FROM THE ARCHIVES: The circus comes to Bettyhill, and the puzzle of the missing ferrets
From the records of the Highland Archive Centre
The Highland Archive Centre cares for a variety of historic documents on behalf of Police Scotland and included in this is a large number of Police Daily Occurrence Books from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
These books are a fascinating resource. Each day, the police officer on duty would report the goings on in the area, writing in black ink for general events, and red ink for notable events and incidents.
Just like today, police officers were historically involved in a wide range of activities, from the obvious investigating crimes and arresting criminals to the perhaps less-obvious duty at election counts and overseeing of sheep-dipping.
All of these duties and others can be found when browsing through these books.
In this instalment of From the Archives, we take a look at some examples.
The first comes from the Sutherland Constabulary Occurrence Books for Bettyhill (Farr) Police Station, as recorded by PC Ronald McBain.
On September 8 and 9, 1910, duties included attending the arrival of the incoming mail and making visits to business and members of the community.
A great deal of the working week would be spent patrolling the local area; the Occurrence Books showing that this was a seven-day job with patrols being made on Sundays after attendance at a local church.
The local policeman was an integral part of the community and extremely visible on the streets.
This entry is interesting as it shows the arrival of Watson’s Circus in Bettyhill.
PC McBain reports: “At 9am, I left my station and proceeded on Mail Car to Melvich, called at the Police Station, met P.C. Ross who appeared to be better;
“Thereafter patrolled the neighbouring Townships generally during the day, heard no complaints, left Melvich by Mail Car at 4pm, called on Mrs McKenzie, Strathy Inn, heard nothing unusual, returned to my Station at 6pm and at 8pm I proceeded to Bettyhill.
“Did duty in and around Watson’s Circus which performed at Bettyhill on this date.
“A large number of people were present, all being quiet and orderly. I retired from duty at 1am on 10th (September).”
A second example comes from the Helmsdale Daily Occurrence book kept by Police Constable K Mackay.
On December 30, 1907, PC Mackay was investigating the theft of two ferrets.
His report recalls: “Made inquiries into alleged theft of two ferrets (female) from Achintoul Lodge on 23rd (December), the property of James Cameron aged 50 years (unmarried), Gamekeeper, Achintoul & Robert George Ross (unmarried) aged 20 years Undergamekeeper, Achintoul Lodge, Kinbrace.
“Cameron suspected James Anderson, Rabbit Trapper, Achintoul Farm. I warned him that anything he might say might be used in evidence against himself.
“I asked to see them and he opened a box in Mrs Murray’s byre - and there were three there.”
Please note that there is a 75 year closure period on records within the Northern Constabulary collections.
