Ardersier

   ARDERSIER, a parish, in the county of Inverness; containing, with the village of Campbelton, and the garrison of Fort-George, 1475 inhabitants, of whom 716 reside within the limits of the village. This place, called, in ancient documents, Ardrosser, is supposed to have derived its name from a bold promontory, towards the western shore, which rises to a height of 200 feet above the level of the sea. A considerable portion of the lands formerly belonged to the diocese of Ross, and, in 1574, was granted, with consent of the dean and chapter, to John Campbell, of Calder, ancestor of the present proprietor, Earl Cawdor, who still pays to the crown an annual sum, as bishop's rent. The Knights Templars had also some lands in the parish, over which they had a jurisdiction of regality; and the last preceptor, Sir James Sandilands, obtained from Mary, Queen of Scots, the erection of his estates into a temporal barony, and, in 1563, was created Lord Torphichen. The parish, which is bounded on the north and west by the Moray Frith, extends for about four miles in length, from north-west to south-east, and is two miles in breadth, comprising 3250 acres, of which 1434 are arable, about 500 in plantations, and the remainder, meadow, pasture, and heath. The surface, with the exception of the high grounds to the west and north, is generally flat, and, towards the coast, low and sandy; the soil, in some parts, is a deep black mould, in others of lighter quality, and in some places a strong clay, alternated with shallow sand. The usual crops of grain, and large quantities of potatoes, are raised; the lands have been partly inclosed, and the modern improvements in husbandry are gradually taking place. The rateable annual value of the parish is £1540. A salmon-fishery is carried on to a moderate extent, on the coast, there being two stations, the rents of which, together, amount to £60 per annum.

   The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Nairn and synod of Moray; the minister's stipend is £158. 6. 7., of which part is paid from the exchequer, with a manse, and a glebe valued at £25 per annum; patron, Earl Cawdor. The church, situated in the eastern part of the parish, was built in 1802, and is a neat structure. There are places of worship for Old Seceders and members of the Free Church. The parochial school is well attended; the master has a salary of £36. 7. 1¾., with a house and garden, and the fees average about £20 per annum. On the heath near the borders of the adjoining parish of Nairn, is an obelisk supposed to indicate the spot where the Danes were repulsed; and at Achnuallan, were the remains of a Druidical circle, near which a horn, filled with silver coins, was found in 1800; but those remains have been removed for building materials. At Dalyards, the ruins of a building thought to have belonged to the Knights Templars, have disappeared in the progress of agriculture; and on a hill behind Campbelton, is a circular mount 120 yards in diameter at the base, and surrounded, towards the summit, by a rampart of clay and earth; it was called, in the Gaelic, Cromal, now corrupted into "Cromwell's mount," and has been partly destroyed, like many other fortlets. A Roman sword, and the head of a spear; and some axes of flint, supposed to be of Danish origin, have been found in the neighbourhood.