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"Survey return from Gustavus Aird"
Criech, by Bonar Bridge.
1850.
RCP/COL/4/8/89
Gustavus Aird was a church minister to Criech parish.
Creich (also known as Criech) was a parish in the historic County of Sutherland and contained the village of Bonar Bridge. In 1831, the population was 2562. There were many tree plantations in the parish, with some agriculture being practiced as well. There were also two quarries and some opportunity for fishery in the river Shin.
[[Addressee]]
The Revd
Gustavus Aird
Criech
by Bonar Bridge
[[Survey]]
QUERIES
1. How many Medical Men practice within the Parish of Creich?
One
2. The Names and Addresses of these.
William Gordon Esqr. Surgeon
Bonar
by Bonar Bridge
3. Has the number increased or diminished of late years?
The above named Gentleman came to the Parish at Whitsunday 1849 no medical man ever resided in it before then & the district felt much the want of one
4. Have any left the Parish since you became connected with it? If so, for what reasons?
No
5. Is there any complaint among the people of inadequacy in the supply of Medical aid?
There was until Dr. Gordon came here but none at present
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 text]
7. To what extent is the deficiency of qualified Practitioners made up by the efforts of other parties?
[no text]
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?
Were the medical man is at present in this quarter to remove the people wd be very ill off and the inducements for him to remain are certainly not very inviting as although, he is very much employed, from the very limited circumstances of the people his remuneration must be very inadequate. Were a medical man to have a piece of land it would be an additional inducement to remain as he must always have a house, the keep of which is too expensive without his having land
9. What Heritors1 are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?
Daniel Gilchrist Esqr of Ospisdale is the only resident Heritor
George Dempster Esqr of Skibo is I believe the chief Heritor & on his Property most of the people reside; he resides in the neighbouring Parish of Dornoch. The other Heritors are the following but they are non resident
His Grace the Duke of Sutherland
Sir Charles Ross Bart of Balmagown
James Matheson Esqr [1 word illegible] for Rossshire.
Explanatory notes:
1. 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.
Remote & Rural Remedies
