is a small village, containing a church and a very few houses, with an excellent bay and a good harbour, in the isle of Skye. "The entrance of the Knox's bay (Mr Knox tells us) represents agreeable landscapes Tour. on both sides, with excellent pasture."

"The bay of Portree (says Mackenzie), off the houses, is an exceeding good harbour for a few ships of any size; it is well sheltered, the ground good, the depth from five to 14 fathoms, and nothing to fear coming in but a rock, about half a cable's length from Arderachig Point, on the starboard as you enter the anchorage, part of which is always above water." It is the only port or harbour to a very considerable division of Skye, on the east side. From this opening to the northern extremity, a course of 20 miles, the shore is one continued line of lofty rocks, where no ship can find refuge in the mildest weather, and where inevitable dangers await the mariners in rough weather.

"James V. of Scotland and several of his nobility landed here, when they made the tour of the Hebrides in 1535; from which circumstance, this fine bay has got the honourable name of Portree."

Mr Knox tells us, "that the country round this village, though mountainous, is well inhabited; it raises much grain, and many cattle. Here late Sir James Macdonald had marked out the lines of a town; and government, it is said, promised to assist him in the work with 500l.: but the death of that gentleman put an end to these promising appearances." We have to add, that Lord Macdonald, the present (1809) proprietor, has resumed the undertaking; and, we understand, has made some progress in building a new town, besides introducing various other important improvements in this and other parts of the island.