CHAP. IX. TELFORD'S SCOTCH HARBOURS. 399 



intermediate space. The inhabitants agreed to defray 

 one-half of the necessary cost, and the Commissioners 

 the other ; and the plans having been approved, the 

 works were commenced in 1818. They were in full 

 progress when, unhappily, the same hurricane which 

 in 1819 did so much injury to the works at Peterhead, 

 also fell upon those at Banff, and carried away a large 

 part of the unfinished pier. This accident had the effect 

 of interrupting the work, as well as increasing its cost ; 

 .but the whole was successfully completed by the year 

 1822. Although the new harbour did not prove very 

 safe, and exhibited a tendency to become silted up with 

 sand, it proved of use in some respects, more particu- 

 larly by preventing all swell and agitation in the old 

 harbour, which was thus rendered probably the safest 

 artificial haven in the Murray Firth. 



It is unnecessary to specify the alterations and im- 

 provements of a similar character, adapted to the 

 respective localities, which were carried out by Mr. 

 Telford at Burgh Head, Nairn, Kirkwall, Tarbet, Tober- 

 mory, Portmaholmac, Dingwall (with its canal two 

 thousand yards long, connecting the town in a complete 

 manner with the Frith of Cromarty), Cullen, Fortrose, 

 Ballintraed, Portree, Jura, Gourdon, Invergordon, and 

 other places. Down to the year 1823 the Commis- 

 sioners had expended 108,530. on the improvements of 

 these several ports, in aid of the local contributions of 

 the inhabitants and adjoining proprietors to a consider- 

 ably greater extent; the result of which was a great 

 increase in the shipping accommodation of the coast 

 towns, to the benefit of the local population, and of ship- 

 owners and navigators generally. 



Mr. Telford' s principal harbour works in Scotland, 

 however, were those of Aberdeen and Dundee, which, 

 next to Leith, the port of Edinburgh, formed the 

 principal havens along the east coast. The neighbour- 

 hood of Aberdeen was originally so wild and barren 



