of the most northerly counties of Scotland. Including Strathnaver, it borders on Caithness to the north and north-east, is bounded by the ocean on the north, the country of Affynt on the west, Ross on the south, and by the German sea on the east and south-east. It stretches about 70 miles in length, and 40 in breadth; is generally hilly, tho' in many parts arable; well watered with small rivers and streams replete with fish, and exhibiting 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; nay, the sea in this place produces some valuable pearls. Sutherland affords iron-stone, freestone, lime-stone, and slate, in abundance. Here are also quarries of marble, and mines of coal, though the people use turf and peat for fuel. Lead ore, impregnated with silver, and even some gold, hath been found in this province, together with crystals and pebbles.

The air is so temperate, and the soil so good, that saffron has here been brought to perfection. Many parts of the country are remarkably fruitful in corn, and the pasturage is excellent everywhere. Besides three great forests, there are many smaller woods in Sutherland, abounding with deer and other game. On the hills are fed numerous flocks of sheep and black cattle; small, yet sweet and juicy. There is one bird peculiar to this shire, called knag, which resembles a parrot, and digs its nest with its beak in the trunks of oaks. The northern part, called Strathnaver, and separated from the rest by a ridge of mountains, is bounded on the north by the Deucalonian sea, on the west by the channel called the Minch, on the east by Caithness, and on the south by Affynt. The length of it, from east to west, amounts to 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 Navern, from whence it derives its name; as this district gives a title to the eldest son of the earl of Sutherland. Here are several woods, frequented by deer and other game, which the people take great delight in hunting. Iron-mines have been worked in some places, but to no great advantage. Strathnaver has many fresh water lakes or lochs; the chief of which are Loch Navern and Loch Lyel; there are several islands on the northern coast; and in various parts of the country we see monuments of victories obtained over the Danes or other foreign invaders. Sutherland boasts of some towns, and a great many villages. The people are numerous, hardy, bold, and enterprising; courteous to strangers; cheerful, open, frugal, and industrious. They, as well as their neighbours of Caithness, speak the language, and wear the garb, used in the Lowlands of Scotland. They carry on a considerable salmon-fishery. They drive a traffic with their black cattle, sheep, and horses, at the neighbouring fairs; but export their corn, barley, salt, coal, salmon, salted beef, butter, cheese, wool-skins, hides, and tallow. Here are provisions of all sorts in plenty; and so cheap through all this country, that a gentleman may keep house and live much more sumptuously for 200l. a-year than he can live for three times the money in the south of England.