Series 4 > Papers on Sutherland Estate Management 1802-1816 > Volume 9

100 SUTHERLAND ESTATE MANAGEMENT: CORRESPONDENCE
Side; and no person can doubt its climate who has Seen the crops
of Beans, wheat, and clover raised at Dingwall in nearly the same
latitude and in a much more inland and elevated Situation. The
farm of Morvich which we walked over, may be mentioned to
your Ladyship, as one instance of what could be effected in this
country, and what we ourselves would have readily undertaken
had we been so fortunate as to have lived on your Ladyships
domains. It consists of 79 acres arable and 100 of pasture and moss;
the pasture a Salt marsh; the moss incumbent on a rich Clay;
and was sett last year in liferent at -£30 of rent. The farm now is
well worth £60 as it Stands; When a few hundred pounds are laid
out on improving the moss and pasture, and for which the tennant
could afford to 6 per cent interest, It will be a great bargain at
^120; and at the expiry of a 21 years lease, for a renewal of that
term we Should not Scruple £240, or eight times the present rent.
The quantity of flax and of com which might be raised in this
Strath for the employment and maintenance of the people is very
Great; for the Ground is rich and fertile beyond expression, and it
has carried oats and beer in succession beyond memory of man.
Colonel Sutherland by retaining the water dam, meal mill, and
part of the Easter marsh prevents us, for the present, from pro¬
ceeding with our lint mill or draining this Easter marsh. The
prolongation of our lease during 21 years after his removal is to be
sure ample and sufficient compensation to us; but the measure
causes your Ladyship pay, too dearly, for the whim of this old
Gentleman, and we ourselves wish nothing more anxiously than
to come to the beginning of the 21 years how Soon your Ladyship
can bring us to it with propriety. The period, that is the active
period of our life, is Short, nor, is it profitable to deferr enjoyment
to a distant time, which, we may not live to See . . . [merino sheep
for Moray Farmers’ Club].
William Young to Earl Gower (later 2nd Duke of
Sutherland)
Inverugie, 21 September 1809
Your Lordships letter of 25 th ult. reached me in due course and
the confidence you are pleased to repose will ever induce me to