ROSSKEEN, a parish, in the county of Ross-and-Cromarty,
13 miles (N. E.) from Dingwall; containing,
with the villages of Bridgend, Invergorden, and Saltburn,
3222 inhabitants, of whom 1482 are in the rural
district. This place is supposed to have derived its
name, in the Gaelic language signifying "meeting ", from
the junction of the districts of Easter and Wester Ross
on the western boundary of the parish. Rosskcen is
washed on the soutli by the Firth of Cromarty, and is
nearly thirty miles in length and about twelve miles in
extreme breadth, comprising a large extent of Highland
country. The surface is even towards the coast, from
which, for almost four miles, it rises with a gentle acclivity
towards the north-west; and it is afterwards diversified
with numerous hills, of which the highest, Cairn-
Coinneag, has an elevation of 3000 feet above the level
of the sea. In the inland portion of the parish is the
extensive vale of Strathrusdale, chiefly affording pasturage
for sheep. The rivers are, the Rorie or Balnagowan,
which has its source within the parish, and flows
into the bay of Nigg; and the Alness, which bounds the
parish on the west, and falls into the Firth of Cromarty.
There are four lakes, the largest of which is half a mile
in length: Loch Achnacloich is remarkable for the
beauty of the sequestered and richly-wooded glen where
it is situated.
In the low lands the soil is partly light and gravelly,
partly a rich loam, and partly a deep strong clay; in
the central portion of the parish is a very wide bed of
shell-marl, and in other parts are extensive tracts of
moss in which are found large quantities of fir and oak
deeply embedded. About 4000 acres are arable, 3000
woodland and plantations, and the remainder chiefly
mountain pasture and waste land; the crops are wheat,
oats, barley, potatoes, peas, and turnips. The system
of husbandry has within the last few years been much
improved; and a powerful stimulus is afforded by the
shows held annually at Invergorden, for awarding prizes
for the best specimens of live stock and the finest
samples of grain. Great quantities of waste ground have
been reclaimed and brought into cultivation; the farm
houses and offices are in general of superior order, and
all the more recent improvements in the construction of
implements have been adopted. The cattle reared are
chiefly of the Highland breed, with cows of the Ayrshire
and Buchan on the dairy-lands, and a few of the
Teeswater, lately introduced; the sheep are usually of
the Cheviot, with a few of the black-faced, breed. A
large number of swine are also fed.
The plantations, which are in a very thriving state,
are principally fir and larch, with elm, beech, oak, ash,
pilane, and lime; and there are considerable remains of
ancient wood, of which beautiful specimens, of venerable
growth, are to be seen on the lands of Ardross, belonging
to the Duke of Sutherland. In general the substrata
are of the old red sandstone formation, of which there
is an extensive quarry on the banks of the river Alness.
The principal seat is Invergorden Castle, the greater
portion of which was destroyed by an accidental fire,
and the remaining portion is inhabited by the family
of Mc Leod; the grounds are extensive and tastefully
laid out, and contain some fine specimens of ancient
timber. Kiucraig House is also a pleasant residence.
The manufacture of coarse canvass for bagging affords
employment to about thirty persons, and some of the
females are employed in spinning. Fairs are held at
Invergorden; and facility of communication is afforded
by good roads, and by steamers which ply at Invergordon
harbour. The annual value of real property in the parish
is £6689. Ecck'siastically this place is within the
bounds of the jjresbytery of Tain and synod of Ross:
the minister's stipend is £156, with a manse, and a glebe
valued at £10. 10. |)er annum; jiatron, the Marchioness
of Stafford. Rosskecn chnrcli, which is situated in the
centre of the ))arish, was erected in 1833, and is a
spacious and substantial structure containing 1360
sittings. The members of the Free Church have a place
of worship. The parochial school is well attended; the
master has a salary of £34. 4. 4., with a house and garden,
and the fees. There are also a school in the village
of Saltburn, supported by the Edinburgh Gaelic Society,
who allow the master a salary of £20; a school the
master of which has a salary of £15, paid from another
source; and two Sabbath schools. In the parish are
several cairns, in which skulls and human bones of large
size have been found: one, called Carna-nam-Fiann, is
supposed to have reference to the times of Fingal. Mr.
Charles Mackintosh, the inventor of the process for rendering
cloth waterproof, was a native of this place.