Travels in the Western Hebrides from 1782 to 1790 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1793 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAP. H. The political State of the Western Hebrides-- The principal Proprietors--Tack/men--Subtenants--Predial Slavest or Sea Hags. The first landholder towards the southern extremity of this extensive ridge of Islands, is Macneil, laird over all Barray, as well as the lesser adjoining islands. Mr. Macneil generally resides on his estate, an extensive property, which he manages with equal humanity and prudence. He encourages all kinds of improvement, exercises justice among his tenants, and protects them from those oppressions, which are too common in other parts of the Hebrides. This gentleman has few or no tacksmen, except some of his own near relations, who are of too gentle and generous a disposition to abuse the confidence placed in them by their chief, by trampling on a poor, but kindred people. The minister of Barray has but but a small farm, in comparison of those possessed by many other clergymen in the Hebrides, who, like some other tacksmen, are too prone to treat their sub-tenants with great severity; examples of which we shall see by and by. Mr. Macdonald of Boisdale, a great landholder, and a most honourable gentleman, seldom leaves South Uist, except on a visit to the capital, or to look after his estates in other countries. He is universally allowed to be the best farmer in the west of Scotland. He lays plans of rural conomy before his tenants, and, by his own example, leads them, as it were, by the hand, to execute them for their own benefit. He distributes justice, and preserves peace and order among his people, like a prudent and kind master of a family, whom his houshold both love and esteem. The next landholder, as we advance north-ward in South Uist, is Mr. Macdonald of Clanronald; or, as he is oftener called...