The Napier Commission
Kinlochbervie 24th July 1893
Alexander Ross, Fiondale, Scourie (aged 74 years) examined:
The Chairman:
What is your occupation?
Alexander Ross:
Nothing – I am a citizen of the world.
The Chairman:
Where do you live?
Alexander Ross:
At Fiondale, at Loch Laxford. But I may say I have no residence, because I ma hated by factors and all in authority.
The Chairman:
Have you been a chosen delegate?
Alexander Ross:
Yes – by the people of Eddrachillis and the other end of Scourie and Badcall.
“It is to be acknowledged that it is not easy to tell of the people’s grievances in this district in a very clear and straight forward narrative, because it is sometimes necessary to give seemingly insignificant details to throw light on the leading facts.
One of the characteristics of the management in this district is that widows who are not likely to be chosen delegates, comes for a special share of hardships.
“Widow Robert Fleming, Fanagmore, was dispensed of a portion of her lot to augment the lot of a man who was fortunate enough to have the favour of Mr Maciver.” …
“When the great destitution in ’46 – ’47 in the Highlands, a great quantity of meal and biscuits for soup was sent to Lochinver, Scourie and Kinlochbervie. The mouldy biscuits came first in Lochinver in one of McDonald’s vessels, stored in Fanagmore, reshiped and put aboard the emigrant ship, of which Mr Maciver’s brother-in-law was owner, after passing the sound stores by the custom house officer, calling the emigrant roll and ordering them to their bunks, and asking if any stranger was aboard. Sound stores were taken out. And the bad put in their place.”
“Things were so managed, that lands which should have been available for the relief of the poor crofters have been laid together for a sheep farm for the factor, which caused his bankruptcy. This grasping of lands has carried with it this glairing consequence among the rest, that he has in his own possession every one of islands which used to be held by the crofter’s township of Tarbet, Fanagmore and Fiondale, for their rams and lambs.
Island Handa, one of the best pieces of land for man or beast in this district, and which was occupied by ten crofters and their dependants, is now in the factor’s hands. We know that Mr Maciver took some writing from one of the crofters, to blindfold his employees, saying that Island Handa was not fit for crofters, and by bribes and promises made those remaining leave. There is not one in the place who believe the truth of this about Island Handa….”
