of the Fishery Board for Scotland. 51 
APPENDIX G. 
REPORT by ARCHIBALD YOUNG, Advocate, Inspector of Salmon 
Fisheries for Scotland, and Evidence in Application by Mrs Ogilvie 
of Barcaldine for an Order for a Several Oyster and Mussel Fishery 
in Loch Creran. 
I have the honour to report that, as directed by the Fishery Board 
for Scotland, I held an Inquiry, on Tuesday the 17th November last, 
in the Station Hotel, Oban, into the application for a Several Oyster 
and Mussel Fishery in Loch Creran, ex adverso of her lands, promoted 
by Mrs Ogilvie of Barcaldine. 
For the promoter there appeared Messrs Hosack and Sutherland, 
Solicitors, Oban ; Mr Munro Campbell of Kinlochlaich, who has a pro- 
perty on the shores of Loch Creran opposite Barcaldine, was also present 
and his agent, Mr Maclaren, Solicitor, Oban; Colonel M'Dougall of 
Dunolly likewise attended as Tutor and Curator for Donald P. C. Campbell 
of Balliveolan, whose property marches with Barcaldine near the head of 
the Loch. 
Messrs Hosack and Sutherland stated that the statutory requisites 
necessary in the case of such a fishery as that now applied for had been 
duly complied with, and the documents placed in the hands of the Fishery 
Board. They likewise handed in four letters (1) from Mr Maclaren as 
agent for Mr Campbell Munro ; (2) from Mr Donald Beith, on behalf of 
the estate of Barcaldine Castle; (3) from Messrs J. B. Smith & Donald, 
W.S., Edinburgh, on behalf of the estate of Fasnacloich ; and (4) 
letter from Colonel Macdougall as representing the laird of Balliveolan, 
who is a minor. 
The following evidence was given for the promoter, Mrs Ogilvie : — 
Rev. John Sutherland. — I have resided at the Free Church Manse, Bar- 
caldine, for 30 years, and always have taken an interest in the natural history 
of the district. 
I am well acquainted with the shores of Loch Creran. For the first few 
years after I arrived at Barcaldine, oysters were plentiful all over, but especially 
so in certain places, for instance— at the boat-house, at Cregan Ferry, and also 
near the mouth of Culnaline Burn, and generally over the bed of the Loch 
below ordinary low- water mark, also at the point at Dalintober which is upon 
the adjoining property of Mr A. G. Cameron. 
I believe that oysters are likewise to be found in considerable quantities upon 
the Appin shore of the Loch, and I know that they have been taken at 
different times by parties who collected oysters for selling. 
Oysters are not now so plentiful as they were on my first acquaintance with 
the Loch. 
The deterioration in my opinion was chiefly owing to the fact that a man, 
whose name I think was Blair, came here and dredged the oysters without re- 
straint (and I think this happened over 20 years ago). The then proprietor of 
Barcaldine had no lease of the fishing, and was unable to stop Blair's depreda- 
tions. The proprietor's agent took measures to prevent Blair but without 
success, and I believe the following year a lease was procured from the Crown, 
which has been renewed by the successive proprietors from that time. Since 
then I know that the oysters have been recuperating in some places. I am 
aware that Donald Clark at one tide collected, while in the service of Mr Rath- 
