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Internal Postal Rates set by the 1695 Act of the Scottish Parliament
1705 & 1706 - Edinburgh to Lochmaben 2 Shillings Rate Unpaid & Paid

The 1695 Act of the Scottish Parliament set the rate up to 50 Scots miles at 2 shillings Scots for a single
letter and Lochmaben was reckoned to be within this distance of Edinburgh. These letters show examples
of the rates, unpaid and paid, single and double.

They also illustrate the difficulties in getting reliable, speedy deliveries in the early 1700's and provide an
important insight into the way that descriptive addresses developed.

16tti August 1705. Edinburgh to Elshiesheills, 'to be left at
Lochmaben' at the 2 shillings single rate, unpaid.
The Development of Descriptive Addresses in the early 18th Century
William Veitch, the writer, expresses concern about delays being
experienced in the post:
As cities grew in size and more letters were being sent, it became necessary for addresses to
'I am surpnsed to hear you have not received my last with your papers describe more precisely the whereabouts of the addressee.
this day. 8 days I gave them into the post .... pray cause inquire for them
It has been conjectured that writers of letters decided for themselves on how best to describe
at Lochmaben or Drumfries and I shall be satisfied to know you have
the location of the addressee.
got them sate.'
However, these two letters provide conclusive evidence that, at least on occasions, it was the
addressee who furnished the writer with the descriptions. much as someone today would
provide their address to a contact.

The letter of 1705 from William Veitch to James Maxwell, Laird of Bamclough, advises Maxwell
of the best way for him to address letters to Veitch in Edinburgh:

'If you please to direct for me at my own house 'the iron newel/ stair within the foot of Libertoun
wynd' your letters will come sooner and safer for some times the post is gone before I get them.'

51
1 July 1706. Elshiesheills to Edinburgh, a double The letter of 1706 from James Maxwell to William Veitch uses the descriptive address Veitch
letter, pre-paid at the double rate, that would have had provided in the 1705 letter:
entered the post at Lochmaben Post Office.
'For William Veitch, seNitor to the laird of Dawick advocate at the iron newell stair at the foot of
Interestingly, thel rate is expressed as '4d' Sterling
Libertoun wyne, Edbr.'
rather than the usual '4' which could be interpreted
as either 4 shillings Scots or 4 pence Sterling.
r It is remarkable that these two related letters have survived to illustrate the development and
use of early descriptive addresses.