20 Days of Orkney Trees #5

An older archive today, which illustrates how important trees can be for shelter...

click to enlarge

In 1769, three men were taken to Kirkwall Sheriff Court by Robert Grahame of the Breckness Estate, Skaill, for the 'pulling of Bent or Broom or Juniper' which were 'the natural fence of the adjacent countree (sic) to the said hills'


It was alleged that George Moar, Thomas Linklater and James Hackland, all servants to local landowners, 'did upon the 8th day of June... go to the said hill and there cut and destroyed the surface or scree of the said hill with (?) or hoes, spades or other instruments.'


Without the protection of the juniper fence, Robert Grahame was worried about sand from the nearby bay of Skaill being blown across his lands. He was seeking £5 in damages and a further £5 in legal costs from each defendant. That was a lot of money in those days.


George, Thomas and James did not deny the crime and had to pay 10 shillings each in legal costs. They also had to spend 3 days in Kirkwall tollbooth, i.e., the town JAIL.


This sentence was hung upon the door of the local church so that 'no-one (could) pretend ignorance.'


Crumbs.




The sentence.

There is no mention of what the men took the juniper for. The tree is known in Scottish folklore for warding off devils and witches, but you can also make gin from it. You can also carve it or burn it to smoke food.

Archive Reference: SC11/5/1769/7
Information taken from the Woodland Trust website.