The Salmon.'] OF ORKNEY. 221 



in their charters ; the old people too shew us a place where 

 cruives were placed ; but if ever there has been any thing of 

 this kind here, it has, I imagine, been far from considerable, 

 and long since given up ; and, indeed, the nature of our coun- 

 try will not allow salmon-fishings in fresh waters, as there is 

 not a single stream in the country where a salmon could be 

 safe, even for an hour, except the loch of Stenness ; but it is 

 is well known that salmon delight much more in clear run- 

 ning streams, than muddy lochs ; besides, the entrance is so 

 foul and narrow, that, except when the tide is up, none could 

 enter it. 



I have no doubt but there are salmon in the sea, and some 

 few of these might be caught, if our folks had the method of 

 fishing them. It is very certain that vast quantities of salmon 

 are caught in the rivers of Caithness, which are right against, 

 and only the frith betwixt them and Orkney ; therefore, 

 though the former has the advantage over us in its inland 

 rivers, yet I should think, at the same time of the year, when 

 the fish begin to betake themselves to the bays, in search of 

 the mouths of rivers, we might have a chance to get some small 

 quantity as well as our neighbours. 



It is certain our bays abound with congenerous fish of se- 

 veral kinds ; why then may we not think the salmon at this 

 time pays us a visit, but not finding proper accommodation, 

 retires to more hospitable shores. 



