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Correspondence from George MacNie Cowie to Dr. Murray Leslie[1]
14 Glenisla Gardens, Edinburgh.
[Undated: circa 21 September 1914]
To Dr Murray Leslie[1]
Dear Sir.
I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of the 18th. I must necessarily communicate with the other members of the Council [of the O.T.O.] in London before I can reply quite definitely. I may say however that I am afraid the question of a long lease would not be seriously considered. It is in fact with reluctance that we are thinking of letting Boleskine for the short term of years that will intervene before we can occupy it.
Just lately its great desirability as a secure and peaceful residence in the event of complications arising from the War came into prominence and I must ascertain if that point still weighs. There is no doubt however that an offer from an exceptionally good tenant to take the place on a short lease of three years would be considered and we might even consider five, if it can be arranged.
To facilitate matters and to enable me to lay the matter before the Council in full shape, would you care to make me a definite offer for a three years lease on your friends behalf. It would weight in favour of the concession if the tenant would offer in addition to keeping the same good order as you have it, to keep the house in good internal and external repair so that at the expiration of the tenancy we should be able to occupy the place at once. I am doubtful if the Council would be satisfied with the present rental on a short lease, but will ascertain. We had in fact thought of the more profitable basis of monthly tenancies and have reason to expect offers shortly.
Your friend might prefer to take the house for two years first, and leave the other two an open question?
Boleskine is of considerable historic importance to us, as well as a pleasant residence, hence the reluctance to let it for very long. It is obvious, by the way, that we are losing an exceptionally good tenant in Mrs Murray Leslie, and we should have made no difficulty had she desired to remain a little while longer.
With compliments,
yours sincerely
Geo M Cowie
1—[Boleskine House was being rented to Dr William Murray Leslie M.D, C.M, FRCS (Edin) (1859-1951) for £250 per year so that the bank loan on the house could be paid. Dr Leslie was a Scottish physician and barrister and he attempted to treat Rose Kelly for her alcoholism.]
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