Ross and Cromarty (Ros agus Cromba in Gaelic) was until 1975 a county of Scotland. The name is used also for a former district of the Highland region, a lieutenancy area and a former constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, but all these areas have different boundaries. Note: This page contains phonetic information presented in the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) using Unicode. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... Transport in Scotland Timeline of Scottish history Caledonia List of not fully sovereign nations Subdivisions of Scotland National parks (Scotland) Traditional music of Scotland Flower of Scotland Wars of Scottish Independence National Trust for Scotland Historic houses in Scotland Castles in Scotland Museums in Scotland Abbeys and priories in Scotland... The Highland unitary authority area (Roinn na Gàidhealtachd in Gaelic) is a local government area in the Scottish Highlands and the largest local government area in Scotland. ... The nine Regions of Scotland were established under the Local Government (Scotland) Act 1973 as the uppermost tier of local government in Scotland. ... The Lieutenancy areas of Scotland are the areas used for ceremonial purposes such as Lord Lieutenancy. ... In the United Kingdom each of the electoral areas or divisions called constituencies elects one or more members to a parliament or assembly. ... The Houses of Parliament, seen over Westminster Bridge The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative institution in the United Kingdom and British overseas territories (it alone has parliamentary sovereignty). ...

The county was originally formed in 1889 as a merger of Ross-shire and Cromartyshire. Despite this, it is normally counted as a traditional county in place of its constituent counties. 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Ross-shire (Siorrachd Rois in Gaelic), a traditional county of Scotland, borders on Sutherland, Cromartyshire (of which it contains many enclaves), Inverness-shire and on an exclave of Nairnshire. ... Cromartyshire (Siorrachd Chromba in Gaelic) is a traditional county in the north of Scotland, consisting of a series of enclaves within Ross-shire. ... The British Isles are divided into the following traditional counties (also vice counties or historic counties). ...

The district, which had its own elected council, was created in 1975 and abolished in 1996, when the Highland region was made a unitary authority. The area of the former district remains in use for an area committee of the Highland council. A council is a group of people who usually possess some powers of governance. ... 1975 (MCMLXXV) was a common year starting on Wednesday (the link is to a full 1975 calendar). ... 1996 (MCMXCVI) is a leap year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated the International Year for the Eradication of Poverty. ... A unitary authority is a type of local authority, which has a single-tier and is responsible for all local government functions within its area. ... Many large British councils have a system of area committees, with responsibility for services in particular part of the area covered by the council. ...

The district was smaller than the county. It did not include the Isle of Lewis, which became part of the Western Isles Island Area. Nor did it include a Lochalsh area of the mainland, which became part of the Skye and Lochalsh district of the Highland region. Looking towards the mountains at the centre of the Island of Lewis Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas) is the northern part of the main island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, the southern part of which is called Harris, however Lewis and Harris are treated by Scots as separate islands... The Outer Hebrides or Western Isles (Scottish Gaelic: Na h-Eileanan Siar), also traditionally known as the Outer Isles, comprise an island chain off the west coast of Scotland. ... Kyle of Lochalsh is a small village on the North-West coast of Scotland, which developed in the late 19th century with the arrival of the railway. ... Skye and Lochalsh was formerly (1975-96) a local government district in the Highland Region of Scotland, comprising the islands of Skye and Raasay, and the mainland area heading inland from Kyle of Lochalsh. ...

The Ross and Cromarty lieutenancy area includes the Lochalsh area and Skye and Raasay, but not the Isle of Lewis. Therefore the lieutenancy area combines the areas of two former districts, Ross and Cromarty and Skye and Lochalsh. The Old Man of Storr, Skye The Isle of Skye, usually known simply as Skye (Scottish Gaelic: An t-Eilean Sgiathanach) is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. ... Raasay is an island between the Isle of Skye and the mainland of Scotland. ...

There was a Ross and Cromarty constituency of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1983. The area of the constituency was that of Ross-shire and Cromartyshire minus the Isle of Lewis and, until 1918, minus parliamentary burghs within the county constituency area. Ross and Cromarty was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1983. ... Parliamentary boroughs are boroughs that are entitled to representation in a Parliament. ... A County constituency is a constituency in the United Kingdom that covers a predominantly rural area. ...

In style and content much of what follows is derived from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica. Ross and Cromarty means, usually, the county minus the Isle of lewis.

Supporters contend that the Eleventh Edition of the Encyclopædia Britannica (1910-1911) represents the sum of human knowledge at the beginning of the 20th century; indeed, it was advertised as such. ...

Geography

Ross and Cromarty lies south of Sutherland and the Dornoch Firth, west of the North Sea and the Moray Firth, north of the Beauly Firth and Inverness-shire and east of The Minch. There are also a number of small islands off the area's west coast, amongst which are: Sutherland (Cataibh in Gaelic), or Sutherlandshire, is a traditional county in the north of Scotland, bordering on Caithness to the north and both Ross-shire and Cromartyshire to the south. ... Dornoch Firth is an inlet in northern Scotland, near the Black Isle. ... The North Sea is a sea of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the coasts of Norway and Denmark in the east, the coast of the British Isles in the west, and the German, Dutch, Belgian and French coasts in the south. ... The Moray Firth is a roughly triangular area of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness. ... The Beauly Firth is an estuary in northern Scotland. ... Inverness-shire (Siorrachd Inbhir Nis in Gaelic) is one of the traditional counties of Scotland. ... The Minch is a body of water separating north-west mainland Scotland from the Isle of Lewis (the northern Outer Hebrides). ...

• Gillean (lighthouse) in the parish of Lochalsh
• Crowlin Islands in Applecross
• Eilean Horrisdale, and Isle of Ewe in Gairloch parish
• Isle Martin and Tanera More, of the Summer Isles group in the parish of Lochbroom.

The area of the mainland comprises 1,572,332 acres (6,363 km²). Kyle of Lochalsh is a small village on the North-West coast of Scotland, which developed in the late 19th century with the arrival of the railway. ... The Crowlin Islands (gaelic: crò linne) a group of uninhabited islands in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. ... The Pass of the Cattle was until the late 20th century the only road linking Applecross with the rest of the country Applecross is a small settlement at the edge of the Applecross Peninsula in Wester Ross, on the west coast of the Scottish Highlands. ... Gairloch is a small village on the shores of Loch Gairloch on the northwest coast of Scotland. ... This article is about the Summer Isles in Scotland. ...

On the North Sea (eastern side) of the area the major firths are the Beauly Firth and the (Inner) Moray Firth, which mark off the Black Isle from Inverness-shire, the Cromarty Firth, which bounds the districts of Easter Ross and the Black Isle, the Moray Firth, separating Easter Ross from Nairnshire, and the Dornoch Firth, dividing north-east Ross from Sutherland. Firth is the Scots word used to denote various coastal waters in Scotland. ... The Moray Firth is a roughly triangular area of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness. ... The Black Isle (Scottish Gaelic: an t-Eilean Dubh) is an eastern area of Ross and Cromarty. ... Inverness-shire (Siorrachd Inbhir Nis in Gaelic) is one of the traditional counties of Scotland. ... External link Cromarty Firth Port Authority Categories: 1911 Britannica | UK geography stubs | Geography of Scotland | Special protection areas in the UK | Ports and harbours of the UK ... Nairnshire (Siorrachd Inbhir Narann in Gaelic) is a small traditional county of Scotland, centred around Nairn, the traditional county town. ... Dornoch Firth is an inlet in northern Scotland, near the Black Isle. ... Ross-shire (Siorrachd Rois in Gaelic), a traditional county of Scotland, borders on Sutherland, Cromartyshire (of which it contains many enclaves), Inverness-shire and on an exclave of Nairnshire. ... Sutherland (Cataibh in Gaelic), or Sutherlandshire, is a traditional county in the north of Scotland, bordering on Caithness to the north and both Ross-shire and Cromartyshire to the south. ...

On the Atlantic (western) coastline - which has a length of nearly 311 miles (500 km) - the principal sea lochs and bays, from south to north, include Loch Duich, Loch Alsh, Loch Carron, Loch Kishorn, Loch Torridon, Loch Shieldaig, Upper Loch Torridon, Loch Gairloch, Loch Ewe, Gruinard Bay, Loch Broom and Enard Bay. The Atlantic Ocean is Earths second-largest ocean, covering approximately one_fifth of its surface. ... Loch Duich is a sea loch situated on the western coast of Scotland, in the Highlands. ... Loch Gairloch should not be confused with the Gare Loch. ...

The chief capes include Tarbat Ness on the east coast, and Coigach, Greenstone Point, Rubha Reidh, Redpoint and Hamha Point on the west.

Almost all the southern boundary with Inverness-shire consists of a rampart of peaks, many of them Munros: Sgurr Fiona and the Corrag Bhuide pinnacles of An Teallach A Munro is a Scottish hill with a height over 3000 feet (914. ...

• An Riabhachan (3704 ft, 1129m),
• Sgurr na Lapaich (3773 ft., 1150m),
• Carn Eige (Càrn Eighe) (3881 ft., 1183m),
• Mam Sodhail (Mam Soul) (3871 ft., 1180m),
• Beinn Fhada (Ben Attow) (3386 ft., 1032m),
• Sgurr Fhuarain (3504 ft., 1068m),
• The Saddle (3317 ft., 1011m).

To the north of Glen Torridon are the masses of Liathach (3455 ft), Beinn Eighe (3313 ft), Beinn Alligin (3235 ft) and Beinn Dearg (2998 ft). On the northeastern shore of Loch Maree rises Slioch (3219 ft., 981m), while the Fannich group contains six Munros, the highest being Sgurr Mor (3645 ft). The immense isolated bulk of Ben Wyvis (3428 ft., 1045m), forms the most noteworthy feature in the north-east, and An Teallach (3484 ft. 1062m) in the north-west appears equally conspicuous, though less solitary. Only a small fraction of the west and south of the area is under 1000 ft. (305m) in height. Easter Ross and the peninsula of the Black Isle are comparatively level. Carn Eige, sometimes spelt Carn Eighe, is the highest mountain in northern Scotland (north of the Great Glen). ... The Saddle is one of the great Scottish mountains; seen from the site of the Battle of Glen Shiel it forms (with Faochag) one of the best known views in the Highlands. ... Liathach, the highest of the Torridon hills Torridon is a small village in the Northwest Highlands of Scotland. ... Liathach (In Scottish Gaelic, The grey one) is one of the most famous of the Torridon hills of Scotland. ... Beinn Eighe (from the Scottish Gaelic, File Mountain) is one of the mountains of the Torridon area of the Highlands of Scotland. ... Beinn Alligin (In Scottish Gaelic, Jewelled Hill), is one of the classic hills of the Torridon region of Scotland. ... Beinn Dearg is the lowest and smallest of the Torridon mountains in the highlands of Scotland. ... Ben Wyvis is a mountain located in eastern Scotland, north-west of Dingwall. ... An Teallach (Pronounced An T-yell-ach) (meaning The Forge in Gaelic) is one of the most impressive of Scotland’s mountains. ...

The longest stream of the mainland portion of Ross and Cromarty is the River Orrin, which rises from the slopes of An Sidhean (2671 ft., 814 m) and pursues a north-easterly course to its confluence with the River Conon after a run of about 26 miles (42km), during a small part of which it forms the boundary with Inverness-shire. At Aultgowrie the stream rushes through a narrow gorge where the drop is considerable enough to make the Falls of Orrin. The River Blackwater flows from mountains in Strathvaich southeast for 18 miles (30km) until it joins the Conon, forming soon after it leaves Loch Garve the small but picturesque Falls of Rogie. Within a short distance of its exit from Loch Luichart the Conon pours over a series of graceful cascades and rapids and then pursues a winding course of 12 miles (19km), mainly eastward to the head of the Cromarty Firth. Situated above Glen Elchaig in the southwest of the region are the Falls of Glomach. The stream giving rise to them drains a series of small lochs on the northern flanks of Beinn Fhada (Ben Attow) and, in an almost unbroken sheet over a metre in width, effects a sheer drop of 110m, and soon afterwards ends its course in Glen Elchaig. The falls are usually visited from Invershiel 11km to the south-west. 12 miles (19km) south-east of Ullapool, on the estate of Braemore, stand the Falls of Measach, formed by the Droma, a headstream of the River Broom. The cascades, three in number, are close to Corrieshalloch Gorge. The River Oykel, throughout its course, forms the boundary with Sutherland.

There are many freshwater lochs, the largest being Loch Maree. In the far north-west, 243 ft. (74m) above the sea, lies Loch Sionascaig, a loch of such irregularity of outline that it has a shore-line of 17 miles (27km). It contains several wooded islands, and drains into Enard Bay by the River Polly. Lochan Fada (the long loch ), 1000 ft. (305m) above the sea, is 4 miles (6.4km) in length, and covers an area of 1112 acres (4.5km²), and is 42 fathoms (76m) deep, with a mean depth of 17 fathoms (31m). Once drained by the Muice (Allt na Muice), it has been tapped a little farther west by the Abhainn na Fhasaigh, which has lowered the level of the loch. Other lochs are Fionn Loch (the white or clear lake), 8 miles (13km) long by 1 mile (1.6km) wide, famous for its herons, Loch Luichart towards the centre of the area (8 miles (13km) long and between 0.5-1 mile (1-1.6km) wide), fringed with birches and having the shape of a crescent, the mountain-girt Loch Fannich (1 mile (1.6km) wide); and the wild narrow Lochs Monar (4 miles (6.5km) long) and Mullardoch (5 miles (8km) long), on the Inverness-shire boundary. View across Loch Lomond, towards Ben Lomond. ... Loch Maree is a body of water in the Ross and Cromarty region of the Scottish Highlands. ... Genera Ardea Zebrilus Philherodias Tigrisoma Ardeola Bubulcus Egretta Agamia Butorides Tigriornis Tigrisoma Gorsachius Syrigma Zonerodius Nycticorax see also: Bittern Heron and reeds, Haronobu Suzuki (1754-1770) Herons are medium to large long-legged, long-necked wading birds of the family Ardeidae, which also includes the egrets and bitterns. ... Species Many species; see text and classification Birch is the name of any tree of the genus Betula, in the family Betulaceae, closely related to the beech/oak family, Fagaceae. ... Inverness-shire (Siorrachd Inbhir Nis in Gaelic) is one of the traditional counties of Scotland. ...

Of the straths or valleys the more important run from the centre eastwards, such as Strathconon, Strathbran, Strathgarve, Strathpeffer and Strathcarron. Excepting Glen Orrin, in the east central district, the longer glens lie in the south and towards the west. In the extreme south Glen Shiel runs between five mountains (The Five Sisters of Kintail to its mouth on Loch Duich. The A87 passes down the glen. Further north lie Glen Elchaig, Glen Carron, and Glen Torridon. The railway from Dingwall runs through Glen Carron to Kyle of Lochalsh. Fljótsdalur in East-Iceland A valley is a landform, which can range from a few square miles (square kilometers) to hundreds or even thousands of square miles (square kilometers) in area. ... Fljótsdalur in East-Iceland A valley is a landform, which can range from a few square miles (square kilometers) to hundreds or even thousands of square miles (square kilometers) in area. ... The A87 is a major road in the Highland region of Scotland. ... Kyle of Lochalsh is a small village on the North-West coast of Scotland, which developed in the late 19th century with the arrival of the railway. ...

Geology

The central portion of this county is occupied by the younger highland schists or Dalradian series. These consist of quartzites, mica-schists, garnetiferous mica-schists and gneisses, all with a gentle inclination towards the southeast. On the eastern side of the county the Dalradian schists are covered unconformably by the Old Red Sandstone. The boundary runs southward from Edderton on Dornoch Firth, by Strathpeffer, to the neighborhood of Beauly. These rocks comprise red flags and sandstones, grey bituminous flags and shales. An anticlinal fold with a southwest-northeast axis brings up the basal beds of the series about the mouth of Cromarty Firth and exposes once more the schists in The Sutors (The Sutors of Cromarty) guarding the entrance to the firth. The western boundary of the younger schist is formed by the great pre-Cambrian dislocation line which traverses the county in a fairly direct course from Elphin on the north by Ullapool to Glencarron. Most of the area west of the line of disturbance is covered by Torridonian Sandstone, mainly dark reddish sandstones, grits and shales, resting unconformably on the ancient Lewisian gneiss with horizontal or slightly inclined bedding. The unconformity is well exposed on the shores of Gairloch, Loch Maree and Loch Torridon. These rocks, which attain a considerable thickness and are divisible into three sub-groups, build up the mountain districts of Applecross, Coigach and elsewhere. Categories: Mineral stubs | Metamorphic rocks ... Quartzite Quartzite is a hard, metamorphic rock which was originally sandstone. ... Banded gneiss with dike of granite orthogneiss Gneiss is a common and widely distributed type of rock formed by high grade regional metamorphic processes from preexisting formations that were originally either igneous or sedimentary rocks. ... Sandstone near Stadtroda, Germany Sandstone is an sedimentary rock composed mainly of feldspar and quartz and varies in colour (in a similar way to sand), through grey, yellow, red, and white. ... Shale Shale is a fine-grained sedimentary rock whose original constituents were clays or muds. ... In geology, an anticline is a type of fold that involves a downward slope to either side. ... The Precambrian or Cryptozoic is the period of the geologic timescale from the formation of Earth around 4500 million years before the present (BP) to the evolution of abundant macroscopic hard-shelled fossils, which marked the beginning of the Cambrian, some 542 million years BP. Remarkably little is known about... Ullapool is a small town in the County of Cromartyshire in the western Scottish Highlands. ...

Within the Torridonian tract the older Lewisian gneiss occupies large areas north of Coigach, on the east of Enard Bay, between Gruinard Bay and Loch Maree. Between the last named and Gairloch, on both sides of middle Loch Torridon and at many other spots smaller patches appear. The Lewisian gneiss is everywhere penetrated by basic dikes, generally with a northwest-southeast direction; some of these are of great breadth. The Torridonian rocks are succeeded unconformably by a series of Cambrian strata which is confined to a variable but, on the whole, narrow belt lying west of the line of main thrusting. This belt of Cambrian rocks has itself suffered an enormous amount of subordinate thrusting. It is composed of the following subdivisions in ascending order: falsebedded quartzite, Pipe Rock quartzite, fucoid beds and Olenellus band, serpulite grit, Durness dolomite and marble, Durness dolomite and limestone: but these are not always visible at any one spot. So great has been the disturbance in the region of thrusting that in some places, as in the neighborhood of Loch Kishorn and elsewhere, the rocks have been completely overturned and the ancient gneiss has been piled upon the Torridonian. A dike in geology refers to a tabular intrusive igneous body. ... Dolomite crystals from Touissite, Morocco Dolomite is the name of both a carbonate rock and a mineral (formula: CaMg(CO3)2) consisting of a calcium magnesium carbonate found in crystals. ... Marble This page is about the metamorphic rock. ... Limey shale overlaid by limestone. ...

On the shore of Moray Firth at Rathie a small patch of Kimeridge shale occurs, and beneath the cliffs of Shandwick there is a little Lower Oolite with a thin seam of coal. Glacial striae are found upon the mountains up to heights of 3300 ft. (1006m), and much boulder clay is found in the valleys and spread over large areas in the eastern districts. Raised beaches occur at up to 108 feet (33m) or so above the present sea-level; they are well seen in Loch Carron. The Moray Firth is a roughly triangular area of the North Sea, north and east of Inverness. ... Coal is a fossil fuel extracted from the ground by deep mining, coal mining (open-pit mining or strip mining). ...

Climate and agriculture

On the west coast considerable rainfall occurs, averaging for the year 50.42 inches at Loch Broom and 62 inches at Strome Ferry (autumn and winter being the wettest seasons), but on the east coast the annual comprises only mean 27 inches. The temperature for the year is 46.5 F., for January 38 F. and for July 57 F.

The most fertile tracts lie on the eastern coast, especially in Easter Ross and the Black Isle, where the soil varies from a light sandy gravel to a rich deep loam. As of 1911, among grain crops oats were most generally cultivated, but barley and wheat were also raised. Turnips and potatoes were the chief green crops. On the higher grounds there is a large extent of good pasturage which carried heavy flocks of sheep, blackfaced being the principal breed. Most of the horses, principally half-breds between the old garrons (hardy, serviceable, small animals) and Clydesdales, were maintained for the purposes of agriculture. The herds of cattle, mainly native Highland or crosses, were large, many of them supplying the London market. Pigs were reared, though in smaller numbers than formerly, most generally by the crofters. Soil is unconsolidated rock particles mixed with organic matter from plant decay. ... Gravel being unloaded from a barge Gravel is rock that is of a certain size range. ... In geology Loam is soil composed of sand, silt, clay, and organic matter, with particles of various sizes, evenly mixed. ... 1911 (MCMXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Binomial name Avena sativa Carolus Linnaeus (1753) The Oat (Avena sativa) is a species of cereal grain, and the seeds of this plant. ... Binomial name Hordeum vulgare L. Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a major food and animal feed crop, a member of the grass family Poaceae. ... Species T. boeoticum T. durum T. monococcum T. spelta References:   ITIS 42236 2002-09-22 Wheat (Triticum spp. ... Turnip can refer to three vegetables, which are described under the articles Turnip (brassica rapa), Rutabaga, and Jicama. ... Binomial name Solanum tuberosum L. The potato (plural form: potatoes) (Solanum tuberosum) is a perennial plant of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family, grown for its starchy tuber. ... A farmer in Germany working the land in the traditional way, with horse and plough Agriculture is the process of producing food, feed, fiber and other desired products by the cultivation of certain plants and the raising of domesticated animals (livestock). ... Pastureland Pasture is land with lush herbaceous vegetation cover used for grazing of ungulates as part of a farm or ranch. ... Species See text A Sheep is a mammal known as Keating, one of several woolly ruminant quadrupeds in the genus Ovis. ... Horses: the meat of kings!!! ... A garron or garran is a type of horse. ... Clydesdale (Dail Chluaidh in Scottish Gaelic) was formerly (1975-96) a local government district in the Strathclyde Region of Scotland. ... Highland Cow Highland cattle are an ancient Scottish breed of cattle, with long horns and shaggy pelts. ... Species Sus barbatus Sus bucculentus Sus cebifrons Sus celebensis Sus domesticus Sus heureni Sus philippensis Sus salvanius Sus scrofa Sus timoriensis Sus verrucosus Pigs are ungulates native to Eurasia collectively grouped under the genus Sus within the Suidae family. ... Croft is the name of several places in the United Kingdom: Croft, Cheshire, England (in the unitary authority of Warrington) Croft, Leicestershire, England Croft, Lincolnshire, England Croft, Pembrokeshire, Wales Croft, North Yorkshire, England Croft, Herefordshire, England A croft is also a farmhouse plus agricultural land in Scotland and most of...

Owing partly to the overcrowding of the island of Lewis and partly to the unkindly nature of the bulk of the surface - which offered no opportunity for other than patchwork tillage - the number of smallholdings was enormous - Sutherland alone amongst Scottish counties showing an even larger proportion of holdings under 5 acres (20,000 m²); while the average size of all the holdings throughout the county did not exceed 20 acres (80,000 m²). Sutherland (Cataibh in Gaelic), or Sutherlandshire, is a traditional county in the north of Scotland, bordering on Caithness to the north and both Ross-shire and Cromartyshire to the south. ...

As of 1911 about 800,000 acres (3,200 km²) were devoted to deer forests, a greater area than in any other county in Scotland, among the largest being Achnashellach with 50,000 acres (200 km²)), Fannich with 20,000 acres (80 km²), Kinlochluichart with 20,600 acres (83 km²), Braemore with 40,000 acres (160 km²), Inchbae with 21,000 acres (85 km²) and Dundonnell with 23,000 acres (93 km²). At one time the area under wood must have been remarkable, if we accept the common derivation of the word "Ross" as from the Old Irish ros, a wood, and there was until recent times a considerable extent of native woodland, principally pine, oak, ash and alder. 1911 (MCMXI) was a common year starting on Sunday (click on link for calendar). ... Subfamilies Capreolinae Cervinae Hydropotinae Muntiacinae A deer is a ruminant mammal belonging to the family Cervidae. ... Limber Pine woodland, Toiyabe Range, central Nevada Biologically, a woodland is differentiated from a forest. ... Binomial name Pinus sylvestris L. The Scots Pine (Pinus sylvestris; family Pinaceae) is a common tree ranging from Great Britain and Spain east to eastern Siberia and the Caucasus Mountains, and as far north as Lapland. ... Species See List of Quercus species The term oak can be used as part of the common name of any of several hundred species of trees and shrubs in the genus Quercus, and some related genera, notably Lithocarpus. ... Species Many, see text. ... Species About 20-30 species, see text. ...

The fauna was noteworthy. Red and roe deer abounded, and foxes and alpine hares were common, while badgers and wild cats were occasionally trapped. Winged game was plentiful, and amongst birds of prey the golden eagle and osprey occurred. Waterfowl of all kinds frequented the sea lochs. Many rivers and lochs were rich in salmon and trout, and the pearl mussel was found in the bed of the Conon. Fauna is a collective term for animal life. ... Binomial name Cervus elaphus Linnaeus,, 1758 Subspecies Numerous - see text. ... Binomial name Capreolus capreolus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Roe Deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a European and Asiatic deer of Britain and Europe and is found as far east as China and Siberia but is absent from Ireland, Portugal and Greece. ... A fox is a member of any of 27 species of small omnivorous canids. ... Binomial name Lepus timidus Linnaeus, 1758 The Mountain Hare (Lepus timidus) is a hare, which is largely adapted to polar and mountainous habitats. ... Suborders  Mydeus  Arctonyx  Melogale  Meles  Mellivora  Taxidea Badger is the common name for any animal of three subfamilies, which belong to the family Mustelidae: the same mammal family as the ferrets, the weasels, the otters, and several other types of carnivore. ... Binomial name Felis silvestris Schreber, 1775 The Wild Cat (Felis silvestris) is a small predator native to Europe, the western part of Asia, and Africa. ... Game is any animal hunted for food. ... Orders Accipitriformes     Cathartidae     Pandionidae     Accipitridae     Sagittariidae Falconiformes     Falconidae A bird of prey or raptor is a bird that hunts its food, especially one that preys on mammals or other birds. ... Binomial name Aquila chrysaetos Linnaeus, 1758 The Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the best known birds of prey in the world. ... Binomial name Pandion haliaetus (Linnaeus, 1758) The Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a medium large raptor which is a specialist fish-eater with a worldwide distribution. ... Falcated Duck at Slimbridge Wildfowl and Wetlands centre, Gloucestershire, England Wildfowl or waterfowl, also waterbirds, is the collective term for the approximately 147 species of swans, geese and ducks, classified in the order Anseriformes, family Anatidae. ... View across Loch Lomond, towards Ben Lomond. ... The Chinook or King Salmon is the largest salmon in North America and can grow up to 58 long and 126 pounds. ... Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) Biwa trout (Oncorhynchus masou subsp) Trout is the common name given to a number of species of freshwater fishes belonging to the salmon family, Salmonidae. ... Orders A mussel is a bivalve mollusc that can be found in lakes, rivers, creeks, intertidal areas, and throughout the ocean. ...

Other industries

Tourism is a major industry in the region, with over 20% of the workforce employed in the wholesale, restaurant and hotels sector, second only to the public service sector. A little over 5% of the workforce are employed in agriculture, forestry and fishing, traditionally major industries in the region. The oil industry, which spurred a rapid increase in industrial development in the 1970s, is in decline, although still a major employer. A tourist boat travels the River Seine in Paris, France Beaches make popular tourist resorts. ... A decidous beech forest in Slovenia. ... Fishing is the activity of hunting for fish. ... The 1970s in its most obvious sense refers to the decade between 1970 and 1979. ...

The Glen Ord and Glenmorangie distilleries are prominent whisky distilleries. Glenmorangie- the Glen of Tranquility- is a distiller of single malt Scotch whisky, located on the south coast of the Dornoch Firth, 4 miles north-east of the town of Tain, Ross-Shire Scotland. ...

The Highland railway enters the county to the north of Beauly and runs northwards to Dingwall. From there, lines head north-east following the coast, and south-west to the Kyle of Lochalsh. Location within the British Isles. ...

Population and administration

The chief towns and villages on mainland Ross and Cromarty included, Dingwall, Alness, Fortrose, Tain, Cromarty, Invergordon, Ullapool. The total population, as of 2001, was 49,655. Location within the British Isles. ... Alness is a village in the Scottish Highlands. ... Fortrose is a burgh in the Scottish Highlands, located on the Moray Firth, approximately ten kilometres north east of Inverness. ... You may be looking for an article on the Táin Bó Cuailnge, often referred to simply as the Táin. Tain is a burgh in the Scottish Highlands, on the main rail and A9 road routes to the north coast. ... Location within the British Isles. ... Invergordon is a town and port in northern Scotland. ... Ullapool is a small town in the County of Cromartyshire in the western Scottish Highlands. ... 2001 is a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar, and also: The International Year of the Volunteer The United Nations Year of Dialogue Among Civilizations Events January January 1 - A black monolith measuring approximately nine feet tall appears in Seattles Magnuson Park, placed by an anonymous...

Until 1983, the Ross and Cromarty constituency (consisting of the mainland area of Ross-shire and Cromartyshire) returned one member to the Westminster Parliament. In 1997 boundaries changed to bring the Isle of Skye and Raasay into the new parliamentary constituency of Ross, Cromarty and Skye. In 1997 an Easter Ross area was taken into the then new constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross (which is now represented by Liberal Democrat John Thurso). Otherwise Ross, Cromarty and Skye was absorbed into another new constituency, Ross, Skye and Inverness West. In 2005 much the same area became yet another new constituency, Ross, Skye and Lochaber, which is represented by Charles Kennedy, the leader of the Liberal Democrats. 1983 (MCMLXXXIII) is a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Ross and Cromarty was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1983. ... The House of Commons is the lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, and is now the dominant branch of Parliament. ... 1997 (MCMXCVII) is a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Old Man of Storr, Skye The Isle of Skye, usually known simply as Skye (An t-Eilean Sgitheanach in Scottish Gaelic) is the largest and most northerly island in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland. ... Raasay is an island between the Isle of Skye and the mainland of Scotland. ... Ross and Cromarty was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1983. ... Easter Ross is a loosely defined area in the east of the administrative county of Ross and Cromarty. ... Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ... John Archibald Sinclair, 3rd Viscount Thurso (born September 10, 1953), known as John Thurso, is a British businessman and Liberal Democrat politician. ... Ross and Cromarty was a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom from 1832 to 1983. ... Ross, Skye and Lochaber is a constituency of the House of Commons of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. ... Charles Kennedy, current leader of the UK Liberal Democrat Party The Right Honourable Charles Peter Kennedy (born 25 November 1959) is a British politician, who has been leader of the Liberal Democrats (the third largest political party in the United Kingdom) since 1999. ... The Liberal Democrats, often shortened to Lib Dems, are a liberal political party based in the United Kingdom. ...

For the Scottish Parliament the 2001 boundaries continue to be used. As of 2004, Jamie Stone represents Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, whilst the MSP for Ross, Skye and Inverness West is John Farquhar Munro. Both are Liberal Democrats. The Scottish Parliament (Pàrlamaid na h-Alba in Gaelic, Scots Pairlament in Scots) is the national unicameral legislature of Scotland. ... 2004 is a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Jamie Stone (born 16 June 1954) is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross. ... Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross is a constituency of the Scottish Parliament. ... Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) is the title given to any one of the 129 individuals elected to serve in the Scottish Parliament. ... Ross, Skye and Inverness West is a constituency represented in the Scottish Parliament. ... John Farquhar Munro, born 26 August 1934 in Glen Shiel, is a Scottish Liberal Democrat politician, and Member of the Scottish Parliament for Ross, Skye and Inverness West. ...

Ross and Cromarty elects 24 members to the 80-member Highland Council. The majority of councillors do not belong to any party, and sit as independents. The Highland unitary authority area (Roinn na Gàidhealtachd in Gaelic) is a local government area in the Scottish Highlands and the largest local government area in Scotland. ... A councillor is a member of a council (such as a city council), particularly in the U.K. and its former colonies. ...

History

Excavations of a rock shelter and shell midden at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross have shown that the coast was occupied by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers. A midden, or kitchen midden, is a dump for domestic waste. ... A small number of shell middens were known as rare traces of Mesolithic settlement when a rock shelter and shell midden at Sand, Applecross on the coast of Wester Ross, Scotland was selected for detailed excavation as part of a study of shell middens in the area around the Inner... The Mesolithic (Greek mesos=middle and lithos=stone or the Middle Stone Age) is the period between the Paleolithic and Neolithic periods. ...

It may be doubted whether the Romans ever effected even a temporary settlement in the area of the modern county. In Roman times, and for long afterwards, the land was occupied by Gaelic Picts, who, in the 6th and 7th centuries, were converted to Christianity by followers of Saint Columba. Throughout the next three centuries the natives were continually harassed by Norse pirates, of whose presence tokens have survived in several place-names (Dingwall, Tain, and others). At this time the country formed part of the great province of Moray (Latin: Moravia), which then extended as far north as the Dornoch Firth and the Oykel, and practically comprised the whole of Ross and Cromarty, excepting a comparatively narrow strip on the Atlantic seaboard. The Roman Empire is the term conventionally used to describe the Ancient Roman polity in the centuries following its reorganization under the leadership of Octavian (better known as Caesar Augustus), until its radical reformation in what was later to be known as the Byzantine Empire. ... This article needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of quality. ... This Buddhist stela from China, Northern Wei period, was built in the early 6th century. ... // Events Islam starts in Arabia, the Quran is written, and Syria, Iraq, Persia, North Africa and Central Asia convert to Islam. ... St Francis Xavier converting the Paravas: a 19th-century image of the docile heathen Ansgar, the 9th century apostle of the North in an 1830 drawing. ... Saint Columba sometimes known as (7 December 521 - 9 June 597), the Latinized version of the Irish name Colmcille (Old Irish Columb Cille) meaning Dove of the church, was the outstanding figure among the Irish missionary monks who reintroduced Christianity to Scotland and the north of England during the Dark... The name Viking is a borrowed word from the native Scandinavian term for the Norse warriors who raided the coasts of Scandinavia, the British Isles, and other parts of Europe from the late 8th century to the 11th century. ... Location within the British Isles. ... You may be looking for an article on the Táin Bó Cuailnge, often referred to simply as the Táin. Tain is a burgh in the Scottish Highlands, on the main rail and A9 road routes to the north coast. ... Moray (Moireibh in Gaelic), one of the 32 unitary council regions (or areas) of Scotland, lies in the north-east of the country and borders on the regions of Aberdeenshire and Highland. ... Dornoch Firth is an inlet in northern Scotland, near the Black Isle. ...

When the rule of the Celtic maormors or earls ceased in the 12th century, consequent on the plantation of the district with settlers from other parts (including a body of Flemings), by order of King David I of Scotland, who was anxious to break the power of the Celts, the bounds of Moravia were contracted and the earldom of Ross arose. At first Ross proper only included the territory adjoining the Moray and Dornoch Firths. The first earl was Malcolm MacHeth, who received the title from Malcolm IV. After his rebellion in 1179 chronic insurrection ensued, which was quelled by Alexander II, who bestowed the earldom on Farquhar Macintaggart (Farquhar, son of the priest), then Abbot of Applecross, and in that capacity lord of the western district. The title of Mormaer designates a regional or provincial ruler in the medieval Kingdom of the Scots. ... (11th century - 12th century - 13th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 12th century was that century which lasted from 1101 to 1200. ... This article is about the Belgian region Flanders and the eponymous historical region of the Low Countries. ... KIng David I (or Dabíd mac Maíl Coluim), known as the Saint, (1084 – May 24, 1153), king of Scotland, the youngest son of Malcolm Canmore and of Saint Margaret (sister of Edgar Ætheling), was born in 1084. ... This article is about the European people. ... Malcolm IV (c. ... Alexander II (August 24, 1198 - July 6, 1249), king of Scotland, son of William I, the Lion, and of Ermengarde of Beaumont, was born at Haddington, East Lothian, in 1198, and succeeded to the kingdom on the death of his father on 4 December 1214. ...

William, the 4th Earl, was present with his clan at the Battle of Bannockburn (1314), and almost a century later (1412) the castle of Dingwall, the chief seat on the mainland of Donald, Lord of the Isles, was captured after the disastrous fight at Harlaw in Aberdeenshire, which Donald had provoked when his claim to the earldom was rejected. The earldom reverted to the crown in 1424, but James I soon afterwards restored it to the heiress of the line, the mother of Alexander Macdonald, 3rd Lord of the Isles, who thus became the 11th Earl. In consequence, however, of the treason of John Macdonald, 4th and last Lord of the Isles and 12th Earl of Ross, the earldom was again vested in the crown (1476). Five years later James III bestowed it on his second son, James Stewart, whom he also created Duke of Ross in 1488. Clan map of Scotland Scottish clans give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs officially registered with the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which controls the heraldry and Coat... The Battle of Bannockburn (June 23, 1314 – June 24, 1314) was a significant Scottish victory in the Wars of Scottish Independence. ... Events June 24 - Battle of Bannockburn. ... Events End of the reign of Emperor Go-Komatsu of Japan. ... Lord of the Isles, now a Scottish title of nobility, originally referred to a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of galleys Although at times nominal vassals of the King of Norway... The Battle of Harlaw was fought near Inverurie in Aberdeenshire on 24 July 1411. ... The traditional county of Aberdeenshire (Siorrachd Obar Dheathain in Gaelic) borders Banffshire and Inverness-shire to the west, Perthshire, Angus and Kincardineshire to the south, and the North Sea to the north and east. ... Events August 17 - Battle of Verneuil - An English force under John, Duke of Bedford defeats a larger French army under the Duke of Alençon, John Stuart, and Earl Archibald of Douglas. ... James I (December 10, 1394 – February 21, 1437) reigned as king of Scotland from April 4, 1406 until February 21, 1437. ... Lord of the Isles, now a Scottish title of nobility, originally referred to a series of hybrid Viking/Gaelic rulers of the west coast and islands of Scotland in the Middle Ages, who wielded sea-power with fleets of galleys Although at times nominal vassals of the King of Norway... Events March 2 - Battle of Grandson. ... James III of Scotland(1451/ 1452 – June 11, 1488), son of James II and Mary of Gueldres, created Duke of Rothesay at birth, king of Scotland from 1460 to 1488. ... // Events February 3 - Bartolomeu Dias of Portugal lands in Mossel Bay after rounding the Cape of Good Hope, at the tip of Africa becoming the first known European to travel this far south. ...

By the 16th century the whole area of the county was occupied by different clans. The Rosses held what is now Easter Ross; the Munros the small tract around Ben Wyvis, including Dingwall; the Macleods Lewis, and, in the mainland, the district between Loch Maree and Loch Torridon; the Macdonalds of Glengarry, Coigach, and the district between Strome Ferry and Kyle of Lochalsh, and the Mackenzies the remainder. (15th century - 16th century - 17th century - more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 16th century was that century which lasted from 1501 to 1600. ... Clan map of Scotland Scottish clans give a sense of identity and shared descent to people in Scotland and to their relations throughout the world, with a formal structure of Clan Chiefs officially registered with the court of the Lord Lyon, King of Arms which controls the heraldry and Coat... Location within the British Isles. ... Looking towards the mountains at the centre of the Island of Lewis Lewis (Scottish Gaelic: Leòdhas) is the northern part of the main island of the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, the southern part of which is called Harris, however Lewis and Harris are treated by Scots as separate islands...

The county of Ross was constituted in 1661, and Cromarty in 1685 and 1698, both being consolidated into the present county in 1889. Events January 6 - The fifth monarchy men unsuccessfully attempt to seize control of London. ... Events February 6 - James Stuart, Duke of York becomes King James II of England and Ireland and King James VII of Scotland. ... Events January 4 - Palace of Whitehall in London is destroyed by fire. ... 1889 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ...

Apart from occasional conflicts between rival clans, the only battles in the county were those of Invercarron, at the head of Dornoch Firth, when Montrose was crushed by Colonel Archibald Strachan on 27 April 1650, and the Battle of Glenshiel, when the Jacobites, under the Earl of Seaforth, aided by Spaniards, were defeated by a force under the command of General Joseph Wightman on 10 June 1719. The Battle of Waterloo by William Sadler. ... Dornoch Firth is an inlet in northern Scotland, near the Black Isle. ... James Graham, 1st Marquess of Montrose (1612 - 21 May 1650), was a Scottish nobleman and soldier, who initially joined the Covenanters in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, but subsequently supported King Charles I as the English Civil War developed. ... April 27 is the 117th day of the year (118th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 248 days remaining. ... // Events June 23 - Claimant King Charles II of England, Scotland and Ireland arrives in Scotland, the only of the three Kingdoms that has accepted him as ruler. ... The Battle of Glen Shiel occurred near the western coast of Scotland on June 10, 1719 between the British and an alliance of Jacobite Highlanders and Spaniards, resulting in a victory for the British forces. ... This article concerns the political movement supporting the restoration of the House of Stuart, not the earlier Jacobean period. ... June 10 is the 161st day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (162nd in leap years), with 204 days remaining. ... // Events January 23 - The Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire April 25 - Daniel Defoe publishes Robinson Crusoe June 10 - Battle of Glen Shiel Prussia conducts Europes first systematic census Miners in Falun, Sweden find an apparently petrified body of Fet-Mats Israelsson in an unused...

Antiquities

The principal relics of antiquity - mainly stone circles, cairns and forts - appear in the eastern district. A vitrified fort crowns the hill of Knockfarrel in the parish of Fodderty, and there is a circular dun near the village of Lochcarron. Some fine examples of sculptured stones occur, especially those which, according to tradition, mark the burial-place of the three sons of a Danish king who were shipwrecked off the coast of Nigg. The largest and handsomest of these three crosses - the Clach a' Charraidh, or Stone of Lamentation - stands at Shandwick. It is about 10 feet (3m) high and contains representations of the martyrdom of St Andrew and figures of an elephant and dog. It fell during a storm in 1847 and was broken in three pieces. On the top of the cross in Nigg churchyard are two figures with outstretched arms in the act of supplication; the dove descends between them, and below are two dogs. The cross was knocked down by the fall of the belfry in 1725, but has been riveted together. The third stone formerly stood at Hilton of Cadboll, but was removed for security to the grounds of Invergordon Castle. A stone circle is a circular space, delimited by purposefully erected stones and often containing burials. ... A cairn to mark the way along a glacier A cairn is a manmade pile of stones. ... Nakhal Fort, one of the best-preserved forts in Oman. ... Dun comes from the Brythonic Din and Gaelic Dun, meaning fort, and is now used as a general term for small stone built strongholds, enclosures or roundhouses in Scotland, as a sub-group of hill forts. ... Lochcarron is a village in the west of the Scottish Highlands. ... 1847 was a common year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Events February 8 - Catherine I became empress of Russia February 20 - The first reported case of white men scalping Native Americans takes place in New Hampshire colony. ...

Among old castles are those of Lochslin, in the parish of Fearn, said to date from the 13th century, which, though ruinous, possesses two square towers in good preservation; Balone, in the parish of Tarbat, once a stronghold of the Earls of Ross; the remains of Dingwall Castle, their original seat; and Eilean Donan in Loch Alsh, which was blown up by English warships during the abortive Jacobite rising in 1719. (12th century - 13th century - 14th century - other centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 13th century was that century which lasted from 1201 to 1300. ... Loch Duich and Eilean Donan castle Eilean Donan castle and some surroundings Eilean Donan (Scottish Gaelic for Island of Donan), is a small island in Loch Duich in the western Highlands of Scotland. ... This article concerns the political movement supporting the restoration of the House of Stuart, not the earlier Jacobean period. ... // Events January 23 - The Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire April 25 - Daniel Defoe publishes Robinson Crusoe June 10 - Battle of Glen Shiel Prussia conducts Europes first systematic census Miners in Falun, Sweden find an apparently petrified body of Fet-Mats Israelsson in an unused...

See

• D. Alston, Ross and Cromarty : a historical guide (Edinburgh : Birlinn, 1999 ISBN 1-874744-48-3), which, however, restricts itself to coverage of the mainland county;
• R. Bain, History of the Ancient Province of Ross (Dingwall, 1899);
• J. H. Dixon, Gairloch (Edinburgh, 1888);
• F. N. Reid, The Earls of Ross (Edinburgh, 1894);
• W. C. Mackenzie, History of the Outer Hebrides (Paisley, 1904).