The Highland monthly - National Library of Scotland

1 o6 I he Hio^hland Monthly.
must have died not very long after, for in 1720 we find the
Session appointing " the Hospital Treasurer" [Thomas
Alves] " to require the papers containing the progress of
rights belonging to the lands of Dirbught from Widow
Duncan, relict of the deceast George Duncan, and Life-
exutrix of the sd lands."
In 1725 Patrick Mackay of Scourie, hav'ing taken a
lease of these lands from Mrs Duncan, applied to the Session
for a longer tack, for the space of five nineteen years, under-
taking to improve the lands by enclosing them, planting
hedges, dividing the lands, building a dwelling-house for
himself, and offices, and at the end of the tack either to
leave the said improvements to the Session or to take a new
tack. Scourie's offer was accepted at a subsequent meeting.
This, however, is somewhat anticipating the order of
events, and Duncan's Mortification Accounts are kept
separatel)'.
[to be coxtinued.]