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

icy
1807-1811
Rhives; leaving the whole ground along the Bay from 60 to 80
acres (and which might be extended westward to any length)
Clear for the execution of such plan as your Ladyship approves of.
The policies of Dunrobin, along the Sea (which is the best approach
to the Castle), would not be enjoyed the less, for their vicinity to
a fine bustling Sea port Town.
The inhabitants of the valley of Strathfleet pursue the ruinous
System above pointed out. They have done so from father to Son
thro’ all generations. People wedded to such immemorial Custom
are with difficulty led into a new Track. They must See to beleive.
In running over the Sketch of this valley your Ladyship will observe
Morvich at the bottom of it, and the only road in or out of the
Country going thro’ this farm. Every person living in the valley
must, of necessity, several times in the year see whatever improve¬
ment is made at Morvich and carry home Some reflections on the
Subject. An improving tennant is, therefore, by all means to be
Settled at Morvich. We hand your Ladyship a Sketch of this farm,
from which you will See that it contains the quantity of land we
formerly mentioned; with this difference only, against the tennant,
that Acres 38.1.34 of pasture which we at first thought had been
included in the measure below the road, turns out to be unimprove-
able rocky pasture. If your Ladyship has no different arrangement
we shall undertake this farm and pay the rent of which we wrote
you. That is double the present rent at our Entry; Quadruple it
when our improvement is made and we have tasted Somewhat
of benefit from it, Say in ten years, and pay Eight rents when we
have benefited still further, Say in other 10 years. Thus £60 for
the first period of 10 years, -£120 for the second 10 years, and ^240
for the third period - Thirty years in all. We should profit more by
this farm than any other tennant, for we calculate that the tennants
in the interior Seeing our flax growing, and floating down to
Culmaily miln, and having the profit explained to them, would
immediately follow our example; and our Miln would, in that
Case, pay beyond calculation. All we require of your Ladyship is
to build for us a Sett of offices and a Cottage. We shall build the
Embankment at our own Expences, and Content ourselves with
two thirds meliorations at the Expiry of the Tack. If your Ladyship
approves of this idea, you may fix our entry at Whitsunday 18x1