of farms at the cost of the small tenants ?<br />
—None whatever.<br />
<br />
40205. No ground has been taken from small tenants, and added to large farms'?<br />
—None whatever. There have been one or two cases of crofts being added to one another where a family had died out, and there was nobody to succeed, in order to make larger ones.<br />
<br />
40206. How long ago is it since these transactions took place ?<br />
—In 1871.<br />
<br />
40207. Has any ground upon the estate in the time of your management been turned into a deer forest?<br />
—Yes,<br />
<br />
40208. Was any portion of the ground turned into a deer forest taken from the small tenants ?<br />
—None whatever. It was taken from the large sheep farm.<br />
<br />
40209. Do the small tenants complain of the injury inflicted on them by the deer ?<br />
—No, they do not. The deer are very far from them.<br />
<br />
40210. Is the deer forest fenced?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40211. Do you receive complaints from any quarter of ravages committed by the deer ?<br />
—None, except from our own shepherds. The sheep farm is in the proprietor's hands, and one shepherd particularly complains of the deer meddling with his croft.<br />
<br />
40212. What is the system pursued on the Balnagown estate with reference to reconsidering, and raising it may be, the rent of the small tenants ?<br />
—Each case is considered individually by itself. It depends on how long the tenant has been in the place, and what he has done for the place.<br />
<br />
40213. Is that done upon the death of the occupier or done from one stated period to another?<br />
—It is not done at any stated period. Each case is considered by itself.<br />
<br />
40214. From time to time?<br />
—From time to time.<br />
<br />
40215. Has it any connection with the death of the occupier ?<br />
—No, I cannot say it has.<br />
<br />
40216. Has the rental of the small holders been increased during your time?<br />
—A little, but not much. I cannot say what proportion; but not much.<br />
<br />
40217. Has the rent of the large tenants been increased?<br />
—Yes, it has.<br />
<br />
40218. Has there been a considerable remission of rental on the large tenants within the last few years?<br />
—None at all. I may mention, to give you an idea how we acted—and this has reference to Strath Carron—that the acreage of arable land in Strath Carron crofts in 1808 was 175 acres; in 1851, 229 ; increased 54; being an increase of fifty-four acres of arable land by twenty-nine tenants in forty-three years. The acreage in 1863 was 238 acres, being an increase of nine acres between 1851 and 1863, and a total increase in fifty-five years by twenty-nine tenants of sixty-three acres, equal to an average of two acres twenty-seven poles improved by each of the twenty-nine tenants in fifty-five years. Some of them improved more and some of them improved less.<br />
<br />
40219. When you fix the rent of the arable ground on the small tenant is that done by a valuer, or by an expert, or by yourself ?<br />
—I have done it I have relet the whole of the Balnagown property without the slightest trouble, and with great pleasure to myself. There have not been half a dozen farms advertised for public competition since the estate came under my management.<br />
<br />
40220. When ground is improved by the small tenants and brought under proper cultivation, what is the average rental of the arable ground ? <br />
—The average rental of this Strath is about 20s. per acre. <br />
<br />
40221. That has been land redeemed from the moor and brought into the condition of arable?<br />
—Yes, since 1808.<br />
<br />
40222. It becomes worth £1 per acre?<br />
—Yes, in this situation. In some situations it would not be worth so much.<br />
<br />
40223. In the recovery and improvement of land in that way, what is the system pursued by the proprietor ? Does the proprietor contribute in any degree to the operation ? Does he supply tiles ?<br />
—Sometimes. There is no special rule. It is a matter of arrangement in each case. Sometimes tiles are supplied, and sometimes it is done by the tenants paying interest. I don't know what was the system in those old times, but I understood that the proprietor gave wood to help to build the houses in those days.<br />
<br />
40224. What is the system now1! Does the proprietor give wood?<br />
—Sometimes.<br />
<br />
40225. And lime?<br />
—Not lime. That was given many years ago, and the tenants paid interest. I don't know they repaid the lime, but they paid interest, and it was added to the rent. But the proprietor does not give wood now except by special arrangement.<br />
<br />
40226. There is no general regulation?<br />
—None.<br />
<br />
40227. <b>Mr Cameron.</b><br />
—This farmer, Mr Anderson, stated that the crofters made more profit out of the new arrangement, by which he gave them a certain sum for wintering his hoggs, than they did under the old arrangement, when they had sheep themselves. Do you confirm that statement?<br />
—Yes. My experience of that place since 1871 is that they are in a better position without sheep than with them.<br />
<br />
40228. He stated that whereas their rent paid to the landlord amounted to between £3 and £4, they received from him for wintering about threefourths of that back again; so they really sat for about 25s. apiece ?<br />
—The delegate Campbell's rent is £4, 5s.; Mr Anderson gives him £3, leaving his rent at £ 1 , 5s.<br />
<br />
40229. And you think that by keeping sheep themselves they would not derive so much profit as they do now from this wintering arrangement?<br />
—I do not think they would.<br />
<br />
40230. You corroborate Mr Anderson on that point?<br />
—I do.<br />
<br />
40231. <b>Mr Fraser-Mackintosh.</b><br />
—Is there only one deer forest on the Balnagown estate ?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40232. When was it constituted?<br />
—In 1872. The ground was cleared of sheep in 1872. I should say there are two. It is let to two tenants.<br />
<br />
40233. What is the acreage of the whole ?<br />
—I think about 40,000 acres, but that is not all cleared of sheep. There are sheep upon a portion of<br />
both places.<br />
<br />
40234. You stated, in answer to the Chairman, that these had been made out of sheep farms. Had the ground been ever in possession of small tenants ?<br />
—I don't think so, because that ground before a sheep was put on to it was under deer, and in going over it I can see few or no traces of where crofters had been.<br />
<br />
40235. Can you give us any idea of the extent of the ground in question between these small tenants in Kincardine and Mr Anderson that would require two miles of fencing? How many acres would there be?<br />
—Some 3000 or 4000 acres, roughly.<br />
<br />
40236. Have you not heard over and over again that there is a great demand on the part of crofters for additional grazings ?<br />
—Yes, I have.<br />
<br />
40237. And you are still prepared to say that the loss of those 4000 acres is really no loss to them ?<br />
—They never had it.<br />
<br />
40238. Did they not possess it?<br />
—No, they never possessed it.<br />
<br />
40239 Where did the 200 sheep pasture?<br />
—They wandered over the whole place without any authority on the part of the tenant to keep them.<br />
<br />
40240. Then they were really not deprived of anything?<br />
—No, they are not deprived of the acreage of the hill, for pasture on the hill. They never had any right to it.<br />
<br />
40241. You did not state that before?<br />
—I had not the opportunity.<br />
<br />
40242. You say they never had any right to it?<br />
—They never had. They never paid any rent for it.<br />
<br />
40243. Are there not cattle at this very moment upon it ?<br />
—Yes, but only on a portion of it. These crofters have each his own house and his own bit of arable ground, and a piece of pasture ground in connection with it. That is their whole holding.<br />
<br />
40214. And the other was merely a tolerance—this great quantity?<br />
—Yes, the other was merely a tolerance.<br />
<br />
40245. Let us suppose it was merely a tolerance. Then Mr Anderson comes and complains of their sheep. Why did not you give them an opportunity to fence themselves off, if they wished to retain the land ?<br />
—Because they did not ask to retain it. They departed from it without any trouble. Besides, I did not think they had capital to carry on these farms. They never said they had stock to carry on these farms. If they had said so the matter would have been considered.<br />
<br />
40246. Would it be considered yet?<br />
—I have said so in my statement. If these tenants at any future time are in a position to stock the whole of the bill, it must then be a question for reconsideration.'<br />
<br />
40247. You gave us the increase of the new land taken in by the tenants since 1808; what was your object in making that statement?<br />
—I thought I was asked to explain about it. I understood some of the Strath Carron tenants were to be examined about it yesterday, and I wanted to show how the increase was made.<br />
<br />
40248. Do you consider that increase was proportionate to what it might be in that long period ?<br />
—I don't think it is out of the way.<br />
<br />
40249. Then you did not make that statement in any way as showing the people bad been indolent for the last fifty or sixty years ?<br />
—No, I did not make it with that intention at all.<br />
<br />
40250. Would you explain as briefly as you can why you say that, in your opinion, the people are better off without the sheep than having them ?<br />
—Because the ground near to their own ground is unsuited for sheep. Sheep would not thrive on it in summer.<br />
<br />
40251. But they themselves are very sorry they are not able to keep sheep ?<br />
—Well, it is matter of opinion.<br />
<br />
40252. Are you a sheep farmer yourself ?<br />
—I manage a sheep farm.<br />
<br />
40253. Is sheep farming not profitable?<br />
—-It has been more profitable than it has been these last few years.<br />
<br />
40254. I suppose all you mean is, that in this particular case, from the situation and lie of the ground, it is not advantageous for these tenants to have sheep ?<br />
—Entirely so.<br />
<br />
40255. You do not say it is disadvantageous for small tenants to have sheep ?<br />
—No, by no means; it was entirely with reference to this particular piece of ground.<br />
<br />
40256. Were you at all aware that there was any dissatisfaction, since this transaction was carried through, among those twenty-five tenants?<br />
—None whatever. I never had a complaint from one of them on the subject, except one tenant who complained about six months ago that his rent was too dear. His rent was £2, 10s. for a house and two acres of ground.<br />
<br />
40257. Are you in the habit of seeing those people occasionally or some of them ?<br />
—I see them every year. I have been in every house on the property and am personally acquainted with every tenant on the estate.<br />
<br />
40258. And you have made yourself accessible to every one of them1?<br />
—Quite accessible. They can come to me at any time, and are quite aware of that.<br />
<br />
40259. And I presume the estate and you yourself have every wish to nourish and cherish those small people who have been long there, as much as you can ?<br />
—It is not only my own wish, but it was my instruction from the late Sir Charles Ross, to take care of the small tenants, and not to press them or over-rent them.<br />
<br />
40260. Are the people in the parish of Edderton very ill off for roads to their houses?<br />
—They are not well off.<br />
<br />
40261. And yet they pay road money and assessments?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40262. Have you done your best as trustee to put that right for them ?<br />
—I have never done anything in the county, but at this time I am preparing to make a mile of road in the parish at the proprietor's expense, and I had a road from the public road to the station put in order, and down to the shore, at the proprietor's expense.<br />
<br />
40263. But I am referring more particularly to roads for crofters ?<br />
—Yes, but they are scarce and not plenty.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-68879981976127879472011-02-05T17:31:00.001+00:002011-08-11T13:08:01.362+01:00Dingwall, 10 October 1883 - Kenneth Mackay<b>KENNETH MACKAY, Factor and Hotel-Keeper, Portinleck</b>—examined.<br />
<br />
40169. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—Do you wish to make a statement in consequence of something which occurred yesterday ?<br />
—Yes. Balblair Estate, Ross-shire.<br />
—Statement of Kenneth Mackay, as acting for Sidney Hadwen, Esq. of Balblair, Reilonie, &c. <br />
(1) The statement of Alexander Ross alias " Bard" is utterly unfounded. It became evident that he could not cultivate his croft, for which he paid £ 8 per annum, and that he was allowing the land to go to ruin. Upon seeing this, the proprietor requested me to intimate to him that he would get three acres of land, the grazing of a cow, timber to put his house into a better state of repair, and also to be paid £12 for every acre that he would reclaim in the immediate neighbourhood of his house; .the object of this was to provide constant employment for him at home. All this he was to get during his lifetime rent free, and without any charge for interest on the money to be paid to him for reclamation. But he refused this offer, and tried to put the proprietor to defiance. Hence we had to resort to legal measures.<br />
(2) Adam Mackay has been crofter at Easter Relonie, and occupied one half of the township. When Mr Hadwen bought the estate this person thought that he would keep the other tenants under subjection to him. He went the length of preventing the other two tenants from carting manure or anything else to their lands. He closed up the public road against them, so that they could not cultivate their crofts, and altogether the quarrel between these people, for which Mackay was alone responsible, proved so very annoying that the proprietor was obliged to remove him for the sake of peace. His land was given to the other two tenants. <br />
(3) The statements made by Black, the delegate from Bonar, regarding Margaret Matheson and Widow Alexander Murray are most inaccurate. The proprietor did not wish to remove Margaret Matheson, but he found it necessary to use legal measures to reinstate her brother, who had been turned out of the house by her and her brother-in-law. The proprietor was aware that Margaret's brother had made most of the improvements on the buildings and on the croft, and he considered it very wrong that he should be rejected and another person admitted, especially in view of the fact that this person had nothing'whatever to do with the place, and that the proprietor for sufficient reasons did not consider him a desirable tenant. In these circumstances, Margaret was informed that she would require to remove her brother-in-law and his family, and restore the possession to her brother, and that he and she would be allowed to remain joint tenants as formerly. This offer she declined, and she was then removed and her brother put in. This was done by the proprietor as a simple act of justice to a man who he considered was very much wronged. With regard to Widow Alexander Murray, in the former proprietor's time (Mr Dempster of Skibo), the whole of the Maikle tenants were prohibited from having access to the plantations, and as shown by these leases had to keep the one half of the fences in repair. During suitable weather, in the harvest time, they got the privilege of carting their peats through the plantation, each party being responsible for the gate opposite their land. This privilege was abused by the tenants grazing cattle, horses, and sheep, as well as by taking other liberties in the plantation; the proprietor was therefore obliged to have the gates locked and the keys handed to the keeper, with instructions to allow each tenant at the proper season to cart home his peats, and upon certain days to give them firewood free. I may mention that the statement with regard to the water has no foundation in fact. There is no spring where alleged by Black, but a small streamlet has been dammed up into a hole or pond about forty yards inside the plantation fence. The same stream comes through the fence within thirty yards of the houses at Maikle. Moreover, there is an excellent spring within two hundred yards of Murray's house, which has been always known as one of the best springs in the district. It is sufficient to supply the village of Bonar. The Murrays have been most troublesome to the proprietor, and have been for the last fifteen years constantly quarrelling with their neighbours, who have frequently complained of them to the proprietor. <br />
(4) I deny the statement made by Black regarding the last School Board election. I was returned at the head of the poll, and received nearly double the number of votes recorded for most of the other members. At the former election I stood third, although my proprietor was a candidate, and returned. The number of votes on the Balblair estate could scarcely return one member.<br />
—KENNETH MACKAY.<br />
<br />
40170. With reference particularly to the eviction of Alexander Ross, called the ' Bard,' am I to understand from this statement that the bard was to be allowed to remain in the same house in which he was before ?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40171. Without paying any rent?<br />
—He was to get three acres and the grazing of a cow, and timber to put his house in tenantable repair, and to be paid £12 per acre for everything he improved, and all that to be free of interest during his lifetime.<br />
<br />
40172. What was the reason that he declined an offer which seemed rather advantageous to him ?<br />
—I cannot say.<br />
<br />
40173. W'as he carefully informed of those terms?<br />
—He was informed by both the proprietor and myself.<br />
<br />
40174. Have you any other statement you wish to make with reference to the management of this property ?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40175. <b>Mr Fraser-Mackintosh.</b><br />
—Are bards very common in that part of the country ?<br />
—Not that I am aware of.<br />
<br />
40176. Don't you think it would be worth while preserving the few that are?<br />
—We were very anxious to keep him on, but we could not arrange with him.<br />
<br />
40177. Is there no possibility of making an arrangement yet with him ?<br />
—I am not authorised at present to say.<br />
<br />
40178. You saw him yesterday giving his evidence at Bonar Bridge?-<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40179. He does not look like a man who is very difficult to deal with?<br />
<br />
—We always found him most difficult to deal with.<br />
<br />
40180. But you are not authorised at present to make even the offer that had formerly been rejected ?<br />
—No.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-79356589951711914422011-02-05T17:29:00.000+00:002011-08-11T13:10:36.472+01:00Dingwall, 10 October 1883<b>DINGWALL, ROSS-SHIRE, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 10, 1883.</b><br />
<br />
<b>Present :-</b><br />
Lord NAPIER and ETTRICK, K.T., Chairman.<br />
Sir KENNETH S. MACKENZIE, Bart.<br />
DONALD CAMERON, Esq, of Lochiel, M.P.<br />
C. FRASER-MACKINTOSH, Esq., M.P.<br />
Sheriff NICOLSON, LL.D.<br />
<br />
Professor Mackinnon was not present at Dingwall.<br />
<br />
<i>Only two of the witnesses heard at Dingwall are shown here, as their evidence relates to Sutherland. The other witnesses were from Ross-shire, and their submissions are shown on the </i><a href="http://napier-ross.blogspot.com/">Napier Commission in Ross-shire site</a>. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2011/02/dingwall-10-october-1883-kenneth-mackay.html">Kenneth Mackay</a>, factor and hotel-keeper, Portinleck <br />
<a href="http://napier-sutherland.blogspot.com/2011/02/dingwall-10-october-1883-john-forsyth.html">John Forsyth</a>, factor for the Balnagown estateADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-10610918546326625632011-02-05T17:25:00.003+00:002011-02-05T17:30:15.718+00:00Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 9 October 1883 - Statement Strathcarron<b>Grievances of Strathcarron Tenantry, on the Balnagown estate, in the parish of Kincardine.</b><br />
<br />
—The Strathcarron tenantry cordially desire to express at the outset that their personal relations with the late Sir Charles Ross, as well as with Lady Ross, have always been of the most amicable nature. The origin of some of their present grievances date far back—to a period when the fathers and grandfathers of some of the present occupiers of the Strath lands were evicted, or removed, lower down, in order to turn the Braelangwell ground into a sheep-farm. At that time only a very small portion of the land now cultivated in the Strath had been reclaimed; but the huddling together of so many families, caused by the removals from Braelangwell, necessitated their turning their attention to reclaiming every inch of ground that could bear reclamation. They were stimulated in their efforts by fair promises of being allowed to reap the benefits of whatever improvements they might effect; but none of them ever received any compensation for their labour or expenditure, and the only practical assistance ever given was a small quantity of lime allowed each crofter upon one single occasion. By-and-by, as the land was being gradually reclaimed and improved, rents began to be put up; and down to this day this has been pretty much the practice upon the Balnagown estate. A few years ago, when a petition had been presented to the proprietor praying for a reduction, after the rental of the Strath had been raised 40 per cent, at one bound, the answer given was that, by letting the Strath in large farms they could receive considerably more rent than they were exacting from the small crofters, and that, by allowing them to remain in their holdings,as then rented, they were acting very liberally, besides losing money. The truth of all this is very questionable; but one thing is certain, however, that neither large, nor even medium-sized, farms could be made in the Strath but for the stretches of heathery wastes reclaimed by the present occupiers and their forefathers. Then, again, the earliness of the place—the earliness of its crops—was held up as a reason why the rents had been so unduly raised. The sod in the Strath is in some parts light and sandy, and in other parts gravelly and stony. This accounts for its earliness, and no other special virtue. The season must be superfluously moist for most other places before the Strath need be expected to yield a fair crop. Another grievance is, that at the date the Strath rents were raised 40 percent, the crofters were deprived of more than a third of their hill pasture, which was added to the Braelangwell sheep farm, the portion taken away being the best part of the ground. This took place in 1878. Although the arable land is held on a ten years' lease, there is only a yearly tenancy of the hill pasture, besides it being separately rented at so much per pound of the croft rents; whereas, until 1878, the croft rents covered the hill pasture as well The crofters look upon these as their worst grievances. Another grievance is, that though wood grows plentifully within a few yards of the crofters' houses, they only get it for building purposes or erecting fences by way of improving their crofts upon equal terms with whoever wants it from anywhere else. Little or no labour is given on the Strathcarron portion of the Balnagown estate, and this, coupled with the smallness of the holdings, render the crofters' circumstances straitened enough.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-34226251361382988262011-02-05T17:21:00.000+00:002011-02-05T17:21:18.316+00:00Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 9 October 1883 - George Anderson<b>GEORGE ANDERSON, Farmer, Kincardine, Balnagown Estate (53)</b>—examined.<br />
<br />
40116. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—Have you a statement to make to us?<br />
—Yes. With your Lordship's permission, I would like to state a few facts regarding some of the delegates' statements. The delegate Alexander Campbell, Kincardine Hill, is rather a discontented being, as his neighbours inform me. He came from Culrain estate a few years ago to his present croft on Kincardine Hill, which he got from the late Dr Gordon, who held the lease of Kincardine arable and Badaroou sheep farm, with the tenant's croft combined. At the expiry of Dr Gordon's lease Balnagown took the crofters into their own hands. This delegate, Alexander Campbell, pays to Balnagown a rent of £4, 5s. yearly. He has three cows, a mare, and a foal, and I offered to pay him £3, which I bind myself to give him yearly, for the liberty of my hogs running over his croft from the 20th October to the 10th of March each year; so that his actual rent will be 25s. His nearest neighbour, Kenneth M'Nab, pays to Balnagown a yearly rent of £4, 14s. I agreed with him for his outrun as above at £3, so that his actual rent is 34s. yearly. The other crofters on Kincardine Hill get similar sums from me in proportion to the size of these crofts; so that the rents on the Kincardine crofters are nominal. I cannot see that any of the Balnagown crofters, out from all others, have any cause for complaining, unless the spirit which is ruling our friends on the other side of St George's Channel has entered into them, —that is, to have their land for nothing. Their late proprietor, Sir Charles Ross, as is well known, was most indulgent to all his crofters and cottars; and as for Lady Ross, her generosity to the crofters and cottars on the different parts of her estate is well known. She often visits them, and annually gives them clothing, meal, tea, sugar, &c. The small sheep farm of Badaroon I took from the late Dr Gordon in 1859, who, as he represented to the late Mr Gardener, factor then for Balnagown, could not keep the farm owing to the tenants' sheep eating up his pasture. Mr John Munro, farmer, Fearn, whose hill joined Badaroon and the Kincardine tenants' hill, was in the same predicament. Mr Gardener sanctioned the subletting of the farms to me. I did not hold the farms for any time when I found myself in the same position; and at the expiry of my sublet lease some twelve years ago, I complained to Mr Forsyth, the present factor, that I could not continue as tenant if he did not wire-fence the tenants off me. The tenants' or crofters' rent for years would not cover the expense of a wire fence, so he had in his option to put Sir Charles Ross to this expense, or part with me as a tenant. At a meeting which he held with the crofters they agreeably parted with theirsheep, which I took from them at a mutually agreed on price; and they were granted the grazing of their cattle and horses only in common with me on the hill. But they are as often on my pasture as where they have liberty to go. The Kincardine, &c, farms, which I hold on the Balnagown estate, are much higher rented in proportion to the crofters' holdings. But I presume it will not better me should I give statements to the Commissioners to convince them of my farms being dear. Although it is out of their power to reduce my rents, I hope it will be in their power to get an Act passed this first session that will compensate farmers for improvements done on their holdings during the currency of their lease, when the said improvements are to benefit the estate. I may mention that I have no complaints to make against my proprietor or factor. I made as tight a bargain as I possibly could for all my holdings, and was satisfied it the time that I was entering on a safe investment; and if my holdings are now turning out contrary to what I expected, it is myself and the past bad seasons I have to blame, not the proprietor or factor. The statements I have made as to Kincardine Hill and Badaroon sheep farm apply to the Braelangwell sheep farm which I hold on the Balnagown estate, which is a similar holding in every way. I pay over £1300 of rent on four George different estates, viz., Balnagown, Ardross, Skibo, and Kindeace. From my experience, the factors on each of those estates are judicious men,—stamped with the same iron,—having the laird's interest at heart first, and the tenants' second. This ought to be reversed, and any wee advantages that might creep up should be given to the weaker side. Any remarks by me as to the proprietors are uncalled-for; they are all wellknown gentlemen, and I am sorry to see and hear of complaints made by some delegates and tenants against them, and that by those who have no earthly cause of complaining. I did not intend to trouble the Honourable Commissioners with any statements; but, having heard of meetings being held in our parish, where facts were misrepresented, I prepared the foregoing facts, and trust you will pardon me for encroaching so much on your time.<br />
<br />
40117. How long have you been in this country?<br />
—Since I was a boy, forty-eight years ago.<br />
<br />
40118. Where did your father come from?<br />
—I cannot say, but originally he belonged to Ross-shire.<br />
<br />
40119. Did your father hold farms before you?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40120. You took the farms upon this estate of Balnagown yourself?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40121. The only complaint we have heard mentioned in connection with your farm, or yourself particularly, was this, that a certain portion of the hill pasture belonging to a certain township had been taken away from the township and added to your holding, which was already sufficiently large; was the common pasture taken from the small tenants on your demand?<br />
—It was not taken from them; it was only as regards sheep.<br />
<br />
40122. But was a change made?<br />
—I would not hold my sheep farm if they had sheep, for their sheep trespassed into my farm.<br />
<br />
40123. Then the delegate who stated that the pasture had been taken away did not explain that the small tenants were allowed to keep cattle and horses?<br />
—Yes, they are; it is only taken from them as far as sheep are concerned.<br />
<br />
40124. Well, when they gave up their sheep, were they able to keep more horses or more cattle, or did they only keep the same number?<br />
—They could keep more, and I believe they keep more.<br />
<br />
40125. Is there any portion of that pasture which is not appropriated for the pasturing of cattle and horses, but which is appropriated for sheep?<br />
—It is for both. It is no good for sheep, and I have no sheep on it.<br />
<br />
40126. I want to know your opinion. Is it just as useful to them to have more horses and cattle on the pasture, or would it be more useful to them to have some sheep?<br />
—Yes, if the sheep strayed upon my land. They would not remain upon their own land. If it was fenced off from me they might hold sheep, but I would not hold the sheep farm and allow them the liberty of trespassing into my ground.<br />
<br />
40127. But the ground itself was adapted for sheep?<br />
—No, and I have no sheep on it.<br />
<br />
40128. Even if there was a fence, still the ground would not be adapted for sheep?<br />
—It would not.<br />
<br />
40129. But still they seem to have kept some, and therefore we may suppose the sheep were of some use to them. Well, you say you could not hold your farm unless it was wire fenced?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40130. You told us you paid in proportion to the value of your respective holdings a higher rent than the small tenants?<br />
—I do.<br />
<br />
40131. And, generally speaking, I presume that the proprietors get good rents for their sheep farms?<br />
—In general they do.<br />
<br />
40132. Well, as the proprietors benefit by these large sheep farms and get good rents, do you think it would be an unreasonable thing for the proprietor to put up a wire fence between the large farm and the small tenants, so as to avoid all those quarrels and annoyances?<br />
—It would not be unreasonable; it would be just and fair. <br />
<br />
40133. Do you think, supposing the proprietor had offered to put up a wire fence, and so make you both contented, that perhaps the small tenants would have helped to carry the materials and to put up the fence?<br />
—Possibly they might.<br />
<br />
40134. Did you ever suggest to the factor that he might put the fence up?<br />
—I did.<br />
<br />
40135. It is true you suggested it, but you say it was too expensive?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40136. But supposing you had said it was not too expensive, and that it was a reasonable thing for the proprietor?<br />
—He could do it as he pleased himself. He would not do it on my suggestion, but I think it would be quite reasonable.<br />
<br />
40137. Since you have been tenant of these sheep farms on the Balnagown estate, hag any other advantage been taken away from crofters and small tenants and given to you at all? Has anything been done for your benefit to their prejudice ?<br />
—Not for my benefit.<br />
<br />
40138. No land has been taken from them and given to you?<br />
—No; I am in possession of a stretch of about two miles in length, and 400 yards broad, that I wire-fenced at my own expense; but Balnagown pays for it, I expect, at the expiry of my lease.<br />
<br />
40139. So nothing was taken away from the crofters for your convenience?<br />
—The wire fence divided off between me and them, but sheep came at the back of this and strayed into my ground.<br />
<br />
40140. When you put up the wire fence was any of their land given to you?<br />
—A part of the hill.<br />
<br />
40141. Was their rent reduced?<br />
—I don't think it would require to be reduced. That is a question I cannot answer; the factor could<br />
answer it.<br />
<br />
40142. Well, when a piece of pasture was taken from that side and put to your side, did you pay an increase of rent in consideration?<br />
—I did.<br />
<br />
40143. But you do not know whether a corresponding decrease was made on their side?<br />
—I cannot answer the question.<br />
<br />
40144. Do you generally live on good terms with the crofting population and small tenants?<br />
—Well, I think I do.<br />
<br />
40145. Do you employ some of them upon your farm?<br />
—Often.<br />
<br />
40146. You said you were instrumental in reducing their rents in this way, that your hoggs were fed in winter upon their land, and that you gave to one crofter £ 3 , and to another as much?<br />
—Yes; some £6, some £5.<br />
<br />
40147. And you rather represented that as a benefit which they derived from you. Now, what I want to understand is this, if they did not feed your sheep, could they put the same land to some other purpose?<br />
—No, unless they let it to some one else for sheep.<br />
<br />
40148. They could not use it?<br />
—No. The cattle would not use it in winter. In summer it is different, but in winter they could not use it.<br />
<br />
40149. Still, if they did not let it to you, they might let it to somebody else?<br />
—Yes, and that would reduce their rent so much; a man paying £4, 5s. and getting £ 3 from me, only pays £1 , 5s.<br />
<br />
40150. How long do the hoggs remain on?<br />
—From 20th October till 10th March.<br />
<br />
40151. But if you had not got the facility of feeding your hoggs on their ground, you could not keep them?<br />
—I could keep them somewhere else.<br />
<br />
40152. <b>Mr Cameron.</b><br />
—You said, in answer to the Chairman, that the proprietor could get a good rent for a sheep farm; are you sure? Can a proprietor who has a sheep farm to let now get a good rent for it?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40153. Then you mean that the price was better formerly?<br />
—Yes, ten or twelve years ago.<br />
<br />
40154. But now you cannot get a good price?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40155. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—Suppose a good sheep farm was to be out of lease now, one of your own farms, what percentage of reduction would it probably suffer?<br />
—On a £150 rent, I would expect £50 down.<br />
<br />
40156. Just 33 per cent.?<br />
—Just one-third.<br />
<br />
40157. <b>Mr Fraser-Mackintosh.</b><br />
—What rent are you paying to Balnagown for this land that was taken from the Kincardine tenants ?<br />
—I pay for the whole hill and arable farm—a general rent for the whole farm.<br />
<br />
40158. Are you paying anything at all for it?<br />
—Yes, of course.<br />
<br />
40159. But you cannot say how much?<br />
—No; it is a general rent for the whole lot.<br />
<br />
40160. Now, you have got several farms, you say. When you found you could not carry on this farm at a profit without getting the land of the small people, did it not occur to you that it would be better for you to give up the farm altogether?<br />
—That is a wrong question to put to me. You ask me why wouldn't I give up the farm unless I got the land. I did not want the land.<br />
<br />
40161. What did you want?<br />
—I wanted this, that the sheep would not come in upon my pasture. There is no possibility of doing away with them without fencing, or the tenants being deprived of sheep.<br />
<br />
40162. Is it the fact that you were dissatisfied with the old state of matters, and you went to the proprietor and talked about a wire fence?<br />
—Dr Gordon complained of it before me, and I threatened to discontinue it too.<br />
<br />
40163. Has the fact not been this, that in place of putting up a wire fence, which would cost the proprietor something, you by your action have not put the proprietor to any expense, but are actually paying him a rent, and have deprived those people of their pasture?<br />
—They have their pasture. They have the liberty of the cattle and horses on it, but no sheep.<br />
<br />
40164. Can you state now that they are able to make any use whatever in the way of putting extra stock upon that hill, when the hill has been taken from them?<br />
—Well, I don't know.<br />
<br />
40165. You put it as a very great act of generosity or favour on your part, that you are paying them so much for wintering. Now, did not they formerly use their own low grounds for wintering their own stock?<br />
—Most of them did.<br />
<br />
40166. And do you consider that the sum you are paying them for wintering is equal to the profit they were making off their own sheep?<br />
—It is more.<br />
<br />
40167. How do you know that?<br />
—That is my opinion of it.<br />
<br />
40168. But, on the other hand, you have heard the delegate to-day say they were very much dissatisfied and were impoverished in consequence?<br />
—How can a man be impoverished with three cows and a horse, and<br />
paying a rent of £ 1 , 5s.?ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-23746210639920187712011-02-05T17:08:00.002+00:002011-02-05T17:08:11.549+00:00Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 9 October 1883 - Alexander Campbell<b>ALEXANDER CAMPBELL, Crofter, Ardcromie, Balnagown Estate (69)</b>—examined.<br />
<br />
40080. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—You have a statement?<br />
—Yes.<br />
—' I appear as a delegate for the district of Kincardine, on the estate of Balnagown. I have resided in this parish for the period of sixty-eight years. The principal complaints are—<br />
<br />
1st, We had been deprived of the use of a large extent of hill pasture which was attached to our crofts, and on which each family had between twenty and thirty sheep. Now we possess none, the pasture being added to a neighbouring farm. <br />
<br />
2nd, Our crofts are too small, though there is abundance of moorland in the locality fit for reclamation; but in the absence of a lease we have no encouragement to do so, as our rents would be raised on the termination of the lease of the nearest farm. <br />
<br />
3rd, There would be no compensation for any labour or money expended thereon. <br />
<br />
4th, That our rents are excessively high. The oniy means we can suggest to ameliorate our<br />
condition are —to have the hill pasture restored to us; assistance from the proprietor in the way of timber, lime, &c, for repairing our dwellings should they become decayed; protection against removal; holdings valued by competent judges in fixing the rent; sheep runs to be broken down, reclaimed and cultivated, where suitable; and that no crofts be added to farms as is contemplated in this parish.'<br />
<br />
40081. <b>Mr Fraser-Mackintosh.</b><br />
—For how many crofters do you appear here to-day?<br />
—Between twenty and twenty-two.<br />
<br />
40082. Are they all near each other?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40083. Who wrote this paper; was it one of themselves?<br />
—A lad belonging to the place.<br />
<br />
40084. Who has got this large extent of hill pasture which belonged to them?<br />
—Mr Anderson, Kincardine.<br />
<br />
40085. Was he there before, or has he only come to the place lately? <br />
—We were there all before him.<br />
<br />
40086. Has he got a large place besides what was taken from them?<br />
—Yes, a very large place; a lot of farms.<br />
<br />
40087. And he was not satisfied with the lot of farms; he wanted this piece from them?<br />
—That is certain enough.<br />
<br />
40088. What has become of the sheep they had?<br />
—We sold them to him.<br />
<br />
40089. You were compelled to do so?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40090. Had they heard it was to be taken from them some time before?<br />
—We understood, when Dr Gordon died, who had the farm before, that there was this addition to be made.<br />
<br />
40091. Did they not go to Mr Forsyth, the factor, to remonstrate against it?<br />
—Yes, we spoke to him at the time of the settlement, but it was he himself who made the arrangement. He said that we were to have no sheep, unless the farmer of Kincardine allowed us to have them.<br />
<br />
40092. Has it been a great loss to them, the taking away of this ground and their sheep?<br />
—Yes, it was the greatest possible loss to us.<br />
<br />
40093. Why should the Balnagown estate officials be so hard upon their own old tenants in favour of a new man?<br />
—I cannot answer that.<br />
<br />
40094. They would not expect that would be done upon them?<br />
—We would not have thought or believed it.<br />
<br />
40095. Has not the general administration of the Balnagown estate been a very mild and humane one?<br />
—It used to be so always.<br />
<br />
40096. And has not the present factor been there for a longtime?<br />
—Not very long. I remember a good many factors in my own time.<br />
<br />
40097. Do you recollect Mr Williamson?<br />
—Yes, and others before him.<br />
<br />
40098. How did they like Mr Williamson?<br />
—I don't know; I was not on the estate at that time.<br />
<br />
40099. Your second grievance is, ' Our crofts are too small, though there is abundance of land in the locality fit for reclamation." If it were found necessary to add their old hill pasture to Mr Anderson's farm, is there any other hill land he might give them?<br />
—I don't know that there is any.<br />
<br />
40100. Can you tell us what was the extent of the land taken from them?<br />
—I cannot be precise; it was of large extent.<br />
<br />
40101. How many sheep would be on it?<br />
—I think it would keep about 200 sheep.<br />
<br />
40102. What reduction did they get of the rent?<br />
—No reduction. I was paying £4, 13s. before, and I pay £4, 5s. now.<br />
<br />
40103. Were these few shillings taken off at the time the hill ground was taken from them?<br />
—Yes. I don't know if it was so with the rest, but it was so with me.<br />
<br />
40104. Whereabout is this hill you refer to; is it far from here?<br />
—Just above the station at Ardgay.<br />
<br />
40105. Was it necessary for them to take wintering for their stock, or between their own low grounds and the hill were they able to keep their sheep all the year round?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40106. What is it now that those poor people want; do they want their rents reduced, or to get the land as it was before?<br />
—To get the land as we had it before, and also the right to take in new grounds.<br />
<br />
40107. You complain in this paper that they have no leases; had they ever a lease?<br />
—Not when I came.<br />
<br />
40108. Supposing they got a lease, or some security in their tenure, are they disposed and anxious to improve the area of the cultivable land?<br />
—We would be. I have reclaimed as much land myself as, if I got paid for it, would pay for the ground.<br />
<br />
40109. You say there are twenty-two families in this position; how many souls will there be among them? Will there be 100 at any rate?<br />
—There are some large famdies and others small.<br />
<br />
40110. When did this happen?<br />
—About ten years ago.<br />
<br />
40111. Was it in the time of Mr Forsyth ?<br />
— Yes.<br />
<br />
40112. Has there been a new lease granted to this tenant since the land was taken from them?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40113. And it is now running on?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40114. Where does he live?<br />
—At Bonar Bridge.<br />
<br />
40115. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—There are other delegates from the Balnagown estate; are their complaints of the same nature as yours?<br />
—I am not aware there is a difference of complaint.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-90832887937894193332011-02-05T17:02:00.000+00:002011-02-05T17:02:52.185+00:00Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 9 October 1883 - A.S. Black<b>A. S. BLACK, Commission Agent, Bonar Bridge (59)</b>—-examined.<br />
<br />
40069. The Chairman.<br />
—You have a statement to read?<br />
—I may state I have a letter from Mr Hugh Campbell, teacher, Aberdeen Grammar School, enclosing a paper for the Commissioners, and asking me to read it for him if he should not appear, and intimating that, if the Commissioners desire to cross-examine him, he will appear at Inverness on the following Saturday. His paper is as follows :<br />
—' I have been elected a delegate for Creich, as I am the executor of the late Donald Fraser,farmer and miller at Uigdale, whose ancestors had occupied the farm of Milton for many generations, and who was evicted under exceptionally painful circumstances in 1877. The landlords of Creich differ from those of the west of Scotland, inasmuch as they do not and never did occupy the position of chieftains of clans, nor do the crofters here represent clansmen connected with the soil from immemorial antiquity. Tradition has it that the lands of Skibo were church lands previously to the Reformation; and that when the Bishop of Caithness was compelled to flee from his diocese during the Reformation struggle, Gray, the constable of Skibo, quietly secured for himself what he had previously defended for the bishop, and from being constables, the Grays thus became owners of Skibo. From the Grays this estate passed, about the beginning of last century, into the hands of the Mackays, and about the middle of last century, when Skibo was in the possession of Captain Donald Mackay of Scourie, the ancestors of the late Donald Fraser settled in Creich. Like many more of the Creich crofters, the Frasers hailed from Easter Ross. In 1785, the late John Fraser, on his return from the American war, where he had served, took by valuation the mill and lands of Milton of Migdale, the croft attaching to the mill at that time consisting of a few patches of arable land, and about fifty acres of waste land. In the following year (1786), the estate of Skibo was purchased by the late distinguished agriculturist, George Dempster of Dunnichen, the patron of Jamieson, and the founder of the British Fisheries Society. It was the policy of " Honest George Dempster" to encourage the tenants on his estate, and to improve the agriculture of the district. The crofters were encouraged to build good houses and fences. If they made good efforts to improve their holdings, a most satisfactory form of tenure was granted to them. The result of this was that a number of the Migdale tenants, led by John Fraser, Milton, succeeded in obtaining in 1798 a perpetual lease of their holdings. The original tack is in my possession. It granted perpetual tenure, with a readjustment of rent by valuation on the death of each successive tenant. Besides John Fraser, there were Robert Gordon, Alexander Leith, A. S. Black, Robert Mackenzie, John Leith, George Campbell, Hugh Matheson, and Alexander Chisholm, tenants in the township of Uigdale, who got leases on the same terms :<br />
—" With power to them and each of them to improve as much waste land on their respective farms as they or either of them pleases, for which no additional rent shall be exacted from them during their lives, it being specially agreed on that when any of the tenants die, the tenant so dying is at liberty to leave his farm to any member of his family he pleases, by his will, provided he (the deceasing tenant) shall have enclosed his farm and built thereon a dwelling-house and offices of stone and lime, and covered the same with any other materials than divots, viz., with slate, or heather, or thatch; it being agreed that at the time of the tenant's decease two arbiters, mutually chosen by the new tenant and the landlord (or factor), shall value the farm to be entered on, and whatever rent they fix shall be the rent of the new tenant during his life, the new tenant to have the same liberty like his predecessors to enclose and cultivate the waste land, and on the same terms," &c. The proprietor reserved his rights to waste or common lands, which he might enclose for planting or for setting to other tenants, but until such lands were enclosed or settled on, they remained as common for the tenants both for grazing and fuel. The proprietor further bound himself to supply timber of the Skibowoods for building purposes, and for implements of husbandry, the tenant to pay the expense of cutting the timber. These liberal and enlightened terms were granted at Dunnichen in 1798. In 1802, the great George Dempster sold Skibo to his brother, John Hamilton Dempster, who entailed the estate, and died soon after. He was succeeded by his daughter, Harriet Dempster, who had married Mr William Soper, of the East India Company's Service. Mr Soper assumed the name of Dempster, and undertook the management of his wife's estate, but he adopted a different policy from George Dempster of Dunnichen. John Fraser, Milton, died in 1810, and was succeeded in terms of the tack by his son Hugh Fraser, the rent being readjusted by valuation. Hugh Fraser occupied the farm from 1810 until his death in 1876. During his occupancy the farm was greatly improved, large tracts of waste land were converted into arable, and new buildings and mills were erected. But the policy of the estate officials was now to reverse the liberal policy of George Dempster, and, if possible, recall the privileges that had been granted. In 1818, Mr Soper Dempster wrote a holograph letter to Hugh Fraser, offering meliorations for all buildings made during his lifetime, in the event of his being removed from the farm. Hugh Fraser was then lured into renouncing his perpetual tenure for a life tenure, and renouncing his claims on account of stone fences and trees, though a special promise had been given as early as 1804 that compensation for these would be given. The bait took, though the dreadful consequences were not to follow until sixty years had elapsed. William Soper Dempster appears to have received promises and renunciations from the tenants in return for promises on his part, and while their tenants were bound by their engagements, the Dempster family declined to be bound by the engagements of William Soper Dempster, as he was not the owner of the estate. The result was that the splendid tack of 1798 became a dead letter, while Hugh Fraser and his son Donald Fraser went on improving the farm in the belief, natural in the circumstances, that they were in possession of perpetual tenure, subject to the conditions of the tack. When Hugh Fraser died in 1876, there were a substantial dwelling-house, offices, and mills, with the most improved machinery on the farm, built with the knowledge and consent of the landlord, the timber being supplied off the estate. The buildings were valued by a judicial valuator in 1878 at £899, 15s.; there had been twenty acres of waste land improved at say £300; about 3000 yards of dykes had been built at £220, and trees worth £80 had been planted by Hugh Fraser. Altogether the improvements were worth £ 1500, and these had been executed on the faith of absolute fixity of tenure according to the tack. When Hugh Fraser died in 1876, Mr Walker of Skibo, who had acquired the estate by purchase in 1872, declined to pay meliorations, and raised an action of removing against Donald Fraser, the heir at law. The letter of 1818 decided the fate of Fraser. Decree of removal was obtained to take effect on 15th October 1877. The shock was so great, and the idea of removing so unexpected, that Fraser's health gave way, and he died broken-hearted on the 14th October 1877, the day before he should have had to remove from the home of his fathers. The executors of Donald Fraser raised an action in the Court of Session for £1000 of meliorations and expenses, but fearing the uncertain consequences of so doubtful an issue, they accepted a compromise of £300 paid in full of all claims. Donald Fraser having occupied Milton for a year after his father's death, in the belief that he succeeded according to the original tack, had to defend an action for damages at the instance of Mr Walker. Damages were given which, with expenses, amounted to £118, 9s. 5d. The expenses of the litigation amounted to £178, 19s. 2d., so that the net result was that the widow and orphan obtained instead of the £1500, to which they were in equity entitled, the sum of £2, 11 s . 5d. I may add, that the farm was let at an advance of £52, 10s. of rent. I may be allowed to state, that I consider Mr Walker was perfectly justified, in all the steps he took, as far as the law was concerned. But I hold that it is monstrous that in our country there should exist a system of land laws whereby such a chain of events as those narrated above could be at all possible. I shall conclude by stating my views as to the remedies required at present for the existing state of things. To my mind what is required is to deal with crofters on the lines of George Dempster's tack of 1798 :<br />
<br />
—1. Tenure.<br />
—As to tenure, let there be continuity with periodical readjustment of rents. It was the belief in the continuity of his tenure that made Hugh Fraser increase the value of his holding 800 per cent. I believe his successor has very precarious tenure, and that as a consequence the farm wears a very different aspect. There is no inducement to him to improve. <br />
<br />
2.Rents fixed by arbitration.<br />
—I should follow George Dempster also in the manner of fixing the rents. A cheap mode of settling land transactions is the interest of landlord and tenant alike. The expense of Donald Fraser's litigation was over £200 to lawyers alone. If the sheriff granted certificates as land valuators to men of skill and experience in each parish, and if their scale of fees were regulated as those of lawyers by the Court of Session, a cheap method of valuation might be instituted.<br />
<br />
3. Size of holdings.<br />
—The holdings referred to in the tack of 1798, varied from thirty acres to fifty acres (enclosed), and excluding commonty. That may be accepted as a good average even now. I ascribe the present discontent in the Highlands not so much to failure of crops, as to the fact that the standard of comfort among the people is rising. When I was a boy the only light used iu many a crofters house was faggots of bog fir; now they use candles and paraffin oil. In dress the change is even more striking. This change is surely not to be deplored, and it is necessary for the landlords and the country to recognise that the old state of matters cannot possibly be reverted to. The size of the holdings must be increased in order that the people may live. In this connection, I may state, that I consider emigration, judiciously carried out, and accompanied with proper migration, ought to be for the advantage both of those that go and of those that remain<br />
<br />
4. Hill pasture.<br />
—Yet once more, the Dempster tack secured hill grazing and peat fuel to the tenants. This is absolutely necessary for the crofter if his position is to be tolerable. I can see little to excuse those landlords who have deprived their tenants of hill grazing and even of peat ground. The hill was certainly commonty at no very remote date. If Her Majesty's Commissioners were to order a complete return of the titles to all the hill country and deer forests in Scotland, and if this return were set before the public, a valuable body of information would be placed in the hands of those who study the land question. It would very likely be seen that many who deprived crofters of hill pasture had themselves but a shadowy right to the " everlasting hills." <br />
5. Taxation.<br />
—During the sixty-six years that Hugh Fraser occupied Milton, the average of his assessments for schoolmaster, stipend, and poor, may be set down at 3s. 6d. per annum. His successor has to pay local rates to the amount of about £6, i.e., an increase of 3500 per cent The average increase in the Highlands, though not nearly so high as this, is yet most oppressively high. It is a peculiarity of local taxation, that it is heaviest in those districts that are least able to bear it. In many parishes in Sutherland the school rate is over Is. 2d. per pound. I hold that the causes of the present distress are—<br />
(1) That the standard of comfort is raised owing to increased intercourse with the south. <br />
(2) The oppressiveness of local rates. <br />
(3) The agricultural depression or bad seasons. <br />
The remedy I propose is to tax deer forests and shooting rentals, and apply the tax to the relief of local rates. A tax of 10 per cent, on shooting rentals, and of 20 per cent, on deer forest rentals, would in the main fall to be paid by the lessee, who is usually a wealthy man coming to enjoy a luxury on account of which the community suffer. It is very improbable that such a tax would appreciably affect the rentals. The proprietor, as well as the crofter, would reap the benefit of the relief to the rates. In this connection I would also urge strict valuation of mansion houses and shootings, retained in the hands of the proprietor.' That is Mr Campbell's paper, and I hand in a copy of the tack to which it refers.<br />
<br />
40070. The paper you have read to us has particular reference to a lease to the tenant of a mill, and a subject of such considerable value as hardly to bring it within the limit of our inquiry into the condition of the crofters; but we see here that there are other questions respecting leases which have been lost, perhaps in a similar manner, called the Craggandhu lease and the Tulloch lease. Have any of these leases reference to parties in the condition of small tenants and crofter?<br />
—They are all small tenants—simply crofters. I refer to it in my own paper, if I am to be allowed to read it.<br />
<br />
40071. Has that paper which you are about to read reference to a crofter's holding ?<br />
—Entirely.<br />
<br />
40072. Could you state the substance of these leases verbally without reading them ?<br />
—I was going to state this, that as regards the Craggandhu lease there were twelve tenants; the Tulloch lease, nine tenants; the Migdale lease, eight tenants; making twenty-nine. There were thirty<br />
tenants who accepted those leases, and this lease is dated 1798.<br />
<br />
40073. Are all those leases you refer to leases granted by the Dempster family at that period?<br />
—-Yes.<br />
<br />
40074. With reference to small tenants?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40075. Have the heirs of those small tenants forfeited the advantages of those leases entirely?<br />
—I was going to explain that. Only one tenant now holds by the Tulloch lease, and three under a similar lease of 1797. All the others have either been wheedled or wriggled out of them. The way in. the Tulloch lease appears to have been by adjusting marches between tenants, and, secondly, by fixing the rents. The marches no doubt required it, and then the factor straightened the marches, and by-and-by he fixed a new rent without employing a mutual valuer at all. This went on, and in effecting those changes the lease was first tacitly ignored, then repudiated, and by-and-by thrown overboard. The result has been that ninety-five tenants have been evicted from their possessions and stripped of the fruits of the labour of generations. They made the poor tenants believe that when the slightest change was made on the march they should have a fresh lease; or they flattered the poor tenants in this way<br />
—' We need not be at the trouble of employing valuators. Will you be satisfied with such a rent?' That vitiated the lease; and to go to litigation is ruination to the tenants. That is the way they were wheedled out of those leases.<br />
<br />
40076. Will you read us an individual case illustrating the general system ?<br />
—"Well, the great grievance is the high rents, rack rents. The present rental of five farms formed on the foundation of those clearances, viz., Balblair, cleared of fourteen tenants; Fload, of ten; Little Creich, of six; Achany, of eight; and Clash-na-prountenach, of nine, amounts to £735; and if you add to this £223, Is. 6d. for the rental of three more farms formed by Mr Sutherland Walker by further clearances, viz., Swordale of six tenants, Moinghaor of seven, and Clashnashiuaig of three, you have £958, 15s. 6d,<br />
<br />
40077. You are going on now to a different question, that is, the excessive rental upon the consolidated farms?<br />
—I wish to show the industry of the people who had those leases. From this deduct the twentieth part as the annual value of the land as waste, and you have £910, 16s. 9d. as the annual income derived from the accumulated industry of these tenants during fifty years or so. This sum capitalised at thirty years' purchase gives £27,325, 2s. 6d.. or an average of £133, 14s. 7d. for each tenant, as an approximation to the amount of compensation justly due him, consistent with the provisions of this old lease, before he could be evicted. On the same principle, the following statement shows the accumulated industry of all the tenants on the estate, on account of the security held by them under these leases. The total rental of Skibo by the valuation roll of 1882-3 is as follows:—<br />
<br />
Within the parish of Creich: £2712, 12/10<br />
Within the parish of Dornoch: £1636, 18/8<br />
Subtotal: £4349, 16/6<br />
From this deduct for fishings:<br />
Shootings being unlet: £353, 0/0<br />
From this deduct for mussel scalps: £100, 0/0<br />
Ditto For mansion house: £150 0/0<br />
Ditto For home farm: £160, 0/0<br />
Ditto For Skibo School: £11, 0/0<br />
Subtotal: £774, 0/0<br />
Leaves: £3575, 16/6<br />
<br />
Add rental of Balblair, as once forming part of Skibo estate: £570, 12/0<br />
Less rent of mansion house and shootings: £210, 0/0<br />
Subtotal: £360, 12/0<br />
Leaves: £3936, 8/6<br />
<br />
Then deduct the whole rental of the estate in 1783, as per Statistical Account referred to: £750, 0/0<br />
And you have the sum of £3186, 8/6 as representing the annual value of the accumulated industry of all the tenants, within a period of ninety years, or rather during the first fifty years of the century, for all the improvements that have been done since. This sum at thirty years' purchase will give £95,592, 15s. This has been brought about, if we are to believe what some say, by a lazy class of people who must have their dram at any price. However, it is a grand result, and in the face of it, what madness on the part of a proprietor to banish such vast producing forces from his estate, so long as there is the size of a croft left unimproved among his glens, and so many hands willing to do it, and that not for money, but simply if they get security for their industry. And what infatuation in a nation to allow it ! There is plenty of land as good as that which has been reclaimed, patent to any one who opens his eyes to see it. The number of families evicted within the last fifty years or so was—<br />
by Mr Dempster, 95; <br />
by Mr Sutherland Walker, 35; <br />
by Mr Chirnside, 2; <br />
and by Mr Hadwen, 2<br />
—total, 134.<br />
<br />
The number of crofters on the Creich part of the estate at present is 125, in Dornoch part 12. Assuming that the evictions in the latter was in proportion equal to those in the other, then, as there are now 137 crofters, there would have been 147 evicted. Of the ninety-five families evicted by Mr Dempster, twelve went to America, six settled down in the neighbouring parishes, and five scattered over the country, all the rest squatted here and there, chiefly on the moors and fens on the estate. From this it may be roughly assumed that the crofters on the estate when Mr Dempster sold it, were the descendants of those evicted, for all the difference the few families that left the estate and those that may have been left undisturbed in their possessions would make. If this be so, then the right of those tenants or their interest in the land, in common justice, amounts to the sum of £95,592, 15s. already stated. This may well raise the question as to which is the owner —the man who pays from 10s. to 60s. per acre to buy the land, or the man who lays out from £15 to £30 to improve it. There should be no doubt at all events as to who should be the senior partner. It is said by some that the crofters of the present day, that is the descendants of the evicted crofters, are better off than the crofters of the olden time. If that be so, then it has been for their good that they have been stript of the fruits of the industry of generations. To this it should be a sufficient reply to say, that the holders of this doctrine should have no objection to undergo the same process. As a proof of their assertion, they refer to the condition of the crofters of Sutherland, meaning by that the results of what is known by the ' Sutherland Clearances.' These supply no proof. It is well known that the house of Sutherland ever since, down to the present Duke, has put forth splendid efforts to efface the evil consequences of what happened at the beginning of the century. But the great grievance of the day is that evictions are being carried on continuously in the face of a country's verdict against them, and in contrast to what the Duke has been doing; and the crying grievance of the tenants on Skibo estate is that they are being evicted for the second time, and from the second homes they have made for themselves among the moors and fens, and that by means of rack-rents three times screwed on —1st, by Mr Dempster a little before he sold the estate, again by Mr Chirnside before he sold it, and, for the third time, by Mr Sutherland Walker soon after he bought it. The truth of this will appear from the following comparisons and statements :<br />
—There is only one township of crofters on the Duke's ground in this parish. It contains thirteen tenants, and between there they have seventeen ponies, thirty-nine cows or their equivalents with their followers, and 200 sheep, for a rent of £60; whereas the same number of tenants in Migdale district, as recently rented by Mr Sutherland Walker, have only fifteen ponies, twenty-seven cows or their equivalents with their followers, for a rent of £139, 5s., and no sheep at all. The rents of four of these were raised the other year —one from £ 5 to £7, 10s., with one pony and one cow; a second from £5 to £7, 15s., with one pony and one cow; a third from £5 to £7, 10s. with one pony and one cow; and the fourth from £8 to £12, 10s. with two cows or their equivalents with their followers. One of these tenants offered the proprietor to buy the seed, labour the land, tend the crops, harvest it, and then hand over the whole produce to him as rent, on condition that he would be allowed to remain in the house, which he built at his own expense. This offer was honestly made, but it was not accepted. The rise and progress of the rental of this district is as follows :—<br />
<br />
Holding under Mr Chirnside’s leases not yet expired: 8 tenants <br />
Cows or their equivalents and followers: 22<br />
Number of ponies: 10<br />
Old Rent about 1853: £46, 0/0<br />
As raised by Mr Dempster about 1863: £65, 0/0<br />
As raised by Mr Chirnside about 1865: £95, 15/0<br />
As now raised by Mr Sutherland Walker: £95, 15/0<br />
<br />
Holding under Mr Sutherland Walker’s leases and as rented by him: 22 tenants<br />
Cows or their equivalents and followers: 38<br />
Number of ponies: 22<br />
Old Rent about 1853: £77, 13/0<br />
As raised by Mr Dempster about 1863: £84, 14/0<br />
As raised by Mr Chirnside about 1865: £107, 4/0<br />
As now raised by Mr Sutherland Walker: £139, 11/0<br />
<br />
Totals<br />
Tenants: 30<br />
Cows or their equivalents and followers: 60<br />
Number of ponies: 32<br />
Old Rent about 1853: £123 13/0<br />
As raised by Mr Dempster about 1863: £65, 0/0<br />
As raised by Mr Chirnside about 1865: £95, 15/0<br />
As now raised by Mr Sutherland Walker: £95, 15/0<br />
<br />
That is a fair specimen of what has been done over the whole estate. If, after all, the crofters are somehow or other better off now than they were long ago, then how much more would this be the case, if they had been left undisturbed in their possessions? But they are not better off. Modern inventions and discoveries, no doubt, brought us all alike many comforts, and made us all better off. In that sense the crofters are better off. In that sense they are better off than ever Job was at his best. In that sense our paupers are better off, but they are paupers still. But have the crofters kept pace with the other industries of the county; are they still on the same platform in the social scale with the artizan or ordinary tradesman? Is there not a deep and a wide gulf between them and the second class farmer?, let alone the big farmers, that is most undesirable. Had they been left to enjoy the fruit of their industry, why should they not to-day be like the tenants of Strathrusdale on Ardross estate, who are no longer crofters but farmers; or, like the descendants of the old crofters of Strathspey, who have developed their crofts into farms and themselves into farmers, and now largely supply the Highlands and Islands with Gaelicspeaking ministers for the Established Church of Scotland? But the crofter of to-day must toil on all the year round, except a short time in winter, at the rate of twelve hours a day, in order to make both ends meet. But it may not be correct to say that Mr Sutherland Walker ever evicted one tenant from the estate, for he offered them all leases, and regretted very much that they did not accept of them. Here is a specimen of the conditions of set—<br />
A crofter is offered a lease of ten years for his croft of ten acres at a rent of £14, being £2, 15s. of an increase on the old rent; but in addition he had to pay £203, 15s. within the first five years as a premium. This premium consisted of the following items:—<br />
<br />
1. To improve 2 ½ acres = one-fourth the size of the croft—trenching, draining, and clearing —would, at £20 per acre, if done according to estate regulations, cost . . . . . £50 0/ 0<br />
2. To build a new house and farm offices, the old house being quite good and now bringing in rent to the proprietor, . . . . £100 0/ 0<br />
3. To remove or bury the stones of the old march dyke, 150 yards at Is. 6d., . . . £11 5/ 0<br />
4. To build 200 yards of new stone dyke, at Is. 6d.. £15 0/ 0<br />
5. To forego his right to the yard-manure of the last year of the lease = to the straw of four acres, . £10 <br />
6. To forego his right to the straw of five acres as outgoing tenant, . . . . £12 10 / 0<br />
7. To forego his right to 2½ acres of second year's grass, . , . . . . 5 0/ 0<br />
Total £203 15 0<br />
<br />
That was the way the tenants of Swordale were evicted. But it may be argued that a proprietor has a right to do with his land what he pleases—to go to the open market and get the best rent he can for it, the same as for a house or a horse. No doubt the law has been so administered as to give him that right, but, for all that, it is outrageously unjust, so far as the crofters are concerned. It is an easy matter for an outsider, with the fruit of his labour in his pocket, to outbid the old tenant, the fruit of whose labour and that of his father it may be is still in the soil. Mr Sutherland Walker did get the rent he wanted for Swordale from a hotel-keeper in the village, but he did not get his other conditions. The tenants would give the same rent. The leases, the ten years' leases of Mr Sutherland Walker, and those granted by Mr Chirnside, on the townships of Slearderdh, Migdale, Badbea, and Tulloch, containing fifty-two tenants —will be out in Whitsunday 1885 and 1886, and in all likelihood the tenants will be treated as those of Swordale have been, unless the result of this inquiry will prevent it. But in case the statement regarding the Swordale tenants be considered as exaggerated, I beg to produce two leases to show that that is not so. They refer to two crofts which happened at the time to be held by one family, and they still are so. The family consisted of the father and daughter and the daughter's husband. The young crofter married the old crofter's daughter, and this union having taken place the union of crofts followed. The old crofter took in every bit of his croft himself, and built a substantial house on it, which is there still as a memorial of the old man's industry, who died a year or two ago. I also produce a claim for compensation by one of the Swordale tenants amounting to £174, 10s., which the proprietor repudiates. The estimate that some people form as to what a Highlander is and what he is entitled to is very ungenerous, to say the least of it. Here are some suggestions which the Highlanders of this district wish to make as their estimate of what their requirements are, and what they should be considered justly entitled to, and which are at the same time fair and just to the proprietor, and moreover simple and practicable in their nature :—<br />
1. The crofts as now held to be the basis to start from, with improvable waste land added where practicable, until the area within the marches of the croft reaches from fifteen to fifty acres or more<br />
—the big farms to be left with their old or natural boundaries, with due regard to the amenities of the locality. <br />
2. The rents to be fixed by valuators mutually chosen as soon as possible, and afterwards at the end<br />
of every twenty-five or thirty years. The tenant to receive a certificate showing the extent of his improvements and the amount of compensation due thereon at the end of each period. Litigation in every case that may arise between the proprietor and tenant to be excluded.<br />
3. The crofter to be entitled to will his interest in the croft or to dispose of its privileges to any member of his family or any other person he pleases, and, in the event of his dying intestate, his heir-at- law to succeed him. <br />
4. The proprietor to have the right of feuing any croft or part of a croft, without consent of the crofter, for building purposes or for erecting manufacturing establishments, on due compensation being made for buildings and other improvements made by the crofter. <br />
5. Provision to be made for settling additional tenants on the improvable waste land where there may be room, and for this purpose that kind of land should be lined off as soon as possible into lots. Provision also should be made for adjusting and straightening marches between crofts when and where necessary, compensation in such cases to be fixed by arbitration. <br />
6. Club farms on the principle of joint stock companies, where practicable, should be formed of the unimprovable waste land, or other waste land, so long as it remains unappropriated as crofts. These,<br />
if possible, should not be less than what might be sufficient to keep 400 or 500 sheep. The tenants to be entitled to plant belts for shelter, and the same to count as improvements. All the grazing-farms on the estate of Skibo are at present vacant, and conveniently situated, and very suitable for such farms. <br />
7. The proprietor to have the right of enclosing for planting any part or the whole of the unimprovable land, on due reduction of rent being made, if occupied as a club farm. But after twenty-five or thirty years from the date of enclosing it, such plantations to be thrown open for pasture in connection with the crofts as before. Grown-up woods in the neighbourhood of tenants should never be reserved for deer forests, except in the immediate vicinity of the mansion house, and then they should be so effectually enclosed as to preclude every possibility for the deer to molest the tenants' crops. Besides the great waste of good grass, they are a continual source of annoyance to the well-disposed, and tempt the unscrupulous to be more unscrupulous still. <br />
8. The tenant's capital. This is at hand, and will be forthcoming regularly by instalments from year to year. Bad years may, for a time, render it unprofitable, but never exhaust it. Once seven years of famine tried it hard, but eventually it triumphed. But the deposit-money is wanted to set the machinery in motion —that is, the borrowing powers necessary for the system. The capital is the bone and sinew of the crofter. Every ploughman or labourer to-day is worth from £40 to £50 a year, that is equal to a capital of £800 or £1000. Then a crofter from forty-five to sixty years, with two sons from eighteen to thirty years, represent an income of £120 to £150 a year, to be expended on the croft. But these require, while they are working, the means of subsistence, and therefore it is proposed that loans should be made to such as may require them, to the extent of the cost of improving the first twelve acres, but in no case to exceed £15 the acre for trenching, draining, and clearing, and £ 3 , 10s. extra per acre for liming, —the loan, with interest, to be repayable in thirty or fifty years, or sooner, at the option of the crofter, as he may be able. But who is to lend the money? Some of the proprietors may not be able to do it. But might not some of the working-man's savings be diverted to this purpose—would it not be a fitting thing that the funds of the working-man's bank should be applied for promoting the welfare of his class—might not the National Security Savings Bank be adapted for this<br />
by being made lenders as well as receivers, under the supervision and direction of the Commissioners for the Reduction of the National Debt? Why should not small tenants be assisted, in their measure, on the same principle, and with the same security, as the proprietors have been. These are the suggestions the crofters of this district desire to offer as a basis for settling the crofters' question among them; and they consider them fair and reasonable, and such as should satisfy all parties every where. Surely such a settlement as this is not too much for the Highlander to expect from his country, after all the oppression and injustice he has so nobly borne for generations past. Give him this—it is all in the lines of the old lease previously referred to. Give him fair play and no favour, and leave him alone, and you will thus make him at once his own employer and his own banker. You will:<br />
<br />
(1) help him to improve as much land as will produce as much food as will support the family; you will <br />
(2) supply him with convenient work all the year round for many years to come, the fruit of which will be invested in a bank safer than the Bank of England and its dividends much larger; and you will <br />
(3) form a splendid nursery of the noblest peasantry in the world for our colonies—well trained in every respect, morally and physically. By no system can waste land be improved more cheaply nor more profitably than by the crofter system. What the crofters have done on the Skibo estate is sufficient proof of that. There is evidence enough in this district to show what Highlanders will do when they have protection for their industry; and there is also evidence to show what some of them may do without such protection. There is a crofter within 600 yards of this (Bonar Bridge) who built a fairly comfortable house, and improved four or five acres of moorland about it, the cost of which to-day would exceed £200. If he had that sum in the savings bank he would consider himself a rich man; but he has it not there; he has it in the landlord's bank, and for that privilege he must pay a rent-tax for it of £4, 5s. There is another within the same distance, who, with his three grown-up sons, after earning their day's wages, may be seen on a summer evening, working up to ten o'clock, adding to their croft. And another within sight of this, whose father was evicted twice, and he himself evicted twice afterwards, yet, nothing daunted, settled down about sixteen years ago on a bit moorland, and took in six acres of it, and reared a family of eleven—five daughters and six sons. Two of the sons learned trades, and one of them holds an appointment in a bank in England. That is something like the stuff the Highlanders are made of. It is an easy matter to say that they are lazy, and to say every other bad thing about them, if they are in your way and you want to get quit of them. These are the arguments used against the Red Indians of America. The Highlander is not Lazy, but he refuses to be a serf—he refuses to be treated as a Red Indian, but insists on being a man, and as good a man at least as his oppressor. No man has a right to traduce his character in that sense until he sees to it that justice is done to him. Give him what he now wants, and he will come to the front at home as he does abroad, in spite of all difficulties; and if he does not, then why not? The reason cannot be in himself; it must be somewhere else. I have been coming in daily contact with his class for the last forty years, and I venture to say that a more industrious and sober class of people there is not on the face of the earth, notwithstanding all that friends and foes have said and written against them. I have now shortly to refer to the other proprietors in the district prescribed for me.<br />
<br />
—1. Reference has already been made to the efforts put forth by the Duke of Sutherland for improving the condition of matters on his estate. These have not always been directed for the permanent benefit of the crofters. This is specially true so far as the vast expenses and extensive reclamations in Lairg are concerned. But his Grace has raised the hopes of the small tenants very much by announcing his intention of breaking down some of the large sheep runs into small farms, and they hope that a fair trial will be given to that system, and in order to that they would suggest that experiments should also be made in this neighbourhood, near the railway and market towns; and they think Achindrich and Strathcarnock suitable fields for the purpose. They are confident that the results will be satisfactory as regards the welfare of the tenants, and increase of rents in due time for the proprietor.<br />
<br />
2. Ospisdale, with forty crofters; one ordinary farm and the home farm. The proprietor, Mr Gilchrist, is known to be kind and considerate towards his tenants. Some evictions took place on the Spinningdale portion of the estate and one in Ansdale, and some voluntary removals from Ospisdale Moor, on account of the rents being considered too high. But these rents were fixed, and the evictions took place under the factor that was appointed during the proprietor's minority. Two evictions happened under his father; they were cases where the tenants took up an themselves to differ from the laird, and that is always a serious crime. On Ardeens and Ansdale, which are by far the most important townships on the estate, the tenants are hopefully improving their holdings, under their second lease of nineteen years. Three crofts, however, in these parts, have been mentioned as being too highly rented; and unquestionably they are so. They are too high up, like eyries in the rock. The tenants of two of these improved every bit of their crofts. These cases must have happened more without the knowledge than with the intention of the proprietor; and if the tenants would state their grievances fairly before him, they would no doubt be redressed.<br />
<br />
3. Balblair, with twenty-two crofters and two farms. The proprietor, Mr Hadwen's, treatment of his tenants is considered kind, but not considerate. He refuses them leases, and expressly discouraged<br />
them from making any improvements; but the rents are easy. About two years ago he became an invalid, and committed the management of his estates to one of his tenants, who acted as the factor. Since then five grievances have been recorded against this management—<br />
(1) A tenant was forcibly evicted from an estate recently acquired on the other side of the Kyle, where he and his father before him lived for the previous seventy years. <br />
(2) Another from Maikle, on the estate of Balblair, for using the well water that supplied the family since 1806. This family was very helpful to the poorer tenants on the estate in supplying them with meal, seed oats, and potatoes, in time of need, and never pressed them for payment. <br />
(3) A case of litigation against a poor woman for a ton or two of straw, which must have cost as much money as would buy all the straw that grows on the estate twice over. <br />
(4) The roads leading to their peat moss through the woods were shut up and the public excluded, after having the use of them from time immemorial. <br />
(5) Undue influence was brought to bear on the tenants at the last election of the School Board. The gamekeeper was sent round twice, in the name of the proprietor, to tell them to vote for the factor« and a lawyer from Tain was employed to lead them to the poll, and to see that they did their duty.<br />
<br />
40078. By whom was this paper drawn up, especially that part which has the information as to leases?<br />
—All the information was collected at a series of meetings of the tenants. They supplied me with the information, and I made it up.<br />
<br />
40079. Can you supply me with a copy of the old Dempster lease?<br />
—I produce a copy.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-56465233911990476412011-02-05T15:55:00.002+00:002011-02-05T15:55:31.503+00:00Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 9 October 1883 - Murdo Munro<b>MURDO MUNRO, Crofter, Goirileid, Ospisdale (73)</b>—examined.<br />
<br />
40044. <b>Mr Fraser-Mackintosh.</b><br />
—Whom do you represent here to-day?<br />
—I appear only for myself.<br />
<br />
40045. What have you to say for yourself?<br />
—I have taken in all my own land, and my rent has been increased.<br />
<br />
40046. What rent do you pay now?<br />
—£6.<br />
<br />
40047. What was it before?<br />
—When I came first it was Is.<br />
<br />
40048. How long ago?<br />
—Forty years ago.<br />
<br />
40049. What were the different rises put upon you from the Is. till it came to the £ 6?<br />
—After I had been there two or three years it was made £ 1 . A few years after that £2 more was added, and, lastly, £3 was added, making it £6.<br />
<br />
40050. When you went to the place forty years ago, I suppose there was no land there reclaimed?<br />
—No; I took in all the land and built the house.<br />
<br />
40051. Who is the proprietor?<br />
—Mr Gilchrist.<br />
<br />
40052. Is it the same family that have raised your rent from the Is. to the £6?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40053. Who was the proprietor at the time you paid the Is.?<br />
—Major Gilchrist.<br />
<br />
40054. What extent of land have you reclaimed which you labour at present?<br />
—I believe six acres at least, but I cannot be sure.<br />
<br />
40055. What extent of pasture land have you got?<br />
—I have no hill pasture.<br />
<br />
40056. Did you put up all the buildings that are on your croft?<br />
—I built them all at my own expense.<br />
<br />
40057. Are there any other people on the same estate complaining like you of their rents being raised in the same proportion or otherwise?<br />
—I don't know.<br />
<br />
40058. Does the proprietor live in the country?<br />
—Yes, sometimes.<br />
<br />
40059. Did you go to the landlord and remonstrate against the rent that was put upon you?<br />
—Yes, I told him I was too highly rented.<br />
<br />
40060. What answer did you get?<br />
—He put it by. He said I was not.<br />
<br />
40061. What stock are you able to keep on that land you have got?<br />
—Two little cows.<br />
<br />
40062. Any sheep?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40063. Have you a horse?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40064. Have you no outrun of any kind?<br />
—Yes, some pasture, but not good.<br />
<br />
40065. Does it belong to yourself, or have you merely a share of it?<br />
—I have a share of the common hill pasture.<br />
<br />
40066. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—When your rent was raised a second time, was the name of your son or any member of the family put into the estate book ?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40067. There was no security that your son will succeed you in the place?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40068. What would you think a fair rent?<br />
—I think it would be dear enough at £ 3; it is bad land.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-51513538264048337072011-02-05T15:50:00.000+00:002011-02-05T15:50:10.761+00:00Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 9 October 1883 - James Sutherland<b>JAMES SUTHERLAND, Labourer, Clash-na-prountenach (63)</b>—examined. <br />
<br />
40028. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—Had you ever a croft in former times ?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40029. Have you a statement to read ?<br />
—Yes.<br />
—The Statement of James Sutherland, late of Clash-na-prountenach. My ancestors lived and died at Abercross, in the parish of Golspie, until 1819, when my father was evicted, and his possession was set on fire by Peter Sellar, at the instance of Countess Elizabeth Sutherland. He came to this parish, and bought a liferent lease, granted to John Ross, sawyer, Revra, by Mr William Soper Dempster, proprietor of Skibo, of eight acres of land at Clash-na-prountenach, on the estate of Polrossie. My father built a possession, and entered thereon in 1819, where he continued cultivating, labouring, and improving in a proper and husband-like manner, until his death in 1849, when his widow, and I his heir, were evicted on 22nd of February 1852. I was turned out, my wife, and child two months old, and my mother, under the heavens; the night pouring rain and sleet. All the neighbours were afraid of sheltering us one night, for fear of the factor James Forbes. Next day, I was granted a house and a lot of land by Mr Gilchrist, Ospisdale, at Spinnydale. I entered possession, and collected my things evicted at Clash-na-prountenach. I was driving my manure; but when the Forbeses found that out, their shepherd spread my middens on the land of Clash-na-prountenach. I had a peatstalk; I drove it half a mile out from the possession of Clash-na-prountenach. Next morning, before daylight, it was set on fire by the shepherd's son. I went to Dornoch, and stated the same to the procurator-fiscal, Mr Fraser. His answer was, that it was burnt by order of the factor. He made no prosecution. I thought the fiscal would say it was right, although the factor would order me to be burned in my own heap of peats. A copy of the lease of John Ross, sawyer.<br />
<br />
Skibo Castle, 1814.<br />
—I grant you a lease of eight acres of land at Clash-na-prountenach, north-east of Achueladcalcly, in the parish of Creich, on the estate of Polrossie, for nineteen years, and your lifetime —first nineteen years to begin at Whitsunday 1814 —on condition of your paying me, or my legal successor, the sum of Is. sterling per annum for the first three years, 2s. 6d. per acre per annum during the remainder of the nineteen years, and 5s. per acre per annum during your lifetime. But you are not allowed to sub-set the lands, nor any parts thereof, until the whole is sufficiently enclosed, and one-half cultivated, &c<br />
—M. Soper Dempster." <br />
<br />
"Skibo Castle, 1819.<br />
—I transfer and assign over to David Sutherland, from Abercross, in the parish of Golspie, all rights and titles of this lease of John Ross, sawyer, Revra, who hath relinquished his lease in favour of the said David Sutherland. He is now bound to perform all its rights and titles, and all arrears of rents that may be due by John Ross." <br />
<br />
He outlived my father sixteen years. These are my father's improvements at Clash-na-prountenach. During thirty years he lived there, reclaimed nine acres; 2600 yards of drains overlaid with stone; 1000 yards overlaid with sod; 600 open drains in the land; 460 burn channels; 800 yards sheep drains, to protect the land; applied to the land 100 bolls of lime; dwelling-house fifty-two feet long, twelve feet inside, built of stones and mortar; a barn, thirty-six feet; byre, thirty-six feet; sheep cot, thirty-six feet. All the timber was bought from Mr Dempster Forster, and I never received amelioration, valuation, or compensation. I was robbed of my father's legacy and my own labour for thirty years. I opposed the eviction of Clash-na-prountenach, and produced my documents to Donald Stewart, lawyer, Tain, but I was not able to bring my action to the Superior Court at Edinburgh. I was ejected fifteen years before the expiry of the lease of Clash-na-prountenach.'<br />
<br />
40030.<b> Sheriff Nicolson.</b><br />
—You appear here only to state your own case, and not for any other people'1!<br />
—No, I have the Spinnydale tenants' case to state too.<br />
<br />
40031. There is nothing about them in this paper?<br />
—No; it is only my own statement.<br />
<br />
40032. What have you to state for those other people?<br />
—I have another case—my second eviction from Spinnydale. In eleven years and three months I was turned out of this second possession I went to. Four or five years after the death of Mr Gilchrist, there<br />
came in a manager on the estate under trustees, and I was turned out. He married a sister of factor Forbes, and six months after that, I was turned out of the possession, and the lot was added to another<br />
tacksman's.<br />
<br />
40033. How long had you been there?<br />
—Eleven years and three months, and I paid twelve years' rent—£48. I was the loser of three-fourths<br />
of a year of being in possession, and the grazing of two and a half acres was taken from me, and the pasture that was on it; and on 23rd August, this man that got my place, came with his cows to take possession of a bit of the foggage that I had, and he took the land. He had no right to come and take possession of my foggage, for by all rights it was mine. He came when I was threshing barley; but I took the law in my right hand and the flail in my left hand, and I went and gave him a good thrashing, himself and his cows, and he went home with his head bleeding, and he went and sent for a policeman, and I got fourteen days' imprisonment.<br />
<br />
40034. How long ago was that?<br />
—In the year 1864. I have never had any land since then, and I never wanted land.<br />
<br />
40035. Was there ever any complaint against you before that?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40036. Had you before that given them any reason to complain against you?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40037. Had you paid your rent regularly?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40038. And you have got no land since then?<br />
—No; I did not want it under the system under which they are giving land now.<br />
<br />
40039. Where are you living now?<br />
—At Spinnydale, and working sometimes in Ross-shire and sometimes in Sutherlandshire.<br />
<br />
40040. You have no land now?<br />
—No, not an inch, only paying a rent of £1 for the house, and keeping the house in thatch myself.<br />
<br />
40041. Then what complaint have the other Spinnydale people?<br />
—There are eighteen crofters and seventeen dwellers, that have no land at all. There are thirteen paupers in it, and these tenants are in four different classes. There are three of them that succeeded in getting the lands of their neighbours and their friends. One added five lots, and he is not so badly off; another succeeded in getting four lots added together in a contract of thirteen miles of a road, and he is not so badly off. Another succeeded better than the two, in adding eight or nine together, and he made better than the other two. He has seven cows, when seventeen dwellers have no grass or land that they can keep a goat on. There are other eight of them, and they have those leases for ten years. These have two years to expire, and they have hopes that when they go into the hands of Mr Walker, they will come out paupers or emigrators. There are no other hopes for them. Their hill pasture was taken from them; they would be grazing their cattle 400 yards above my father's house. Clash is behind my father's house, and the cattle were going above his house 400 or 500 yards. My father was entitled and bound to keep it sufficiently enclosed. He would not be preventing the tenant's cattle and horses. Now, since my removal from Clash, they have no right to go over past their own lots, and there is a fence being put on the plantation and that will keep it from cattle and horses. The fence is<br />
no higher than two and a half or three feet. It will keep out their horses and cattle, but it will not keep the deer and the roes out from their crofts. There are plenty deer and roes in the woods, and our potato<br />
crops are eaten by the deer and roes, and they will be howking them out of the ground now, besides taking the crops in the months of May and June.<br />
<br />
40042. Has the additional land which has been given to these fortunate men been all taken from their neighbours?<br />
—Yes, this man who had nine got mine added to them. We would be very glad to get land on the right system.<br />
<br />
40043. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—What do you think the right system would be?<br />
—Just to get compensation and fixity of tenure, when we would not be afraid of eviction. The law of eviction is the law that ruinates this country. In nine years they will have 15,000 removed from the interior of Sutherland, and during the reign of Charles no more than 30,000 were removed out of the whole of Scotland by Prelacy and Popery.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-58668532880684230972011-02-05T15:40:00.000+00:002011-02-05T15:40:21.094+00:00Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 9 October 1883 - Rev Gustavus Aird<b>Rev. GUSTAVUS AIRD, Free Church Minister of Creich (70)</b>—examined.<br />
<br />
39993. <b>The Chairman</b><br />
—Of what part of the country are you a native? <br />
—A native of Ross-shire. <br />
<br />
39994. Have you been conversant with the class of small tenants from your earliest years?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
39995. And you have devoted particular study and attention to their condition?<br />
—Well, I have known them from my earliest years and all along.<br />
<br />
39996. In this part of Ross-shire?<br />
—In Easter Ross, about twenty miles from here.<br />
<br />
39997. Does your knowledge extend to Sutherland also?<br />
—I have been through almost the whole of Sutherland. I have been in the Reay country and Assynt, but I have not resided there. My first charge was in Ross-shire, and I came here forty years ago.<br />
<br />
39998. Will you kindly make a general statement with respect to your impressions as to the condition and prospects of the small tenants?<br />
—I would beg leave to read a short statement.<br />
—' The estate of Skibo contains most of the crofters in this parish. Part of it, viz., Balblair, was sold about twenty years since to Mr Sidney Hadwen, the present proprietor. About eighteen years ago the whole estate was sold by Mr Dempster to Mr Chirnside, who soon thereafter disposed of it to the present proprietor, Mr Sutherland Walker. <br />
<br />
I. Removals.<br />
—About fifty years since several families were removed from Balchraggan, Reeneare,and Acharrie, and their lands now form the corn farms of Balblair,Fload, and Acharrie. I was told that a number of those then evicted emigrated to America. In the place of Coiloag seven families were removed, and the place turned into a miniature deer forest, not to the advantage of the crops of the people in the neighbourhood. About 1850 six families were removed from Little Creich, and their lands now constitute the farm of Little Creich. About 1876 three families were removed from Clachnasheenag and its surroundings, and their grazing is unlet. About 1876 seven families were removed fromMoine-ghaoir, and the lands are unoccupied since then. About 1876 and 1881 seven families were removed from Souardale, and these places now form the farm of Meikle Souardale. Their dwellings and offices were of stone and clay, and suitable enough for the size of their places. They agreed to the rents proposed by the proprietor, but could not to the conditions imposed, viz., to rebuild new houses and offices, remove the old ones, trench, drain, and lime most poverty-stricken soil, and remove surplus stones to wherever the proprietor saw fit. All these changes would cost an enormous expense, and must be borne by themselves, which it was impossible for them to face, and which the tenant who succeeded never did, and never promised to do, although a new slated square of offices has been erected, and yet six of these tenants were evicted, All the removals above referred to comprehend<br />
thirty families. <br />
<br />
II. Complaints.<br />
—1. As to rents, the sod is naturally far from being fertile. When Mr Dempster (who still survives) held the property the people considered their places rack-rented. But since then, when it could be done, they were increased; as, for example, the only settlement which could be obtained by the following crofters about 1880, when their leases expired, was tenure from year to year, and 50 per cent, additional rent. The county valuation roll shows the former and the present rent<br />
—<br />
(1) Wm. Campbell, Barracks, . . paid £ 5, 0/ 0 now pays £7, 10/ 0<br />
(2) Angus Munro, „ . . £5, 10/ 0 now £7, 15 / 0<br />
(3) James M'Kay, Leithall, . . £ 8, 10 / 0 now £12, 15 / 0<br />
(4) Robert Calder, Migdale, . . £5, 0 / 0 now £7 10/ 0<br />
<br />
During the past forty years I have been told by not a few of the tenants on the Skibo estate that generally those on it, paying a certain rent, could with difficulty keep but one cow, yet for the same rent on the Sutherland estate two or three cows could be kept. At Whitsunday last (1883) one of the largest and most fertile farms in Easter Ross was let for nineteen years at several shillings per acre less than was paid by the former occupant, whilst a large outlay is to be made during the currency of the lease by the proprietor for improvements. Thus, whilst a large reduction per acre has taken place on one of the finest farms in Ross-shire, 50 per cent, has been added in this parish on crofters who were considered to be rack-rented, for very inferior soil, which proves to demonstration the necessity for a measure to prevent such exorbitant exactions on poor men, and also to prevent the erection of a first-class manufactory for producing paupers. <br />
2. As to meliorations for buildings, there is:<br />
—(1) The case of Alexander Grant, late of Souardale, now in Sydney, N.S. Wales, as may be seen from his letter dated 25th August 1880. When his father entered the place he paid meliorations for the houses, and held a paper signed by Mr Grant upon Dempster (the proprietor at that time) promising meliorations on removal. He was never paid meliorations by Mr G. Dempster, and he states in his letter that when application was made to the present proprietor he declined paying them, as the document promising them was not stamp paper (as if the ninth commandment were of no authority unless extended on stamp paper). The meliorations amounted to £174, 10s. All this was done after the poor man was evicted by Mr Sutherland Walker, and he had with his family to emigrate to N.S. Wales, and was never a shilling in arrears. <br />
(2) The case of the late Donald Fraser, miller, Migdale, who died about 1876, left a widow and child.<br />
His grandfather, John Fraser, had one of the leases given by Mr G. Dempster of Dunnichen, about 1798, and, I understand, full meliorations were promised in the event of his heirs being removed. The buildings (exclusive of hundreds of yards of stone dykes), were valued at from £800 to 900; the widow was only allowed a fraction of this as she had not the means of bringing the case to the Court of Session. When Hugh Fraser succeeded his father John Fraser, about 1810, the factor measured the land, consisting of a number of small separate pendicles of about four acres, and valued it along with the mill at £7, 10s. At his death, about 1875, there must have been from eighteen to twenty acres arable, and the yearly rent of mill and land is now £60 and all this owing to the improvements effected by father and son, and yet the son's widow and orphan were evicted by Mr Sutherland Walker.<br />
<br />
III. What is wanted.—<br />
1. Fair rents. <br />
2. Safety or security of tenure. There is much need of this, as, for example, if there is no measure<br />
passed ere long, in 1885 or 1886 the whole of Migdale and of Tulloch (about thirty families) may be evicted, and the lands turned into a deer forest. <br />
3. Meliorations for permanent improvements on land and requisite buildings. <br />
4. Hill pasture turned into club farms. The people formerly had the hill pasture; were deprived of it by the factor of that time who occupied it himself, and who, it is said, ruled the estate for years not with a sceptre of mercy. The tenants have ever since been without this grazing, but no abatement of rent was allowed on the arable land in consideration of this, but an increase was imposed at various times. On this point I may read a few pages from a paper by the late Mr George Dempster of Dunnichen, in the Old Statistical Account of 1793. The Rev. George Rainy, the minister of this parish, was asked by Sir John Sinclair to introduce that paper into the Statistical Account. I merely refer to it as stating what he laid down for the improvement of Highland estates (vol. VIII. p. 375) :<br />
—Plan for improving the estates of Skibo and Pulrossie. These estates contain about 18,000 acres of land, extending from the point of Arducalk, on the north bank of Dornoch, westward to Port Leak, being an extent of twelve or fourteen miles. The bulk of the estate is hilly, but the hills are of no great height, seeming generally to rise about from 500 to 700 feet above the level of the firth There may be about 200 families living on these estates, with the exception of the mains or home farm of each place. The farms are of small extent in regard to arable ground. They produce some corn and potatoes, hardly sufficient to maintain the families of the tenants. The tenants pay their rents by the sale of cattle, which are fed in their houses of straw through the winter, and pick up a miserable subsistence on the waste and common ground of the estate during the summer. The whole of the present rent is from £700 to £800 a year, of which more than a fourth part is paid by the two large farms belonging to the manor or mansion-house." It is stated that " it is not the intention of the proprietors to exact for some time any increase of rents from these people, but, on the contrary, to encourage them by every possible means to improve their little spots of land, to erect for themselves more cornfortable houses, and to build them of more durable materials." The writer then describes certain efforts which were being made to introduce spinning and weaving into the district, and proceeds to say, " that the people may have nothing to divert their attention from their own business, all the services performed by them and their cattle to their superiors are commuted into money, and thirlage by the mills of the baronies is also abolished. Measures are taking to give the people secure possession (for their own lives at least) of their houses, gardens, and arable lands, with full liberty to cultivate as much of the waste land as they please. Their cattle are suffered to pasture on the other waste lands, as long as they shall remain in a waste condition; but the proprietors reserve to themselves the power of enclosing and planting all such parts of the waste lands as are fit for no other purpose. Some plantations of this kind have been already made, and the trees seem to thrive very well on the lightest soils. The trees are principally the larch, the Scotch fir, and the birch, intermixed with beech and mountain ash. The rest of the waste land is open to every settler who shall incline to cultivate it. Twenty or thirty new settlers have already exhibited strong proofs of what Highlanders can do in the improvement of their own country, when secured in the enjoyment of the fruits of their Labour. It may be worth while to mention the nature of this security. The first settlers may improve as much land as they find waste around them, for which they pay only Is. a year during their lives. When they die, their heirs have the refusal of their father's possession at an apprized value, to \be fixed by arbitrators mutually chosen. This rent is invariable till<br />
the next generation, when the valuation is to be repeated; and so on every generation. A little iron for tools, wood for their houses,and seed potatoes and corn is furnished to them for the first two years. They are exempted from every species of personal service."<br />
<br />
IV. How matters may be rectified.<br />
—On a pretty large scale this has been done in Ardross by Sir Alexander Matheson, and on a small scale on Airdens in this parish by D. Gilchrist, Esq. of Ospisdale. Leases for nineteen years were granted in 1859, renewed about 1880. Waste land was reclaimed; powder and dynamite were used, not to blow up the Houses of Parliament, but in promoting the useful and peaceful arts of agriculture by blasting boulders and oak roots. According to the valuation roll, the present rent is £28, 7s.; under the former lease it was about £22, 3—increase, £6, 4s. According to the Old Statistical Account the rent of Skibo, including Balblair, was from £700 to £800; according to the present valuation roll, it is about £4813, or six times more than it was in 1793. <br />
<br />
V. Character of Tenants and Crofters.—<br />
1. At one time this parish must have supplied the British army with a large body of recruits. When I came to it forty years ago there were residing in it twenty-four pensioners; they are all gone years since, but their places have not been supplied by others. <br />
2. So far as known to me, the people pay their rents. <br />
3. The people are very industrious , and so far as I remember, I do not know a lazy man in my congregation. There is no public work within reach of their homes, so that they have to go in quest of it wherever it may be found. Nearly forty years ago, I was informed by a man in this district of country, who was in the habit of taking extensive contracts of work, and of employing a number of tradesmen and labourers yearly, that the people of this parish were noted for their industry. Ever since the erection of the Bonar Bridge in 1810, and the formation of the Parliamentary Road, this was the first piece of work which they ever had an opportunity of engaging in at their own homes, and they availed themselves of it, felt the benefit, and ever since diligently pursue it wherever it can be found—as, for example, when the railways were being constructed south and north—then at the extensive improvements at Ardross for seven or eight years, then at the improvements at Shiness by the Duke of Sutherland, which benefited a good many of them. <br />
4. Great numbers from this parish have emigrated to the colonies since 1853; to my knowledge upwards of 266 to Australia, and of 100 to America, besides a large number to the large centres of population in the south; and many of those who went to Australia were most dutiful to their parents whilst they survived. <br />
5. They are expert at farming operations, and adopt a regular rotation of cropping, however small their allotments. Most of them have limed the land, use artificial manure, and all these at their own expense. <br />
6. There is much waste land in the parish; some of it might be reclaimed. So far as known to me, during the past forty years, not one of the three proprietors on the Skibo estate has advanced a shilling from their own pockets for the reclamation of an acre of muir ground, and if example is more powerful than precept in this connection, the people have not had the most edifying example set before them.<br />
7. Is it mere policy for the rulers of this nation to allow such a class of people to be treated as if they were serfs ?<br />
<br />
39999. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—You have stated that, within the last forty years, within your personal recollection, about thirty families have been evicted ?<br />
—Have been removed. I draw a distinction between removal and eviction. I call it eviction when they have to go off the estate and go elsewhere. Some of those removed may have been removed out of their places and found places upon the same estate. I make a difference between eviction and removal. There were thirty families removed out of their places. Some of them found localities elsewhere on this estate, while some were evicted and some went to the colonies.<br />
<br />
40000. If a tenant is removed by the proprietor from his place, and is allowed to shift for himself in this country, do you call that removal or eviction ?<br />
—I would call it removal, if he removed to some other locality belonging to the proprietor; but if he went to another estate, I would say that was an eviction, or if he went to the colonies.<br />
<br />
40001. Now, there have been about thirty families evicted or removed within your personal recollection?<br />
—Yes, many more than that. I merely stated these from the places, but there is a paper that will come afterwards—by Mr Black—and he tells the number of removals upon the whole estate for a number of years.<br />
<br />
40002. In the case of those removals generally—either removals or evictions—have the proprietors endeavoured to provide the families so shifted with holdings under their own control, or left them to find their own subsistence in the world ?<br />
—With regard to a great number of those I have referred to, they had to provide for themselves elsewhere, and some of them are hither and thither in the colonies. Some may be still within the parish.<br />
<br />
40003. You have stated there has been a considerable number of removals or evictions; do you know of any casein which a large piece of ground or a portion of an estate has been devoted to the service of families so removed—cases in which new crofts and new townships have been erected?<br />
—No. What made me refer to the thirty was this—of five different places three have been turned into pretty large corn farms and others into grazings. It was only to these I referred.<br />
<br />
40004. But you know no case of new townships or holdings being created?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40005. Do you know any case where common pasture lands, formerly belonging to townships and turned into sheep farms, have been restored to townships?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
40006. You don't think, then, there is any change of policy up to the present time on the part of the proprietors; their policy is not more favourable to the small tenantry than it was?<br />
—I merely refer to the proprietors of the estate of Skibo. With respect to Mr Gilchrist, even at the last let, which was in 1880, all the tenants who had leases before had their leases renewed, except one man who differed with the proprietor as to the rent.<br />
<br />
40007. Coming to the question of security of tenure, the proposals which you read from that book were rather these : that waste land should be given to the people for the life of the occupier at a nominal rental, and then that at the end of the occupation the improvements should be valued by arbiters appointed on both sides—by the proprietor and by the tenant?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40008. Do you think that this system of granting lands for a life, with increase at the end of the life, is preferable to granting land for a fixed period of years; would you rather see the land given to a man and his widow for life, or would you rather see it given for nineteen or thirty years?<br />
—Well, if there were a lease of nineteen or twenty-five or thirty years, a good deal would depend on the disposition of the proprietor. If he were a gentleman such as the excellent Mr George Dempster of<br />
Dunnichen, I daresay nineteen or twenty-five years' leases would be preferable in some respects; but the evil is this, that the people have a feeling that they are insecure, as they have seen so many removals. That being the case, it paralyses their efforts in the way of trenching and reclaiming the land; whereas, if they had a security, or a feeling that advantage would not be taken of it, that they would not be turned out, I verily believe that a great deal of land might be reclaimed.<br />
<br />
40009. But I may ask your opinion on a subordinate point, and that is whether you prefer a formal security of a distinct lease for a term of years to the benevolent system which obtains on the Duke of Sutherland's estate, where they are left in possession for life?<br />
—Well, if it were such as the Duke of Sutherland and many other proprietors, I should prefer a nineteen or twenty-five years' lease.<br />
<br />
40010. Do you think a nineteen years' lease is sufficient to prompt the people to take up wild land and trench it and reclaim it, or do you think it would be preferable to give them a thirty years' lease?<br />
—Perhaps, between nineteen and thirty. I did not consider that matter very well.<br />
<br />
40011. Do you think the people would be inclined to accept leases?<br />
—I think they would. If the people had security of tenure, and a kindly feeling shown towards them, I have not the least doubt that within a generation there would be an extraordinary improvement.<br />
<br />
40012. Supposing, however, they got a lease or got their land for life, a term of years will at last expire when the land has to be revalued. Now, upon the Sutherland estate we understand the valuation is conducted by a valuator appointed by the Duke, who goes there and values the land, and his Grace may then perhaps make some diminution from the amount at which it is valued; but it is his valuation,<br />
—there is no joint arbitration. Is it your proposal that there should be an arbitration; that there should be an arbitrator appointed by each party?<br />
—Yes. <br />
<br />
40013. With the power of appointing an oversman?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
40014. Is that your distinct proposal?<br />
—Well, I have not any very distinct idea with respect to that. If I were sure of its being the Duke of Sutherland who was my proprietor, and that it was under his Grace's direction, I would have full confidence that he would do every justice in every way through the person appointed by himself; but with respect to formulating the matter and so on, I am not very sure. I have not considered the matter, but, so far as I am concerned, I would be perfectly satisfied with the Duke.<br />
<br />
40015. Let us go a step further. Supposing a revaluation is made at the end of nineteen or twenty-five years, I want to know your opinion as to whether the valuation ought to be made upon the land as it stands, without any consideration of the value of the labour put into it during the whole course of years by the tenant or not. Ought it to be taken just as if it were arable ground, and valued at its present value, and that value charged to the successor of the same family, or ought they to retain a portion at least of the value of the labour that they have put into it?<br />
—Well, I didn't consider it from that point of view. I know as to the lease upon the estate of Airdens, in this parish, that in the first nineteen years' lease there was a clause, that if any single one of the tenants should be removed at the end of the nineteen years, he should have at the rate of £5 per acre for the proportion which he improved, and they all agreed to that; and then at the end of the lease, I know that all the tenants who improved their land took a renewed lease, and as far as those were concerned that did the most, there was not much of a rise. It was only the other day I was looking at the valuation roll; but there was that clause in the first lease. It was prepared by the late Mr Kenneth Murray of Geanies; and I know that, at the expiry of the lease every individual removed was to receive at the rate of £ 5 per acre for what ho improved.<br />
<br />
40016. Did that include the value of the dwellings, or did that refer to the improvement of the land?<br />
—The improved land. There was no reference to dwellings, as far as I recollect, in the leases. The people built the houses, and have improved very much with respect to that<br />
<br />
40017. You say there was a small deer forest constituted here; what lo you mean by a miniature deer forest?<br />
—It is just this, that the quantity of ground is small, and there is very little wood around it. There is part of the Sutherland estate that comes into the estate of Skibo, with a burn between them, and the two might make something together, but it is very small on the estate of Skibo. It is just something like a miniature in comparison with a picture.<br />
<br />
40018. Does this little deer forest march with the large deer forest 1<br />
—I cannot say it does. It is merely the estate of Creich, not very large, and there is a good deal of wood upon it.<br />
<br />
40019. And divided by a fence?<br />
—By a burn. There is a fence round his Grace's wood.<br />
<br />
40020. Are these red deer? <br />
—There are red deer and a number of roes. I think about twenty-five years ago there was a very severe winter and spring, and a good many came down from the Reay country; and got into the wood and never left it again.<br />
<br />
40021. Is it all wood?<br />
—It is not all wood. There is a good deal of fir wood and a good deal of birch wood, and it is just at the extremity—the extreme point—that there were seven or eight tenants removed.<br />
<br />
40022. Do the people generally complain of the ravages of game in this country? Is there any considerable complaint?<br />
—Well, there are some of them who do complain—those on the heights. It depends very much upon this. If it is an early harvest, there is no complaint; but if it is late, as it is pretty late this year in the north end of the parish, they must be awake all night in order to watch. And then a good many of those near the woods complain very much now of the deer coming out and destroying the turnips<br />
—-not eating them, but destroying them with their horns. One man was mentioning last week a place where he found a deer, and I was quite astonished. It was several miles from the wood, and they were becoming more bold than they used to be. I know there are several of the tenants that complain very much of the depredations they commit upon potatoes and turnips.<br />
<br />
40023. When you speak of people sitting up at night to prevent the ravages of game, does that refer to the deer only, .or do they stay up to scare the moorfowl?<br />
—I have heard of people having to stay up during the night for the deer; and that when the corn was cut they would require to go to frighten the moorfowl in the extreme north of the parish, but that just depends upon the season. If it is a pretty late harvest, there is a good deal of them; they must watch them.<br />
<br />
40024. On the whole, notwithstanding the disadvantages of land tenure to which you have alluded, what is your impression about the material progress of the people? Do you think there is a sensible progress, or do you think there is a retrogression in the condition of the people ?<br />
—Well, as far as the condition of the people is concerned, they had formerly the hill ground, and had sheep and cattle there. Their clothes may be of finer cloth to-day than they were then —they were all home-made then; but, as far as various other things are concerned, I suspect in former days they were better off and stronger men than they are now. I suspect that their physical strength is not what it was.<br />
<br />
40025. Do you consider that the possession of hill pasture, or common pasture, by the crofting population, leads them to trust to the hill pasture and to neglect their arable ground, or do you think that the one kind benefits the other?<br />
—As to the hill pasture, I would prefer having what is called a club farm, and having a club farm there are certain regulations laid down for the carrying of it on that must be kept. There must be a regularly appointed shepherd, as in the case of Ardross, where the tenants got the hill ground, and they got stock; and I understand it has been of the greatest benefit to them. One is not to be ruler over the other. There are regulations laid down, and there is a regular shepherd, and an account kept of everything, and the whole profits are divided.<br />
<br />
40026. But whether it is a club farm or whether it is a common pasture, do you think the possession of stock upon the wild ground leads the people to trust to the sale of the stock and neglect the cultivation of the arable, or do you think not?<br />
—If it is a club farm there are shepherds that have the charge of the sheep, and the people themselves must be at home to look after their agricultural operations, and I am perfectly clear it would not be detrimental to the agricultural work when it is in the form of a club farm.<br />
<br />
40027. But when it is in the form of an ordinary common pasture, do you think the time of the people is taken up with rambling after their stock, and that they neglect cultivation ?<br />
—Well, as far as I am aware, I am not acquainted with any case of that kind.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9036046207262138122.post-86332795863610658382011-02-05T15:15:00.000+00:002011-02-05T15:15:07.427+00:00Bonar Bridge, Sutherland, 9 October 1883 - James Ross<b>JAMES ROSS, Crofter, Breackwell (42)</b>—examined.<br />
<br />
39929.<b> The Chairman</b>. <br />
—Have you a paper to read to the Commission?<br />
—Yes. ' My father took a croft of three or four acres of arable land at Slestary in 1833, with hill pasture attached, at a rent of £17. He built a new house and farm steading on it. In 1838 the best part of the hill ground was taken off and put to the factor's sheep farm, and the rent reduced to £12. After the marches were thus altered it was allowed to be the dearest croft on Skibo estate. My father was yearly adding a little to the croft, and paying his rent up to the time of his death in1858. My mother, and children after him, continued to do the same until she died in 1863. Then my brother and my sister along with me continued reclaiming land as we were able, and in 1876 the croft contained twelve acres arable, well limed, and in regular rotation. The valuator that valued the estate for Mr Sutherland Walker said it was the best cultivated croft in the district. In 1876 Mr Sutherland Walker, by his new marches, reduced the croft to seven acres, and cut off all the outlying pasture. For the croft as now reduced he wanted £6, 10s., binding me at the same time to improve five acres on a ten years' lease. I could not agree to this, and was obliged to give up the place without compensation for buildings or land improvement. He has not settled with me for the valuation of manure, fallow land, and damaged crops. Having disagreed about Slestary,'he pressed me several times to take Breackwell, to which I had the same objections, and could never agree to take it on his conditions. But my brother Robert, in his anxiety to see his brother and his sister and myself in a home, agreed to take the place on the proprietor's representation of it, and promising to see us comfortable. In 1880, two acres of the turnip crop was destroyed by a burn overflowing its banks on account of the drains he made in the moor above; and in 1882 second year's grass and other pasture were damaged by another burn overflowing on account of obstructions left in it by parties digging for sand by his authority. On being rendered an account of these damages for payment, he repudiated, and told me to take legal steps to recover it; that the land was his, and he could do with it what he pleased. The outgoing tenant of this place carried off the best part of the straw that grew on it, and used the best part of the fallow land for potatoes, but we at the end of the lease are not allowed to carry away the straw nor plant potatoes; and in this way we pay ten rents for nine crops. This was not understood by us when the lease was signed. The tenant of the adjoining croft at Slestary, containing about nine acres arable at a rent of £13, 10s., is bound to improve nine acres, and to build a new dwelling-house and steadings.'<br />
<br />
39930. <b>Mr Cameron.</b><br />
—This statement is more that of a personal grievance than that of a body of crofters?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
39931. Are you referring to other people?<br />
—To some.<br />
<br />
39932. Did they send you here to speak for them?<br />
—There are some who have grievances similar to this.<br />
<br />
39933. But of course they cannot be quite alike?<br />
—Not quite alike.<br />
<br />
39934. Is the matter of the burn overflowing common to the place?<br />
—No, it is personal to myself.<br />
<br />
39935. Then, which of the grievances mentioned here affects your neighbours as well as yourself?<br />
—They complain of high rent and want of compensation for improved lands and dwellings, and they want fixity of tenure, and not having pasture.<br />
<br />
39936. Have they ever had pasture?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
39937. When?<br />
—They were deprived of their pasture about thirty-eight years ago.<br />
<br />
39938. Now, what have they done in the way of improvement for which they want compensation?<br />
—They have no satisfaction for all their labour. There are some crofters who improved their land to such an extent, and they are not allowed compensation even on their removal<br />
<br />
39939. In what way did they improve their crofts?<br />
—By cultivating it out of moor or bad ground.<br />
<br />
39940. When did they begin these improvements; how long ago?<br />
—This was the system upon the estate, that the estate was over-rented since this man got it.<br />
<br />
39941. When did they begin the improvements?<br />
—It was small lots the tenants were taking. They were taking the hill and improving the crofts themselves, making a kind of a home first.<br />
<br />
39942. How long ago?<br />
—I cannot say.<br />
<br />
39943. Was it thirty eight years ago, or before that, or after?<br />
—Before it.<br />
<br />
39944. Have their rents been raised since?<br />
—Yes, several times.<br />
<br />
39945. As I understand you, they complain not so much of the want of compensation, as because their rents have been raised upon their own improvements?<br />
—Their rents are heavily raised upon their own improvements.<br />
<br />
39946. Have any of them left the estate and asked for compensation for what they have done?<br />
—Yes, some of them left the estate.<br />
<br />
39947. Did they ask for compensation?<br />
—They did not get any compensation.<br />
<br />
39948. Did they ask for it?<br />
—I cannot say. Most likely they did.<br />
<br />
39949. Can you give us any dates? You seem to be not very well acquainted with the dates; but to arrive at any fair conclusion, we must know how long ago these improvements were made, and how often the rents were raised upon the improvements. Have you got that information?<br />
—No, I have not got it; but there are some to come forward that can show it.<br />
<br />
39950. <b>The Chairman.</b><br />
—Which delegate is best acquainted with the dates of old times?<br />
—I think James Sutherland.<br />
<br />
39951. What is the common rent for an acre of improved arable ground; how much does it come to?<br />
—I am paying 17s. 6d.<br />
<br />
39952. Did you improve it yourself or got it improved?<br />
—I improved it where I was before I came to Breackwell.<br />
<br />
39953. But when you came to Breackwell you received the ground already cultivated?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
39954. And you pay 17s. 6d. ?<br />
— Yes.<br />
<br />
39955. Is there any outrun?<br />
—There is no outrun except four or five acres, and it is charged Is. per acre.<br />
<br />
39956. Then it is 17s. 6d. for improved arable, and Is. for unimproved pasture?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
39957. Is the common pasture capable of being turned into arable?<br />
—Yes, but at a great deal of expense.<br />
<br />
39958. How many acres of arable have you got in your present holding?<br />
—It is given to me under the name of twenty-three acres.<br />
<br />
39959. How many acres of unimproved hill pasture?<br />
—Four or five.<br />
<br />
39960. What is your rent?<br />
—£20, 5s.<br />
<br />
39961. What stock do you keep?<br />
—Two cows and two horses; I think that would be about the stock of the place.<br />
<br />
39962. Is it the stock you actually do keep?<br />
—No, for at times I may have a little more, and at times I may be under it; but it is about what<br />
the place can keep.<br />
<br />
39963. Can you produce enough food to support your family in meal and potatoes during the whole year?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
39964. Are you able to sell potatoes?<br />
—Ye<br />
<br />
39965. Are you able to sell a stirk every year?<br />
—No; there are several years that there will not be a stirk. When a man has two cows, perhaps, they will go wrong at times.<br />
<br />
39966. Have you got a lease?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
39967. If you have a lease, does it not provide for any compensation at the end of it?<br />
—No.<br />
<br />
39968. Why did you not put that in?<br />
—That is my grievance.<br />
<br />
39969. But when you made the lease, why did you not stipulate with the proprietor for compensation?<br />
—It was my brother took the lease.<br />
<br />
39970. Why did not your brother make a provision to save you?<br />
—The proprietor would not grant it upon that condition.<br />
<br />
39971. You complain of no pasture?<br />
—Yes.<br />
<br />
39972. Is there any sheep farm or pasture farm on the march?<br />
—Yes, there is.<br />
<br />
39973. Part of which might be given to you?<br />
—The whole of it is quite vacant, and it might be given to the whole of the tenants.<br />
<br />
39974. Would they consider that a great advantage?<br />
—Yes, a great advantage.<br />
<br />
39975. Would they be disposed to pay additional rent for it?<br />
—Of course they would. <br />
<br />
39976. Who is the proprietor now?<br />
—Mr Sutherland Walker.<br />
<br />
39977. Have the tenants ever made any proposal to him to give them some of the pasture off the farm?<br />
—I cannot say about that.<br />
<br />
39978. Is the farm held under a lease?<br />
—No, no lease, no stock; it is under game.<br />
<br />
39979. What kind of game?<br />
—Grouse.<br />
<br />
39980. Then it is a farm without any stock?<br />
—Without any stock.<br />
<br />
39981. Are there any deer?<br />
—There are deer in the woods beside it.<br />
<br />
39982. Is it held by the proprietor, or is it let?<br />
—It is held by the proprietor.<br />
<br />
39983. How long has it been like it, without any stock at all?<br />
—About two or three years.<br />
<br />
39984. What was before that?<br />
—It was a sheep farm, but it was first occupied by tenants. In the year 1838 it was under tenants, and then the factor got it, and turned it into a sheep farm. He was turning out the tenants day by day.<br />
<br />
39985. Is there a fence between the crofters' arable and the forest?<br />
—In bits there is, but where it is the fence is put up at the tenant's own expense by paying so much yearly.<br />
<br />
39986. What sort of fence is it?<br />
—A wire fence where it is.<br />
<br />
39987. Which do the most harm, the birds or the deer?<br />
—Where I am I will not complain of either one or the other.<br />
<br />
39988. Does any one complain?<br />
—Yes, some of the tenants are complaining of them.<br />
<br />
39989. What do they complain of most?<br />
—Those that are on the hill complain of the grouse, but those that are in the down-lying district complain most of deer.<br />
<br />
39990. When they complain does the proprietor give them any compensation?<br />
—Not any compensation. It is in the lease that there is to be no compensation for any thing of the sort.<br />
<br />
39991. <b>Mr Fraser-Mackintosh.</b><br />
—What was the name of the factor who turned out the small people day by day?<br />
—Forbes.<br />
<br />
39992. Where is he now?<br />
—He is in the grave.ADBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17737746983905368038noreply@blogger.com0