668 



SCOTLAND. 



Statistics. Lanark, Linlithgow, together with the eastern part of 

 ~~~"y~^ Stirlingshire, Clackmannanshire, Perthshire, and a part 

 " * e f l " ^ I nverness - s hire. 



Scotland. Having entered so largely into the detail of those 

 circumstances which distinguish the climate of the 

 western coast, it may suffice to observe, in general, 

 with regard to this middle region, that the rains are 

 less frequent ; that the violence of the winds, proceed- 

 ing from the Atlantic, is abated by the interposition 

 of the mountains, which give shelter from the west 

 and south-west : and that, from these causes combin- 

 ed, the weather is, upon the whole, of a more equable 

 tenor. At the same time, and upon these accounts, 

 joined to the greater general elevation of this region 

 above the level pf the sea, the frosts are more intense 

 and lasting ; the snows lie longer upon the ground, 

 and the climate is less mild than on the western coast. 

 In Dumfries-shire, the air is dry ; the winter is 

 stormy and cold ; the winds high, and the rains, in 

 many seasons, heavy, but seldom any continuation of 

 snow. This county, as well as the stewartry of Kirk- 

 cudbright,, and shire of Wigton, have a southern as- 

 pect. 



In Peebles-shire, the air is in general dry and 

 healthy ; but in the higher parts of the county, it is 

 for the most part moist. 



Lanarkshire is situated so singularly, in general re- 

 ference to this region, as to require more particular 

 notice ; and, fortunately, this notice is furnished, in a 

 very superior style, by Mr. Naismith, the intelligent 

 Reporter of Clydesdale. It is hoped that the reader 

 will be gratified with a somewhat enlarged detail of 

 the climate of this county. 



Lanarkshire, with a great portion of Renfrewshire, 

 affords the most remarkable instance in Scotland of an 

 extended slope declining towards the west. On a 

 smaller scale, the county of Dumfries has a southern 

 aspect ; and the stewartry of Kirkcudbright and shire 

 of Wigton, have a similar aspect to the south. Ayr- 

 shire, as well as Lanarkshire, declines to the west. 

 The greater part of the rest of Scotland forms, it is 

 well known, an inclined plane towards the east. In 

 this district, however, we have an example of a ter- 

 ritory sloping towards the sea, from an elevation of 

 2368 feet above its level, and discharging its waters, 

 by a great river, into the Atlantic. This is a circum^ 

 stance which must, no doubt, be considered, as in- 

 fluencing the climate of this district : and it is pre- 

 sumed that this influence may be traced in Mr. Nais- 

 mith's account. 



The influence of the Atlantic predominates through- 

 put the whole bounds of Lanarkshire ; the winds blow, 

 ing about two-thirds of the year from south-west and 

 west. The easterly wind, which conveys haars from 

 the German Sea, is interrupted by the hills on the east 

 side of the county; so that the temperature is mode- 

 rate. Intense frost seldom continues long; and long 

 lying snows are rare. The clouds, in passing over 

 the flat and lower parts of the county, often leave them 

 dry, while they break in showers upon the higher 

 ground, in the eastern and western districts. 



The under stratum of most parts of this county be- 

 ing compact, and impermeable to water, the evapora- 

 tion from the moist soil is great. When a course of 

 dry weather to effect this evaporation does not take 

 place in spring, the seed time is necessarily late, which 

 is one great cause of the lateness of the harvest in 

 many parts of Lanarkshire. This lateness is most re- 

 markable on the higher grounds of the county, on ac- 



count of the more general moistness of the air, and Statistics. 

 the greater frequency of rain. 



The eastern district of Stirlingshire, together with ^ate of 

 Linlithgowshire, may be considered as partaking, with g cot i am i. 

 respect to climate, of the character of the eastern coast ; 

 yet on account of the narrowness of this part of the 

 island, the influence of the Atlantic still predominates, 

 producing a prevalence of south winds, with the most 

 violent storms, and heaviest rains that affect this quar- 

 ter, Even in the Stirlingshire carses, as well as in 

 many other parts of the central division of Scotland, 

 and in the whole of the western districts, the hedge- 

 rows grow with a marked inclination towards the north- 

 east. The air of the district is, in general, pure and 

 salubrious, except where those thick vapours which 

 have been already described as arising from the ex- 

 tensive mosses of the county, unfortunately prevail. 



The western district of Stirlingshire partakes of the 

 character of Dumbartonshire, and the western district 

 of Perthshire, with regard to climate. The vicinity of 

 the sea, and the height of the mountains, occasion fre-^ 

 quent and heavy showers. 



The climate of the mountainous districts of Perth-, 

 shire is very variable. The lofty mountains of Men- 

 teith and Breadalbane attract the clouds, which spine-, 

 times burst in torrents upon the valleys: at the same 

 time it would appear, that more rain falls upon the 

 mountains than upon the valleys. At other times the 

 clouds are frequently seen to take their course along; 

 the hills, bursting upon them in heavy showers, whilst- 

 the interjacent valleys enjoy serene weather. In th.e> 

 more central parts of Perthshire, snow lies long, arid 

 the frosts are often severe. Along the sides of rivers, 

 blasting fogs, and hoar-frosts, are frequent and in- 

 jurious. In the more easterly districts of the county, 

 the climate is mild, and the air salubrious. The east 

 and north-ea-t winds in winter, bring snow, or rain, or 

 mist, from the German Ocean, and occasion a depres- 

 sion of the animal spirits. In the lower grounds, 

 these moist vapours, and the exhalations from deep 

 and narrow valleys, sometimes occasion agues ; but 

 these are now less frequent, owing probably to the 

 improved mode of cultivation which has been intro- 

 duced. 



On reaching the tract of the Caledonian canal, in 

 the Glenmore or the great glen or dell of Scotland, 

 this midland zone may be considered as terminated; 

 that part of the island which lies to the north of this 

 line becomes so narrow, that its climate may be ar r 

 ranged either under that of the western, or of the east- 

 ern zone, according to the situation of the place. 



3. The Climate of the Eastern Coast of Scotland. 



In general, the climate of the east coast is dry, pure, The eli- 

 and salubrious. Agues are disappearing in Berwick- mate of the 

 shire, in consequence of draining and improving the eastern 

 surface. Easterly winds prevail, especially in April " >as ' of 

 and May. In the Lothians and Fife, the climate is bc 

 mild and temperate, considering the latitude in which 

 these districts are situated. In Forfarshire, the heaviest 

 rains come in autumn and winter from the south-east, 

 attended by violent winds ; but the air in general is 

 dry and salubrious. In Kincardineshire, although the 

 climate is generally dry, yet the corn is sometimes 

 deeply injured by mildews, or sea fogs along the coast, 

 while the interior parts remain uninjured. In Aber- 

 deenshire, the equinoctial storms in harvest are oc- 

 casionally injurious to the various crops of corn ; 

 though there are less severe frosts in that county in 



