Scotland > 1825-1826 - Pigot & Co.'s new commercial directory of Scotland for 1825-6

m^Ot ^ Co/g HISTO RY OF SC OTL A ND. m ivtttmh
the principal are the Tweed, Forth, Clyde, Tay and Spey, of which the Tay is the
Lirgest ; they ail abound with line salmon and trout. The lakes of Scotland are
grand and beautiful, and some of them of considerable extent ; their banks are in
general clothed witli wood, and the scenery is highly picturesque and pleasing.
Of these Loch Lomond is the chief, both in extent and beauty, diversified Avith a
number of small romantic woody islands, and begirt with shores in some places
decorated with wood, in others naked and majestic. Next to it may be ranked Loch
Ness, whose waters never freeze ; Loch Tay, Loch Awe, Loch Ketterin, Loch Erne,
Loch Leven, and many others, are deserving of the traveller's attention. It is worthy
of rcmarK, that the name of /«t/« or lakf is given, on the western coast, to many inletsor*
arms of the sea. — The most remarkable, and perhaps the most distinctive feature of
Scotland, is her mountains. The principal ones are the Grampian hills, which run
from east to west, from near Aberdeen to Cowal in Argyllshire, almost the whole
breadth of the kingdom. Another chain of mountains, called the Pentland Hills,
runs through Lothian, and joins th^se of Tweedale. A third, called Lammer Muir,
rises near the eastern coast, and runs westward through the Merse. Besides the
continued chains, among which may be reckoned the L'heviot, or Tiviot Hills, on
the borders of England. Scotland contains many detached mountains, some of them
of studendous height. Bea Nevis in Inverness, the highest mountain in Scotland, is
4370 foet above the level of the sea ; Cairngorm in Eanif, Ben Lawers in Berth,
Braeriach in Aberdeen, .and some others, are not mmch interior in altitude. — Situated
in the midst of the ocean, and in a high northern latitude, Scotlajid cannot bcj^ast of
a regular climate. It is various, too, in different places ; the cold, however, is not
so intense, as it is in similar latitudes on the continent. 'Ihe thermometer does not
sink so low, duringthe winter, asitdcesin the virinity of London. Mountainous countries
are always most subject to rain ; and Great Britain, being a sort of inclined plain,
gradually declining from west to east, it has been thought, that, on this account,
the western coast is more wet. This excess of rain is, perhaps, rather owing to the
prevalence of the west wind, which brings humidity with it in its course across the
Atlantic ; hence we find that more rain generally falls at Greenock than at GlasgoAv,
and more at Glasgow than at Edinburgh. As a couutei balance to this, vegetation,
on the eastern coast, is checked during the spring months by cold and piercing east
winds. Notwithstanding all this the air is in general pure and healthy. — Scotland
produces many valuable articles of commerce ; besides the trade in corn, the rearing
of black cattle and sheep for the English market is very considerable. Its woods of
x^ak and hr are nov/ begun to be considered with proper attention, and to be made
serviceable to the uavy. The mines of coal, lead, and iron, have long been a source
of wealth. Free-stone, lime-stone, and slate, are found in various places, and in
great abundance. Some attention has also been lately paid to its marbles, which
prove little, if at all, inferior in colour or polish to those of Italy. — Scotland cannot,
at presijnt, shew many of the precious metals, though considerable quantities both
of gold and silver have, at different periods, been obtained from her bowels ; and it
is extremely probable that the time is not far distant, when these treasures will again
be laid open. Copper has been discovered in many places, though, at present, it is
nowhere wrought to any considerable extent. Of late a very rich mine of antimony
has been worked, richer, it is believed, than any at present known. Most of the
gems and precious stones, with the exception of the diamond, have also been found
in Scotland. — The wild animals are the fox, the badger, the otter, the red deer, the
wild roe, the hare, and the rabbit ; besides the wild cat, the hedgehog, weasel,
squirrel, mole, &c. There is also proof of others having existed in this country,
Avaich are now exterminated, viz. the buiTalo, or Avild ox, the wolf, and the beaver.
Of the feathered tribe, pheasants are to be found in the woods, though scarce, also
that rare and beautiful bird called Capercailzie, or cock of the wood. The ptarmigan,
black game, and grouse, inhabit the heathy m^ountains ; in the vallies are partridges ;
in the fens the snipe and the plover ; and in the piuins most of the English singing
birds, except the nightingale. — Of late great attention has been paid to the breed of
black cattle; the horses and sheep, though originally small, now rival those of England.
Manufactures ofall kinds are in tiiemost thriving condition. The printedmaslins equal
those of England, and the glass and stoneware are scarcely surpassed anywhere.
The linens, particularly those ior the table, have long been famous. Manufactures
of broad cloth, silks, and gauzes, ar also upon a respectable footing. — The inter-
course with England is growing daily more frequent, to the mutual advantage of both
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