RANNOCH, a district (Highland) and quoad sacra parish, partly in the parish of Logierait, but chiefly in the parish of Fortingal, county of Perth, 9 miles (N. W.) from the Kirkton of Fortingal; containing 1599 inhabitants. This extensive mountainous district is supposed to have deriveditsname from the great quantity ot'ferns, in the Gaelic language Uunnoch, with which it is covered. It extends for nearly thirty miles, from the base of Schihallion, on the east, to the confines of Argyllshire on the west, and varies from five to twenty miles in breadth; bounded on the south by Glcnlyon, and Fortingal proper, and on the north by Atholl, Badenoch, and Ijochaber. Of the whole nmnber of acres, which cannot be accurately ascertained, about 1000 are arable, 3000 woodland and plantations, and the remainder hill pasture, moor, and waste. The surface is boldly diversified with hills affording pasture for l)lack-cattle and sheep, and with mountainous heights, of which the most ])rominent on the right is the steep and massive Schihallion, insulated from the surrounding mountains, and towering to the height of 3564 feet above the level of the sea. After the disastrous battle of Methven, Robert Bruce and hl.s queen, with a few adherents, had a retreat near the northern skirts of this mountain; and in modern times, Dr. Maskelyne, astronomer royal, made upon it his observations of its power in attracting the i)Uimniet, which it was found considerably to affect. In one part of the district is a tract of sixteen square miles which is tolerably level, but swampy and of little value, having in the most favourable seasons only scanty pasture. In other parts are portions of more fertile land, in good cultivation, and interspersed with numerous gentlemen's seats, the grounds attached to which form a pleasing relief. Loch Rannoch is about twelve miles in length, and more than a mile in average breadth; its depth has not been precisely ascertained, but soundings have been made to the extent of more than fifty fathoms without reaching the bottom. At the upper extremity are two islands, one of which is artificial, and in time of danger was often resorted to by the inhabitants as a place of security. The mountain heights on both sides of the loch are almost covered with dense woods of pine and birch, extending from the edge of the water nearly half way to their summits; whilst the margin of the loch is studded all around with picturesque farm-houses and mansions; the whole presenting a mass of rich and strikingly diversified scenery. The scenery is rendered more singularly impressive by successive tiers of hills, rising above each other on both sides of the lake; and towering in the background are seen the lofty mountains of Glen-Etive and Glencoe, which, though forty miles distant, appear to crown the extensive heights of Rannoch. The river Gamhair, or Gaur, flows for nearly eight miles through the western portion of the district into Loch Rannoch; and the river Rannoch, issuing from the eastern extremity of the lake, after a course of ten miles flows into Loch Tummel, in the adjoining parish. Trout weighing more than twenty pounds are found in Loch Rannoch; and the numerous small lakes among the hills abound with trout and perch. The moors are among the best in the Highlands for game, abounding in grouse, black-game, partridge, plover, woodcock, snipe, curlew, ptarmigan, wild duck; brown and white hares, roe and red deer. The country abounds with iron-stone, and bears incontestable evidence that the natives at a very remote period knew the use and value of the metal. There are still numerous remains of smelting-furnaces, and heaps of scoria, or danders: a few years ago, a block of the manufactured iron was found by a tenant trenching one of these heaps of scoria, and given to the proprietor of the soil, the late Sir Niel Menzies, Bart. An abundant supply of limestone is also to be obtained in the district. There are considerable remains of ancient woods, consisting of native oak, ash, fir, and beech, and forming part of the Caledonian forest; and also extensive plantations of ash, oak, elm, beech, and other trees, all of which are in a thriving state. The chief village in the district is Kinloch, at the eastern extremity of Loch Rannoch, on the left bank of the river Rannoch; where a post-office has been estabhshed under that of Pitlochrie, with which it has communication three times in the week. Three fairs are held here annually; one of them in April, and one in October, mostly for fat-cattle and sheep; and one in August, mostly for lambs. At all these fairs, however, every other kind of agricultural produce is also exposed for sale. The small village of Georgetown, situated at the south-western extremity of the loch, was built for the accommodation of a body of the military stationed here after the rebellion of 1*4.5, to keep the people itndcr subjection to the government. On the left bank of the river Rannoch are. Dun Alister, or Mount Alexander, the family residence of the Robertsons of Struan, and Lochgarry; on the opposite bank of the river, Crossmount, Lassentulich, Lassenlulich Lodge, Dalchosnie, Inverhadden, and Inverhadden Lodge, the shooting-seat of the Earl of Mexborough. Upon the south side of the lake are situated Carie, and J)all, the shooting-seat of Lord Grantley; on the right bank of the Gaur, Barracks, the former residence of the Robertsons of Struan, but now an elegant modern building, the shooting-seat of the Earl of Mansfield; and at the upper extremity of the loch, the splendid Lodge of Lady Menzies. On the north side of the lake are Craganour and Liaran, two elegant shooting-lodges belonging to that lady's son, the present baronet, Sir Robert Menzies. Facility of communication is afforded by the great north road to the town of Inverness, which passes on the east of the district. Rannoch is separate for ecclesiastical purposes from the parishes of Fortingal and Logierait, and constitutes a quoad sacra parish. The church, erected in 1830, at a cost of £750, raised by subscription, is a plain substantial structure containing 560 sittings. The minister has a stipend of £120, paid by the Crown, with a manse and a small glebe; patron, the Crown, A chapel in connexion with the Established Church has been erected at the west end of Loch Rannoch. The parochial school is endowed by government; the master has a salary of £30, with a house and garden. A school is maintained by the General Assembly, the master of which has a salary of £25, with a house and garden; and another by the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, the master of which has a salary of £15, with a house and garden. There are several private schools; and a parochial library is supported by subscription of the inhabitants. General Sir Archibald Campbell, who distinguished himself in the Burmese war, and died in 1843, was a native of Rannoch.