***************************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. ***************************************************************************** I have recently been looking into the land settlement scheme to re-people Strathnaver in the early 1900s. Some of the applications for holdings survive on Department of Agriculture files. In October 1899, an application was made by Hugh Murray, grieve at Ballindoun, Beauly. "I am a Sutherland Shire man and my oldest brother is in my fathers holding David Murray Skelbo Dornoch The rest of my fathers family are in America So I had to go to farm service when I could not get a holding I have a great many relations in Sutherland Shire such as John Murray Farmer Davochbeg ...also William Murray Doll Brora Dr Sutherland Brora and some in the most of Sutherland Shire". Hugh appears to have served an apprenticeship as a joiner with Thomas Falconar Victoria Yard Inverness. He was 45 years of age with 2 girls 1 boy: eldest will be 18 first spring boy will be 16 and youngest 14. He had previously served as farm grieve for 6 years on the Home Farm on the Isle of Raasay. Sounds familiar? Malcolm Bangor-Jones