Scotland – Internal Rates 1660-1711

Introduction

Although the Post Office Act of 1660 set internal rates from Berwick, Post Office provision within Scotland was very limited until the 18th century, with mail generally carried by the town letter carriers ("Burgh Posts"). Rates and routes were set by the Scottish Privy Council for most of the 17th century; the only Post Office Act of the Scottish Parliament before the Union was in 1695. These rates were set in Scottish currency and in terms of Scottish miles, although in practice the Post Office worked in terms of "computed" distances.

The exchange rate between Scottish and English currency was set by James VI/I at 12 Pund Scots to 1 pound sterling – hence a Scots shilling equalled an English penny. Charges set by the Scottish authorities were naturally in Scottish currency – so where rates are given in shillings in the table below, these are Scots shillings, and marked on letters in the same way as English pence.

Early Scottish letters are rare – in this section, the details are quoted as stated, which did not always include a clear statement of multiple charges.