Scots 'Domesday Book' put online

Jane Henderson took on the task of putting the report online

A 19th Century document described as Scotland's Domesday Book has been made available online.

The Napier Report was written following a study into the lives of crofters in the Highlands and Islands in the 1880s.

Jane Henderson, Mallaig Learning Centre manager, took on the task of putting the report online as a contribution towards Highland Year of Culture 2007.

The project was led by Inverness-based higher education institution UHI Millennium Institute.

The report's four volumes and appendices have gone live on www.highland-elibrary.com and the site has already attracted more than 500 hits.

UHI said the Napier Report was regarded as Scotland's Domesday Book.

Lord Francis Napier was appointed by William Gladstone's government to head The Royal Commission of Inquiry into the condition of crofters and cottars.

It was a response to demonstrations against high rents, lack of security of tenure on land that had been in families for generations and the forced evictions of crofters.