TARBERT, a sea-port-town, in the parish of KilCALMONELL,
district of Cantyre, county of Argyll,
31 miles (N.) from Campbelltown, and 140 (W.) from
Edinburgh; containing 594 inhabitants. This place,
which is an ancient burgh of regality, and was the chief
town of the shire of Tarbert when the county of Argyll
formed two shires, is situated on the margin of East
Loch Tarbert, which is an arm of Loch Fine, approximating
so closely to West Loch Tarbert as to make the
district of Cantyre a peninsula, and leaving an isthmus
but little more than a mile across. In 1S09 a memorial
was presented to the parliamentary commissioners, in
which it was stated that the village of Tarbert was one
of the most considerable places in the West Highlands,
on account of the excellence of its harbour, and the
peculiar advantages of its locality. It is the centre of
communication between the numerous sea lochs that
indent the coast of this part of the county, and offers
great facilities of transit between the districts on the
east and west. A quay and land-breast under the village
had been constructed by the proprietor previously
to the year just mentioned; and the commissioners, in
answer to the memorial, agreed to the enlargement of
the quay, the renewing of the land-breast which had
become ruinous, and the improvement of the approaches
to the harbour by the removal of some rocks obstructing
the entrance. Though small, the place wears the
appearance of a bustling port, and has attained, through
continued and thriving traffic, considerable prosperity;
it has a good herring-fishery, and is much frequented by
steamers and other vessels. A small fair for horses is
held in the beginning of August. A general post-ofiice
has long been established, communicating daily with
Glasgow by steam-vessels; and mails are also despatched
hence by land to Campbelltown, where is a
sub-office. In 1846 an act of parliament was passed
for making a canal from the harbour of East Tarbert
to West Loch Tarbert. There is a chapel supported by
the Royal Bo\mty; and the members of the Free Church
have a place of worship. The castle of Tarbert, once of
great strength, is now in ruins.