KINTAIL, a parish, in the county of Ross-and-Cromarty,
10 miles (E. S. E.) from Lochalsh; containing,
with the village of Dornie and Bundalloch, 1168 inhabitants.
This parish derives its name from a Gaelic
term, signifying " the head of two seas", and descriptive
of its situation on a point of land where two seas meet.
Nothing is known concerning its history earlier than the
period of Alexander III., who presented to Colin Fitzgerald,
the founder of the noble family of Mackenzie, the
castle of Donan in the village of Dornie, now a ruin,
for his eminent services in the royal cause, both by sea
and land, at the battle of Largs. The family derive
their crest of a burning mount from the lofty and famous
mountain here, called TuUoch-ard, upon the top of which,
in ancient times, a barrel of burning tar was exhibited
as a signal for the rendezvous of the vassals of the
Mackenzies, on the commencement of hostilities. The
PARISH, which is situated on the west coast of Rossshire,
is about eighteen or twenty miles long, and five or
six broad; it is surrounded by hills in almost every direction,
and is altogether one of the most mountainous
and wild districts in the country. The northern division,
called Glenelchaig, is separated from the southern and
western parts by a lofty and almost inaccessible ridge;
and a length of about ten miles only of the extent of
ground in the parish is inhabited: this portion is contained
between the north-east end of Loch Loiiig and the
south-east end of Lock Duich, two maritime lochs. On
all sides the approaches are majestic and commanding.
The mountains of Ben-Ulay, Glasbhein, Soccach, and
Maam-an- Tuirc, in the parish, abound with romantic
scenery; and their vicinity is plentifully enriched with
every variety of valley, wood, and water. TuUoch-ard,
however, situated on the north side of Loch Duich, and
embracing an extensive view of the Western Isles, is the
most celebrated mountainous elevation, both for its towering
appearance and for its history in legendary song.
The pass of Bealach, a few feet only in breadth, and inclosed
by lofty and precipitous rocks, the whole encompassed
with lonely glens and wild mountain woods, is a
spot which has always interested the admirer of wild and
lonely scenery. There are many good springs, and a
few inland lakes, the chief of which are Loch-a-Iihealich
and Loch Glassletter, abounding with fine trout, and famous
for angling. The waterfall of Glomach, situated
in a sequestered valley about seven miles from Shealhouse,
is highly celebrated. At this place a stream is
precipitated from an elevation of 350 feet, and, obstructed
in its descent by the projection of a rugged
crag, throws forth a volume of beautiful spray, of unusual
dimensions: the fall is surrounded on all sides
with mountainous and barren scenery. The chief rivers
are the Loing, which separates Kintail from Lochalsh;
the Croe, which divides it from Glensheil; and the
Elchuig: the Croe runs into Loch Duich, and the two
others into Loch Loing.
This parish is almost entirely pastoral. The larger
farms are held by the proprietors of the parish, two or
three in number; and the most improved system of husbandry
is adopted on these lands. Great attention is
paid to the breeding of sheep; and by crossing the old
stock with the Cheviots, it has of late years been much
improved, the sheep now fetching excellent prices at
the markets in the south, particularly that of Falkirk,
to which they are chiefly sent. There are several small
but thriving plantations, consisting of Scotch firs, spruce,
larch, oak, ash, birch, and elm. The rocky strata are
composed chiefly of gneiss, distinguished frequently by
a variety of veins; there are also considerable beds of
granite and sienite. The annual value of real property
in the parish is £3017- Dornie and Bundalloch form
one village, situated on the north-east shore of Loch
Loing; it is inhabited principally by fishermen, and is
very thickly peopled. The bays worth notice are those
of Dornie, Corfhouse, and Inverinate. A parliamentary
road from the western coast to Inverness runs through
the parish, and is in very excellent condition; while more
distant communication is afforded with this neighbourhood
by the Glasgow and Skye steam-boats, by which
all necessaries are obtained. There are fisheries for
salmon established on Loch Duich and the river Croe;
they are let to strangers, who send the fish to the London
market. Ecclesiastically the parish is within the
bounds of the presbytery of Lochcarron, synod of
Glenelg, and the patronage is in the Crown: the stipend
of the ministeris£177, with a good manse, built in 1831,
and a glebe of the annual value of £40. Kintail church,
which is inconveniently situated at a great distance from
the body of the parishioners, is capable of accommodating
about 300 persons: it was repaired about 1820, when
two small galleries were erected; but is at present in a
dilapidated state, and too small for the population. The
Roman Catholics have a place of worship. There are
two catechists in the parish; and a parochial school is
maintained, where the usual branches of education are
taught, the master having a salary of £27, with a house,
and an allowance in lieu of garden. Two other schools
are supported by the Gaelic Society. The chief relic of
antiquity is the ruin of Ellandonan Castle, near the village
of Dornie, surrounded by beautiful scenery; it is
supposed to have been built about the time of Alexander
III.