The Sheep.'] OF ORKNEY. 5 



ment of sheep ; as*, 1st, to ascertain the property ; 2d-f , the 

 time of shearing ; 3d, with regard to buying and selling; none 

 of which particulars were allowed to be transacted in secret, 

 or at the will even of the owners, but all must be done in pre- 

 sence of the bailie, and other public officers of the parish ; 

 and this for preventing frauds of every kind, in a subject in 

 which the whole community had a concern. To understand 

 this last particular, we must observe, that the sheep in Ork- 

 ney are never housed at any season, but those of a whole 

 island, parish, &c. constitute a promiscuous flock, out of the 

 power of the owners, except once a-year, when they are to 

 be rowed, (as it is here called) and the lambs marked. Now, 

 if every man had been indulged with a liberty to make free 

 with such a promiscuous property, it would been tempting 

 to dishonesty, and led the whole country into many inconve- 

 niencies ; to remedy which, they had a set of the most saga- 

 cious men in every parish or district set apart, whose busi- 

 ness it was to take notice that due regard was paid to the re- 

 gulation made in this case. As the sheep, upon every occa- 

 sion, must be taken with the help of dogs J, trained for the 



* Act " Anent marking of Sheip : That nane mark sheip, on the mark called 

 " the king's mark, (especiallie within the mainland) without warrand." Acts in 

 MS. It was also ordered, that every mark should be registered in a book kept for 

 the purpose. 



t " Anent rowing of sheip : That na man row sheip, untill the time they are 

 lawfullie warned be the baylzie, as they will eschew to be repute thieves." Ib. 



" Anent Sheip-dogis : That na man keip sheip-dogis but sic as are chosen 

 " be the sherrifis and baylzies, with consent of the parochines, and for whom the 

 " baylzie shall be answerable, under the pain of ten punds." Ib. 



