Tarbert

   TARBERT, a sea-port town, in the parish of Kilcalmonell, district of Cantyre, county of Argyll, 31 miles (N.) from Campbelltown, and 140 (W.) from Edinburgh; containing 594 inhabitants. This place, which is an ancient burgh of regality, and was the chief town of the shire of Tarbert when the county of Argyll formed two shires, is situated on the margin of East Loch Tarbert, which is an arm of Loch Fine, approximating so closely to West Loch Tarbert as to make the district of Cantyre a peninsula, and leaving an isthmus but little more than a mile across. In 1809 a memorial was presented to the parliamentary commissioners, in which it was stated that the village of Tarbert was one of the most considerable places in the West Highlands, on account of the excellence of its harbour, and the peculiar advantages of its locality. It is the centre of communication between the numerous sea lochs that indent the coast of this part of the county, and offers great facilities of transit between the districts on the east and west. A quay and land-breast under the village had been constructed by the proprietor, previously to the year just mentioned; and the commissioners in answer to the memorial, agreed to the enlargement of the quay, the renewing of the land-breast, which had become ruinous, and the improvement of the approaches to the harbour by the removal of some rocks obstructing the entrance. Though small, the place wears the appearance of a bustling port, and has attained, through continued and thriving traffic, considerable prosperity; it has a good herring-fishery, and is much frequented by steamers and other vessels. A small fair for horses is held in the beginning of August. A general post-office has long been established, communicating daily with Glasgow by steam-vessels; and mails are also dispatched hence by land to Campbelltown, where is a sub-office. There is a chapel supported by the Royal Bounty; and the members of the Free Church have a place of worship. The castle of Tarbert, once of great strength, is now in ruins.