Local Celebrities, John Wallace - Article XI - Rambling Recollections of Berriedale, Badbea, & Neighbourhood – Part F

 
Article XI written by Alexander Gunn aka A Native of Badbea was printed in the Northern Ensign on 29 January 1880 – Part F

Dunbeath showing locations of Markethill and the Telford bridge	Markethill
‘Gingerbread stand at the fair - Geikie	Pedlar - Geikie

“John Wallace was a celebrity in his day. He was a stout, able-bodied man of ordinary size, but possessed of great strength and very fond of a fight, when not infrequently he came off second best.”

“His last great performance was at one of the Dunbeath markets, when he was overpowered by superior numbers. His head was laid open by a blow from a spade, after which he was hurled over the rocks to the west of the village. Had he not been possessed of more than ordinary vitality, he would never have recovered, but he survived, and some of those who took a prominent part in the fight were sent out of the kingdom at the country's expense. John was never so ready for a fight after this, and Dunbeath markets enjoyed a measure of peace and orderliness to which they were strangers before.”

“John was not destitute of good natural qualities, for all his fighting propensities, and was over ready to assist a neighbour. I remember him coming to Badbea, with his pony, to give a day's harrowing to "John Badbea." His pony irritated him in some way, when he struck it a blow between the eyes with his clenched fist, which made the poor beast groan and stagger.”

My Comments:

Dunbeath in Groome’s Ordnance Gazetter of Scotland 1882-4	Dunbeath Map
The location of the assault – the old Telford Bridge in background	The Telford bridge in the foreground was built in 1813. Plenty of stones here to throw.

I have found the report on this assault in the Inverness Circuit Court on 29 April 1829

The Inverness Courier 29 April 1829

The transcription reads:

INVERNESS CIRCUIT COURT.

Monday, April, 27

"At ten o’clock this day, the court was opened by Lord Mackenzie. After prayer by the Rev. Dr Rose, a Jury was formed and the court proceeded with the following trials.

ALEXANDER MUNRO….(not transcribed)

ROBERT SUTHERLAND, of Dunbeath in the parish of Latheron, County of Caithness, JOHN BRUCE, and DONALD HENDERSON all of the same parish, were indicted for Mobbing and Rioting. Bruce and Henderson did not appear and were consequently outlawed. The libel stated that on the 7^th August last, Sutherland, Bruce and Henderson, with a number of other persons, assembled in the neighbourhood of the house of John Gunn sheriff-officer and messenger at Dunbeath, and there assaulted John Wallace, fisherman at Brogie, and George Bain labourer, in the parish of Latheron. Wallace and Bain having run down to the bridge of Dunbeath, were assaulted by the mob who discharged vollies of stones at them, by which they were both struck and wounded. Having afterwards returned across the bridge in order to go home to their respective lodgings, the mob again surrounded them; they retreated to a lane or bye-way, whence they were followed by the mob, and instantly attacked. Wallace was knocked to the ground and reduced to a state of insensibility, being severely wounded on the head, sides and back, and his skull fractured. Bain was assaulted in a similar manner, though less severely injured.

John Wallace (who appeared in court with his head wrapped up) deponed that he was at Dunbeath fair on the 6^th of August last. He was in John Gunn’s house (a public-house) in the evening with George Bain. Six sailors belonging to the Queen, of Annan, were in the house. Being informed that his life was to be taken away he left the house and called up Bain who was gone to bed. Witness described the assaults as detailed above. He was first struck with stones, and then went along the road a considerable distance. Being advised by the sailors to return, he did so, and was again assailed with stones. He stood up against a wall, when he was struck with a spade on the side of the head. Saw Sutherland in John Gunn’s house, but does not remember seeing him in the crowd. Witness was only able to go to the herring fishing one night during the whole season in consequence of the injury he received. Knows of no other cause of quarrel than some dispute about a stick which was taken from a boy.

Cross-Examined. Had not above 2 ½ glasses of whisky all day, and had none in the house, as he left it on hearing his life was to be taken away.

George Bain corroborated the former evidence as to the assault, and said he heard the panel say – “Give me a spade to split his skull.” Did not see Sutherland at the time but knew his voice. Witness was knocked down himself, and when he got up found Wallace on the ground. He (witness) was confined fifteen days to his bed.

Charles Sutherland remembered the fight at Dunbeath bridge at the last day of the fair, and saw people throwing stones. First saw Robert Sutherland come up with something in his hand and strike Wallace. Did not see Wallace offer to strike.

Other witnesses deponed to the same circumstances, and one said he heard Sutherland scolding Wallace about “bragging the estate,” and afterwards saw him striking him in the riot.

Dr Henderson of Clyth, parish of Latheron, read a report of the wounds inflicted on Wallace, whom he attended about three weeks, and who was still afflicted with throwing up of blood in consequence of the injuries he received.

The Advocate Depute being heard for the prosecution, and Mr Milne, as Counsel for the panel, the Judge summed up, and the jury having retired for ten minutes, returned a verdict of Guilty of Mobbing and Rioting and art and part in the assault. 

Sentence, transportation for seven years."

So after a day or two at the Dunbeath market John Wallace, George Bain and a bunch of sailors were at the public-house when a fight broke out and continued down at the Telford bridge. Two sailors who did not appear were outlawed while Robert Sutherland got transportation which was a common but awful sentence.

A Merry meeting by Geikie	From “Songs, naval and national” by Thomas Dibin 1841

Transportation or penal transportation is the sending of criminals or other persons regarded as undesirable to a penal colony. Over a century, thousands of people, both men and women, were transported by the British government to Australia. Transportation was often imposed for petty crimes and for offences for which hanging was deemed too severe. The sentence was imposed for life or for a set period of years. If imposed for a period of years, the offender was permitted to return home after serving out his or her time, but had to make their own way back. Many offenders stayed in the colony as free persons, and obtained employment.

Black-eyed Sue and Sweet Poll of Plymouth taking leave of their lovers who are going to Botany Bay. Published by Rbt Sayer & Co., 1792	Chain gang convicts going to work near Sydney N.S. Wales. 1842

To recap on the further comments on the character of John Wallace:

Pony. At Thurso museum. By Ann Henderson

“John was not destitute of good natural qualities, for all his fighting propensities, and was over ready to assist a neighbour. I remember him coming to Badbea, with his pony, to give a day's harrowing to "John Badbea." His pony irritated him in some way, when he struck it a blow between the eyes with his clenched fist, which made the poor beast groan and stagger.”

From the way he treated the unfortunate pony John Wallace clearly had not dealt with his fighting propensities.

Post Script John Wallace.

Since first posting this I have researched a bit more information on John Wallace.

Time line.

• Baptism: John Wallace: 11 July 1804, Father John, Latheron
• Marriage: 21 Dec 1820, Abode Berriedale Bride: Eliza Sutherland, Berriedale. So these two must have been about 16 when they got married.
• Children:

1. Janet: Bap: 8 Oct 1821. Abode: Borgie
2. Angus: Bap: 28 July 1823. Abode: Berriedale
3. Isabella: Bap: 24 July 1825. Abode: Berriedale
4. Margaret: Bap: 6 July 1827. Abode: Berriedale
5. Elizabeth: Bap: 28 July 1828. Abode: Berriedale
6. Margaret: Bap: 28 Aug 1830. Abode: Berriedale
7. John: Bap: 14 Jan 1833. Abode: Mid Clyth
8. William: Bap: 31 Mar 1835. Abode: Mid Clyth
9. Robert Macalister: Bap: 4 Sep 1837. Abode: Mid Clyth
10. Robert McAlister: Bap: 21 April 1839. Abode: Mid Clyth
11. John Sutherland: Birth 12 June 1840. Abode: Mid Clyth
12. Janet: Birth: 10 Dec 1843. Bap: 18 Dec 1844. Abode: Mid Clyth

John must have been about 25 at the time of the assault and he was the father of five children.

Somewhere between 1841 and 1843 the eldest daughter Janet must have died and a little sister was named after her.  The first Robert Macalister must have also died. John Sutherland doesn’t appear on the census either so maybe he has also died.
The 1841 census is shown

The 1851 census shows Elizabeth a widow. She is described as a Spinster but that is a quirk of the census. The W beside her name means Widow

Somewhere between Janet’s baptism in 1844 and the 1851 census John has died.

Census 1841

Piece: SCT1841/38 Place: Latheron -Caithness Enumeration District: 8 Civil Parish: Latheron Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: - Folio: 0 Page: 10 Address: Mid Clyth

Surname

First name(s)

Sex

Age

Occupation

Where Born

Remarks

WALACE

John

M

35

Farmer

Caithness

WALACE

Elizibeth

F

35

Caithness

WALACE

Janet

F

20

Caithness

WALACE

Angus

M

15

Caithness

WALACE

Isabell

F

15

Caithness

WALACE

Margret

F

10

Caithness

WALACE

Willm

M

6

Caithness

WALACE

Robert

M

2

Caithness

WALACE

-

M

1m

Caithness

Forename enumerated as "n.k."

Census 1851

Piece: SCT1851/38 Place: Latheron -Caithness Enumeration District: 2 Civil Parish: Latheron Ecclesiastical Parish, Village or Island: Latheron Folio: 0 Page: 15 Schedule: 53 Address: Mid Clyth

Surname

First name(s)

Rel

Status

Sex

Age

Occupation

Where Born

Remarks

WALLACE

Elizabeth

Head

W

F

50

Spinster Formerly Fisher Wife

Midlothian - Edinburgh

WALLACE

Margaret

Dau

U

F

21

Net Maker

Caithness - Latheron

WALLACE

Robert Mca

Son

-

M

11

Scholar

Caithness - Latheron

WALLACE

Janet

Dau

-

F

7

Caithness - Latheron

Local Celebrities, John Nicholl - Article XI - Rambling Recollections of Berriedale, Badbea, & Neighbourhood – Part E

 
Article XI written by Alexander Gunn aka A Native of Badbea was printed in the Northern Ensign on 29 January 1880 – Part E

Local Celebrities

John Nicoll

“John Nicoll was well known and much respected in the village. He was the only merchant in the place. He was a shoemaker, and supplied the district the shoes, and was the means of abolishing the local manufacture of "brogues." He also supplied the district with everything required for the households of the inhabitants, from a needle to an anchor. His amiable wife was also much esteemed, and considering the population, they made a fair thing of it, and their removal by the hand of death was universally regretted.”

An egg box to safely transport eggs to market	A wicker creel for peat
Grocery shop in Timespan Helmsdale	Pottery jars in Timespan Helmsdale

My Comments:

Small Grocery Shops

Small shops at one end of the family residence were quite common in the Highlands. Some of the goods were imported and others traded locally such as eggs. It was also common to have a shoemaker’s workshop at the same premises such as this house of my great, great, grandparents at Rangag. These shops were also an important communal meeting place where people would stop when they came to buy or collect mail from the nearby inn and catch up on news. I am glad Alexander Gunn mentioned the wife of John Nicoll even if he didn’t give her a name. Her name was Jane Tait and she was from Wick. They had married on 6 Feb 1840.

The dwelling house of my great, great grandparents at Rangag. The front was used for a grocery shop, the middle the family residence, while the extension at the rear was the shoemaking workshop.

Reay's Village Grocer

Village grocer, William Innes Manson, in 1855 used to travel up and down Strath Halladale in his horse and cart selling at the following prices:-

• Butter 1/- per lb
• Eggs 5½d per dozen
• Sugar 4/- per lb
• Tea 2/-4d per half lb
• Coffee 1/-8d per lb
• Peas Meal 2/- per lb
• Flour 3/-9d a Stone
• Oat Meal 20/- a Boll
• Bere Meal 15/- a Boll
• Barley 2/-2d a Stone
• Biscuits 6d per lb
• Indigo 6d per lb
• Soft Tobacco 1/-3d per lb
• Tobacco 4/- per lb
• Molasses 11/-2d per lb

The Brogues 

Alexander Gunn has mentioned them before - because of the considerable distances people walked often in wet and cold conditions – ‘brogues’ made of locally cured leather were not durable and were smelly. Many people went bare feet of necessity. But some of the shoes made by a craftsman were of impressive quality such as these in the Laidhay Museum – manufacture probably in the early 1870s.

These old shoes were found at Badbea. Even though they are now delapidated it is clear they were originally well made. They are at the Laidhay Museum.  More about John and Jane. Census 1841

The 1841 census shows that Jane was 20 years younger than John and they had a 5 month old baby named Anne. They also have a female servant – John’s sister Helen Nicoll, and an Ag Lab (Agricultural Labourer).

Census 1841

Census 1851

The 1851 census tells us that John was farming 5 acres as well as running the shop – he is now described as a grocer. The family has grown to: Anne 10, Alexander 6, Elizabeth 5, George 2, and John 3 months. There are three adult women also living there as House Servants including John’s sister Helen Nicoll and niece Elizabeth Wilson.

Some agricultural implements such as John may have sold in his shop. Timespan museum

Census 1861

The 1861 census records four of the children at home including the youngest daughter Jane aged 8. Sister Helen is still living with the family and niece Elizabeth Wilson is now a dressmaker and teacher so she has obviously managed to get herself some independent income.
John is surrounded by good women!

Death 1865 John

In 1865 at age 75 John was sick for 9 days and then died of unknown causes. He was still living in Berriedale and running his business.

John Nicoll Death 1865

Universally Regretted

I have not been able to locate the death record for Jane. Following John’s death, she may have remarried or moved to another district. Alexander Gunn indicates he was aware of her death and it was much regretted, as with John’s, by those who knew them.

Schools and Schoolmasters - Article XI - Rambling Recollections of Berriedale, Badbea, & Neighbourhood – Part D

Article XI written by Alexander Gunn aka A Native of Badbea was printed in the Northern Ensign on 29 January 1880 – Part D

“The next in importance to the ministers was the schoolmaster. I have no recollection of any of them but Messrs Macdonald and Mackay. Murdoch Mackay was the one who taught me all the schooling I ever got. The custom was to be six months at school and other six months absent at work; and one forgot in that time almost all he learned in the preceding six months.

Mr Mackay was a strict disciplinarian, and every breach of school rules received its due reward but he was a very kind-hearted man withal. I am glad to understand that he is still alive, and between him and myself there has existed ever since my school days the most endearing friendship.

At the Disruption he sided with the non-intrusion party, and was considered incapable of teaching in that school, as he had imbibed the Free Church heresy. He had to leave the comfortable house and school, and remove to Ramscraigs where a house was got and fitted up for a school-house. It was not of the most comfortable kind, and would cut a sorry figure in the present day, with our costly board schools, but he laboured faithfully and indefatigably, much and justly respected by the whole community, and when he retired from teaching in the district where he had laboured for 50 years, he was followed to his retirement with the best wishes of the entire community.”

A Native of Badbea.
(To be continued)

My Comments:

Alexander Gunn’s article has a few gaps in the timing of the houses the school teacher Murdoch Mackay lived in. I have tried to work that out.

In the previous blog I quoted from the Annals of the Disruption about the hardships of living for both the Berriedale minister and the schoolteacher after the Disruption:-
To recap, Mr Campbell the minister says, “The teacher and myself lived in a most miserable place. The people would not dare to receive us into their houses.”

The conditions were clearly appalling for both the minister and the teacher but one difference between the two is that the minister was unmarried while the teacher had a wife, Margaret, and children. It seems extraordinary that the record quoting Mr Campbell does not mention the wife and children of the school teacher. I will try to rectify that record and raise a flag for Margaret Mackay and the hardships she suffered as the wife of the school teacher after the Disruption.

Census 1841 Berriedale

• Margaret’s House One: Berriedale, Two rooms and a Closet.

The 1841 census records show the Mackay family in Berriedale living in the regular or ‘General Assembly’ school house. Murdoch and Margaret MS Gunn had married on 11 March 1836. In the 1841 census, Murdoch the school teacher is age 40, his wife Margaret is 30 & they have two young daughters – Christian and Johanna plus a Female Servant. One record I have says, “The building which was designated the 'School' (at Berriedale), must, I am inclined to think, have been intended for a crofter's dwelling. The school room was a small room with a couple of small windows facing to the south, and the one doorway at the eastern end. Adjoining the schoolroom were two rooms and a 'closet', the abode of the dominie.” [dominie is the Scottish word for school master]. Roydhouse 1975 quoting Gunn.

• Margaret’s House Two: Lower Borgue. Miserable and Utterly appalling.

After the Disruption, “The teacher, therefore, put a temporary roof upon the ruin of an old cottage. In that miserable place we lived for seven years. ... If there were heavy rain during the night, there was a pool of water before my bed to welcome my rising in the morning. If there was high wind, the ashes were blown up in my face. The wind had free course under the foundation, the house having been built upon a heap of stones. It was so damp and cold that I had to wear my greatcoat at the fireside. I felt, by degrees, that my life was in danger. My feet began to swell much from the dampness of the place.”

Birth record Robert and William Mackay

The birth records for the two Mackay sons Robert and William shows them being born in Lower Borgie which was probably this awful house. The only privacy that Margaret had would have been the curtains around her bed - as was the custom. And she had the local minister living with the family for years. That the family survived the hardships is remarkable and much must be attributed to her tenacity.

Bedroom at the Strathnaver Museum

•  Margaret's House Three. Ramscraigs. Overcrowded Damp and Uncomfortable

Mr Campbell continues: " Feeling my life thus exposed to danger, I set about building a school-house and teacher's dwelling-house—the teacher's house first. We entered the teacher's house before it was plastered. We had to remove from one room to another till it was finished. It was very damp and uncomfortable, but better than the place we were in."  I think this was probably the house at Ramscraigs.

Ruin at Ramscraigs	Ruin at Borgue

The 1851 census shows the Mackays living at Ramscraigs. According the Alexander Gunn the house “…was not of the most comfortable kind, and would cut a sorry figure in the present day.” The family has grown to six children. Four other adults are living in the house, still including the minister Mr Campbell. Margaret Mackay is now also working as a teacher of the Female pupils. How did she do everything?

Census 1851 Berriedale. Ramscraigs Schoolhouse

• Margaret’s House Four: Edinburgh. Unhealthy and Unacceptable.

“Following his retirement after many years at Ramscraigs, with his wife and members of his family, Murdoch Mackay went to live in Edinburgh. Possibly this was because his daughter, Miss Johan Mackay, was in business in that locality. Residence in Edinburgh appears not to have been either healthy nor acceptable for the old dominie, and he with his wife soon tired of Edinburgh and returned to their own hearth, living out their days in the area of Clyth.”Roydhouse 1975. Clyth is a coastal village just a few kilometres north of Ramscraigs.

Churches and old cottage at Bruan. The old cottage centre left is probably at Bruan Mission.	One of many ruined houses near East Clyth, is a typical Caithness croft house as seen at the nearby Laidhay Museum.

• Margaret’s House Five: Bruan Mission. Hearth and Home

It would be nice to think that Margaret and Murdoch had a comfortable house in their retirement. The 1881 census shows them living in Bruan Mission, near East Clyth. Murdoch (Murdo) is shown as superannuated, so giving them a small pension on which to live.

The Disruption and Rev Samuel Campbell - Article XI - Rambling Recollections of Berriedale, Badbea, & Neighbourhood – Part C

 
Article XI written by Alexander Gunn aka A Native of Badbea was printed in the Northern Ensign on 29 January 1880 – Part C
 

Rev Samuel Campbell

“Mr McLauchlan was succeeded by Mr Campbell, who was well known to the present generation - a most amiable, kind, and simple-minded man - but not a great preacher. His other qualities, however, endeared him very much to the people under his charge.”

“Mr Campbell was in Berriedale when the memorable Disruption took place, and he at once cast in his lot with the non-intrusion party. I well remember the day when a deputation from Edinburgh and the Presbytery were to expound the principles of the Disruption to the Berriedale congregation. We met in the church and the proceedings had begun, when a messenger arrived from Auchastle from the laird prohibiting the use of the church for the meeting. All at once the order was obeyed, and we retired to the church-yard, the speakers standing in the shelter of the end of the church, as it was a very stormy day, with wind and rain.”

”Mr Campbell left manse and church cheerfully, and there was not a minister in the Free Church that had to submit to more inconvenience for conscience sake than Mr Campbell. Near the close of his ministry a comfortable manse and church were provided for him at Balnabruich, Dunbeath, where he ended his days in peace, respected while he lived, and much regretted when he died.”

The comfortable Berriedale Manse left by Mr Campbell	Leaving the Manse - Annals of  Disruption

Rev Angus Logan

“The gentleman who succeeded Mr Campbell in Berriedale entered the fold, not by the door, but climbed in another way, and we will leave others to sound his praises. He had no congregation however. The whole congregation with three or four exceptions followed Mr Campbell.”

My Comments:

The Church at Berriedale:

The Berriedale Church	A Scottish Sacrament by Henry John Dobson

There had long been a Church of Scotland in Berriedale. In 1823 the Commissioners of Parliament commissioned Thomas Telford, Civil Engineer, to undertake the construction of 31 Highland churches and 42 manses throughout Scotland. Following the granting of suitable land by James Horne, proprietor of Langwell Estate, the Berriedale Church with its distinctive  bell tower and manse was completed in 1826.

James Horne

A stone plaque was placed over the door of the Berriedale church stating: "On the application of James Horne of Langwell, who granted all the required Accommodations Lands etc Gratis 1826

	Source: Bill Fernie Caithness.org

James Horne, the owner of the Langwell estate, was the person referred to in Alexander Gunn’s article as the Laird from Auchastle. There are many stories of the cruel and heartless treatment and evictions of tenants on the Langwell estate by James Horne. Now losing patronage and power was serious stuff for him. At the disruption many other proprietors, seeing the establishment being rejected, also took a hard line, leaving ministers and parishioners in extreme hardship. Later Horne dismissed a factor [leaseholder] because he had kind-heartedly let the congregation worship in an old building. James Horne would have known of the sufffering of the minister and school teacher as detailed below but obviously was totally devoid of any sympathy.

The Disruption

The disruption was the result of tensions within the Church of Scotland, between the Moderates, who were interested in their position within the established church, and the Evangelicals who were strict Calvinists. The British Parliament allowed wealthy landowners to appoint ministers to local churches (see the notices above where the King or Queen appoint). The Evangelicals wanted freedom from the state, and the right of congregations to elect their own ministers. Many Evangelicals decided to leave the established church.

At the opening session of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1843, the Evangelicals read a statement that it was impossible to hold a free assembly of the church. They then went to another hall and organized the first General Assembly of the Free Church of Scotland. The event came to be known as the Disruption.

About 450 ministers and laity of the Church of Scotland, gave up all claims to income, churches, professorships, and ministers’ homes provided by the established church. Over time the new Free Church of Scotland church set up voluntary funds that supported ministers, built new churches, homes, and schools. But the hardships many ministers and their families endured for years were severe. Anyone found supporting the dissenting ministers was also dealt with harshly by the landowners. Thus the disruption had a huge effect on Scottish life and culture.
Source: www.britannica.com/topic/Free-Church-of-Scotland

	The Disruption Assembly By David Octavius Hill

What is known about Samuel Campbell?

In Annals of the Disruption. By Thomas Brown, Pub 1893, are the following fascinating statements by Rev Samuel Campbell minister of Berriedale:

• We suffered much hardship as a congregation. We could not get sites for our church and manse for eleven years. , . . The teacher and myself lived in a most miserable place. The people would not dare to receive us into their houses. The teacher, therefore, put a temporary roof upon the ruin of an old cottage.
• In that miserable place we lived for seven years. ...
• If there were heavy rain during the night, there was a pool of water before my bed to welcome my rising in the morning.
• If there was high wind, the ashes were blown up in my face.
• The wind had free course under the foundation, the house having been built upon a heap of stones.
• It was so damp and cold that I had to wear my greatcoat at the fireside.
• I felt, by degrees, that my life was in danger. My feet began to swell much from the dampness of the place. ... I walked about a great deal, to prevent my getting worse, if possible.
• One night I was awakened from sleep by a tremendous noise on the roof of the house, very like the noise of people in danger of shipwreck on the sea-shore. There was a great storm of wind, which was carrying away the roof. The noise was made by men, who came together to keep the roof on the house, if possible. They raised their voices to the highest pitch, the wind was so high that they could not otherwise hear each other.
• But, in spite of all their exertions, the roof was carried away, and the curtains of my bed had enough to do to withstand the storm. They have been more than once, upon other occasions, flapping about me like the sails of a ship in a storm.
• Feeling my life thus exposed to danger, I set about building a school-house and teacher's dwelling-house—the teacher's house first. We entered the teacher's house before it was plastered. We had to remove from one room to another till it was finished. It was very damp and uncomfortable, but better than the place we were in."
• These trials passed away. Twelve years after the Disruption saw the congregation in a new church and the minister in a comfortable manse.
• Though he had been thus successful after a fight so hard, he shows little disposition to take credit either for his trials or his success. " We are apt," he says, " to complain of our trials and losses, but what are they in comparison with those of the first preachers of the Gospel? We have suffered much, yet it is not impossible that some may have suffered as much for His sake, and have forsaken His service at last.
• We have need of praying, like David, ' Lord, search me, and know my heart : try me, and know my thoughts.' We have need of the operation of the Holy Spirit to number us among the blessed." Pages 185 & 186

It is hard to imagine how bad the old cottage was	These two pictures are the remains of old cottages at Badbea

• At Berriedale, in Caithness, the congregation obtained the use of a cottage, an old schoolhouse. After trying for a considerable time to meet in the open air, by permission of the factor they took possession of this cottage, enlarged it for the purpose, and used it for many years, till in 1857 their church was built—the only subject of regret being, that the factor was dismissed, losing his situation, as was believed, because of the considerate kindness he had showed to the people. Page 214

• Mr. Campbell, of Berriedale, Caithness, states: " I preached during the winter and spring of 1843-4, from October till May, and was not once interrupted by a shower of rain or snow all that time, and I preached almost always in the open air. Such a circumstance would seem to me incredible had I not experienced it. ... I could not but look upon it as an evidence of God's approval of our conduct, in separating from the Establishment in the circumstances." Pg 224

Meeting for Worship from Annals of the Disruption

• Another who went for a time to labour in the same country –Mr Campbell, of Berriedale, in Caithness – states his experience: “During the winter and spring of 1843, the work was very heavy, for the excitement caused by the Disruption – the hunger and thirst of the people for hearing the Word – was very great. They were not satisfied with hearing on the Sabbath; we required to preach to them on week-days also, not only in the open air during the day, but at night also in private houses. In the Island of Islay I preached forty times in two weeks. Their earnestness was the same everywhere, and the opportunity of preaching the word was remarkable during the whole of the year. Pg 374

Preaching at the sea-side	Parishioners walk out of church in protest at the unpopular appointment of a minister in the parish of Marnoch, Strathbogie in 1841.