LAND IMPROVEMENTS. 



107 



lies in the parish of Reay, about six miles to the west of Thurso. 

 Its northern boundary for about six miles is the precipitous 

 coast line of the Atlantic Ocean, and the furious winds of the 

 north-west cany the sea spray for miles inland. The soil is a 

 clayey loam (but not so strong as that of Murkle), resting on 

 the flagstone, which is uniformly nearer the surface than at 

 Murkle. The crops grown are turnips, oats, bere, and grass. 



The leases of both estates expired at Whitsunday 1859. 

 The whole of the estate of Murkle for the lease of nineteen years 

 expiring at said term, was held by the late Captain Henderson 

 of Stemster. The estate of Dounreay for the same period was 

 occupied by Captain Macdonald, late of Sandside, and the late 

 John Paterson, Esq. These were the three principal tenants 

 holding from the proprietor; on the estate of Murkle there were 

 fifty-four sub-tenants, and eighty-five on the estate of Dounreay. 

 Admiral Sir John Gordon Sinclair, Bart, (who died in 

 1863) was proprietor when the leases referred to expired. For 

 some years previous to their expiration, he and his son, 

 the present proprietor, Sir Robert Charles Sinclair, directed 

 their attention to re-letting the estates under improving leases. 

 John Mitchell, Esq. (now agent for the National Bank of 

 ►Scotland, Dingwall), who is well known in Ross-shire and 

 Morayshire as a skilful and successful agriculturist, and inti- 

 mately acquainted with the management of landed property, 

 was recommended by the Marquis of Tweeddale to Sir John to 

 report upon the condition of the estates, and how they should be 

 re-let. He visited them in 1856, three years before the old 

 leases expired, and reported in favour of abolishing the system 

 f sub-tenantry, and proposed an outlay by the proprietor of 

 £14,200 upon buildings, fences, and roads. Upon outlays for 

 drainage, the tenants to be charged the usual drainage rent charge 

 of 6| per cent. The following abstract taken from his report 

 shows a clear gain of £1127 12s. per annum. 



Estate of Murkle, . 

 Estate of Dounreay, 



Present Rents. 



£832 4 

 1355 4 



£2187 8 



Outlays. 



Rent for next lease, as above, 

 Present rent, .... 

 Interest on outlays and incidents, 

 Taken from the proposed rent, 



Leaves a clear gain of 



£5,000 

 9,200 



14,200 



Interest on 

 Outlays at 

 6.3 per cent. 



£325 

 598 



923 



£2187 8 

 1173 



Future Bents. 



£1510 

 2978 



4488 



£4488 



3360 8 



£1127 12 



