Geology.—The rocks of the interior of the county and a considerable portion of the west coast are gueiss. Detached districts, chiefly iu the parish of Bogart and on the confines of Caithness, exhibit great masses of granite, and the high hills of Loth are composed of porphy ritic granite of different colours. Sienite and large rocks of granular marble abound on the north shore of Loch Shin. The parish of Assynt also contains extensive masses of white marble, and many of the high hills in that district are of quartz. Limestone is the prevailing rock in Dueness, except the headland of the Pupil, which terminates in Cape Wrath, and in which quartz, red sandstone, and conglomerate prevail. Along the east coast the high hills of Golspie are of old con glomerate; the low parts of the east coast between Ciolapie and Helms dale are of oolite sandstone, sandstone-flag, limestone, and coal. Veins of quartz, of calcareous spar, of tremolite, and of a rude kind of porphyry, occasionally occur.
Climate, Soil, Agriculture, dc.—Sutherland has a variable climate, but along the sheltered east coast it is mild aud salubrious. The high parts of the interior and the west coast are subject to continued and heavy falls of rain. Tho arable laud of Sutherland lies principally on the east coast ; and there the most improved system of husbandry is acted upon. The Dunrobin breed of Highland cattle belong to this county. Cheviot sheep are the most important eteck and the staple produce of the Sutherland high grounds. On the arable farms the grain raised is limited to barley, oats, and occasionally wheat and rye. Turnips are extensively raised, and chiefly consumed on the field by sheep during the winter season; potatoes form the chief article of food for the great bulk of the population. In most of the valleys, natural woods of birch, alder, and occasionally oak, adorn the steep sides and water edges. Several parts of the county have been cele brated for centuries as deer forests; and red-deer are still found in oonsidemble numbers. Roe deer are common in the woods; and game of all kinds, being protected, is everywhere abundant.
Divisions, Towns, &c.—Time county is divided into 13 parishes, 10 of which belong to the Duke of Sutherland, who has also considerable properties in the remaining three. The only town is Dornoch, a royal and parliamentary burgh and market-town, iu the parish of Dornoeh, about 200 miles N. by W. from Edinburgh. Dornoch was made a royal burgh by charter of Charles 1. in 1623. The population was 599 in 1851. The town is governed by a provost and 13 councillors, of whom 4 are bellies, and unites with Cromarty, Dingwall, Kirkwall, Taira, and Wick in returning a member to Parliament. It was anciently the seat of the bishops of Caithness, part of whose palace is now used for county purposes. The old cathedral of the diocese was at Dornoch. It was rebuilt in its present form, as the parish church, at the sole expense of the late Duchess-conntess of Sutherland. This cathedral contains the remains of the Sutherland family from the 13th century. There is in the town a Free church. Fishing is carried on to a small extent. Six fairs are held in the course of the year.
The villages are mostly small. The following only need to be noticed ; the populations are those of the parishes in 1851 :—Boner, population of the parish of Creech 2714, at the head of the xstuary of the Oykill, about 12 miles W. from Dornoch; vessels of 60 tons burden find accommodation ; meal, coals, and lime are imported, and timber, wool, corn, and salmon are exported. Boner bridge is a fine iron structure of one arch, 150 feet in span, erected in 1813. Exten sive cattle markets are held in July, August, and September. Brora, population of Clyne parish 1933, at the mouth of the Brora water, about 14 miles N.W. by N. from Dornoch, has a harbour, with a pier. A small coasting trade is carried on. There is a school of industry for females. A market is held in October for cattle, horses, &c. Golspie, population 1529, about 10 miles N. by E. from Dornoch, contains some good dwellings and shops: it is inhabited chiefly by agricultural labourers and fishermen. Golspie parish is united with Dornoch parish by a mound 2985 feet long, and a bridge constructed in 1816 across Loch Fleet. The inlet of Little Ferry, ontside the mound, forms an excellent harbour. The parish church is situated near the village. There is a school for females, supported in part by the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge in the Highlands. Ao annual fair is held in October for cattle and pedlery ; and another of leas importance in May. Dunrobin Castle, the seat of the Duke of Sutherland, is about two miles east-north-east from Golspie : it is sur rounded with extensive and well-wooded grounds. Ilelmsdale, popts• lation of Loth parish 640, at the mouth of Helmsdale Water, about 21 miles N.E. from Dornoch, is the scat of a considerable herring fishery. There is a productive salmon-fishery in Helmadale Water. The bridge is a handsome structure of two arches, each 70 feet !pan, erected in 1811. There is a Free church. Helmsdale Castle, an old square building, was formerly a hunting-seat of the Sutherland family. Port Cower, also in Loth parish, about 22 miles N.E. from Dornoch, is occupied by fishermen and small holders of land.
A ntiquities.—The Northmen made early settlements along the coasts of Caithness. Upright atones, tumuli, and similar remains mark the period of their abode here. The foundations, and ruins of old towers and strongholds, are the chief vestiges of feudal times.
Indust ry. —The county has no manufactures ; but the fisheries are prosecuted with vigour and success. Cod, ling, and herrings are taken in large numbers. Vast numbers of lobsters are sent to the London market.
Religious Worship and Educalioa.—Aceording to the Returns of the Census; for 1851 there were 37 places of worship in the county, of which 16 belonged to the Established Church, and 21 to the Free Church. In 29 of these places of worship the total number of sittings provided was 11,016. Of day schools there were 78, of which 73 public schools had 4150 scholars, and 5 private schools had 69 scholars. Of Sabbath schools there were 26, with 1361 scholars. One literary institution, the Tongue Subscription Library, had 56 members, with 1304 volumes In the library.