Chiefs of Grant > Correspondence

1778.] JAMES GRANT, YOUNGER OF CORRIEMONY. 459
You have heard of Bellimore's death. The farm of Bellimore is esteemed one of the
best in Strathspey, and it will be of capital importance to you that it be in good hands.
Lewie Grant has written to you upon the subject, and has suggested that the farm is a
proper one for the factor, whoever he may be ; I think the idea is a good one. Mr. McGre-
gor, when talked to on the subject, made objections. He said that he would not give up
the farm of Dalvey, because he was certain that he could turn it out to good account, both
for you and himself, and that he had too many farms to add Belimore to them. He also
said that a lease of the farm of Belimore ought not to be given even to the factor; because
if the factor should sit in it as the most centrical farm, it ought to be let in such manner as
that the possession of the farm should end with his factorship.
I had a long conversation with Mr. M c Gregor upon this subject. I see many advan-
tages to be derived from Mr. M c Gregor's possession of that farm during your pleasure ; it will
be of great importance that he be near your woods. I am afraid some examples must be
made by criminal prosecutions against wood -stealers. Your wood sells cheaper at Inverness,
after being floated down to Garmouth, than Rothiemurchus's wood sells at Rothiemurchus,
notwithstanding the quality of your wood is greatly better than Bothiemurchus's. Mr.
M c Gregor also objected that the farm of Bellimore would require £400 to stock it, and that
he knew no other way of stocking such a farm than by quitting possession of some other
of his farms, and transferring to Bellimore the stocking of these farms. He said that if it
should appear to you proper and advantageous for your estate that he would give up
Bellemackaan and Temple, and take Bellimore at whatever rent you thought proper. As to
the woods he is perfectly satisfied that he will be able to preserve them from all manner of
embezzlement with ease if he sits at Bellimore, being so near the woods of Abernethy,
where most danger is to be apprehended. As to Bellimackaan, you will have no great
difficulty in getting the present rent for it, and at same time keep it open for yourself to be
taken up at pleasure. Mr. M c Gregor's management of the farm of Polmalie has been of
immense advantage to your estate of Urquhart. He can easily manage the farms of Dalvey
and Bellimore, and set a good example in both, which is of the first consideration to every
proprietor in letting his lands. The farm of Kilmichail will set to tenants at the rate my
father and I paid for it, viz., 20s. per acre, which, it must be allowed, is a good rent without
any grass. I have advised my father to give it up while it is in tolerable condition. It is
impossible that land ill managed can pay that rent ; but Mr. M c Gregor's management of the
Dell of Milltown, the lands immediately contiguous to Kilmichael, convinces the people of
Kilmichael's being worth what it at present pays. Of such high importance is good example.
I see it clearly to be of high importance to your estate of Strathspey that the farm of
Bellimore shall be in hands that will do justice to so good a farm.
I wrote to you a few lines by last post acquainting you of Mr. Cumming's offer for
Dunphail. Mr. Cumming added a postscript which puts an end to any expectations of