Page 88 - Fenning_Scoland

Internal Postal Rates set by the 1695 Act of the Scottish Parliament

c.1708 - Thurso to Edinburgh 4 Shillings Rate

Letter from Thurso to Edinburgh charged 4 shillings Scots (4d sterling) unpaid, the rate for
the above 100 Scots miles band. The letter is dated 29th October and, though no year is
given, a 1708 letter exists with the identical London address. This Thurso letter, therefore,
is likely to have been sent c.1708. The rates are correct for that date, the contents mention
the Queen (Anne) and Thurso post office is believed to have opened in or before 1702.
After delivery in Edinburgh, the London address was added and the letter was sent on to
London on 2"d December. The Thurso to Edinburgh rate was deleted and the letter charged
1 s3d sterling unpaid. This was the triple rate for Edinburgh to London which implies that the
letter was probably bundled with two others before being forwarded to the London address.
The letter bears a DE/2 oval Edinburgh Bishop mark and a DE/8 circular London Bishop
mark.