Watercolour by Gina G. Morrison, c.1900

Saturday 1^st August

“The Hogue” Man o’ War and her tender the Harpy arrived in here at ½ past 8AM. Kept busy.

Sunday 2^nd August

The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper was dispensed in the Established & Free Churches. In the morning and evening Mr Adam preached from the 30^th & 31^st verses of the 17^th Chapter of Acts And the times of this ignorance God winked at but now commandeth all men every where to repent because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained Whereof he hath given assurance unto all men in that he hath raised him from the dead. I presented twice.

Monday 3^rd August

I had a letter from J Sutherland Edinburgh and I wrote George to Dornoch. Miss Betsey McDonald got news of the death of Mrs Captain Ryrie (Jamima McDonald) Liverpool.

Tuesday 4^th August

I went on board the “Hogue” with Mrs Gardiner & Mr McRae.

Wednesday 5^th August

Mr & Mrs Pope left for Strathpeffer. I finished Robt Sutherland’s letter.

Thursday 6^th August

Not very busy today. Angus had to keep the house with a sore eye.

Friday 7^th August

Preparing a little for going away on Monday. I got a Leather travelling case.

Saturday 8^th August

Very busy preparing for going away. I had a letter from Miss M. Gerrie today with a P.O. order. It blew very hard and rained today. I sent off R Sutherland’s letter.

Sunday 9^th August

In the morning Mr Leith preached from the 12^th Chapter of Luke 16^th to the 20^th verse . In the evening from the 23^rd Chapter of Luke 42 & 43^rd verses Lord remember me when thou come into thy Kingdom And Jesus said unto him Verily I say unto thee Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise I presented twice Some of the Marines etc on board the “Hogue” has been carrying on shamefully through the streets a number of them being quite drunk and unruly. In the evening I was introduced to Miss Smith Stewardess of the “Clansman”.

Monday 10^th August

I left Stornoway along with Miss E McDonald at 11.30 A.M. by Steamer “Clansman” and after a pleasant passage of about 4 ½ hours arrived at the head of Loch Torridon. I went to Camustrol to see John Mckenzie he came back with me to Mrs McKenzie’s where we remained all night. Mrs McKenzie was remarkably kind.

Tuesday 11^th August

We left Loch Torridon at 8 A.M. on a cart and arrived at Kinlochewe at 10 A.M. The scenery after we left Torridon is the grandest ever I have seen. We were 3 ½ hours at Kinlochewe waiting the mail from Gairloch we left at ½ past 1 arrived at Achnasheen between 3 & 4 arrived at Dingwall at 7. I left by the train for Invergordon at ¼ to 9 and from there by the mail I arrived at Tain at 11 and at Dornoch at 12 at night. I slept in the Inn.

The Dornoch Inn. This stood opposite the Sutherland Arms Hotel in the mid-Victorian period. Charles may have stayed at the Eagle Inn on 11 August 1863.

Wednesday 12^th August

I went to my father’s house between 8 & 9 in the morning and gave them a surprise. They were all well there. After breakfast I went and had a walk with Kate down through the links and up by the shore. On the way I called in the School and saw Mr Grant, teacher. Afterwards I called upon a few of the Dornoch folk. I wrote to Angus & John to Stornoway.

[Note: in the Census of 1871 Charles Morrison’s father and mother, Alexander and Ann Morrison,  lived with their two youngest children (Robert aged 23 and Margaret aged 20) in Bank Buildings, Dornoch. Alexander was described as ‘meal dealer’. Charles’s sisters Lexy and Kate appear to have left home by 1861.]

Thursday 13^th August

Kate & I went to Cyderhall and saw the friends there. In the coming back we called on Sandy Gunn. I shewed Christina’s carte de visite to father & mother and spoke to them about her. They had no objection and were pleased. I wrote to Miss M. Gerrie Boston and Miss E McDonald Dingwall and then had a walk with Sandy Gunn.

Friday 14^th August

The Revd Mr McLeod Fort William was inducted to the Dornoch Church. I went to Darochfin and saw Mrs & Miss McAndrew & Mrs Williamson they were making their haystack and I went there a while. I then called on Mr & Mrs Forbes Tailor and Mr & Mrs Robt Nicolson.