FORFAR-SHIRE

FORFAR-SHIRE, a county of Scotland, of which Forfar is the capital. Including Angus, Glenisla, Glenesk, and Glenprossin, it extends between 40 and 50 miles from east to west, and 16 where broadest, though in some places the breadth does not exceed five miles. On the north it is divided from the Brae of Mar by a ridge of the Binchinnan mountains; it is bounded on the south by the frith of Tay and the British ocean, on the east by Mearns, and on the west by Perthshire. Part of the Grampian mountains runs through this county, which is agreeably diversified with hill and dale. It produces some lead and iron, together with freestone, slate, and limestone. Coarse linens and sail cloth are the chief manufactures of the county. It is well watered with lakes, rivers, rivulets, and fountains, shaded with large forests, roughened with brown mountains, and waved with green hills interspersed with fields and meadows, and adorned with fine seats and plantations. Their heaths and woods abound with hart, hind, roebuck, and moor game; their streams are stocked with trout and salmon. Their hills are covered with flocks of sheep, and their fields afford plentiful harvests of wheat and all sorts of grain. The mountains to the west and north are inhabited by Highlanders; but the Lowlanders possess the towns and champaign country, and are remarkable for their politeness and hospitality.

The population of this county in 1811 amounted to 107,264. But in the following table is exhibited a view of its population, at two different periods.

See FORFARSHIRE, SUPPLEMENT.