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

130 SUTHERLAND ESTATE MANAGEMENT: CORRESPONDENCE
Since writing the above I have the honor of your Lordships
letter. Ross1 was growling to me about the inferiority of the soil
on his Lott, because he sees better in other places, but there is no
plan that I can devise by which a few Cottages will show off so well.
He does not depend so much on the ground as many others, and from
the way he is turning it over he will gain when ^10 an acre is
allowed him; if the Book case had come to Burghead Davidson
woud certainly have forwarded it. I wish I coud have been at the
Castle while Mr Mcpherson Grant is there. Your Lordship might
have accompanied him and me over several parts of the Estate and
we wou’d have had some discussion on future improvements, I will
yet make a push to get over before Mr Grant leaves Sutherland.
William Young to Marchioness of Stafford
Dunrobin Castle, 29 November 1810
Since my letter of 23 d I have had the honor to receive your Lady¬
ships of 21st. I wish it was in my power to give Lord Stafford
satisfactory accounts of the Coal. Pritchard who is sanguine of
ultimate success was down 115 feet on the 26th still in the same
blue soft rock which he began with. 1 cannot better describe its
nature than to say that in place of blunting it sharps and brings the
Jumper with which they cut to a fine edge.
I have written Hughes who shoud have been here last week
(but craved a few days delay) to come down instantly that I may
be able to furnish His Lordship with an accurate Journal.
I beg to have Mr Colin MacKenzies plans of the Crofts and
allotments. If they are too bulky for the post, any of the Inverness
Ship Captains woud leave them directed to me at Burghead. If it was
possible I daresay Your Ladyship woud wish and certainly I shoud
like to see every contented creature settled on the Estate in one way
or other. I was up through Rogart yesterday and cannot describe the
many snug situations to be found there especially near the Kirk.
I saw a beautifull meadow perhaps 15 or 20 acres destroyed by
water which for a mere trifle can be made six times its present
value, its exactly the old Lady Lochs improvement in miniature;
blow up a small rock across the bum and off goes the water, but
1 One of the settlers on Achavandra moor.