and Central Highlands of Scotland, 305 



report of the Highland Society. This would open a very di- 

 rect communication from the Clyde to the filhing lochs at 

 the back of Skye, to Skve itfelf, and to the iflandsofEgg, 

 Rum, Muck, Barra, and South Uiil. This would prove of 

 great importance to the fiflieries on account of facilitating 

 intelligence, which is one of the moll neceilary fteps to pro- 

 mote the fucccfs of this bufinels. 



In the year 1796, Mr. Brown, of Elgin, made a furvev 

 and cftimafe of this road from Fort William to Morer, and 

 ftated the expenfe at 6456 1.; fince that time I underftaud 

 that about 1500I. has been laid out upon it, fo that 4000 1., 

 and perhaps fomewhat more, is ftill required to render it 

 perfeft. 



With regard to the improvement of the roads which lead 

 from Fort Wiiliani eaft to Invernefs, there is one principle 

 which in future ought never to be loft fight of, which is, to 

 make the new roads as near to the banks of the rivers and 

 lochs as is prafticable at a reafonable expenfe. If the Cale- 

 donian canal is executed, it is more than probable that many 

 improvements will be pointed out in the courfe of carrying 

 on that great work ; and it would be imprudent to decide 

 ra filly in a matter which is fo much connected with this na- 

 tional obje6l. 



We now come to coufider the communications of the 

 countries which lie to the north and weft of the track of the 

 Caledonian canal. From this valley, which runs from Fort 

 William to Invernefs, it is of great importance that there 

 {hould be lines of communication with the IfleofSkveand 

 the filhing lochs which lie at the back of it; thefe lines of 

 road are not only necelTary for promoting the fiflieries, but 

 are urgently called for by the fituation of the interior parts 

 of the country, where there are many fertile valleys which 

 Iiithcrto have remained nearly inacccffible : it is incalculable 

 the lofs which the public has fuftalned, and are about to 

 fuffer, from the want of roads in this country. 



From the bridtres f)f Beauley and Conon, lines of road, 

 from the fame important caufes, are wanted in feveral direc- 

 tions to the weft coafl, and through the whole of the coun- 

 ties of I'lofs-fliire, Sutherland, and Caithnefs. The outlines 

 of ihofe roads arc well defcribed in the report of the [lighland 

 Society; and although there is a diverfity of opinion as to 

 the comparative importance of fonie of them, as well as of 

 thole to Skve, yet it is evident that they are all ncceffary for 

 the welfare of the country. 



The empire at lartrc being deeply intereftcd in thofe im- 

 provements, as it regards promoling the filherics and ia- 



VOL. XV. No. 60. X ercifing 



