HERRING FISHERIES. 227 



Under thefe fortunate circnmftances a Dutch 

 veflel may fet out, and profecute her voyage with 

 any wind ; flie hath ample fea room wherein to 

 range at pleafure; and, though the winds maybe 

 unfavourable, yet (he ftill proceeds, by means ot 

 tacking. All the difference therefore between a 

 favourable, and an unfavourable wind confifts, not 

 in time loft by being obliged to take fhelter in har- 

 bours, but the difference of time occupied in 

 ftraight, or in crofs failing. The diftance between 

 Holland and the coaft of Shetland is reckoned to be 

 600 miles. This, with moft winds, may be per- 

 formed in 6 or 7 days ; with a ftrong wind a-head, it 

 cannot require above 10 or 1 2 days. The voyage from 

 the eafl coaft of Great Britain is exactly fimilar, and 

 may be performed from any part of Scotland in 

 half the time: from the coaft of Aberdeen, and the 

 Murray Firth, in two days, at the utmoft. When a 

 velFel arrives at Shetland, fhe finds herfelf amongft 

 an immenfe body of herrings, fends off her capture 

 to the market, or returns with her cargo, by the fame 

 eafy navigation. 



So favourable for the fifheries is the fituation of 

 the eaftern ports of Scotland. While thofe of Ire- 

 land, as Strangford, Portaferry, Downpatric, Carric- 

 fergus, Belfaft, Lerne, Londonderry, Inverbay, 

 Killybeggs, Tillon, RofTes, Shecphaven, Donnegal, 

 and Sligo, are within 24. hours failing of the fifheries 

 on the coaft of Donnegal. Here alfo, as at the Shet- 

 land iflands, the herrings are certain, and the bufTes 

 expeditioufiy loaded. 



Very different is the navigation, and fifhery, of the 

 Weft Highlands. This hitherto neglected divifion 

 of Great Britain, prefents a coaft, taken in a diredl 

 line from the extremity of Cantire to Cape Wrath, 

 of near 250 miles ; and if to that extent, we add the 

 numerous head lands to be doubled, the inter- 

 vening iflands to be evaded, the creeks or bays to 

 which a veflel muft frequently run for fhelter; a 



p 2 winter 



