Appendix A. LXXX

STATEMENT by LORD LOVAT regarding Glenstrathfarrer Deer Forest.
BEAUFORT CASTLE, BEAULY, N.B.,
December 5, 1883.

The deer forest of Glenstrathfarrer, containing about 50,000 acres, consists of old Lovat property and the Struy property. The latter from Strathglass and Erchless march to Aultdulisk on the north and the middle of Leaterandhui on the south side. The former, from these points to the west end, marching with Monar and Patt.

Struy property was bought by Lord Lovat in 1827. The hill ground on south side Dumnaglass Coilgarabh was in the hands of the laird, and was cleared by Lord Lovat in 1827, till 1834 (seven years), when it was let for sheep to Mr Macrae for £6 , and was again cleared in parts in 1850,
and 1860.

Camisony, also on south side, was let to Peter Chisholm in 1824 till 1850, when it was cleared. Peter Chisholm had little means, and went to Inversnaid, where he died.

North Side.—Coilgraen was held by Fraser of Eskadale till 1832, when Finlay Macrae and Ewen Macdonald took it for £200. They left and took farms in the low ground in 1850, when Tait took part, and part was cleared. Tait gave up the sheep ground in 1865, when it was cleared. His widow still retains the arable farm at a rent of £60.

Old Lovat Property
The whole glen, exclusive of the Struy property, was taken by Mr Grieve, a south country sheep farmer, in 1824, for £500. He gave up the north side in 1833, retaining the south side for £200.

On North side—Deanie and Easter Moylie were taken by John Chisholm and his son William in 1833 till 1839, for £133, 18s. 4d. Not doing well there, W . Chisholm gave it up, and, after a few years, took Barnyards, near Beauly, an arable farm, which his son still holds, for £400.

Wester Moylie, Athuilck and Browlen were taken by W . Mackenzie and W . Chisholm, in 1833 till 1847; rent, £166, 1s. 4d. Mackenzie gave it up, not thriving, in 1847, and took Croichel, where he now is, at a rent of £120.

South Side.—Grieve gave up the south side in 1834. Valentine Macrae took Inchlair and Moylie Reach for £^70, and gave it up in 1850, when it was cleared. He took the farm of Camoch, where he died. All west of this was cleared by Lord Lovat when Grieve gave it up in 1824. A few small tenants, and sub-tenants, came down from the Glen, and settled in the low country in 1824, and long before that. The one or two that were then in the Glen remain there now. Long ago the Glen was divided into shealings for summer grazings for the arable farms, i.e., before the introduction of sheep farms. There were no crofters turned out to make the forest. The Glen was entirely held by sheep farmers, who left at the expiry of their leases, or to benefit themselves by taking farms in the lower country. I believe the above to be a fairly correct statement of facts regarding the forest of Glenstrathfarrer.