The Burgar/Burgess families in Shetland

Click  Arrow on browser to return back to previous page                                                     to bottom of page

Taxation in Shetland

The ruling Lairds in Shetland ensured that Crofters paid tax on everything.

Thus they paid tax:

for their croft and land in the Toun

for use of the Scattald, an area in the surrounding hills used as pasture for sheep and cattle.

for the hire of fishing boats

Each year they had to provide the Laird with some

butter, Wadmel, fowl, grain, fish. 

Normally they would pay a yearly tax for the above items.  Usually it would be payment in kind rather than cash.

In addition they would be required to work for the Laird for about 10 days per year.

In the 1700s the Lairds set up there own shops to sell fishing gear and other household items.  Tenants could only buy from these shops, so their lives were governed by the whim of the Lairds.

to top of page