William MACKAY, born 1795, Aultbea.

[BAC3]

Hello,

The 1861 Scotland Census at Parish: Dingwall; ED: 3; Page: 1; Line: 11; Roll: CSSCT1861_8 has an entry for William MACKAY, the Postmaster at Aultbea and the Grandfather of the Alexander MACKAY immediately below, who are both held in the Dingwall Prison.  The latter was eventually imprisoned for 4 years for opening mailbags at Aultbea and stealing letters.

This information has been confirmed by National Records of Scotland, but the reason for William MACKAY being imprisoned has not been discovered as neither the Crown Office Precognitions 1861 nor the Dingwall Sheriff Court records have an explanation.   There are no newspaper reports referring to William MACKAY in the "online newspaper indexes".   Possibly there may have been local newspapers in the Aultbea district which could provide the answer??

If anyone can help with an explanation of William MACKAY's imprisonment and the eventual resolution I would be extremely grateful.

Thank you,

BAC3