LOCH NESS, and the other lakes of the Great Glen of Scotland, have been fully described in our article IN VERNESS-SHIRE; and in our article NAVIGATION INLAND.
Loch Maree, a magnificent lake is about twelve miles long, and above three wide in the middle, reach ing the sea at Pol Ewe after a course of about three miles. In the middle it contains a labyrinth of wooded islands, which add much to its beauty; while,from the ruggedness and loftiness of the including hills, it pre sents much picturesque scenery, with considerable grandeur of character. Lying in a country of difficult access, it is however scarcely known, though meriting the attention of the traveller.
The western lakes of Sutherland are little remarka ble either for their size or their beauty; and among them Loch Assynt and Loch More are the chief. But the chain which includes Loch Shin, formerly noticed, is important at least from its extent. The two west ernmost of the three, Loch Merkland and Loch Geam, are small lakes; but the length of Loch Shin is sixteen miles, though its breadth, like that of Loch Tay, is never more than a mile. But it is utterly wanting in beauty, as is true of all the remaining lakes in this country. Of these, the chief are the Laig-hal, the Naves, and the Hope, the latter of which is about six miles in length.
Of the southern lakes, there is not one which seems to merit enumeration except Loch Leven, already fully described in our article KINROSS-SHIRE. One only re mark we shall make in concluding this account of the rivers and the lakes of this country, and it relates to the small value derived from them by the proprietors or the country at large. When that extent, which we have already pointed out, is considered, the large quantity ofuseless property must be apparent; but this would have been very materially extended if we had added the superficial measurements of the innumera ble mountain lakes and pools which it was impossible to include. The salmon fishery of the rivers is an im portant branch of commerce and wealth; but if we ex cept Loch Leven, there is not even an attempt made to derive any profit from all these lakes, while they are not even fished for the merely domestic consump tion of the surrounding population. If we except the slender amusement of sportsmen, there is as little use as profit derived from this immense tract of valuable water. It is certain that, by a proper system of stock ing and fishing, a large supply, if not also a large rent, might thus be produced, we should say created, as is done in Europe generally. It is to be seen whether
the proprietors will remain, not only blind to their own interests, but uselessly severe in restricting the fishing of that which would increase instead of dimin ishing under a proper fishery, and which would at least benefit others, by permitting or encouraging the use of what is of no benefit to themselves.
Sea Lochs and Firths.
It is impossible to pass over these without notice, as they form such an important feature in Scotland, and are indeed occasionally with difficulty separated from mere fresh water lakes. We must, however, limit ourselves to a few of the most remarkable.
Among these, the inlets of the western coast of the Highlands are the most numerous and conspicuous, while they are frequently interesting in a commercial view, as excellent harbours, and as the seats of the herring fishery. Commencing from Loch Eribol in the north, we find it forming a magnificent bay and a safe anchorage, capable of holding all the British fleet, being the last harbour of security till we reach Cro marty on the eastern coast. Though Loch Inchard and Loch Laxford are excellent harbours, they are little required ; but those two inlets are the seats of a salmon fishery. The great sinuosity of the Kylescuagh to the southward of these, offers also a land-locked harbour that would accommodate fleets were it re quired.
Passing over Loch Enard, as an open bay, we find the immense opening of Loch Broom, a harbour for fleets also, and once the seat of a valuable herring fish ery, as it is now that of a limited fishery for cod, and of the stationary town Ullapool. Here was one of the establishments made by the Company for the fisheries, before the true nature and value of this was understood, and while the only object appeared a desire to rival the imaginary great gains of the Dutch in this branch of industry. It was forgotten that Dutch capital was forced into an unproductive direction from its excess, while that of England was fully and better occupied; and it was also not then known, or forgotten, that the resort of the herring was capricious and uncertain. Thus it has proved; since this and all the other simi lar establishments have been long rendered useless by the change of the resort of this fish, partly to the north ward, but chiefly to the eastern coast.