George Malcolm, Factor at Invergarry

George Malcolm, Factor at Invergarry

ID: PC_GLENGARRY_ELLICE5_04 DESCRIPTION: George Malcom was the factor or manager on the Ellice estates for 46 years, between 1864 and 1910. He had a close knowledge of every tenant, and after Edward Ellice Junior died in 1880 he managed the estates on behalf of Edward’s widow, Eliza Ellice. The programme of improvements that he and Eliza worked on included the building of a cottage hospital and enlargement to the churches in Invergarry and Tomdoun. When we retired in 1911, the year after the death of Eliza Ellice, he was granted a testimonial and was given a silver casket together with a cheque for a substantial sum. The presentation was by the new owner of the estate, Edward C Ellice (then Captain, later Major). In an 1892 report to the Royal Commission on the Highlands and Islands, he describes the management of the Glengarry and Glenquoich estates, listing the deer forest, grouse moor and salmon fishing, and detailing the crofts: ‘every crofter keeps a horse, in addition to four to six cows, and a varying number of sheep; and they all possess first-rate stone and lime and slated houses and steadings provided by the estate. Their crofts are all provided with sub-dividing fences and their outlying pasture protected by high fences.’ He goes on to say ‘the condition of the tenantry, more especially the smaller tenants, was not so prosperous when the estates came into possession of the present owners as it is now, and has been for many years.’ During Malcolm’s years as factor, the estates were greatly improved and latterly had a branch bank along with post, telegraph and money order offices, and a daily postal service. There were three regular places of worship with several outlying mission stations, and six schools. There was also a cottage hospital, built and managed by Mrs Ellice; an estate savings bank, and a lending library. Malcolm kept letter books recording his correspondence, but only a few of these have survived. SOURCE: Glengarry Heritage Centre COLLECTION: Glengarry Heritage Centre Asset ID: 49082 KEYWORDS: