The Second or "New" Statistical Account - 1834 to 1845

Parish of Tongue, County of Sutherland

Presbytery of Tongue, Synod of Sutherland and Caithness

The Rev. Hugh Mackay Mackenzie, Minister

Miscellaneous Observations

Many changes have taken place in the parish, since the former Account was drawn up. The first and most important is the introduction of sheep-farming. The character of this change will be variously estimated, as persons are disposed to look at one or other of its effects. That it has rendered this country more valuable to proprietors cannot be questioned, - for certain it is, that in no other way could a great part of it be laid out to such advantage; though it may fairly be questioned whether, by extending it too far, they have not injured themselves. If, however, we are to estimate this system by its bearing on the former occupiers of the soil, and by the circumstances into which it has brought their children, no friend of humanity can regard it but with the most painful feelings. 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. Some wandered to Caithness, others sought an asylum in the woods of America, but most, clinging with a passion to their native soil, located themselves by permission in hamlets near the shore.

In these places the land, already occupied by a few, but now divided among many, was totally inadequate to the maintenance of all, and fishing became their necessary resource. And thus, on a tempestuous coast, with no harbours but such as nature provided, and in a country inaccessible, from want of roads, to enterprising curers, were these people often necessitated to plunge into debt for providing fishing materials, and to encounter dangers, immensely increased by their unavoidable ignorance of navigation, in order to obtain subsistence and defray their rents. The consequences were such as might be expected. Poverty soon overtook them, tending to keep alive their lacerated feelings, and rents, which became gradually extravagant, accumulated into a mass of arrears.

While such was the condition of the people, the proprietor, under whose management these changes were effected, found himself under the necessity of selling the inheritance of his fathers, and the late Duke of Sutherland became sole proprietor of the parish. This truly patriotic nobleman, fully alive to the evils which beset his now people, and the wants of this country, reduced the rents of the small tenants 30 per cent., and commenced a series of improvements, by opening up the country with excellent roads, at an enormous expense, and inducing public vehicles to run in several directions; by which, at once work was afforded for the people, and a stimulus given for a time to the herring-fishing. *** Likewise, with the laudable object of rendering the tenantry more comfortable, they were enjoined about the same time to build new houses, all being upon the same plan and, encouraged by the prospect of work, they soon set about this undertaking, though the houses were upon a scale far too expensive for their slender means.

*** These improvements were conducted by Mr John Horsburgh, late local factor, whose business talents, sterling integrity, faithfulness to his employers, and attachment to the people and the country, rendered him one of the most judicious and popular of factors.

Contact Iain on E-Mail @

Email Iain

Copyright and Design © Iain Morrison 2005 - 2006 - All Rights Reserved.