From the Highland Archives: Area’s first case of ‘furious driving’?
The Parish of Cromarty is to be found at the eastern end of the county of Ross and Cromarty, in the north-east corner of the Black Isle, writes the Highland Archive Centre's Jennifer Johnstone.
It is bounded by the Cromarty Firth and Moray Firth to the north-east, by the Parish of Rosemarkie in the south and by the Parish of Resolis in the west. The eastern side of the parish is rocky and rugged, whereas the northern side slopes toward the waters of the Cromarty Firth.
The principle settlement of the parish is the town of Cromarty: once upon a time a royal burgh and birthplace of Hugh Miller.
The Royal Burgh of Cromarty dates from at least the 12th century. Since the reign of Robert I, the burgh was associated with the earldom of Ross, following the forfeiture of which in 1475, the status of the burgh is obscure until a charter of 1593, which promotes Cromarty to a royal burgh.
In 1672, Parliament accepted the resignation of Cromarty as a royal burgh and it remained a burgh of barony thereafter. Cromarty Town Council was abolished in 1975 under the terms of the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 (c. 65) and its powers were assumed by Highland Regional Council and Ross and Cromarty District Council.
Alongside the Burgh of Cromarty Town Council minutes (which cover the period 1848-1975), the Highland Archive Centre also holds Cromarty Town Council records relating to the Medical Officer of Health, the Harbour Trust and files of correspondence discussing such matters as sewerage systems, public transport and housing.
One of the most fascinating volumes within the Burgh of Cromarty records is the Police Report book covering the period 1869-1891. This book lists all the crimes that were reported within the burgh and outlying areas and gives details about the crime, the perpetrators, victims and any witnesses. The most common crimes committed included theft, assault, trespass and breach of the peace. However there were also some more unusual crimes reported such as reckless discharge of a firearm, accidental fire, sudden death and ‘keeping a shebeen’ (selling alcohol without a licence).
One particularly eye-catching crime was recorded as ‘furious driving’. The case was reported as follows: “Reported by Constable Campbell Cromarty on November 10, 1870 that about 6pm on the night of Friday, November 4, 1870, Colin McIvor, 28 years of age, manager with George Begg, farmer Mains of Cromarty was riding a horse at a furious rate along Church Street, Cromarty, when Jannet Skinner, an old woman, was passing along the street with a fish basket on her head.
“McIvor came on so rapidly with the horse that she could not get out of the way, was thrown down by the horse, had her left hand and leg severely bruised and was injured in other parts of her body.”
– Due to the pandemic, the Highland Archive Centre is closed until further notice. However, it is offering a series of talks (suitable for all ages) on its Facebook page (www.facebook.com/highlandarchives/) and YouTube channel at 11am each Thursday. The Learn with Lorna series covers a variety of topics; the next talk looks at the letters and drawings of David Barrogill Keith.
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