The Rev. Hugh Mackay Mackenzie, Minister
IV - Parochial Economy
Means of Communication:
There is no market-town in the parish; the nearest is Thurso, in the county of Caithness, distant forty-five miles. There is a post-office in the village of Tongue, and mails run three times a-week to Thurso, and twice a-week to Golspie. There is also a post to Durness, whose days of arriving and starting correspond to those of the Golspie mail. The vehicle from Golspie carries three passengers; that from Thurso carries four inside and four outside. A lighter vehicle, however, runs on this latter line during winter, which only accommodates five passengers. The length of roads in the parish is 39¾ miles. Of these, 11 are Parliamentary, 14¾ county trust roads, and 14 private tenantry roads. They are kept in excellent repair. The bay of Tongue is crossed by a ferry 1262 yards broad. In 1830 - 31, slip quays were built, and proper boats procured. This ferry, which is a great annoyance to travellers, might be shortened to a fourth of its present breadth, by constructing a mound between the point of Tongue, and the island adjacent thereto. As the water here is not very deep, nor the current strong, and as profusion of materials lie ready at hand, it is believed by many that such an undertaking would not be very expensive.
Ecclesiastical State:
The church is so situated as to be nearly equidistant from the several extremities of the parish. There are, however, two populous districts on either side of it, so remote, that few of the people can attend public worship. The Skerra district to the east, which contains a population of 630, is from seven to eleven miles distant front the church. The Melness district to the west, with a population of 690 is from four to eight miles distant, separated, moreover, by the arm of the sea, the crossing of which is always expensive and often impracticable. Each of these stand much in need of the labours of a resident minister. Melness forms the chief part of a mission connected with part of the parish of Durness.
The missionary is supported by the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge; and a church and manse were built by the late Duchess - Countess of Sutherland. The parish church was built in 1680, - was nearly rebuilt in 1731, and repaired 1778. A few years ago, new doors were put in, and some of the pews a little improved. It is seated for 520, being just sufficient accommodation for the proportion of the people who can conveniently attend. There are no seat rents. The pews were originally purchased by the parishioners, and continue the property of their descendants while they remain in the parish. In winter, when the people are all at home, the church is well filled, and the people are diligent in attending the catechitical ministrations of their pastor.
There is one chatechist chosen by the people, and supported chiefly by a small salary from the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. The number of elders are eleven, and of male heads of families in communion with the church 45. Collections are annually made for the General Assembly's five schemes, and occasionally for other objects. There are no Dissenters, Seceders, Episcopalians, or Roman Catholics in the parish.
The manse was built in 1787, and has never got a thorough repair; a new substantial house is, however, to be commenced early this season, having been already contracted for. The stipend is L. 150, with an allowance for communion elements. When the present incumbent entered on the charge, the glebe was of little value; the hill-grazing was a share of an undivided common, and the little arable land was rig about with adjoining tenants. An excambion being obtained, and quantity given for quality, improvements have since been carried on at great expense, and now the glebe might probably fetch a rent of L. 50 per annum.
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