Trumisgarry

   TRUMISGARRY, a quoad sacra parish, in the parish and island of North Uist, county of Inverness, 30 miles (N. W. by W.) from Dunvegan; containing 1495 inhabitants. This place, which occupies the eastern portion of the island, was separated for ecclesiastical purposes from the parish of North Uist, and erected into a quoad sacra parish, by act of the General Assembly, in 1838. The district is bounded on the north by the sound of Harris, and on the east by the Little Minch; and is nearly seventeen miles in extreme length and about twelve in extreme breadth, comprising an area of 140 square miles, of which one tenth part is arable, and the remainder hill-pasture, moss, and waste. The surface is diversified with ranges of hills, varying in elevation from 300 to 700 feet, and intersected by numerous inlets from the sea, and by inland lakes, in some of which are found salmon and various kinds of trout of excellent flavour. The coast is bold and elevated, and deeply indented with bays, whereof Loch Maddy, the most important and extensive, forms a harbour for vessels of the largest burthen, to which it is easily accessible, and is sufficiently capacious to afford accommodation to any number of ships, which, protected by the high grounds on either side from all adverse winds, may ride at anchor in perfect safety. The fish caught here are, cod, ling, sythe, eels, and other kinds, of which the inhabitants near Loch Maddy take enough for their own subsistence; and several sorts of shell-fish are found on the sands; but there are no regular fisheries established.

   The principal crops are bear and potatoes; the system of agriculture is improved, and considerable tracts of land have been reclaimed and brought into cultivation. The cattle are all of the Highland black-breed; and large numbers are reared in the pastures, and sold at the fairs held annually near Loch Maddy, in July and September. There are no villages; and the only manufacture carried on is that of kelp, in which some families are employed during the months of June, July, and August, under the proprietor, who sends the produce to the south, where it is sold on his account. A post-office has been established at Loch Maddy, under the office at Dunvegan; and there is a good inn. A packet of sixty tons' burthen sails twice in the week from this port to Dunvegan, when the weather permits; and facility of internal communication is maintained by good roads, which within the last few years have been greatly improved. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Uist and synod of Glenelg. The minister's stipend is £120, paid from the exchequer, with a manse, and a glebe valued at £4 per annum; patron the Crown. The church, erected by government in 1829, at a cost of £750, is a neat substantial structure containing 326 sittings, and conveniently situated for the accommodation of the district. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship, and a school is supported by the General Assembly: there is also a parochial school.