70 ON THE AGKICULTUEE OF THE 



tunately, those good predictions have not been realised, Cromarty 

 is still a little burgh of considerable note. It is well known to 

 have one of the safest harbours in Europe. Two immense head- 

 lands, called the "Soutars," form natural breakwaters against the 

 tide in the Moray Firth, and between these headlands, which are 

 distant from each other only about a mile, the Cromarty Firth 

 steals away round to the back of the Black Isle almost unob- 

 servedly and quietly even during the roughest seas. Ships once 

 into this firth are safe from all seas, and often during a storm the 

 firth is crowded with vessels of various sizes. A fine quay was 

 formed at Cromarty in 1785. Cromarty is famous in another 

 way. It was the birthplace of Hugh Miller, and it may well be 

 pardoned for the pride it feels in ranking this eminent geologist 

 as one of its illustrious sons. A monument to the memory of 

 Huo'h Miller stands in the neifjhbourhood. 



Fortrose is formed of two towns — Eosemarkie and Chanonry — 

 and has a population of 911. Eosemarkie was created a royal 

 burgh by Alexander II. A cathedral and bishop's palace once 

 adorned Fortrose, but Cromwell destroyed both, and sent the 

 stones to Inverness to be used in the construction of a fort there. 

 Fortrose has still a very fair trade, and in the sixteenth century 

 it gets the credit of having been the seat of arts, science, and 

 divinity in the north of Scotland. The beach here is sandy and 

 very beautiful. 



Invergordon is a thriving seaport town, with a population of 

 about 1157. It is situated on the north-west side of the 

 Cromarty Firth, and has loug been the chief seaport for the 

 eastern districts of the county. Mr Macleod of Cadboll erected 

 two wooden piers at a cost of about L.5000. For many years 

 Invergordon v/as the only town in the county that could boast of 

 a newspaper, the "Invergordon Times," but about a year ago the 

 "Eoss-shire Journal" w^as started in Dingwall. 



Stornoway, the only town in Lewis, has a jDopulation of about 

 2498, and is of considerable importance in the shipping trade. It 

 has been immensely improved of late by Sir James Matheson, 

 Bart, of Lewis. A lighthouse stands at the harbour mouth. 



Eoss-shire embraces all the varieties of Highland scenery ; and 

 more than that, it can boast of not a few of the most charming 

 characteristics of the finest ao^ricultural districts both in Scot- 

 land and England. In the Highlands, or western division of the 

 county, wood, water, heath, and mountains mingle together in 

 perfect grandeur; while in the eastern or lower lying districts, 

 green fields, thriving hedges, rich plantations, and handsome 

 houses tint the lam] scape into delightful harmony. The scenery 

 in Easter Eoss, and around Dingwall and Strathpeffer, is really 

 very fine. Almost all the arable land lies on the east coast; and 

 the main body of the county, lying to the west of the fine agri- 



