Inverness, from an early period, was noted for trade in hides and
leather. Before the opening up of the ready facilities now afforded
twixt the West Coast and the south by steamboats and railways, the
Highland Capital was the chief outlet for all the produce of the Western
Isles and North Highlands, and consequently dealt largely in an export
and import trade. The export consisted chiefly of fish, tanned hides,
leather, and gloves; while the imports were wines, groceries, iron,
ammunition, &c. This trade was, as a rule, with foreign parts, and
principally with the Netherlands. Indeed, in early times because of the
feuds twixt England and Scotland, the latter was on a much more friendly
footing with Spain, France, the low countries, and Denmark than she was
with the sister country, and hence probably the old song--
Oh, have you any broken pots,
Or any broken branders?
For I'm a tinker to my trade,
I'm newly come from Flanders!
Leather and tanned hides were exciseable, and hence the following
appointments:--
"At Inverness the 2d day of the month of November, A.D. 1621, in
presence of James Cuthbert, Provost; William Paterson and Duncan Forbes,
bailies:--That day Mr Samuel Falconer of Kingcorth, and Alex. Forbes,
servitor to my Lord Duke of Lennox, commissioners appointed by a noble
Lord, John Lord Erskine, for establishing keepers of the seal for
sealing and stamping of leather and tanning of hides; by these presents
have nominated and appointed Andrew Fraser, notary, burgess of
Inverness, keeper of the said stamp and seal, within the burgh of
Inverness and bounds thereabout following, to wit--from the shire of
Nairn at the east, to the height of Strathglass at the west, including
the priory of Beauly therein, with the lands and bounds of Urquhart,
Glenmoriston, and Badenoch, Abertarff, Stratherrick, Strathdearn,
Strathnairn; who has accepted the same and given his oath _pro fideli
administratione_, and to be accountable to the said noble Lord or his
deputes for the same as law will, and this present commission to stand
to the Feast of Whitsunday next to come 1622 years allenarly. Whereupon
took Act of Court.
(Signed) "JAMES DUFF, Clerk."
"That day the said Mr Samuel Falconer of Kingcorth, and the said Alex.
Forbes, servitor to my Lord Duke of Lennox, commissioners appointed by a
noble Lord, John Lord Erskine, for establishing keepers of the seal for
sealing and stamping of leather and tanned hides, by these presents have
nominated Robert Dunbar, Tutor of Avoch, keeper of the said stamp and
seal within the haill bounds, lands and parishes of the diocese and
commissariat of Ross (the priory of Beauly only excepted), who has
accepted the same and given his oath _pro fideli administratione_, and
to be accountable to the said noble Lord or his deputes for the same as
law will, and this present commission to stand to the Feast and Term of
Whitsunday next to come, 1622 years allenarly. Whereupon the said Alex.
Forbes asked and took Act of Court.
(Signed) "JAMES DUFF, Clerk."