390 TELFOKD'S SCOTCH HARBOURS. TART VITI. 



CHAPTER IX. 



TELFORD'S SCOTCH HARBOURS. 



No sooner were the Highland roads and bridges in 

 progress than attention was directed to the improve- 

 ment of the harbours around the coast. Very little 

 had as yet been done for them beyond what nature 

 had effected. Happily, there was a public fund at dis- 

 posal the accumulation of rents and profits derived 

 from the estates forfeited in consequence of the rebellion 

 of 1745 which was available for the purpose. The sup- 

 pression of the rebellion produced good in many ways. 

 It broke the feudal spirit, which had lingered in the 

 Highlands long after it had ceased in every other part 

 of Britain ; it led to the effectual opening up of the 

 country by a system of good roads ; and now the accu- 

 mulated rents of the defeated Jacobite chiefs were about 

 to be applied to the improvement of the Highland 

 harbours for the benefit of the industrial population. 



The harbour of Wick was one of the first to which 

 Mr. Telford's attention was directed. It will be re- 

 membered that Mr. Rennie had reported on the subject 

 of its improvement as early as the year 1793, and his 

 plans were not adopted only because their execution was 

 beyond the means of the locality at that time. The place 

 had now, however, become of increased importance. 

 It was largely frequented by Dutch fishermen during 

 the herring season ; and it was hoped that, if they could 

 be induced to form a settlement there by improving the 

 accommodation of the harbour, their example might 

 exercise a beneficial influence upon the population gene- 

 rally. Mr. Telford reported that, by the expenditure 



