1890 Sutherland County Council election

The first elections to Sutherland County Council were held in February 1890 as part of the wider 1890 local elections. County councils had been created in Scotland by the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1889, following on from the Local Government Act 1888 which had created them in England and Wales.

The election saw political control in the county fully pass from the Duke of Sutherland, who's estate saw only 1 member returned.

The election took place at a time of great change in Sutherland. The Crofters' Holdings (Scotland) Act 1886 had established the first Crofters Commission, which acted as a land court which ruled on disputes between landlords and crofters. The largest land owner in the county was the Duke of Sutherland, who owned the Sutherland estate, comprising most of the county.

To ensure the Duke's interest was represented on the new council all of the Sutherlands estates factors stood for election, along with James Gordon; the Assynt sub-factor. The estate anticipated defeat in the election having lost control of School and Poor boards in the early 1880s. Ultimately only Donald MacLean won a seat on behalf of the Sutherland interest. Despite having been anticipated, the estate was shocked by the scale of their loss, which they blamed on local land leaguers, merchants, ministers, and school teachers, as well as the fact that the vote was no longer secret. Evander McIver, a Lewis-man and factor for Scourie, complained that the new council was "formed of Radicals, Land Leaguers, and troublesome Clericals!"[1]

MacLean, with the Dukes consent, stepped down before the elections in 1892 after complaining his presence was a waste of time as he was supported by no other members, and there was little prospect of additional representatives for the estate being returned.[1]

Council results
1890 Sutherland County Council election[1][2]
Party Seats Gains Losses Net gain/loss Seats % Votes % Votes +/−
  Highland Land League 17
  Sutherland Estate 1
  Conservative 1

In addition to the elected members the council also included Bailie Gunn, representing the burgh of Dornoch. The ex-officio members were the Duke of Sutherland, Lord Stafford, Sheriff Mackenzie, and a Mr Barclay of Skelbo.[2]

Ward results

Assynt East
Assynt East[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Land League Rev Norman N. Mackay 35
Sutherland Estate James Gordon (sub-factor) 26

Assynt West
Assynt West[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Land League Alex Bannerman (crofter) 124
Kenneth P. Mackenzie (grocer) 65

Clyne
Clyne[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Land League Rev. John Murray unopposed unopposed

Dornoch East
Dornoch East[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Tory James Macintosh (farmer) 59
Land League James Matheson (crofter) 46

Durness
Durness[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Land League Rev. Adam Gunn unopposed unopposed

Eddrachillis

[2]

Eddrachillis[1]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Land League Donald Macleay (merchant) 114 65.52
Sutherland Estate Evander McIver (factor) 60 34.48

Farr
Farr[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Land League George Mackay (crofter) 99 70.21
Sutherland Estate John Box (factor) 42 29.79

Golspie East
Golspie East[1][2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Sutherland Estate Donald MacLean (factor)

Loth
Loth[2]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Land League Alexander Ross unopposed unopposed

References
  1. Tindley, Annie (2010). Sutherland Estate, 1850-1920: Aristocratic Decline, Estate Management and Land Reform: Aristocratic Decline, Estate Management and Land Reform. Edinburgh University Press. pp. 102–104. ISBN 978-0748642670.
  2. Inverness Courier - Friday 07 February 1890 pg.5
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