FOR GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. 17 



HELMSDALE. 



This place has a defective harbour, with abundant 

 fishing grounds in the vicinity ; so defective is the har- 

 bour that the boats cannot enter much before half-flood. 

 Being a bar-harbour the entrance is very dangerous, and 

 is, like most others of the type, most hazardous to deal 

 with during floods, when at the same time there may be a 

 heavy sea on the bar. At present there is room for 170 or 

 1 80 boats. 



From the evidence of two fishermen before the Herring 

 Fisheries Commission, of which Mr. Young was a member, 

 it appears that improvement is badly wanted. 



By a new entrance to the east of the present, Hugh 

 McAngus, fisherman, stated the bar might be altogether 

 avoided. This is a most important feature. Angus Macaulay 

 spoke also to the same effect. They would be willing to 

 pay increased dues for effectual improvements, 25^. to 30^. 

 per boat, which would yield about ^500 per annum. Aid 

 should certainly be given, half by gift and half by loan, 

 at 6 per cent., on the extinguishing principle, of the sum 

 borrowed, as previously recommended. 



FORSE COVE 



Is about eighteen miles from Helmsdale, and two from 

 Lybster. From a careful study of the chart, and Mr. Young's 

 notice of this cove, the writer strongly recommends its con- 

 version into a harbour. The chief features are its large area 

 and the fact of 20 ft. of depth existing within it. It is large 

 enough, Mr. Young states, " to shelter 700 to 800 boats ; " 

 would be one of the best, if not the best, on the Caithness 



VOL. IX. E. 4. C 



