Life in Scotland in 1792 was vastly different from today. The country was still largely rural, though the Industrial Revolution was beginning to take hold, especially in towns like Glasgow and Edinburgh. For the average Scotsman, wages were modest, and careful spending was essential to make ends meet.
The economy was based on pounds (£), shillings (s.), and pence (d.), with 1 pound equaling 20 shillings and 1 shilling equaling 12 pence. Understanding the cost of everyday items in 1792, and how they compare to today’s prices, gives us a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of an 18th-century Scot.
Let’s explore what a Scotsman could buy in 1792, using historical prices alongside their modern equivalents in both British pounds (£) and US dollars ($).
Wages and Income in 1792
Before looking at prices, it’s important to understand how much people earned in 1792. Wages varied depending on the job, but here are some averages:
- Farm laborer– 10 to 12 pounds per year (£1,900–£2,280 or $2,600–$3,100 today)
- Skilled tradesman (blacksmith, carpenter, tailor, weaver, etc.)– 15 to 25 pounds per year (£2,850–£4,750 or $3,900–$6,500 today)
- Domestic servant (male)– 8 to 10 pounds per year (£1,520–£1,900 or $2,000–$2,600 today)
- Domestic servant (female)– 5 to 8 pounds per year (£950–£1,520 or $1,300–$2,000 today)
- Minister or schoolteacher– 30 to 50 pounds per year (£5,700–£9,500 or $7,800–$13,000 today)
- Wealthy merchant or landowner– 100+ pounds per year (£19,000+ or $26,000+ today)
Since many farm laborers and domestic workers received food and housing as part of their employment, their wages stretched further than those of independent workers.
The Cost of Food in 1792
Food was a major expense, and while basic staples were affordable, luxuries like tea and sugar were expensive.
Basic Staples
- Oatmeal (peck, ~9 liters)– 1 shilling 2 pence (£5.50 or $7.50 today)
- A loaf of bread (quartern loaf, ~4 lbs.)– 4 pence (£1.58 or $2.10 today)
- Milk (per pint)– ½ penny (£0.20 or $0.26 today)
- Butter (per pound, 24 oz.)– 10 pence (£3.95 or $5.40 today)
- Cheese (per pound, 24 oz.)– 6 pence (£2.38 or $3.20 today)
- Eggs (per dozen)– 6 pence (£2.38 or $3.20 today)
- Potatoes (per small peck, ~20 lbs.)– 8 pence (£3.15 or $4.30 today)
Meat and Fish
- Beef (per pound, 16 oz.)– 4 pence (£1.58 or $2.10 today)
- Mutton (per pound, 16 oz.)– 4 pence (£1.58 or $2.10 today)
- Pork (per pound, 16 oz.)– 4 pence (£1.58 or $2.10 today)
- A good leg of lamb– 7 pence (£2.75 or $3.75 today)
- Salted herring (per dozen)– 3 pence (£1.19 or $1.60 today)
- Salmon (fresh, per pound)– 2 pence (£0.79 or $1.10 today)
Beverages
- Ale (per quart, about a liter)– 2 pence (£0.79 or $1.10 today)
- Whisky (per bottle, ~750ml)– 1 shilling (£5.00 or $6.80 today)
- Tea (per pound, ~450g)– 6 shillings (£30 or $41 today)
- Sugar (per pound)– 1 shilling (£5.00 or $6.80 today)
The Cost of Clothing
Most Scots wore simple, durable clothes that were patched and repaired many times before being replaced. New garments were costly.
- A woolen greatcoat– 10 shillings to 1 pound (£50–£100 or $68–$136 today)
- A pair of breeches (men’s trousers)– 6 shillings (£30 or $41 today)
- A linen shirt– 3 shillings (£15 or $20 today)
- A woman’s wool dress– 12 shillings to 1 pound (£60–£100 or $82–$136 today)
- Stockings (per pair, wool or linen)– 1 shilling 6 pence (£7.50 or $10.20 today)
- Leather shoes (men’s, per pair)– 5 to 7 shillings (£25–£35 or $34–$48 today)
- A bonnet (Scottish hat)– 2 to 3 shillings (£10–£15 or $14–$20 today)
Housing & Rent
Most farm laborers and domestic workers lived rent-free in cottages provided by their employers, but those renting had to budget carefully.
- A small rural cottage (one-room, thatched roof)– 2 pounds per year (£380 or $520 today)
- A modest house in a town (two rooms, stone-built)– 3 to 5 pounds per year (£570–£950 or $780–$1,300 today)
- A wealthy merchant’s townhouse (large stone home)– 10+ pounds per year (£1,900+ or $2,600+ today)
Transportation & Travel
- Hiring a horse for a day– 2 to 3 shillings (£10–£15 or $14–$20 today)
- Stagecoach from Edinburgh to Glasgow (42 miles)– 8 shillings (inside), 4 shillings (outside) (£40 or $55 inside, £20 or $27 outside today)
- A ferry crossing (small river, per person)– ½ penny (£0.20 or $0.26 today)
Final Thoughts: Could You Live on a 1792 Scotsman’s Budget?
A Scotsman in 1792 could survive on £10–£12 per year, but luxuries were far out of reach for most. While food was affordable, items like tea, sugar, and fine clothing were expensive.
