The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-11-03
SPORT THIS.
Tho Large Sums Paid Annually for
Shooting and Fishing in
Scotland.
Highlanders Not Worth as Much
to the Landlords as
Deer.
The vast Estate which the American,
william L. Winans, Paws Money
for Shooting Over.

Especial Correspondence Of Tm INDEPENDENT.l
ToNncH, Scotland, Sept. 30.-On coming
face to face with the fact Of the depor MIA
ton Of rural Scotland, and especially Of tn
northern and western Highlands, it il a.
founding that any system Of land laws Il
permitted to exist which will work such
fatal results to country. There must be q
practical reason for all this, you feel. You
dig and delve for that reason. and you ar,
still mora astounded. Inquire where yor
may, there is in effect but one answer
''Highlanders arc not worth to the great
landlords 90 many red deer. Croftsrs arr
Of less aooe1nt than partridges and rabbits
HumaA oeinas in the form Of Scottish
paaaEntry are less valuable than theil
weight in pheasants or fishv'
Not satisfied with assertions and general.
tiles. you delve and dig again. It is easy
enough to find proof of depopulation. But
it is difficult for the average American
to realize how land proprietors car
find adequate compensation for the
loss OF population and it's labor which or.
dinarily alone give to land the greatest
value possible for it to possess. Agents
and factors everywhere tell you that the
income from fishing and hunting privi-
leges 10 more than repaying proprietors.
and dig again, as did, and finally arrive
ct some most astounding facts. The
great overwhelming fact is that greater
area Of land in Scotland 10 now devoted to
the exclusive purpose Of game preserves
than 10 occupied by farmers for the exclu-
awe cultivation OF the soil, and that nine
tenths OF all land and of all rods Of loch,
brook or river shores in the kingdom are
annually leased in shooting and fishing
privileges to British sportsmen.
Naturally Scottish peasantry are in the
way OF game and fish. But passing dis
cussion of the effect OF this land policy
upon the sociologio and economic condi-
tion of Scotland, We Americans have no
conception whatever of the stupendous
sums annually paid by British titled and
gentleman sportsmen for their few weeks
delights with rod and gun. The amounts
received by single owners for single privi-
!iRes are equally surprising. Mrs. Chis-
border Strathglass here. must receive e14,-
900. ] find that for sixty-nine shootings
and fishings the Duke of Sutherland receives
rentals amounting to es3, 1856. As he has
moro than 100 for lease, his income from
this source alone must reach e35, 900 or
longing to the Tutors Of the Earl Of Dali
housie," these privileges whose rental prices
have been able to secure reach GiO. 400:
and of those Of tho Countess Dowager of Sea-
feld, regarding which information is avail
able, twelve shootings and fshings in Ell
E56S; and fourteen In Inverness-shire, a.
SO5: or total of e8,360: which is probably
not one-third Of her entire income from
this source.
The total Of these known rentals, e4eo.-
'l2; exceeds $4,000, 900. There are, alto
Yothnr k7Q Ssnh1
ines." The above sum represents only the
rentals paid on not quite one fourth Of the
sntire 4, 2S4 shootings and 6shings; 80 that
moderate estimate of the entire sum paid
annually in rentals alone would probably
not fall short of $l0,0o0.0O0. Thisvast SUM
landlords exclusive of all other rentals for
grazing and agriculture which their lands
secure to them. But it is by no means the
principal expenditure by titled and gentle
men British sportsmen. It is Of common
report here that their other expenses equal
u exec! this first cost Of possession. An
army OF conveyancers are employed making
md renewing leases and in modifying their
5erm and conditions. Nearly every
shooting and fishing has it's factor
or agent who mulcts the absent tenant
with innumerable petty charges. Hunting
edges with the appointments and accesso-
les OF palaces must be kept in repair, oc-
,upied and in order. Advertisements for
'he chase or the moor require large original
Investment and constant renewal and addi-
lion. The average annual cost of the sup
sort and care of pack of % couples of fox
or deer hounds 10 $1,000. A host Of game
keepers are supported the year through.
md, during the hunting season, an average
ieer forest shooting will EMPLOY. aside
rom half dozen huntsmen, from 80 to SO
gillies. or general utility mon. These gill
les arc recruited from two Glasses. the
hanRers-on of studs and stables in the
arge English and Scotch cities, and from
ater-day croftsrs families; the latter caus-
nR complete change in the character of
young highlander. just enough crofters
ire permitted to remain upon these great
porthern estates to assist in furnishing q
upply of this class of human cattle: and
he trifie Of el6 or eco per year for q few
weeks attendance upon the sportsman lord,
With the corruptlons of kennel and saddle
ooms at the lodges, and utter idleness for
Ne remainder Of the year, are making Q
al and unworthy lot Of GLASS that in
ormer times possessed many Of the highest
usptles OF the sturdy Scotch race.
Inc Item OF transportation Of studs, ken-
els and l1numerale forms Of luggage from
he English and Scotch capitals, where now
he greatest number Of British 9entlemen
portsmen reside, has become one Of
uch importance that all the uorthern-
ound railways in the two kinedoma not
nly annually employ large numbers Of
gents to solicit this particular trafao, but
Turing August aud September they are
orely taxed to supply adequate 40
ommodations. Tho expense Of enter
ainment of bevy Of ladies' and
Gentlemen for two months at one Of these