Dugald Mitchell
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 38
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1886 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER V. THE SHERIFFDOM OF TARBERT. SN such lawless and turbulent times as those we have been referring to, the difficulty in administering the law was in no district felt to such an extent as in that embraced in the present shire of Argyll. The large area which it covers, the diversified character of the country, and the inclusion within it of so many islands, would indeed at that time have made the task an almost impossible one. As a result of this, we find that at the period we have been referring to, the northern portions were attached to the shire of Inverness, the central and larger portion of the mainland constituted the Sheriffdom of Lorne or Argyll, and the remainder was formed into the shire or Sheriffdom of Tarbert. Eegarding the date of formation of the shire of Tarbert, it cannot be arrived at, but its existence may be traced as far back as the year 1481. Including as it did within its jurisdiction the districts of Kintyre and Knapdale, the islands of G-igha, Islay, Jura, Scarba, Colonsay, and Mull, together with a number of the smaller isles, its extent was very considerable. It is somewhat peculiar to find that previous to 26th February, 1481, when it was made a part of the shire of Tarbert, the district of Knapdale was included in the shire of Perth. At an earlier period still, however, it formed a portion of the shire of Lorn or Argyll. The hereditary offices connected with the shire of Tarbert were for the greater part of its existence held by the house of Argyll. Among these offices were those of Heritable Lieutenant, Chamberlain, Sheriff, and Coroner. Until its amalgamation (when the country was more settled) with the shire of Argyll in 1633, in accordance with an Act of Parliament passed on 28th June of that year, ..