MUSSEL BEDS OF SCOTLAND 29 



This whole district, as well as that of Cromart}-, 

 requires a thorough system of protection against 

 raiding, as well as careful culture, to restore the 

 old condition of the many splendid beds. 



Cro^l\rty Firth Beds. — There are several 

 beds in the firth, viz. : — Nigg Bay, Udale Bay, 

 Invergordon, and Novar. The scalps in Nigg Bay 

 are most extensive, having been estimated to 

 cover 1895 acres. The ground is firm and admir- 

 ably adapted for carrying an immense quantity of 

 mussels. The beds dry at low tide. Both Nigg 

 and Udale Bays are almost destitute of mussels, 

 through the indiscriminate lifting of mussels. 



In former days (before 1859) these beds were 

 protected and the shell-fish cultivated to a certain 

 extent. They were leased from, or worked by, 

 the Dukes of Sutherland, and yielded good 

 quantities of shell-fish. The practice of protection 

 fell into abeyance, however, and the fishermen of 

 Cromarty eventually attempted to claim them as 

 their exclusive right. The important dispute of 

 The Duchess of Sutherland v. Watson^ etc., lOth 

 January 1868, resulted, to which reference will be 

 found in Chapter V. p. 80. Even at the present 

 day fishermen from other places are prevented 

 from gathering mussels, while the Cromarty men 



