Bressay History Group

Notice of Changes

From – The Saturday Herald & Shetland Gazette. Published in Kirkwall Orkney. September 16th 1871.

Last week the tenants in Bressay were given to understand distinctly the terms on which they will be allowed to remain in their present holdings. The conditions are such that the island has been turned into a bochim. All who are able to remove have resolved to do so at once, but there are few in circumstances to rise and go to a country where the oppressor dare not touch them, an hence the sighing and crying of the bewildered people are painful to hear. They have been active both on land and sea, and, though toiling hard daily, they have lived in some degree of comfort until now that the demise of the last Mouat to whom the property belonged has put them under a new regime, and one which they believe must end in their destruction, though attempts are made to persuade them that it is only for their benefit. This is much like the boy who while pelting the young ducks, kept saying, “It’s all for your good, little duckies, it’s all for your good”, only that the people of Bressay have enjoyed the benefit of getting a good common education for a number of years back, and are fully as well qualified to judge of what is for their good as the individual who now professes to enlighten them. When the poor peasants are prevented from having a sheep in the pasture, or a quey or cow outside the dykes, how is it possible they are to keep their crofts, or live on them?

At the corners of the houses here in town, many of them may now be seen standing crying, and telling their sad tale, enough to make any heart softer than steel to bleed. A day of retribution will surely come, and it may not be very distant either.

n.b. Bochim – Judges 2, Chapter 1.

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