TRUMISGARRY, a quoad sacra parish, in the
island and parish of North-Uist, county of Inverness,
30 miles (N. W. by W.) from Dunvegan; containing
1495 inhabitants. This place, which occupies the
eastern portion of the island, was separated for ecclesiastical
purposes from the parish of North Uist, and
erected into a quoad sacra parish, under act of the
General Assembly, in 1838. The district is bounded on
the north by the sound of Harris, and on the east by the
Little Minch; and is nearly seventeen miles in extreme
length and about twelve in extreme breadth, comprising
an area of 140 square miles, of which one tenth part is
arable, and the remainder hill-pasture, moss, and waste.
Its surface is diversified with ranges of hills, varying in
elevation from 300 to 700 feet, and is relieved with lakes,
in some of which are found salmon and various kinds of
trout of excellent flavour. The coast is bold and elevated,
and deeply indented with bays. Loch Maddy, the
most important and extensive of the bays, forms a harbour
for vessels of the largest burthen, to which it is
easily accessible, and is sufficiently capacious to afford
accommodation to any number of ships, which, protected
by the high grounds on either side from all adverse
winds, may ride at anchor in perfect safety. The fish
caught are cod, ling, sythe, eels, and other kinds, of
which the inhabitants near Loth Maddy take enough for
their own subsistence; and several sorts of shell-fish are
found on the sands.
The principal crops are bear and potatoes; the system
of agriculture is improved, and considerable tracts
of land have been reclaimed and brought into cultivation.
The cattle are all of the Highland breed; large
numbers are reared in the pastures, and sold at the fairs
held annually near Loch Maddy in July and September.
There are no villages; and the only manufacture carried
on is that of kelp, in which some families are employed
during the months of June, July, and August, under the
proprietor, who sends the produce to the south, where it
is sold on his account. A post-office has been established
at Loch Maddy; a gaol has been built at the same place,
and there is a good inn. A packet of si.xty tons' burthen
sails twice a week from this port to Dunvegan, when the
weather permits; and facihty of internal communication
is maintained by good roads, which within the last few
years have been greatly improved. Ecclesiastically the
district is within the limits of the presbytery of Uist and
synod of Glenelg. The minister's stipend is £120, paid
from the exchequer, with a manse, and a glebe valued at
£4 per annum; patron, the Crown. Truraisgarry church,
erected by government in 1829, at a cost of £750, is a
substantial structure containing 326 sittings, and conveniently
situated for the accommodation of the district.
The members of the Free Church have a place of worship.
A parochial school is established here, and a school
is supported by the General Assembly.