A man and his dug

In 1855 the Scottish immigrant shepherd, James Mackenzie, was caught near this spot (Fairlie) with 1000 sheep that he had stolen from The Levels sheep station. He protested his innocence and succeeded in escaping from the posse that very night.  He was eventually re-caught and sent to jail - from which he escaped twice.    

Because the owners of the original sheep were exceedingly wealthy, and because the police procedures were clearly biased, Mackenzie became a great folk hero.  The lands for miles around became known as "Mackenzie country".    He, and his equally famous dog, Friday, were commemorated in this statue in Fairlie.