SUTHERLAND

SUTHERLAND, one of the most northerly counties of Scotland, bordering on Caithness to the east, and bounded by the ocean on the north, the country of Afsynt on the west, Ross-shire on the south, and by the German sea on the south-east. It stretches about 70 miles in length, and 40 in breadth; is generally hilly, though in many parts arable; well watered with small rivers and streams replete with fish, and containing about 60 lakes, the habitation of various fish, swans, ducks, geese, &c. One of the largest of these is Lochlin, extending 18 miles in length. Some of them are interspersed with small verdant islands, which in summer yield a very agreeable prospect. On the coast are many commodious harbours, and all the bays swarm with fish. Sutherland affords iron-stone, freestone, limestone, marble and slate, in abundance. Turf and peat are the common fuel. Lead ore, and some copper ore, have been met with in some parts of the county.

The air is so temperate, and the soil so good, that faffron has here been brought to perfection. Many parts of the country are remarkably fruitful in corn, and the pasturage is everywhere excellent. Deer and some other game are abundant in Sutherland. On the hills are fed numerous flocks of sheep and black cattle. The northern part, called Strathnaver, and separated from the rest by a ridge of mountains, is bounded on the north by the Deucealedonian sea, on the west by the channel called the Minch, on the east by Caithness, and on the south by Afsynt. The length from east to west, is 34 miles; but the breadth from north to south does

not exceed 12 in some places. It is very hilly; and the mountains are so high, that the snow remains on the tops of them till midsummer. It is watered by the Naver, from whence it derives its name: this district gives a title to the eldest son of the earl of Sutherland. Strathnaver has many fresh-water lakes or lochs; the chief of which are Loch Naver and Loch Lyel: there are several islands on the northern coast. In various parts of the country there are monuments of victories obtained over the Danes or other foreign invaders. The inhabitants are hardy, bold, and enterprising; courteous to strangers; cheerful, open, frugal, and industrious. The salmon-fishery in this county is considerable, as well as the trade in black cattle, sheep, and horses, at the neighbouring fairs; corn, barley, salmon, butter, cheese, wool, hides, and tallow, are exported. Dornoch is the capital of the county. The population of Sutherland in 1801 amounted to 23,000. The following table shows the population at two different periods *.

Increase, 2,187