View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Monday, 18 October 2010

The Napier Commission in Sutherland

It is late July 1883, and the Napier Commission has arrived on the distant north coast of Scotland. Sitting in the hamlet of Bettyhill, a village 30 miles west of Thurso, the Commission has just spoken at length to 23-year old Adam Gunn, on the problems, facing the people in his district. His interrogation comes to a grinding conclusion with this exchange:

25560. Have you always been engaged in agricultural labour, or have you had any other occupation?
—I am a student as well.

25561. In the university?
—Yes.

25562. Which university?
—St Andrews.

25563. For the purpose of entering one of the professions?
—I am not sure.

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