John Brand (c. 1668—1738) was a minister of the Church of Scotland. Educated at the University of Edinburgh, he graduated M.A. on 9 July 1688. After completing his divinity course, he was licensed to preach by the presbytery of Edinburgh, and on 3 January 1694-5 was ordained minister of the parish of Borrowstouness, Linlithgowshire.
In February 1700-1 he was appointed by the general assembly as one of a deputation to visit Shetland, and, if convenient, Orkney and Caithness. His journey occupied from 18 April to 24 June, and after his return he published an account of his experiences under the title A Brief Description of Orkney, Zetland, Pightland-Firth, and Caithness; wherein, after a short journal of the author's voyage thither, these northern places are first more generally described, then a particular view is given of the several isles thereto belonging; together with an account of what is most rare and remarkable therein, with the author's observations thereupon. The book was reprinted in the third volume of Pinkerton's Voyages and Travels, and was also republished in a separate edition in 1883. It is considered an interesting record of the mode of life of the inhabitants of the very north of Britain at a period when intercourse with the south was of the most limited kind.
‹ ›