302 ISLES OF SCOTLAND. 



i 



from the Lowland Scots, except that their manners are more simple, 

 and their minds less cultivated. Their religion is the protestant, ac- 

 cording to the discipline of the church of Scotland ; and their civil 

 iustitutions are much the same with those of the country to which 

 they belong. 



In some of the northern islands, the Norwegian, which is called the 

 Norse language, is still spoken. Their great intercourse with the 

 Dutch, during the fishing season, renders that language likewise 

 common. 



The islands both of Shetland and Orkney were anciently subject to 

 Norway ; and were sold in the thirteenth century, by Magnus of Nor- 

 way, to Alexander, king of Scotland, by whom they were given as 

 fiefs to a nobleman of the name of Speire. After this they were 

 claimed by, and became subject to, the crown of Denmark. Chris- 

 tian I, in the reign of James III, conveyed them in property to the 

 crown of Scotland, as a marriage portion with his daughter Mar- 

 garet : and all future pretensions were entirely ceded on the mar- 

 riage of James VI of Scotland with Anne of Denmark. The isles of 

 Shetland and Orkney now form a stewartry, or shire, which sends a 

 member to parliament. 



