The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #154773   Message #3637152
Posted By: Gutcher
27-Jun-14 - 01:52 PM
Thread Name: BS: lets develop Scotland
Subject: RE: BS: lets develop Scotland
To show it is not all one way traffic---a true story.
THE BITER BIT.
My late friend Gregor, a crofter up near Kingussie had the following experience.
Sitting at the kitchen table with his friend John enjoying a cup of tea a knock at the door "good morning my name is Torquil Hoochmagandy FFlufington Smythe, [it may have been Musket, who knows] are you Mr Gegor Mackenzie, I am your new landlord" "come away in laird {anyone from a mister to a duke is addressed as laird in his own land up here]
this is my friend John, sit down Mr Smith and what can I do for you today? "it,s what I can do for you Mr Mackenzie, you may have heard I have paid a stiff price for this estate and in order to make up the purchase price I have decided to offer some of the sitting tenants the chance to purchase their crofts, would you be interested in buying yours? " O aye Mr Smith I would like fine to become a laird just like yourself." "do you mind if we discuss business in front of your friend" "not at all Mr Smith fire away" "well Gregor, do you mind if I call you Gregor?" not at all Torquil since we are about to become neighbouring lairds I do not mind atall atall" " well the price I am seeking for this fine croft, and believe you me you will never get a better bargain, is £86000.oo" Gregor sits in silence for a few minuets," John he says rax me doon that writing pad and cheque book from the shelf behind you" Gregor writes out a few lines on the pad and then fills out a cheque, having asked who to make it out too,
the paper is passed to the landlord who reads --received from Gregor Macenzie The sum of £1200.00 in full and final payment for croft xxxxx "Gregor there is some mistake here" "nae mistake laird all I have to pay for the croft under the crofting legislation is 14 times my annual rent, just have your man of business send on the title deeds, You,ll have a dram to celibrate the transaction,--no well good morning to you sir"

Gregor is no longer with us and the new laird was roupet oot the door not having been able to come up with the full purchase price for his grand estate.