Crofters

Scope and Contents Cecil writes that he has written to the Secretary of the Carnegie Institute and hopes that Ewart's trip is a success. He mentions that he has been in touch with Forsyth about their forthcoming visit to Skye where they are considering circulating memoranda about ponies among the crofters under the auspices of the Congested Districts Board. Forsyth has stated that he would like to start a stud farm in Kilmuir. Cecil believes that he considers Fincastle's cross-breeding of Arab sires and...

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Cecil, who is confined in London after a cab accident, speaks of his low regard for the innkeepers, and he believes they will have more luck dealing directly with the crofters. He goes on to discuss the merits of different Highland ponies.

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Cecil asks Ewart to order some more copies of 'that kiang of mine' to send out to various people. He recommends that Ewart contact Fincastle at Piershill, as he is the owner of South Harris and interested in the fisherman-crofters.He is also to be on the commitee to advise the Congested Districts Board and Crofters Commission and also well-placed to advise on the breeding of animals for miltary use.

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Cecil agrees with Fincastle's remarks that the cross-bred horses for the crofters should maintain quality as well as increase size and comments upon various mutual correspondents. He states that he met a man called Scott who is going to send two Highland ponies and 'Braemore' and comments that the ponies on the east side of Skye appear to be identical to those on the Isle of Rum.

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Pipon encourages Ewart to forward his letter to the Congested Districts Board. He feels sure that if the Government can help the crofters, the result will be of advantage to both the Army and the crofters.

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Ainsworth writes that he will gladly help with the opportunity for pony breeding that has arisen in relation to the Committee set up by the Selkirk office to report on how far the Congested Districts Board can promote improved agriculture amongst crofters. He suggests that Ewart give evidence before this committee and is glad that the original report is being revised.

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The letter requests more detailed particulars about Lord Cecil's pony than Ewart previously provided. The purchasers intend to cross the stallion with Shetland mares to produce a reliable carting and ploughing pony for crofters.

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Note about how crofters' daughters are dressed remarking that they are 'as becomingly dressed as the average young lady in Princes St[reet]' [Edinburgh].

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The notes chiefly consist of quotations from newspaper reports relating to the introduction of 'new blood' into the crofters' ponies by the Congested Districts Board in a bid to improve the native stock.

Scope and Contents Story about the ownership of a croft near St Moluag's Church [Lios Mòr/Lismore, Earra Ghàidheal/Argyllshire]. The remains of the building are behind the church and belonged to a crofter who also had a croft 'above on Druim na bithe' which he held from Fear Thirphuir [Laird of Tirefour]. As the lands were not adjacent, the crofter had to trespass in order to move his cows from one piece of land to the next, on doing this via 'Taighanlochain & into the Port char[rain]' [Taigh an...