Descriptive Gazetteer Entry for Ross and Cromarty

Ross and Cromarty, maritime co., in NW. of Scotland; area, 2,003,065 ac., pop. 78,547. It consists of a mainland portion which comprises all the detached sections of Cromarty, and an insular portion properly called Ross-shire which includes Lewis island (excluding Harris) and a number of smaller islands in the Outer Hebrides. The mainland portion extends 67 m. N. and S. between Sutherland and Inverness-shire, and 75 miles E. and W. between the Moray Firth and the Atlantic Ocean. On the E. coast, which affords good harbours, are the Dornoch Firth, Cromarty Firth, and Beauly Firth; and of numerous indentations along the W. coast the largest are Loch Broom, Gruinard Bay, Loch Ewe, Loch Torridon, Loch Carron, and Loch Alsh. The largest streams are the Oykell, the Alness, and the Conon, which flow to the Moray Firth. The chief inland lochs are Maree, Fannich, Luichart, Sheallag, and Bosyne. Of the 3 great divisions of the co., Easter Boss, including all the low land between the Dornoch and Cromarty Firths, is fertile and well cultivated; Mid. Boss, including the district (known as the Black Isle) between the Cromarty Firth and the Moray and Beauly Firths, is mostly under good cultivation; while Wester Ross, including by far the greater portion of the co., is altogether of a highland character, and abounds in rugged mountains, beautiful lochs, and wild glens. Sheep farming and cattle grazing are extensively pursued. (For agricultural statistics, see Appendix.) The distilling of whisky is the sole mfr. The fisheries, coast and inland, are extensive and valuable. The co. comprises 31 pars, with parts of 2 others, the parl. and police burghs of Cromarty, Dingwall, and Tain (part of the Wick Burghs), the parl. and police burgh of Fortrose (part of the Inverness Burghs), and the police burghs of Invergordon and Stornoway. It returns 1 member to Parliament.


(John Bartholomew, Gazetteer of the British Isles (1887))

Linked entities:
Feature Description: "maritime county"   (ADL Feature Type: "countries, 2nd order divisions")
Administrative units: Ross and Cromarty ScoCnty
Place: Ross and Cromarty

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