THE ISLE OF SKYE IN 1882. 23 



tools he used, he was required to pay for the damage. The 

 breaking of a shearing-hook subjected the man who did it to 

 pay 2S. 6d. for it. We are aware that the friends of the 

 laird maintain that the labour thus contributed by the people 

 is in reality not for labour, but an equivalent for a portion 

 of the rent. This is a very plausible excuse, but it will not 

 bear examination. If it is regarded as a part of the rent, 

 rates should be paid upon it, and the "annual value" or 

 rent returned to the county valuator each year should be 

 the amount actually paid in money plus the value of the 

 eight days' labour. Thus, either the labour is free, or there 

 is an unjust and inequitable burden thrown on the other 

 crofters in the parish who do not perform such labour, as, 

 of course, the labour given by Dr. Martin's tenants is not 

 rated. The tenants have now struck against performing 

 this work, and Dr. Martin's work was done this year on 

 ordinary day labour. 



The people also complain that the hill land was taken 

 from the tenants of Galtrigill, and the hill grounds of 

 Borreraig, the neighbouring township, thrown open to them. 

 This was a very material curtailment of the subjects let, but 

 further, sums of from IDS. to 303. were added to the rent 

 of each holding. No crofter on the estate has a sheep or a 

 horse, and they are obliged to buy wool for their clothing 

 from a distance, as Dr. Martin, they say, will not sell them 

 any. The tenants paid their rents at Martinmas last, but 

 they have given notice that unless their demands are con- 

 ceded they will not pay the rent due at Martinmas next 

 The leading points of their petition are that the rents be 

 reduced, the old land-marks restored, and the hill grounds 

 as of old given to them. This petition the tenants sent 

 to Dr. Martin some time ago, but he has not made any 

 reply. The tenants do not appear to be very hopeful that 



