334 HISTORY OF THE 



in a parallel line with the eaft coaft, from the county 

 of Durham to Kinnairds head, at the entrance of the 

 Murray firth 5 thus affording an uninterrupted line 

 of fifheries almoft from one extreme of the kingdom 

 to the other* and in fome parts at a very inconfidera- 

 ble diflance from the fhore. The coaft itfelf is alfo 

 well qualified for the eftablifhment of a regular fifh- 

 ery, in the numerous towns and creeks, of which 

 there are nearly 120 between Berwick and the 

 Pentland firth, inhabited more or lefs by perfons 

 who have been trained from their infancy in that line 

 of life ; who would co-operate in every meafure of 

 government for the extenfion of that branch* and 

 whofe united exertions might not only fiipply the 

 inland demand, but alfo afford a confiderable article 

 for export. From this review of the eaftern fifheries, 

 it might be expedted that Edinburgh* which lies on 

 that fide of the kingdom* might be fupplied with 

 every variety of fifh* This* however, is not the 

 cafe j fmall haddocks, fmall cod, and turbot, * 

 are the fiih which moft abound in Edinburgh j whit- 

 ings are to be had* but of a diminutive fizej andj 

 ftrange as it may feem, that capital hath been partly 

 fupplied in white fifh, by a land carriage of 76 

 miles, from the town of Air, fituated on the weft 

 fide of the kingdom* 



From the Forth northward* the coaft proje&s gra- 

 dually towards the eaft* till it terminates in a cape 

 or promontory at Peterhead, in Aberdeenfhire, 

 where fome refemblance of a regular fifhery is carried 

 on, which might be extended to a confiderable 

 length. The fifh caught at Peterhead and its neigh- 

 bourhood are chiefly fmall cod, which are fold in 

 London at 40 to 45 fhillings per barrel. 



Tarbet-Nefs in Rofsfhire, and the eaft coaft of 

 Caithnefs, are alfo good fiihing grounds. 



* Turbot, on which feveral perfons may dine, are fold from a 

 to 7 fhttlings ; oyfteis from 8 to 1 2 pence per hundred. 



of 



