Logie Easter

   LOGIE EASTER, a parish, in the county of Ross and Cromarty, 5 miles (S. S. W.) from Tain; containing 1015 inhabitants. The name of Logie, so frequently applied to designate Scottish parishes, is derived from the Gaelic word laggie, which signifies a "hollow," and is used in the present instance in reference to the site of the first church, the ruins of which are still to be seen. The place is not remarkable for any events of historical importance; but there are many cairns remaining, the ancient and ordinary memorials of bloodshed, and said to have originated in a battle fought between the Danes and Scots, in which the latter were conquerors. The parish is seven miles long and about three broad, and is bounded on the north by Tain-parish; on the south by Kilmuir Easter; by Nigg on the east; and by Eddertoun on the west. The climate is usually mild, but intensely cold when the wind sets in from the east, which is, however, but seldom, as the westerly winds are most prevalent. The soil varies considerably in different parts, consisting in some places of a light, sandy, unproductive earth; in others, of deep clay; and in some tracts, of a rich black mould. Wheat is the principal grain raised, and it is of a very superior quality. The most approved system of agriculture has become general since the breaking up of the small farms; the lands are now let in large allotments, and exhibit the natural effects of good cultivation. The population, however, has been greatly diminished by the change in the system.

   The whole land is the property of four individuals, two of whom are resident: the rateable annual value of the parish is £3297. There are several quarries of freestone; and a manufactory for tiles employs about thirty hands. A cattle-market is held at Blackhill in the month of May, at which large numbers of cows are sold. The mail-coach runs daily through the parish; but the roads, with the exception of a line of about three miles, are in bad condition. Calrossie, the seat of the Ross family, and Shandwick and Scotsburn, are very handsome mansions. The ecclesiastical affairs are directed by the presbytery of Tain and synod of Ross, and the patronage belongs to the family of Hay Mackenzie, of Cromertie: the stipend of the minister is £237, with a glebe of twenty-two acres. The church, which is an excellent and commodious building, capable of accommodating 700 persons with sittings, is situated on Chapel hill, and was erected about twenty-five years since: near it is the manse, built about fifty years ago, and commanding an extensive view of rich and beautiful scenery. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship. There is a parochial school, the master of which has a salary of £35, with a good school-house and about £6 fees. Another school, in the district of Scotsburn, is called the Assembly school; the master receives £20 per annum and some fees, and connected with it is a small library. The language generally spoken in the parish is Gaelic; but the younger part of the population can all speak and read English. There was till lately no assessment for the poor, whose relief was obtained chiefly from the funds of the Kirk Session; they have the interest of about £100, the aggregate of various bequests.