600 HISTORY OF THE OUTER HEBRIDES. 



but they told me it had been took away by one Mr. McLeod Factor to 

 the Laird of that Name. Not being satisfied with this Answer, I caus'd 

 the whole House to be search'd, and look'd into every Chest and Cupboard 

 but could find nothing, so I brought the Firelock away. This Place is about 

 12 Miles from Ballanllan and 26 from Stornway. The whole country that 

 we march'd through is one continued Bogg, impassable at all times for 

 Horses or Cows, and the same in the Winter for any Human Creature ; on 

 our right Hand were inaccessable Mountains of Rock, of a Stupendious 

 Height. There are about a Thousand Families in this part of the Country 

 all Protestants of the Kirk of Scotland ; they are all Vassels to my Lord 

 Fortrose who is the sole Proprietor of this Island. 



Mr. McKenzie told me he could raise three Thousand men in this 

 Country ; how far this may be true I know not, but I must doubt the 

 Veracity of his Assertion. They say they are all well affected to His Majesty, 

 and our happy Constitution ; they have no Arms Nor do they at any time 

 wear the Highland Dress. What I have seen of them are a poor wretched 

 People and meer slaves to Violence and Oppression. 



From Bonnevenitre I came part by Land and part by Water to Loskiner 

 (Luskentyre) in the Harris. Ensign Airey the Officer Commanding here, 

 was upon his rounds. I stay'd here two or three days to see him and to 

 inform myself of the Country. I was at Mr. McLeods House and was treated 

 very Hospitably. He is a man extramly well affected to His present Majesty, 

 and His Goverment, and is in all respects (if I may Judge by his Conver- 

 sation) a downright honest man. He Commanded a Company of McLeods 

 against the Rebels in the Year 1745. The Day after I arrived at Loskiner, 

 I received a Letter from Lieut. Nicolson from Stornway acquainting me he 

 had sent Torkel McLeod a Papist, Prisoner on Board the Brig for being 

 guilty of High Treason. The Evidences against him have sign'd the Affidavit 

 and were sworn before Mr. McKenzie Chief Magistrate of the Place. The 

 Prisoner was it seems drinking with a Sergeant and three men when he made 

 use of his Treasonable Expressions, in saying the King was a Rebel and he 

 would prove him so. I have Two of the Men with me who I think are 

 sufficient to prove the Fact. I hope to have the Honour of Your Directions 

 about him. 



The whole Herris belongs to the Laird of McLeod, and he has 

 appointed Donald McLeod, Baillie, or Superintendent over all his 

 affairs in it. He was in the late Rebellion and the only one that 

 went out of this Country; the poor People live in great subjection 

 tinder him and it is said, his Power is as extensive as his Chiefs. 

 He had a Protection from his Laird to carry a Firelock, but having two 

 Mr. Airey took one away. He also found an old Firelock and Broad Sword 

 at Scalpa belonging to John Campbell who had formerly been a Sergeant in 

 Lord Loudoun's Regiment and an old Pistol at Rowdil very rusty and with- 

 out a Lock. As to the Highland Dress it is quite abolished, for nothing of 

 that kind is to be seen through the Long Island. The People of this 

 Country are all of the Kirk of Scotland not one Person that I can hear of 

 dissenting from it. There are about one Hundred and fifty or Sixty Families, 

 and able to bear Arms (taking from Sixteen to Sixty) about Three Hundred 

 Men. 



There are seven Islands comprehended in the Country of Herris, Terrensey, 

 Scarp, and Scalpa, and for the most part Rocky and Barren. Bernera, Ensay 

 Pabby and Killigroy are all together tolerably Fertile, particularly Bernera 

 which is the Place where the Baillie Resides. There are many other smaller 

 Isles uninhabited. From Loskiner I march'd to Rowdill where I waited 

 several Days and could hear nothing of the Brigg. At last the Master sent 

 me a Letter over Land by his Pilot, acquainting me he had done all in his 

 power to make the Harbour of Rowdil but could not do it, and that he lay 

 in Fins Bay unable to move untill the Wind chang'd. By this time my 

 Party began to suffer very much for want of Provisions, Meal particularly, 

 as none could be got at that Place, and as to my own part I thought I should 



