6 THE AGEICULTURE OF THE 



there are 427 more females than males, but it may be mentioned 

 that this is by no means a rare occurrence in the north of 

 Scotland. Of separate families there are 1034, inhabited houses 

 822, vacant houses 38, and 12 houses building. The town lies 

 on the west bank of the river jSTairn, close on the shore of the 

 Moray Firth, and is 22 miles west of Elgin and 15 miles east of 

 Inverness. Its distance by rail from Edinburgh is 199 miles. 

 It is a popular bathing resort, being beautifully situated, 

 well exposed, and in every way convenient, tidy, and healthy, 

 while the climate is mild and warm. Numerous charters were 

 conferred upon Xairn many centuries ago, but all were lost 

 except one granted by King James I., which is still held by the 

 town. This charter tells how the ancient deeds and infeffments 

 of the burgh had been " destroyed and lost through (the) 

 turbulences, occasion of wai% and divers depredations and 

 incursions of Irish rebels, and through the negligence of the 

 custodiers." Up to a comparatively recent date, Nairn was the 

 boundary line between the Saxon and the Gael, both languages 

 having been spoken in it. It was the boast of King James that 

 he had " a toune in Auld Scotland, the toune of Nairn, which was 

 so large that the folk at the one end did not understand the 

 language spoken at the other end." There are no manufactories 

 in Nairn, but a considerable fishery trade is carried on. The 

 harbour some years ago was the main source of income, but the 

 railway, which is in close proximity to the town, has militated 

 against harbour profits for the past few years. The streets, as a 

 rule, are somewhat irregular, which may be ascribed to the 

 antiquity of the town. In the building and laying out of new 

 residences, however, modern improvements have been introduced. 

 The inhabitants are well provided with educational institutions. 

 The revenue of the town in 1881 was £13,216, and in 1858, 

 £3096, which shows an increase of £10,120. The parliamentary 

 constituency in 1881 was 387, and in 1858, 116. In this 

 county, as well as in Morayshire, there are a few small towns or 

 villages, chief among which is Auldearn, which has a population 

 of 363. The total valuation of the Highland Eail way Company 

 in Nairnshire was £1932 in 1881-82. 



The scenery, especially in the lower districts of Moray, presents 

 much natural beauty. There is a good proportion of the total 

 area under woods, which are beautifully dotted over the 

 county. The large extent of arable land is well sheltered 

 generally, but there are also some wide stretches of barren moor. 

 The main range of hills extends nearly the whole length of the 

 county, from east to west, running nearly parallel with the 

 Moray Firth, and at an average distance of from 6 to 12 miles 

 inland from it. This range is not of great height, but is 

 sufficient to form a substantial division between the upland and 



