Dr. Mac CuIIoch on the Herring. 215 



now be ascertained. But it is probable ; partly from tbe fact just 

 related of Orkney, and partly because, before the mesh regula- 

 tion, they used to be taken of all sizes by the country fishermen. 



Of these changes of place, the few following will be suffici- 

 ent example and proofs. In the time of Charles I., and long 

 afterwards, the Long island was their great resort ; and at Loch 

 Maddy alone in North Uist, 400 sail of vessels have been loaded 

 in one season. These last events were about the beginning of the 

 last century. At the prior period which I mentioned, buildings 

 were erected in this inlet, and a regular fishery established ; but 

 they have long since deserted, not only this spot, but all the shores 

 of the Long island. It is scarcely now even remembered by the 

 people when they last appeared in any quantity . 



From the beginning of the last century, for a considerable pe 

 riod onwards, their chief resort was about Loch Ewe, Loch Torri- 

 don, and, generally speaking, to the northern lochs of the west 

 coast. About the same period they were then also abundant on 

 the coasts of Sky. This state of things is well remembered, and 

 it lasted for a long time. It is well remembered because it was 

 the cause of much writing ; finding its way into such popular 

 works as Goldsmith's light essays, and producing as many 

 pamphlets and as much talk as politics have done at other peri- 

 ods. The poet Aaron Hill, was then entrusted with the direction 

 of one of these fisheries, and if I mistake not, one of Mrs. Char- 

 lotte Smith's novels was written in Sky, from a similar connexion 

 on the part of her husband. It is even better remembered by those 

 who sank large sums in this vast speculation. Hence were 

 erected the enormous establishments at Loch Torridon, at Mar- 

 tins' island, and on Tanera, now long become useless ; and the 

 anticipations founded on it equally led to the establishment of 

 Steen and Tobermory, and of other towns which have long ceased 

 to make any progress, partly from the desertion of the herring 

 shoals, and partly from the wrong principles on which the Fishery 

 Society proceeded. I may here also remark, that in 1700, when 

 they were abundant in Sky, it was ascertained that they bred 

 there. 



