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The Parish of Rossheen. 325
inland portions are hilly, some of the eminences reaching heights of
2300 feet. A valley stretches along the south-west side a length
of 15 miles, the first seven miles from the sea called the valley of
the Alness, the next 4 miles Strathrusdale, and the remaining \
miles Glackshellach. Nearly parallel to the valley of the Alness
along the north side of the parish is the valley of the Achnacloich
water, extending to about 6 miles.
In the beginning of the present century the area of arable
land was comparatively small. In the possession of new proprietors
and industrious tenants, however, rapid changes have t^aken place,
es[)ecially within the last forty years, since Sir Alexander Matheson
became the principal heritor. Miles which were then covered
with boulders, scrub, and bog are now clothed with verdure, and
numerous hill-sides are covered with flourishing woods.
From remains found in mosses, there are e\idences of extensive
forests having existed in the valleyj centuries ago.
In one place in particular, called " a' Chrannich," the wooded
place, on the Estate of Ardross, large logs of bog oak are turned uj)
in peat-cutting, a piece of which, sent to the Forestry Exhibition in
Edinburgh in 1884, was awarded a certificate.
The topography is principally descriptive and historical. I re-
frain from giving the derivation of Rosskeen, as I am not quite sure
of it. A few of the names of the places may be interesting. Commencing
at the lower end of the parish, and following successively
inward, we have to begin with Saltburn. " AUtan-an-t-Saluinn," a
small stream at whose mouth smugglers used to dispose of salt to
the inhabitants when it was taxed : hence the name.
Invergordon, named after the first of the Goi-dons who were
proprietors of the place. The Gaelic name is " Ruthanach-
breachie," the little speckled point. In the end of the last
century, where Invergordon now stands there were only three
houses, occupied by the ferryman and two crofters. The neighbouring
farm is called Inverbreakie, the speckled Inver. The
hand of the improver has so changed the face of the coimtry here
that the " Inver " cannot be certified, but is supposed to have
been north of Invergordon Castle, where a small stream entered a
swamp, now all arable.
KiNCRAiG.— " Ceann-na-Creige," the end of the rock. This
name must have been translated, as there is no conspicuous rock
at the place.
Newmoke.— " An-fheith-mhor," the big bog, which still
exists at the south side of this estate, and from which the estate
derives its name. •