INVERNESS-SHIRE. 



189 



>hirc. 



account of an undertaking to interesting to tlje rural 

 economist ; but we cannot pass it over without noticing 

 the outlines of it. The subject is a large, flit, alluvial 

 deposition, eidently fanned by the river Spey, which 

 runs along the nor: t to enter Loth Inch. It 



is bounded on the south side by the ground rising from 

 the valley, on the lit- river Trommie, there 



joining the ^pey at right angles ; and on the east by a 

 round hill, d. a Loch Inch. Extending 



about three rr.: it is, at its greatest breadth, 



about three quarters of a mile, and contains about 650 

 Scot* acres : It lies so level in its whole extent, that not 

 above three or four feet of fall could be obtained. Nu- 

 merous springs rising in the ground itself, and the wa- 

 ter of upwards of ten streams of different sizes, dis- 

 charging themselves into it from the hills on the south, 

 contributed to render it a morass, which, whenever the 

 Spey overflowed its banks, was converted into a large 

 sheet of water. A partial defence again-t the river had 

 been begun at the junction of the Trommie with the 

 ; hut finding that this was quite ineffectual, Mr. 

 Grant began, in 1807, to carry a more substantial em- 

 bankment from this -point, all along the edge of the 

 Spey, towards the junction of that river with the lake, 

 where he united it to the north end of the round hill, 

 already noticed as existing there. Beginning at the 

 lake, he cut a canal up through the opening to the south 

 side of the round hill, and continuing it up the south 

 aide of the flat, and along the ln.ti.nii of the high 

 ground, he in this way intercepted all the streams, and 

 compelled them to Bow by the canal into the lake, 

 through a valve floodgate, to constructed, a* to prevent 

 any regurgitation from its flood*. Drains running dia- 

 gonally from the embankment, and discharging them- 

 selves into the canal, were cut acroM various parts of 

 the level, serving not only effectually to dry it, but also 

 to subdivide it. The whole length of embankment 

 following th*inuo*nisof the mer, i about t 

 and a half, averaging six feet in height, and thirty feet 

 in bate. The canal ii about three miles in length, and 

 31 feet wide. The whole ex pence of the work was 

 boat 2300, ant 1 the subject i* improved about 

 300 per annum. It is chiefly used aa pacture ; but 

 from tome part* of it there are cut very rich crop* of 

 fine natural hay, chiefly fiorin. One field of SO acre* 

 has repeatedly given upward* of 6 per acre of r 

 which, when the high situation is considered, is per- 

 hap no where (quailed in the kingdom. Mr. Mac- 

 pherson of Belleville aUo, has embanked to a very con- 

 siderable extent on die north ile of the river. 



the west coast, (he agriculture of the farms con- 

 sists in little more than the culture of a few potatoes or 

 a patch of barley, on such small spot* aa can be dug 

 the spade; nor would the moisture of the climate 

 admit of the secure harvesting of large crop* of grain, 

 what i* raited being generally boused in grtv 

 barn*, having air holes through them. The riche* of 

 this part of the county, drpenii on the immense flocks 

 of sheep covering the n,.i . con- 



stitute the large farma of individuals. X'^OUO or .i'SOOO 

 a-) ear, is cot an uncommon rent for a tingle farm, the 

 extent of w hk-h may be many miles. The hilhi on t!u- 

 lide of the ialand are all beautifully green, and t!,.. 

 fresh hue i* manifestly increasing, by the constant pas- 

 turing of sheep. It must, therefore, be admitted, that, 

 ' harih 



however harsli may be the measures leading to a com- 

 mencement of this system, it if unquestionably the 

 mode of . the estates in the western part of 



the count/) poiultd out by natuie aa the bat. 



In the eastern districts many plantations Jiave been Inverness- 

 made, and those of very great extent ; but it is to be tnire - 

 regretted, that, excepting near to gentlemen's houses, pjl- *"" 

 the Scotch fir is the prevailing tree. Larch, however, 

 is now beginning to be more planted, and, from its 

 hardy nature and superior qualities, will probably soon 

 usurp the place of the fir in the planting of extensive 

 moors. The young woods are thriving with the ut- 

 most vigour. Much yet remains to be done, to cover 

 the county with woods, the great scale on which we 

 find all the features of nature in this country, iliiiuiul- 

 ing much greater exertions to produce an equal appa- 

 rent effect than a tamer country would require, and the 

 scope being almost unbounded. On the west coast, 

 there has been as yet little or no plantation ; but there 

 can be no doubt, that trees would thrive well enough 

 in such sheltered glens as could be spared from the 

 sheep pasture. 



The cattle of Inverness- shire are chiefly of the Sky Lire itock. 

 breed, low in stature, but remarkably handsome. They 

 are crossed on some farms by bulls from Dunrobin in 

 Sutherland, producing a larger description of animal ; 

 and in the south-west part of the county they are mix- 

 ed with those from Argyleshire. Galloway cows have 

 been introduced, on some pasture?, but chiefly for their 

 milk. The old indigenous breed of sheep, small, fine 

 woolled, and altogether white, are still very plentiful. 

 The Linton breed, with black legs and faces, are the 

 most prevalent. But Cheviot sheep are becoming every 

 day more numerous ; and if the sheep-farming system 

 is persevered in, the superior value of their wool, when 

 lered with reference both to the quantity and qua- 

 lity taken together, will probably in time banish all the 

 other races. Bakewell tups are sometimes used to 

 cross with ; and a flock of Merinos were not long ago 

 introduced near Inverness. Goats, though formerly 

 reared in great numbers, are now rapidly decreasing. 

 The old native breed of hone*, small, hardy, clean 

 limbed, and nimhlr, it by far the moat numerous ; but 

 in the eastern district*, the gentlemen and substantial 

 farmers, are at great pains to introduce larger draft 

 hones from the southern counties ; and much attention 

 has been lately paid by them to the breeding of this 

 animal. Aste* are hardly known. All kinds of poul- 

 try are reared in this county ; and hogs begin now to 

 be in greater plenty. 



Besides the inr.nufactiircs mentioned in the article Matiufc- 

 NVEMXEM, we have hardly any to notice in the other torn. 

 parts of the county. At Newton, tiles and bricks are 

 made; and it Kingussie, a machine has been erected 

 for carding and spinning wool. But by far the moat 

 important occupation is that of burning kelp, which 

 furnishes a very large revenue to some of the proprie- 

 tors on the west coast. 



The salmon rihingon the rivet Ness let for 1200 Falling* 

 per annum, and those of the other rivers in a ratio equal 

 comparative value : the fish are mostly sent to 

 supply the London market. The herring fishery, par- 

 tii-ulnrly where the fi-h arc cured and exported, also 

 affords a considerable branch of commerce. 



Fort George is situated at the northern extremity of Foru. 

 the county, on a low point stretching into the Moray 

 I-'irth, the passage of which it commands. It was be- 

 gun to be built under the direction of General Skinner, 

 by the orders of the Duke of Cumberland, in 1717, and 

 cost 160,000 in the completion. The citadel occu- 

 pies fifteen English acres. The ramparts are washed 

 by the sea on three sides, and the ditch surrounding 

 the remainder can be filled at pleasure. It is well sup- 



