of erection at Dunbeath; an Assembly school established at Berriedale, with schoolmaster's accommodation; another Assembly school similarly provided at Reisgill, together with eight unendowed schools in different localities; the general qualifications of the teachers considerably raised; the system of teaching vastly improved; and, consequently, the number of scholars almost incredibly increased: the general average exceeds 1200. But still much remains to be done in both departments; and as it is pleasing to reflect, that, in carrying forward these improvements, the harmony and good understanding subsisting betwixt the heritors and the present incumbent, have never been interrupted; a circumstance not a little creditable to the heritors, considering how many demands were necessarily made upon them; so it is to be hoped that the same cordiality and good feeling will be mutually maintained in prosecuting those that are still in contemplation. readiness with which they have promoted these improvements, is very commendable.

The

Friendly Societies.-There are two of these of long standing, one at Dunbeath and the other at Lybster. In many instances they have been remarkably useful, both in respect to widows and orphans, and also the aged and infirm; but for several years back, they have not been becoming more flourishing, either as to members or funds. However, it is to be hoped that they may yet revive.

Poor and Parochial Funds.-The number of persons at present on the poor's roll is 202; each of whom only receives at the rate of from 4s. to 8s. at the time of distribution, which is once a-year. Such of them as are able, make their rounds through the parish occasionally, in order to obtain aid from those families whose circumstances enable them to assist them; and those that are bedridden or infirm have assistance sent them by the charitable and well disposed around them. There beingno parochial assessment, the collections made at the church doors, together with the interest arising from a few benefactions, furnish the funds from which the poor receive the small pittance which can be assigned them. The average church collections may amount to L. 52 yearly, and the interest from benefactions to L. 18. The latter consist of L. 100, left many years ago, by the late Rev. Dr James Oswald of Glasgow; L. 100 by the late John C. Sutherland, Esq. of Forse in this parish; L. 100 by Conductor Sutherland of North America; and L. 40 by Mr Alexander Finlayson Macdonald of same place. Much to the credit of the poorer classes, they very

generally manifest a strong disinclination to seek relief from the poor's funds. There is a degree of virtuous pride, as well as strong natural affection very prevalent, which induces the children to support their aged and infirm parents to the utmost of their ability; and when applications are made for parochial relief, the cases are usually found to be very necessitous. This feeling is always encouraged, and its opposite discountenanced by the kirksession, by every possible means. Hence, in ordinary seasons,

very few indeed apply for certificates of poverty; and it is truly astonishing among such a large population, almost solely composed of the poorer classes, how very few are to be met with, asking charity. The numbers of this description from the south are very great, and generally of very indifferent character; but resolutions have recently been entered into by the county gentlemen, with a view of checking this great grievance, which, it is hoped, will have the desired effect. No year passes without many gross deceptions being practised upon the unsuspecting inhabitants, by designing persons of this description.

Fairs.-There are four fairs held in the parish for general purposes, two at Dunbeath and two at Lybster, during the year.

Inns.-There are not fewer than 26 public-houses, for retailing spirits, &c. in the parish, when six would have been quite sufficient for every necessary purpose.

Fuel.-Almost all the fuel used consists of peats. The expense attending its manufacture and carriage makes it ultimately very little cheaper than coal; only, it is more convenient, being always at hand.

October 1840.

ADDENDA.

The following is a list of the Ministers of the parish:-1637, Gilbert Anderson; Mr Munro; 1652, John Ross, translated to Inverness in 1663; 1667, Niel Beaton, died 1715; 1717, Andrew Sutherland, died 1732; 1734, James Brodie, died 1773; 1775, Robert Gun, died 1819; 1820, George Davidson.

There are no Crown teinds in Latheron; but there are unappropriated teinds belonging to other persons, which amount to nearly L.400.

PARISH OF BOWER.

PRESBYTERY OF CAITHNESS, SYNOD OF SUTHERLAND AND

CAITHNESS.

THE REV. WILLIAM SMITH, A. M., MINISTER.

I. TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.

Name, &c.-THE name of the parish is supposed to be derived from a Danish word signifying a valley. Its extent is 7 miles in length and 3 in breadth.

II. CIVIL HISTORY.

State of Property and Antiquities, &c.-The boundary of the parish was formerly, in the greater part of its extent, the boundary of distinct properties.

The estates of Tister (formerly written Thuspisteer,) and Northfield, in this parish, connected with Durran, in the parish of Olrick, had belonged to the family of Mr Sinclair Worth of Durran. Both of these estates are now the property of the Earl of Caithness.

The property of Lyth, in this parish, separated by a burn only from How and Myreland, in the parish of Wick, belongs to Mr Sinclair of Barrack. That of Bowermaddon, and half of Mursay, in this parish, have been added to Tain and Hoy, in the parish of Olrick.

The boundary of Bowermaddon and Mursay was supposed to extend to the burn of Amatan; and the intervening house and farm of Hartfield is partly in this parish, and partly in that of Dunnet. The mills on these two last have been pulled down, and a new one erected in place of them, on the boundary of Bowermaddon.

The estate of Scarmclet, on the south-west side of this parish, has been acquired by Sir R. Anstruther, and added to his property of Dunn, in the parish of Watten, and improved by a new farm at Blackcarn, beyond Larel, and a steading of buildings at Bleedyquoy, and the erection of an excellent new mill. On the premises on which the old mill stood, Sir Ralph Anstruther has caused a school-house to be built.

The improvements formerly begun on the estates of Scarmclet and Clayock, by the late Lieutenant-Colonel Benjamin Williamson of Banneskirk, have been considerably advanced by Sir Ralph Anstruther, by the erection of new farms and steadings, and dividing the possessions of the tenants by ditches 6 feet wide by 3 feet deep, which preclude the encroachments of cattle, and lay the land dry. Mr Henderson of Stempster has inclosed many acres by ditches, and improved his property by digging marl pits.

The estate of Brabsterdorran (said once to have belonged to the earldom of Caithness) was lately acquired from that of South Dunn, by Colonel Stewart of Strath, and resold to David Henderson, younger of Stempster: it is now more than four or five times the value of what it was when it belonged to the late Mrs Henrietta Sinclair Wemyss of South Dunn.

The improvements begun on it by General Stewart, by the erection of a dwelling and offices on the site of the old mansion, some hedging, draining, and road-making, have been further advanced, and the mains enlarged, with extended tillage, fallowing, and enclosures with stone and turf dikes, as also drains; on the Mains, there were added a steading of offices, and a thrashing-mill driven by water, besides a new farm at lower Gillock, bounding with Lower Scarmclet and Quoynce.

On the hill-ground to the east, beyond Brabster and Lister, at nearly equal distance from Brabster, Campster, and Belster of Lord Caithness's property, is placed the standing-stone called Stone Ludd, which, by an old tradition, is supposed to be the memorial of a battle fought and gained.

Torfaeus mentions a fight begun in the moss of Skitten, (paludibus Skidensibus,) now oftener called Kilmster, by two brothers for the Earldom of Caithness,-Liotus, the elder, being supported in his right by the King of Norway,-Scullius, the younger, being aided by the King of Scotland. It is said that the younger was slain in battle, and buried in Hofn, probably Stone Hone, near Watten; and that the elder, victorious brother, was mortally wounded. It is not improbable that the stone was raised as a memorial of Liotus, the Earl of Caithness and Orkney, in the tenth century.

The lands of Bowertower and Auckhorn, Seater, Hastigrow, Kirk, and Stanstill, with Whitegan, belong to David Sinclair Wemyss of South Dunn, and still make up the highest share of the valuation of the parish. The mansion-house of Stanstill is let to a

tenant, with the mains enlarged, and a new square of offices, and thrashing-mill driven by horses.

The estate of Thura was, within the last forty years, purchased by the late William Sinclair, Esq. of Freswick. It is now the property of his son. The Mains have been lately improved by

drains and extended enclosures.

Among the improvements in this parish, those carried on by John Sinclair of Barrack, on the property of Lyth and Alterwall, may be reckoned the greatest. He has added several hundred acres to the land in his own possession, laid much ground dry, multiplied enclosures, and on some of the pastures for sheep added wire fences, besides erecting a new mansion-house, and squares of farm-steadings.

Agriculture. All that the writer has to observe on this subject will be found under the head Civil History of this Account. V.-PAROCHIAL ECONOMY.

Ecclesiastical State.-Amount of stipend, 14 chalders. Value of the glebe per annum, L.5. There are only six Dissenting or Seceding families in the parish.

Education. There are four schools in the parish, one of which is parochial, and another a General Assembly's school. The salary of the parochial master, including the amount of an equivalent for garden, is L.35, 16s. 2d., and his school fees may amount to L.14 per annum.

Poor and Parochial Funds.-Average number of poor for the three years 1835-36-37,-53. Average amount of the sum distributed for their support, L.18, 14s. 9d. This consists of church collections, and interest of Dr Oswald's legacy of L.100.

October 1840.