Transactions. 69 



of butcher meat throughout the greater part of the year, and its 

 abundance and extraordinary cheapness at salting-down time, 

 accounts for the fact stated by Ramsay of Ochtertyre, that the 

 burgesses of Stirling were in the habit at Martlemas of putting 

 in salt a bullock for every person in the family, infants at the 

 breast not excepted. It was really provision for nine months of 

 the year. Our tourist proceeds : — " Swine are seldom seen about 

 the Highlands, but pork is very common in the low countries, and 

 in particular at Aberdeen, where great quantities are pickled and 

 sold to other parts for winter provision. A fowl, which they call 

 a hen. may be purchased for twopence, and there is great plenty 

 of roots and greens." 



And there was plenty of good liquor both in Highlands and 

 Lowlands to wash down the abundant provender for those who 

 could afford it. " French claret is to be had in great perfection 

 all over Scotland, except in the heart of the Highlands, and some- 

 times even there ; but the number of English has of late raised 

 the price from ] s 4d to 2s a bottle. French brandy is also to be 

 purchased for four shillings a gallon, and lemons are seldom 

 wanting." This, of course, spells punch. 



The unhappy condition of the " greatest number " in the 

 the Highlands about 17 GO may be judged of from the following 

 extract : — " In this place there are held every year five fairs ; but 

 it is impossible to conceive greater poverty and wretchedness than 

 appear among the people who keep these fairs. Those who bring 

 a small roll of linen or a piece of coarse plaiding under their arms 

 are the most considerable dealers ; the rest bring perhaps two 

 cheeses, each of which weig'hs about two or three pounds ; a kid, 

 which at the highest price is sold for 8d ; a small quantity of 

 butter in what looks like a bladder, and is sometimes set down 

 upon the dirt in the streets ; three or four goat skins, or some 

 other trifle of yet less value. The money which they receive is 

 not, however, carried home, but generally laid out in a horn or 

 wooden spoon, a knife, or a platter, and sometimes a large onion 

 or a carrot, which are dainties not to be procured in their own 

 part of the country, and which they frequently eat raw upon the 

 spot, without salt or bread." 



There was a toll at that time of a penny for each foot passen- 

 ger with goods crossing the bridge at Inverness ; but such was 

 the indigence of the people that even women waded the I'iver 



