Remote & Rural Remedies

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"Survey return from Donald Murray"

Shieldag, by Lochcarron.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/118

Donald Murray was a church minister in Sheildag.

Sheildag (also known as Shieldag) was a fishing village within the parish of Applecross. In the mid-19th century it had a population of 200. For more information on the area, see the entry for Applecross.

[[Addressee]]
To the Revd
The minister of Shieldag
by Lochcarron

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

1. None, within the bounds of Shieldaig, Applecross or Lochcarron

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

2. There is no practitioner in medicines within Thirty miles of Shieldaig of Applecross -

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

3. There is neither increase nor diminution in number.

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

4. None came to the parish or left it since I was settled here.

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

5. Several complaints are often heard among the people of inadequacy in the supply of medical aid

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?

6. I have known and witnessed various cases of protracted suffering, that might have been alleviated had proper advice been at hand – (and perhaps life prolonged)

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

7. The deficiency can only be made up by sending for a medical man at the distance of Thirty or Forty Miles (often when too late)

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?

8. I know from experience, that the deficiency complained of cannot be supplied, otherwise than by a resident medical practitioner.

9. What Heritors¹ are resident, either generally or occasionally, in your Parish?

9. Thomas McKenzie Esqr of Applecross occasionally resides, but MacBarnett of Torridon, and Sir Kenneth MacKenzie of Gairloch seldom reside in this country.

[[Additional Text]]

Donald Murray

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.

"Survey return from Donald Murray"

Shieldag, by Lochcarron.

1850.

Donald Murray was a church minister in Sheildag.

Sheildag (also known as Shieldag) was a fishing village within the parish of Applecross. In the mid-19th century it had a population of 200. For more information on the area, see the entry for Applecross.

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.