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Am Bratach No. 193
The problems of subletting amongst the crofter population had quickly come to the attention of John Crawford, the new factor for the Tongue district of the Duke of Sutherland’s estate. It was one of the topics dealt with by George Loch, the estate commissioner, in the written instructions he had issued to Crawford in August 1859. As Loch admitted, it was “less easy to suggest general rules of proceeding that may prove applicable to all circumstances, than it would be to lay down a principle in each particular Case as it might arise.” His comments, however, are particularly revealing of the approach taken by the estate management to the crofting population (it is worth noting that, in conformity with current practice, Loch referred to the crofters as lotters or small tenants). The total rental of the Tongue district in 1860 would amount to over £10,000. Of this, more than £6,000 was derived from thirty farming tenants, about £2,000 came from the fishings and shootings, and the remaining £2,000 from the 700 or more small tenants. Crawford’s responsibilities in relation to the “Lotter population” were “in many respects, the most important, as it is certainly the most difficult part of the duties to be intrusted to you.” Loch assured Crawford that the duke’s only object in relation to the crofters was “the promotion of their moral and material well doing — all the arrangements, all the regulations of the Estate, by which they are liable to be affected, have that end in view, and none other.” The duke did not believe that “the prosperity of a people can be established on any secure foundation that does not rest on independence of character and persevering industry — he aims therefore, rather at encouraging these qualities among the population living on his Estate, by placing opportunities of advancement within their reach — than to produce, as he easily might, an appearance of progress and prosperity, by giving direct assistance — which only induces the people to lean on others for support, in place of relying on themselves.” The duke did not, however, withhold “direct aid, when it may be well bestowed either in relieving indigence or misfortune — or usefully employed in giving a helping hand to enterprise.” Loch considered that the people of the Tongue district enjoyed a great advantage over the people of the parishes of Durness, Eddrachillis and Assynt. Tongue, Farr and Reay were much closer to the “prosperous agricultural County of Caithness, where work in abundant both in field labour, and in working quarries, besides the annual herring fishery.” Both the duke and Loch’s father and predecessor, James, had for many years been trying to encourage the people to take to the deep sea cod and ling fishery, but without great success. The estate also encouraged the crofters to improve their land and adopt better agricultural practice. However, “Squatting, or building Houses on the Waste” was strictly prohibited, although Loch admitted that there were many cases of persons occupying land for which no rent was paid. These were not of recent origin and had been an issue for many years for the estate management. There was also “a strict rule against the admission of Lodgers, to share in the already too restricted accommodation of the Houses of the people.” Crawford’s role as an estate factor was carefully defined and restricted. “All questions affecting the Tenantry large or Small will be reported by you to me, that they may be submitted to The Duke. No legal proceedings, no summons of removal, are instituted or issued without express sanction from His Grace conveyed through me, after a full consideration of all the circumstances of Each Case. When a Lot becomes vacant, you will be good enough to report it, and at the same time make your recommendations as to the best mode of disposing of it.” Writing later in connection with
the crofters’ houses, Loch suggested that the crofters of
the Dunrobin district were more advanced than those of the Tongue
and Scourie districts. However, Loch believed that Crawford would,
in the Tongue district, “find a population better off I
believe on the whole than most, if not, than any other merely
Highland population.” This claim may come as a surprise
to many today but it should be given serious consideration. |