Document of the Month December 2004
Keeping the wolves from the door
The wolf was the last of the large predators to roam
Scotland. Although wolves probably died out in Scotland in
the 18th century, they were a threat to life and livestock
for centuries, and the Scottish Parliament regularly passed
acts offering rewards to those who caught and destroyed
wolves. This month's document is one of a series of acts
passed by the Scottish Parliament over hundreds of years,
relating to the destruction of wolves. In several of these
acts a bounty or reward was offered to anyone killing a
wolf.
This act is from March 1457 during the reign of James II
(1437 - 1460). It ordains that during the period between
St. Mark's Day and Lammas, described in the Act as the
times of the quhelppis [whelps or young], the sheriff will
gather hunting parties. It instructs that the head of any
slain wolf is to be presented by the killer to the sheriff,
baillie or baron and a reward of six shillings eight pence
(half a merk) would be paid. Hunting for wolves at this
time is made mandatory although probably at the discretion
of the county sheriff or local magnate. This was a common
practice, details of which had been laid down by 'The Auld
Act'. Clearly, the 'Auld Act' referred to is another piece
of legislation concerning wolves. However whether this
means the most recent previous act, the first, original,
act on the subject or some other legislation in between is
unknown.
There are several folk tales about 'The Last Wolf'. In
his book A Tour in Scotland (1775), Thomas Pennant claimed
that the last wolf in Scotland was killed in 1680 near
Killiecrankie by Sir Ewan Cameron of Lochiel.
Transcription
The Acts of James the Secund fol. XLV
Item it is ordainit for the distructioun of wolfis, that
in ilk cuntrie quhair ony is, the Schiref or the Baillies
of that cuntrie sall gadder the cuntrie folk thre tymes in
the yeir, betwixt Sanct Markis day and Lambnes, for that is
the tyme of the quhelppis. And quhat ever he be that rysis
not with the Schiref, Baillie, or Barrone within him self,
sall pay unforgeuin a wedder, as is contenit in the auld
act maid thairupone. And he that slayis ane wolf in ony
tyme, he sall haue of ilk houshalder of that parochin that
the wolf is slaine within, a penny. And gif ony wolf
happinnis to cum in the cuntrie that wit be gottin of, the
cuntries salbe reddy, and ilk houshalder to hunt thame
under the pane [pain] foirsaid. And they that slayis ane
wolf sall bring the heid to the Schiref, Baillie, or
Barrone, and he salbe dettour to the slayar for the soume
foirsaid. And quhatsumeuer he be, that flayis ane wolf, and
bringis the heid to the Schiref, Lord, Baillie, or Barone,
he sall have. VI.8
Meaning
Item: It is ordained for the destruction of wolves that
in any area where there are wolves, the sheriff or baillies
[magistrates] of that area shall gather the local people
three times in the year, between St Mark's day [25 April]
and Lammas [1 August], for that is the time of the whelps.
[Presumably, those gathered were to go on a hunting trip
although this is not actually stated.] Whoever does not
join with the sheriff, baillie or baron shall pay a fine of
a wedder [either a castrated male lamb or the going price
of one] as the old act stipulates. If anyone slays a wolf
at any time, every householder in that parish shall pay him
a penny. If it is ever known that a wolf has been spotted
in an area, every local householder should be ready to hunt
it under the pain of the wedder fine as above. If anyone
slays a wolf, he must bring the head to the sheriff,
baillie or baron and the sheriff, bailie or baron will be
debtor to the wolf slayer for the sum aforesaid. Anyone who
slays a wolf and brings the head to the sheriff, lord
baillie or baron, shall have 6 shillings and eight
pence.
News Archive