PORTSKERRAY, a village, in that part of the
parish of Reay which is in the county of Sutherland,
13 miles (W. S. \V.) from Thurso; containing 3/1 inhabitants.
This village is situated on the bay of Bighouse,
about a mile eastward of the village of Melvich, and on
the turnpike- road from Thurso to Tongue. It is inhabited
chiefly by persons engaged in the fisheries, which
are carried on here to a considerable extent. The scenery
is enlivened by the windings of the river Halladale, which
flows near the western extremity into the bay, where a
small harbour has been formed, affording secure shelter
to the vessels employed in the fishery. Cod, ling, turbot,
skate, whiting, haddocks, flounders, sand-eels, and occasionally
smelts, are taken; and a herring and a salmon
fishery have been established some years with success.