{ 4-^ ) 



same as the rental calculated ou the old " Souming," 

 namely, about ^^7400. 



Perhaps I cannot use a better illustration of the 

 scale of rents in Tyree, than by taking an individual 

 case. It happens to be one of those many widows of 

 whom the agitators have asserted that they are as a 

 rule evicted on my estate. The figures have been 

 supplied to me, not from my own agents, but from a 

 less suspected source. It is the case of a croft rented 

 at a little more than £2^, It is now reported to me 

 as holding 7 milk cows, 2 heifers, 8 " stirks," and 40 

 sheep. This amount of stock at the usual rates would 

 represent a rental of about ^31 ; and would unques- 

 tionably fetch that rent, and more, if let at the market 

 value. 

 Result that crofts Taking all these data together, it seems quite clear 

 vidue^ ^ "^ ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ crofters' lands in Tyree are held generally at 

 rents far below the full value, and such as readily to 

 account for the comparatively comfortable and thriving 

 aspect of the Island and of the people, as contrasted 

 with most other parts of the Highlands which are 

 occupied by a similar class. 

 Cottars. Passing now from the crofting and farming popula- 



tion, I wish to bring to the notice of the Commission 

 that in Tyree there is a very large population of mere 

 cottars, some of whom live by fishing, others by labour 

 obtained in the Island, and others again by going to 

 service for some part of the year to the low country. 

 This population may be said, in the language of geo- 

 logy, to be the detritus of the old subdivided crofters 

 and sub-tenants. I believe there are no less than 

 about 300 families who live on the Island without 

 paying any rent either to the proprietor or to the 



