Sutherland Estate Gold Miner’s Licence, 1869
The Kildonan gold rush of the 1860s led to the issue of licences, granted by the Duke to Sutherland, to each miner. A licence cost £1 per month and enabled the holder to dig and search for gold along the sides of the Kildonan, Suisgill and Torish Burns. In addition to the licence fee a 10% royalty had to be paid on any gold found.
Writing Ideas
Create a character who went to the gold diggings in Sutherland. Where did he/she come from? What was life like there? Did they find gold?
Hundreds of people went to Sutherland for search for gold. Can you create a sketch or picture of the settlement at the gold diggings?
Document Ref: GB0232/D1359/1/2
