THE FISHERIES. 163 



(till remains, but the towns of Beregonium and In- 

 verlochy were totally deftroyed by the Danes, 



It is recorded, in the Batavian annals, that the 

 Scots fold their herrings to the inhabitants of the 

 Netherlands as early as the ninth century, This 

 traffic laid the foundation of a commercial alliance 

 between both countries, which fubfifted to their mu- 

 tual advantage, during many ages, but is at prefent 

 of very little confluence. 



We have already mentioned the attention paid to 

 this great national concern in later periods> by the 

 Scottifh monarchs and legiflature, in order to re- 

 cover the fifheries of the eattern fide of the kingdom, 

 which the Dutch had long engrofled, greatly to the 

 prejudice of the rightful owners. 



The frequent laws which were enabled in the reigns 

 of James III. IV. and V. difcover a fteady, determin- 

 ed zeal for the benefit of the native fubjecls, the full 

 reftoration of the fifheries, and the fplendour of the 

 kingdom, and do honour to the memory of trifle pa- 

 triots whom modern times aftedt to call barbarians. 



The expedition of James V. to the Hebrides and 

 weftern parts of the Highlands, and his afliduity in 

 exploring and founding the harbours, difcovered a 

 fixed refutation in that active prince, to civilize the 

 inhabitants, to promote the valuable fifheries at 

 their doors, and to introduce general induflry. His 

 death, at an early period> and the fubfequent reli- 

 gious and civil commotions in the kingdom, fruf- 

 trated thofe wife defigns, and the weitern fifheries 

 remained in their original ftate of neglect. At 

 length, 1602, James VI. relumed the national 

 purpofes which had been thus chalked out by his 

 grandfather. " Three towns, (fays Dr. Robertlon) 

 which might ferve as a retreat for the induftrious, 

 and a nurlery for arts and commerce, were appointed 

 to be built in different parts of the Highland* ; 

 one in Cantirc, another in Lochaber, and a th 



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