The Old Statistical Account of Fodderty

In 1791 when the Old Statistical Accounts were written, Fodderty was a parish in the Counties of Ross and Cromarty, the Presbytery of Dingwall and the Synod of Ross. The Account was written by Reverend Mr Donald Mackenzie.

The name comes from the Gaelic "Foigh-ritudb" meaning a meadow along the side of a hill. The parish is mostly in a valley, surrounded by hills to the north, west and south, with an extensive opening to the east. The name of the valley is Strathpeffer; it is nearly two miles long and half a mile broad. To the north-east is the town and parish of Dingwall. Most people live in the valley, but some live in "small glens, which extend to some distance along the opening of the hills". These may lie nearer the churches of Dingwall or Contin.

Current Dingwall Church, built after 1800

The climate is "pure", and several men and woman then living were over 90 years old. Smallpox is mentioned: "[it] often rages here, and frequently proves mortal, as inoculation has never been attempted except by a very few families, who recently introduced it with success. The prejudice of the people is, however, very strong against it".

There were 663 horses, valued at 3 pounds each; 1500 black cattle valued at 3 pounds each, 1000 best sheep valued at 5 shillings each and 2000 inferior sheep valued at 3 shillings. The total value of the flock is 7,039 pounds. The number of cattle was decreasing due to "the introduction of sheep farms", which increased the total number of sheep and also improved the breed.

Population

In 1755 there were reportedly 1483 people. In 1791, there were now 1730 people, 881 males and 849 females. There were 122 boys and 120 girls under 7 years of age. There were 330 families overall. The author reports that there were 488 male servants and 358 female servants. This surprises me as I had assumed most people were self-sufficient farmers; instead it seems that many people are seen as farm servants, and that there were far fewer farms than I had thought.

The author then supplies the information that there are only eight proprietors in the parish, none of whom lived in the parish. [In contrast, in Borthwick there were six proprietors, five of whom lived in the parish]. There were 10 principal farmers who paid rent to the value of 40 pounds a year; 150 smaller farmers who paid from 2 to 16 pounds a year; 100 cottars who paid 2 shillings to 2 pounds a year. The total amount of rent paid was therefore about 1400 pounds Sterling per year. Rent was paid in 'bolis', or boles of grain.

The crops grown were barley, oats, pease and potatoes. "The old method of constantly croping, is generally followed by all the classes of farmers. Some attempts have of late been by a few towards altering the system of farming, by the introduction of sown grass, fallow or turnips; but these essays have always been checked by the want of encouragement shown to those tried them, none of the proprietors here having ever allowed any of the tenants to derive any advantage from their improvements, or offered them any assistance to enable them to carry on."

Manners and Employment of the People

"There is for some seasons of the year, a very great want of industry among the inhabitants. During the weeks of feed-time and harvest they exert themselves to a great degree; but during the remainder of the year, having no field for similar exertions of industry, they indulge themselves to a great degree in indolence and inactivity. The want of employment her, forces those who are industriously inclined, to go and find labour in the southern districts of Scotland; so that great numbers of both sexes, leave their homes in the months of May and June, and return in November, with from 10 to 42 shillings.... Sloth seems to be the greatest enemy to the morality of the people here, as those who will not procure their own subsistence by labour, are forced to use dishonest means for procuring it. They are much addicted to the use of spirits, and will go every lengths to procure it".

"The wages of a labouring man seldom exceeds 6 pence a day, of a woman 5 pence. Servants are generally hired here for a year; then the terms are to a man servant 3 pound per year and 6 bolls meal, to a woman 1-1.5 pounds a year and 5 bolls meal, when they do not receive their board. Beef and mutton fell at an average for 3 pence per pound, pork for 2.5 pence and fowls at 4 pence each.

All people except two (who were Church of England), were members of the established Church of Scotland. The patron of the church was Kenneth Mackenzie of Cromarty, Esq. The schoolmaster was paid 11 pounds 2 shillings Sterling per year. The school-house was built in 1779 and was in a good state of repair.

There were 50 people on the poor roll. In addition to weekly church collections [about 8 pounds per year], money to support the poor also came from George Earl of Cromarty who gave 12 bolls of barley a year, and from interest of a legacy of 80 pounds Sterling from Mrs Morrison of the island of Jamaica.

The language spoken was Gaelic, with just two "who do not understand that language well."

Note - the growing town of Dingwall encroaches on the parish of Fodderty, leading to this parish disappearing from some maps.

The Gazetteer of Scotland, www.scottish-places.info/towns/townclimate4494.html, provides the startlingly low number of sunshine hours per day that Fodderty people can expect.

This says that the maximum sunshine in May is nearly 6 hours. Great because I will be there in May. But look at the averages for Oct-Mar - all under 3 hours a day!

Australians are now shivering.