LOGIE-EASTER, a parish, in the county of Ross-and-Cromarty,
5 miles (S. S. W.) from Tain; containing
1015 inhabitants. The name of Logie, so frequently
applied to designate Scottish parishes, is derived from
the Gaelic word laggie, which signifies a " hollow ", and is
used in the present instance in reference to the site of
the first church, the ruins of which are still to be seen.
The place is not remarkable for any events of historical
importance; but there are many cairns remaining, the
ancient and ordinary memorials of bloodshed, and said
to have originated from a battle fought between the Danes
and the Scots, in which the latter were conquerors. This
parish is seven miles long and about three broad, and
is bounded on the north by Tain parish; on the south
by Kilmuir Easter; on the east by Nigg; and on the
west by Eddertoun. The climate is usually mild, but
intensely cold when the wind sets in from the east,
which is, however, but seldom, as westerly winds are
most prevalent. The soil varies considerably in different
parts, consisting in some places of a light, sandy, unproductive
earth; in others, of deep clay; and in some
tracts, of a rich black mould. Wheat is the principal
grain raised, and it is of a very superior quality. The
most approved system of agriculture has become general
since the breaking up of the small farms; the lands are
now let in large allotments, and exhibit the natural effects
of good cultivation. The population, however, has been
greatly diminished by the change.
The whole land belongs to four families, two of whom
are resident: the annual value of real property in the
parish is £3'297. There are several quarries of freestone;
and a manufactory for tiles employs about thirty
hands. A cattle-market is held at Blackhill in the
month of May, at which large numbers of cows are sold.
The mail-coach runs daily through the parish; but the
roads, with the exception of a line of about three miles,
are in bad condition. Calrossie, the seat of the Ross
family, and Shandwick and Scotsburn, are very handsome
mansions. Ecclesiastically the parish is within
the limits of the presbytery of Tain, synod of Ross, and
the patronage belongs to the Marchioness of Stafford:
the stipend of the minister is £237, with a glebe of
twenty-two acres. Logie Easter church, which is an
excellent and commodious building, capable of accommodating
700 persons with sittings, is situated on
Chapel hill, and was erected about thirty years since.
Near it is the manse, built about fifty or sixty years ago,
and commanding an extensive view of rich and beautiful
scenery. The members of the Free Church have a place
of worship. There is a parochial school, the master of
which has a salary of £35, with a good school-house and
about £6 fees. Another school, in the district of Scotsburn,
is called the Assembly school; the master receives
£^0 per annum and some fees, and connected with it is
a small library. The language generally spoken in the
parish is Gaelic; but the younger part of the population
can all speak English. Besides the funds periodically
raised for their relief, the poor have the interest of about
£100, the aggregate of various bequests.