COUNTIES OF ELGIN AND NAIKN. 9 



these two counties. Its course from its source to the sea is 

 very rapid. Its chief tributaries after it enters the county of 

 Moray are the Dulnain, Nethy, Aven, and Tiddoch. The river 

 is open to the public for trout fishing, and good sport is 

 generally obtained. It may be mentioned here that the Spey 

 during the past few centuries has deposited much fine alluvial 

 soil, which I shall subsequently describe. The best salmon 

 fishing is preserved by proprietors, or let to shooting tenants. 

 The weight of the salmon varies from 8 lbs. to 30 lbs., while 

 that of trout is from ^ lb. to 1 lb. The best months for salmon 

 and trout fishing are the same as those on Findhorn. In 1860, 

 the course of the river at its mouth was moved about three- 

 fourths of a mile westward from the old channel, for the 

 purpose of benefiting the salmon fishings and protecting the 

 village of Kingston, on which the current had been encroaching. 



The capes and bays in Morayshire are the Spey Bay, Stotfield 

 Point, Covesea Point, Burghead Bay, and the estuary of the 

 findhorn. 



The configuration of Nairnshire, in so far as features of scenery 

 are concerned, is similar to that of Morayshire. The surface of 

 the greater part of the county is a continuation of the long 

 fertile plain known as the " Laigh of Moray," but it is somewhat 

 more undulating in its character. The soil is neither so equal 

 nor so heavy. There is a good deal of wood over the county. 

 The range of hills, which extends through the centre of Nairn- 

 shire from east to west, is an extension of that which traverses 

 part of the county of Moray. None of the hills in this range 

 exceed 1600 feet in height. The scenery in the hilly districts is 

 bleak and uninteresting. There are large tracts of sterile heath, 

 moss, and mountain land, which certainly do not present a varied 

 or pleasing aspect. The valley of the Findhorn and the lower 

 parts of the county, however, are exceptionally picturesque. 

 Along the banks of the Findhorn there are large patches of rich 

 alluvial land, which is skilfully cultivated. 



The geological features of the county have a striking similarity 

 to those of Morayshire. The prevailing strata are gneiss, old 

 red sandstone, grey sandstone, and quartz rock. The belts of 

 wood which are so i)rofusedly scattered over the county consist 

 of birch, (ir, hazel, alder, and ash. Good shooting is usually 

 obtained, hares, partridges, grouse, snipe, and ])heasants being 

 abundant. Towards the west of Nairnshire tliere is much 

 natural beauty to attract the eye of the visitor. One of the most 

 interesting objects of antiquity is Cawdor Castle, which was 

 licensed to be erected by James II. in 1454. It nestles snugly 

 in a thicket of wood, and nothing but its numerous turrets is to 

 l)e seen until the visitor a]»])roache8 quite close to it. Its sur- 

 roundiniis ore ex<]uisit»ily l)eautiful. There are several other 



