An gaidheal - National Library of Scotland

NEWS OF THE HIGHLANDS ANDISLANDS.Glenquoich Forest has been let on leaseto M. A. Bass, M.P., son of M. T. Bass,Esq. , M. P. for Derby, who iseo well knownin this part of the country. The Duke ofMarlborough had the shootings of thisforest for the last few years.The Fishtngs.—The weather has beengenerally unfavourable for the active prosecutionof the fishing during the pastmonth, and the result has been thatwhile sufficient herrings for bait havebeen obtainable, only a few crans havebeen landed for curing purposes. Goodhauls of cod have been got, but there is ageneral impression that the season isabout over.Death of Me. Methven, Fishcurer.—The death is announced of probably thelargest fishcurer in the world, Mr. JamesMethven, of Leith, after a protracted illne.ss.Mr. Methven succeeded his fathera good many years ago, and carried onthe business of iishcuring at every stationon the Scotch seaboard, as well as atseveral of the English and Irish ports.He would have ujiwards of a thousandfishing boats engaged in catching herringsand cod in one season, and at some stationshe would have as many crews in his emplojrmentas all the other curers put together.Though Mr. Methven's deathhad been anticij^ated for some time, ithas caused a great sensation, especiallyamong the communities where his businesswas engaged in.Natives of Skye.—The seventh annualsocial gathering of the natives of Skyeresident in Glasgow, and friends, was heldin the Albert Hall, West Bath Street.Kobt. Simpson, Esq., presided, supportedon the platform by the Rev. DonaldM'Kinnon, D. Ftaser, Esq., Isle Ornsay;Capt. Sinclair, Capt. M'Laughlan, Messrs.Duncan Cameron, K. M'Crimmon, Duncan M 'Donald, Neil M'Kinnon, A. W.M'Leod, &c. After tea, and a brief butgenial address from the Chairman, an excellentvocal programme was entered upon,the artistes engaged for which being MissBessie Malcolm, Mr. W. T. Rushbury,and Mr. James Houston, our celebratedlocal coinique; while "A Friend" contributedone or two effusions in Gaelic,which were received with immense approbationby the many present who were ableto appreciate the sentiments they conveyed.Selections on the bagpipes, moreover,by Messrs. M 'Donald and Gillies,THE GAEL. 29helped at intervals to modify the so far"Sassenach" character of the programme;and altogether the gathering—which concludedwith an assembly—was marked bya full degree of true Celtic fervour, andwas greatly enjoyed by those present.Endowing OF Poor Highland Charges.—The Rev. Dr. M'Lauchlan has receivedfrom Dr. Rainy of Glasgow, the handsomedonation of £1000 in aid of his scheme forendowing weak charges in the Highlands.The proceeds of this sum are to be devotedfor three years to the charge at Raasay,and after that are to be at the disposal ofthe General Assembly for allocation insupport of any other weak Highland chargewhich may be selected. James Stevenson,Esq. , of Glasgow, has given a subscriptionof £500 to this scheme; and Robert Macfie,Esq. of Airds, has given £100 for thebenefit of the charge at Morven. Similarcontributions are earnestly requested, andfriends wishful to aid this important objectare reciuested to correspond with the Rev.Dr. M'Lauchlan, Free Church Offices,Mound, Edinburgh.—Z)ai7y Review.Natives of Inverness-shiee. — Thefifth annual soiree of the natives of Inverness-shirewas held last night in theAlbert Hall, Bath Street, which wascrowded by a respectable assemblage.piper was in attendance, and playedwhile the company were gathering. Mr.H. C. Macandrew of Midmills, sheriffclerk of Inverness-shire, occupied thechair, and on and around the platformwei-e Messrs. Alex. Kackenzie, W. Carruthers,J. Cameron, John Murdoch, C.Campbell, Donald Mackay, John Eraser,Colin MacRae, and others. After tea, theChairman gave an appropriate and interestingaddress, in the course of which hereferred to the natural beauties of Inverness,and noticed the rapid way in whichthe land of the county is changing hands—the old families passing away and givingplace to strangers, who come for sportonly, and whose early ties and associationsare elsewhere. He sjioke of thechivalrous feeling with which Highlanderswere animated, as evinced by thedevoted band who fought for PrinceCharles at Culloden, of the illustriousservices which the Highlanders had sincerendered to the country on many a battlefield,and the enterjjrise which Inverness-shirehad shown with respect tothose two great constitutional forces organisedfor the defence of our native land—the militia and volunteers. An ableaddress was afterwards given by Mr,A