URQUHART-AND-LOGIE-WESTER, a parish, partly in the county of Nairn, but chiefly in the county of Ross-and-Cromarty, 2 miles (S. E.) from Dingwall; containing, with the villages of Conanbridge and Newton, and the hamlet of Culbokie, 2997 inhabitants, of whom 2537 are in the rural districts. This place is not distinguished by any transaction of historical importance. It comprehends the ancient parish of Urquhart, of which name the etymology has previously been given, and the ancient parish of Logic Wester, the name of which, in the Gaelic language signifying " a hollow," is descriptive of its appearance. Of these parishes the former occupies the eastern, and the latter the western, district of the present parish. At what time they were united, is not distinctly known; but from some records in which mention of them occurs as one parish, it would appear to have been prior to the year 1490. The district is bounded on the north-west by the Firth of Cromarty and the river Conan or Conon, which latter separates it from the parish of Dingwall and part of the parish of Urray. It is nearly ten miles in length, and three miles and a half in breadth, comprising about 12,5/0 acres, of which 5300 are arable, 4500 meadow and pasture, 900 woodland and plantations, and the remainder moor and waste. The surface rises by gentle undulations from the Conan towards the south-east, but though diversified with small eminences in several places, contains nothing that can be called a hill. Towards the ridge of Muolbuie it attains a considerable degree of elevation, and from that point to the river it has the appearance of a graduUy inclined plain. Though generally of pleasing character, and enlivened with plantations, the scenery is not marked with any features of peculiar interest; but the higher grounds command extensive and richly varied prospects over a wide expanse of country, embracing the whole of the Cromarty Firth with its ship|)ing, the town of Dingwall, and the surrounding district, in high cultivation, and containing some vilhis and gentlemen's seats. The Conan has its source in a small lake in the mountains, about tiiirty miles to the west of this ])arish, and, flowing eastward along the southern boundary of Dingwall, diverts its course to the north, and falls into the Firth of Cromarty. This river abounds with salmon, trout, grilse, and other fish; and is celebrated for its mussels, in which occasionally pearls of great heauty are found: the salmon taken in its stream are of remarkably rich flavour, and considerable quantities are sent to the London market. There are numerous copious springs of excellent water in the lower grounds, and also a few springs slightly impregnated with iron, and sometimes used medicinally; the springs in the upper parts are of inferior quality, and in dry seasons yield hut a very scanty supply. The Firth washes the shores of the parish for nearly six miles and a half, and towards its eastern extremity is about two miles in breadth, contracting at Dingwall to little more than a mile. Its average depth in the centre is about three fathoms, but towards the shore it is comparatively shallow. The beach in some parts is a fine sand, and in others clay. A quay, which is accessible to vessels of small burthen, was erected some years since at Alcaig, where vessels land their cargoes of coal and lime, and other articles of merchandise, and take, in return, props for use in coal-pits, and timber for building and other purposes. In some parts the soil is light and sharp, in others a rich clayey loam; but the most general is a deep black mould of great fertility: the subsoil is dry, being either sand or gravel. The principal corn crops are oats and barley: wheat of good quality was formerly raised to a considerable extent, but being found to exhaust the land, its culture is not now so common. Beans, peas, potatoes, and turnips are extensively cultivated, especially the last, of which, since the introduction of bone-dust and of guano for manure, heavy crops have been grown, and eaten off the field by sheep, a practice that has tended greatly to the improvement of the lands. Husbandry is in a very advanced state. The farms in general vary from twenty to 150 acres in extent; but the practice of uniting several of moderate size into one large farm has been gradually coming into favour. Considerable encouragement is given by the landlords with a view to the reclaiming of waste land. Some of the farm houses and offices are substantially built and well arranged; and on many of the farms threshing-mills have been erected: all the more recent improvements in the construction of agricultural implements have been adopted. Much attention is paid to live-stock; the black-cattle and sheep reared here are of the breeds common in this part of the country, and find a ready sale in the markets to which they are sent. There are tracts of natural wood, comprising oak, ash, mountain-ash, birch and holly; and such new plantations as have been formed are in a thriving state. The rock in the parish is of the old red-sandstone formation. Some quarries of freestone are in extensive operation, from which building materials are sent to Dingwall and other places in the vicinity, the stone being highly valued for building purposes. Iron-ore is supposed to exist in some places, but no attempts to explore it have been undertaken. The annual value of real property in the parish is £5619. In this district the seats are, Ferintosh, the property of Mr. Forbes of Culloden, a neat mansion surrounded with a small but flourishing plantation of larch-trees; Findon, the property of Sir James John Randoll Mackenzie, Bart., an ancient mansion recently improved, beautifully situated between the Firth of Cromarty and an extensive wood of venerable oak; and Conan, the seat of Sir Kenneth Smith Mackenzie, Bart., a hand- some modern mansion, finely situated on the banks of the river, and embellished with plantations. The barony of Ferintosh formerly had the privilege of distilling whisky from barley grown on the lands, free from the duties of excise; and numerous distilleries were consequently established, which for a long time were in very high repute: the privilege was abolished in 1780, on the payment of an equivalent to the superior; and now not a distillery is to be seen, though the locality appears to be peculiarly favourable, independently of its old associations. The villages of Conanbridge, Culbokie, and Newton are described under their respective heads. Fairs are held at Culbokie, for cattle and various wares, on the third Wednesday in April, the last Wednesdays in July and October, and the second Wednesday in December. Facility of communication is maintained by good turnpike- roads, one of which leads from Conanbridge to Kessock, and has a branch to Fortrose and the ferry of Fort-George: there is a substantial bridge over the Conan; and various cross roads through the interior of the parish are kept in iiiditferent repair by statute-labour. The post-town is Dingwall. Ecclesiastically the parish is within the limits of the presbytery of Dingwall and synod of Ross: the minister's stipend is about £220, with a manse, and a glebe valued at £25 per annum; patron, Mr. Forbes of Culloden. The church, situated on the shore of the Firth, and nearly in the centre of the parish, is a plain structure, erected in 1*95, and containing 1500 sittings. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship with a manse. The parochial schoolmaster has a salary of £34. 4. 4., with a house and garden, and the fees. Two schools are supported by the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, who allow the masters a salary of £17 each, in addition to the fees, which are very inconsiderable. A school was erected on his own lands by Sir F. A. Mackenzie, whose son Sir Kenneth, the present baronet, continues to provide the master with a house and garden, and pay him a salary. At the south-western extremity of the parish are several tumuli, in one of which were found three stone coffins.