Remote & Rural Remedies

"Survey return from James Morrison"

Kintail, Lochalsh.

1850.

RCP/COL/4/8/122

James Morrison was a church minister in Kintail.

Kintail was a parish in the historic County of Ross and Cromarty. In 1831, the population was 1240. The parish mainly had pastures with the main focus on sheep farming. There was a main, regularly maintained road through the parish.

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[[Addressee]]
The Revd
James Morrison
Kintail
Lochalsh

[[Survey]]
QUERIES

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

There is no Resident medical man in this Parish Dr Kennedy. when called on able to attend. Visits the Sick.

2. The Names and Addresses of these.

Dr Kennedy. Plockton by Lochalsh.

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

Diminished

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

Yes. Dr Cameron. Left this Parish, for [1 word illegible]

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

Yes.

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?

Yes.

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

The Parish Board¹ employ Dr Kennedy. he visits 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?

A resident medical man, most desirable.

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

I have Three Heritors – All non residents. One of my Heritors resided for a few weeks in Kintail two years ago.

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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.