Remote & Rural Remedies

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"Survey return from Don. MacCalman"

Ardchattan, Bonaw.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/32

Don. MacCalman was a church minister to Ardchattan parish.

Ardchattan was a parish in the historic County of Argyle and was, until the late-19th century, united with Muckairn. It also contained two islands. Agriculture was not a big industry, some livestock was bred and there was also a granite quarry. In 1841, the population was 1452.

[[Addressee]]
The Revd
Don. MacCalman
Ardchattan
Bonaw

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Ardchattan?

Dr. McColl. Dalecholish by Bonaw is the only resident Practitioner. Drs. Campbell and Kennedy residing at Oban come occasionally when called – distance from 6. to 20 miles

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

Dr. McColl Dalecholish by Bonaw.

3. Has the number increased or diminished of late years?

The Number has continued stationary since I came to this Parish six years ago.

4. Have any left the Parish since you became connected with it? If so, for what reasons?

None.

5. Is there any complaint among the people of inadequacy in the supply of Medical aid?

No complaint as to inadequacy of medical aid among the people – but a general complaint of inability to pay for medical attendance so as to secure the services of a medical man for one parish-

6. Do you know of any cases of protracted suffering, or of injury by Accident, such as might have been alleviated had proper advice been at hand?

No such particular case has hitherto come under my notice – but this Parish is so extensive that nearly 50 ms long- that it is very difficult to procure medical aid promptly in the remote localities.

7. To what extent is the deficiency of qualified Practitioners made up by the efforts of other parties?

There is a medical officer appointed by the Parochial Board¹ who is paid £25. pr. annum for attending the paupers.

8. Does your experience enable you to suggest any measure – of general applicability – such as would be likely to relieve to some extent the evils (if they exist) of deficiency in the supply of Medical aid?

I think a Medical Practitioner should be settled in every Parish. or District. if the funds could be provided for his maintenance.

9. What Heritors² are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?

J.S. Popham Esqr. Ardchattan. Bonaw.
John Cameron of Barcaldane- Ardchattan. Bonaw³
Alexander Campbell of Monzie- Ardchattan. Bonaw⁴

[[Additional Text]]

Reference. Dr. Campbell
4 Picardy Place
Edin⁵
Don: MacCalman Min. of Ardchattan⁶

Explanatory notes:

1. Following the Poor Law Amendment (Scotland) Act of 1845 parochial boards were set up in each parish to administer poor relief.
2. A heritor was a landowner, under Scots Law, whose holdings were sizeable enough for them to be liable for the payment of public burdens such as Poor Law rates, road and bridge assessments and the church minister’s stipend.
3. “Archattan. Bonaw” represented by ditto.
4. “Archattan. Bonaw” represented by ditto.
5. Written to left of page.
6. Written to right of page.

"Survey return from Don. MacCalman"

Ardchattan, Bonaw.

1850.

Don. MacCalman was a church minister to Ardchattan parish.

Ardchattan was a parish in the historic County of Argyle and was, until the late-19th century, united with Muckairn. It also contained two islands. Agriculture was not a big industry, some livestock was bred and there was also a granite quarry. In 1841, the population was 1452.