The trustees of 272-year-old legacy from a Perth shoemaker have launched their latest bid to track down beneficiaries of the “Cairnie Mortification”.
Charles Cairnie, who died in 1744, left money to be given to teenage boys who are descended from his brother.
If they are successful, the boys will receive a grant totalling around £20,000 over the next 10 years because of their place in the family tree.
Every five years, when a vacancy arises, the trustees select the applicant whose 14th birthday lands closest to November 11.
The trustees kicked off their latest hunt by placing an advert in The Courier on Friday.
Someone is going to gain £20,000 because of a decision made 272 years ago. Amazing. http://t.co/CTBPbyacI7 pic.twitter.com/79y2cewXsb
— Richard Rooney (@C_RRooney) July 4, 2015
Those eligible for the grant can apply by writing to Graham Mackenzie at the King James VI Hospital.
Born in 1683 at Fowlis Wester, Mr Carnie was married to Isobel Laing, although it is understood that the couple had no children.
Instead, he established a legacy in his will that would support the futures of his five brothers’ male descendants.
The recipients of the bequest are shrouded in mystery, as only Mr Mackenzie, his secretary and the successful applicant’s family know their identity.
Over the years more than 55 boys have received the bequest, although no one bearing the Cairnie name has claimed it since 1870 and many applicants come from outside Perth, some as far away as America.
The majority of those in line are direct descendants of previous claimants, as their parents write to the trust as soon as they are born.
This makes it easier to verify their claim and over the last few weeks, the clerk has been writing to the families to confirm they are still interested in the bursary.
The money comes from the rent paid by the tenant farmer at Scones of Lethendy farm, part of which was owned by Mr Cairnie.
The trustees are all Church of Scotland elders in Perth and the money is collected by the King James VI Hospital, of which Mr Mackenzie is hospital master.