Invergordon

   INVERGORDON, a village and small sea-port, in the parish of Rosskeen, mainland district of the county of Ross and Cromarty, 19 miles (N. E.) from Dingwall; containing 998 inhabitants. This place, which is situated on the north shore of Cromarty Frith, at nearly an equal distance from Tain and Dingwall, has greatly increased in importance since the construction of a commodious harbour by Roderick Mc Leod, Esq., in 1828, at a cost of more than £5000. The village is neatly built, and the surrounding scenery derives much additional beauty from the pleasure-grounds of Invergordon Castle, in its immediate vicinity. A subscription library has been established. A cattle-show takes place annually; there are numerous inns for the accommodation of travellers; and from its central situation, the place is rapidly advancing. The harbour is accessible to vessels of large burthen. The port carries on an extensive trade in the exportation of grain, cattle, horses, sheep, pigs, and all the various kinds of agricultural produce; and is one of the most frequented in Easter and Wester Ross. A substantial pier has been erected for the loading and unloading of vessels, and also a slip for building and repairing ships. A wooden jetty has recently been added to the pier, in order to secure a depth of ten feet water at ebb-tides; and the trade of the place is facilitated by a ferry across the Frith to Cromarty. Facility of communication is also afforded by good roads, and by steamers, which ply during the summer months, weekly, to Inverness, Aberdeen, and Leith, and every alternate week to London. The north and south mails pass daily through the village. Fairs for cattle, horses, agricultural produce, fish, and various kinds of wares, are held on the first Thursdays in every month throughout the year; on the second Tuesdays in April, October, and December; on the third Tuesday in February; and the first Tuesday in August.