ROSS AND CROMARTY, treated of in the " Census of Scotland—I871," as one Scottish co , is, as such, bounded on the n. by Sutherlandshire, e. by the German ocean, s. by Inverness-shire, and w. by the Atlantic. Ross comprises the districts of Easter and Wester Ross, Ardmeanach, or the Black isle, and the island of Lewis (q.v.). Ross and Cromarty in many parts present a wild and mountainous aspect, intersected by beautiful glens;valleys, lakes, and rivers. Many of the mountains are of considerable altitude, the highest rangier from 3,000 to 4.000 ft., the most remarkable of which is Ben Wyvis. The high grounds afford excellent pasture for sheep and cattle, and the glens and low grounds, in the more favored portions, are generally of a superior soil, which, with the fine climate, especially in Easter Ross, produce grain of a superior quality. There are numerous fresh-water lakes and rivers. The principal loch is Maree (q.v.). There are several other lakes of considerable size, which, altogether, occupy an area of 90 sq. miles. There are numerous water-courses, the chief of which are the rivers Oikel and Conon, and several high waterfalls, the principal being Glomach, one of the finest in the kingdom. Limestone and Ironstone are to be met with in abundance. as also granite and mica slate: and there are various mineral springs of note, the most famous of which is that of Stratlipeffer. About the beginning of last century the
country in many places was nearly devoid of trees, but soon after numerous plantations formed, and many parts are now occupied by extensive forests. The lakes, rivers, and coast abound with fish, and the bays and sea-lochs lieing nusne.ro-us, the fisheries are carried on extensively, occcpying upward of 22,000 persons.
According to the census of 1871 the area of the two counties is 3,131 sq.m., or 2,016,375 statute acres. The valued rental in 1614 was .427,000; the valuation of 1875-76 (exclusive of railways) was i!260,164. The total acreage under all kinds of crops, bare fallow, and grass, in 1876 was 124,826; under corn crops, 47,413, under green crops, 27,259; clover, sanfoiu, and grasses under rotation, 29,987; the permanent pasture, exclusive of heath and mountain-land, was 19,395. The number of horses used for agricultural purposes was, in the same year, 7,099; the cattle counted 41;609; the sheep, 362,9S0; and the pigs, 6,407.
The population of the united shires in 1871 was 80,955. The parliamentary con stituency, which returns one member to parliament, is 1580 in number. The chief towns are Dingwall (q.v.), Fortrose (q.v.), and Taiu (q.v.).