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Ross and Cromarty are two counties in the north of Scotland, under the jurisdiction of one sheriff [which are now considered one county]. They are bounded on the north by Sutherlandshire, on the east by the German Ocean, on the south and south-east by Inverness-shire, and on the west by the Atlantic Ocean. They extend about 67 miles in length and 58 miles in breadth, comprising an area of 3799 square miles or 2,431,360 acres, of which 223,560 are Cromarty. Cromarty is a peninsula, called the Black Isle, which lies between the Cromarty and Moray Firths.

The combined counties consist of 31 parishes. They are under three sub-sheriffs who hold their courts at Cromarty and Tain, Dingwall and Fortrose, and Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis. The royal burghs are Dingwall, Tain, and Fortrose, the market-towns are Cromarty and Stornoway, which are burghs of barony, and there are numerous smaller places.

Ross and Cromarty include the districts of Ardross, Easter Ross, Ardmeanach or the Black Isles, Kintail, Strathcarron, and the greater part of the island of Lewis. The general surface is wild and mountainous, diversified with numerous glens and some pleasant and fertile valleys, enlivened with several rivers and lakes. The streams abound with salmon. The western coast is indented by many lochs and bays. Ardmeanach, or the Black Isle, is so called due to its bleak moorland character. The Isle of Lewis is less mountainous but is equally dreary and barren.

A very small proportion of the land is in cultivation. The soil on the eastern coast and on the low lands is rich and fertile. Excellent crops of wheat are raised. There are good tracts of meadow-land, and the mountainous parts afford pasturage for sheep and cattle. Copper is wrought. Ironstone, limestone, and coal are present but are not wrought. There are chalybeate springs of great repute. The principal manufactures are thoses of biscuit and cotton bagging. The herring-fishery is extensively pursued, and a considerable number of fish are taken in the lochs. Black cattle, sheep, and great quantities of wool are shipped from the several ports.