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''Ross and Cromarty:'' '' Committee Area (1996-date)'' ''Ross and Cromarty:'' ''lieutenancy area (1996-date)'' ''Ross and Cromarty:'' ''district council (1975-1996)'' ''Ross and Cromarty:'' ''county (1889-1975)'' Ross and Cromarty (''Ros agus Cromba'' in Gaelic ) is a Committee Area and a Lieutenancy Area in Highland , Scotland . It was formerly a district within the former Highland Region ; a Constituency of the Parliament Of The United Kingdom ; and a County , with its own County Council , from 1889 to 1975; but all these areas have different boundaries. The county was formed as a merger of the older counties of Ross-shire and Cromartyshire . The district, which had its own elected Council , was created in 1975 and abolished in 1996, when the Highland region was made a Unitary Authority . The area of the former district remains in use for an Area Committee of the Highland Council. The district was smaller than the county. It did not include Lewis , which became part of the Western Isles Island Area. Nor did it include the Lochalsh area of the mainland, which became part of the Skye And Lochalsh district of the Highland Region. The Ross and Cromarty lieutenancy area includes the Lochalsh area and Skye and Raasay , but not the Isle of Lewis. Therefore the lieutenancy area combines the areas of two former districts, Ross and Cromarty and Skye and Lochalsh. There was a Ross And Cromarty County Constituency of the Parliament Of The United Kingdom from 1832 to 1983. Until 1918 the constituency included Lewis but excluded Parliamentary Burghs within the County Constituency area. In 1918 boundary reforms included the parliamentary burghs but excluded Lewis. The chief towns and villages of the mainland of the county include, Dingwall , Alness , Fortrose , Tain , Cromarty , Invergordon and Ullapool . The total population was 49,655 in 2001. In style and content much of what follows is derived from the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica . The meaning of GEOGRAPHY Ross and Cromarty lies south of Sutherland and the Dornoch Firth , west of the North Sea and the Moray Firth , north of the Beauly Firth and Inverness-shire and east of The Minch . There are also a number of small islands off the area's west coast, amongst which are:
The area of the mainland comprises 1,572,332 acres (6,363 km&2). On the North Sea (eastern side) of the area the major Firths are the Beauly Firth and the (Inner) Moray Firth , which mark off the Black Isle from Inverness-shire , the Cromarty Firth , which bounds the districts of Easter Ross and the Black Isle, the Moray Firth, separating Easter Ross from Nairnshire , and the Dornoch Firth , dividing north-east Ross from Sutherland . On the Atlantic (western) coastline - which has a length of nearly 311 miles (500 km) - the principal sea lochs and bays, from south to north, include Loch Duich , Loch Alsh, Loch Carron, Loch Kishorn, Loch Torridon, Loch Shieldaig, Upper Loch Torridon, Loch Gairloch , Loch Ewe, Gruinard Bay, Loch Broom and Enard Bay. The chief capes include Tarbat Ness on the east coast, and Coigach, Greenstone Point, Rubha Reidh, Redpoint and Hamha Point on the west. Almost all the southern boundary with Inverness-shire consists of a rampart of peaks, many of them Munros :
To the north of Glen Torridon are the masses of Liathach (3455 ft), Beinn Eighe (3313 ft), Beinn Alligin (3235 ft) and Beinn Dearg (2998 ft). On the northeastern shore of Loch Maree rises Slioch (3219 ft., 981m), while the Fannich group contains six Munros, the highest being Sgurr Mor (3645 ft). The immense isolated bulk of Ben Wyvis (3428 ft., 1045m), forms the most noteworthy feature in the north-east, and An Teallach (3484 ft. 1062m) in the north-west appears equally conspicuous, though less solitary. Only a small fraction of the west and south of the area is under 1000 ft. (305m) in height. Easter Ross and the peninsula of the Black Isle are comparatively level. The longest stream of the mainland portion of Ross and Cromarty is the River Orrin, which rises from the slopes of An Sidhean (2671 ft., 814 m) and pursues a north-easterly course to its confluence with the River Conon after a run of about 26 miles (42km), during a small part of which it forms the boundary with Inverness-shire. At Aultgowrie the stream rushes through a narrow gorge where the drop is considerable enough to make the Falls of Orrin. The River Blackwater flows from mountains in Strathvaich southeast for 18 miles (30km) until it joins the Conon, forming soon after it leaves Loch Garve the small but picturesque Falls of Rogie. Within a short distance of its exit from Loch Luichart the Conon pours over a series of graceful cascades and rapids and then pursues a winding course of 12 miles (19km), mainly eastward to the head of the Cromarty Firth. Situated above Glen Elchaig in the southwest of the region are the Falls of Glomach. The stream giving rise to them drains a series of small lochs on the northern flanks of Beinn Fhada (Ben Attow) and, in an almost unbroken sheet over a metre in width, effects a sheer drop of 110m, and soon afterwards ends its course in Glen Elchaig. The falls are usually visited from Invershiel 11km to the south-west. 12 miles (19km) south-east of Ullapool, on the estate of Braemore, are the Falls of Measach, formed by the Droma, a headstream of the River Broom. The cascades, three in number, are close to Corrieshalloch Gorge. The River Oykel, throughout its course, forms the boundary with Sutherland. There are many freshwater Loch s, the largest being Loch Maree . In the far north-west, 243 ft. (74m) above the sea, lies Loch Sionascaig, a loch of such irregularity of outline that it has a shore-line of 17 miles (27km). It contains several wooded islands, and drains into Enard Bay by the River Polly. Lochan Fada (the long loch ), 1000 ft. (305m) above the sea, is 4 miles (6.4km) in length, and covers an area of 1112 acres (4.5km²), and is 42 fathoms (76m) deep, with a mean depth of 17 fathoms (31m). Once drained by the Muice (Allt na Muice), it has been tapped a little farther west by the Abhainn na Fhasaigh, which has lowered the level of the loch. Other lochs are Fionn Loch (the white or clear lake), 8 miles (13km) long by 1 mile (1.6km) wide, famous for its Heron s, Loch Luichart towards the centre of the area (8 miles (13km) long and between 0.5-1 mile (1-1.6km) wide), fringed with Birch es and having the shape of a crescent, the mountain-girt Loch Fannich (1 mile (1.6km) wide); and the wild narrow Lochs Monar (4 miles (6.5km) long) and Mullardoch (5 miles (8km) long), on the Inverness-shire boundary. Of the Strath s or Valley s the more important run from the centre eastwards, such as Strathconon, Strathbran, Strathgarve, Strathpeffer and Strathcarron . Excepting Glen Orrin, in the east central district, the longer glens lie in the south and towards the west. In the extreme south Glen Shiel runs between five mountains (The Five Sisters Of Kintail to its mouth on Loch Duich. The A87 passes down the glen. Further north lie Glen Elchaig, Glen Carron, and Glen Torridon. The Railway from Dingwall runs through Glen Carron to Kyle Of Lochalsh . GEOLOGY The central portion of this county is occupied by the younger highland Schist s or Dalradian series. These consist of Quartzite s, mica-schists, garnetiferous mica-schists and Gneiss es, all with a gentle inclination towards the southeast. On the eastern side of the county the Dalradian schists are covered unconformably by the Old Red Sandstone. The boundary runs southward from Edderton on Dornoch Firth, by Strathpeffer, to the neighborhood of Beauly. These rocks comprise red flags and Sandstone s, grey bituminous flags and Shale s. An Anticlinal fold with a southwest-northeast axis brings up the basal beds of the series about the mouth of Cromarty Firth and exposes once more the schists in The Sutors (The Sutors of Cromarty) guarding the entrance to the firth. The western boundary of the younger schist is formed by the great Pre-Cambrian dislocation line which traverses the county in a fairly direct course from Elphin on the north by Ullapool to Glencarron. Most of the area west of the line of disturbance is covered by Torridonian Sandstone, mainly dark reddish sandstones, grits and shales, resting unconformably on the ancient Lewisian gneiss with horizontal or slightly inclined bedding. The unconformity is well exposed on the shores of Gairloch, Loch Maree and Loch Torridon. These rocks, which attain a considerable thickness and are divisible into three sub-groups, build up the mountain districts of Applecross, Coigach and elsewhere. Within the Torridonian tract the older Lewisian gneiss occupies large areas north of Coigach, on the east of Enard Bay, between Gruinard Bay and Loch Maree. Between the last named and Gairloch, on both sides of middle Loch Torridon and at many other spots smaller patches appear. The Lewisian gneiss is everywhere penetrated by basic and Marble , Durness dolomite and Limestone : but these are not always visible at any one spot. So great has been the disturbance in the region of thrusting that in some places, as in the neighborhood of Loch Kishorn and elsewhere, the rocks have been completely overturned and the ancient gneiss has been piled upon the Torridonian. On the shore of Moray Firth at Rathie a small patch of Kimeridge shale occurs, and beneath the cliffs of Shandwick there is a little Lower Oolite with a thin seam of Coal . Glacial striae are found upon the mountains up to heights of 3300 ft. (1006m), and much boulder clay is found in the valleys and spread over large areas in the eastern districts. Raised beaches occur at up to 108 feet (33m) or so above the present sea-level; they are well seen in Loch Carron. CLIMATE AND AGRICULTURE On the west coast considerable rainfall occurs, averaging for the year 50.42 Inch es at Loch Broom and 62 inches at Strome Ferry (autumn and winter being the wettest seasons), but on the east coast the annual comprises only mean 27 inches. The temperature for the year (in Degrees Fahrenheit ) is 46½°F. Temperatures for January and July are 38°F and 57°F respectively. The most fertile tracts lie on the eastern coast, especially in Easter Ross and the Black Isle, where the Soil varies from a light sandy Gravel to a rich deep Loam . As Of 1911 , among grain crops Oat s were most generally cultivated, but Barley and Wheat were also raised. Turnip s and Potato es were the chief green Crops . On the higher grounds there is a large extent of good Pasturage which carried heavy flocks of Sheep , blackfaced being the principal breed. Most of the Horse s, principally half-breds between the old Garron s (hardy, serviceable, small animals) and Clydesdale s, were maintained for the purposes of agriculture. The herds of cattle, mainly native Highland or crosses, were large, many of them supplying the London market. Pig s were reared, though in smaller numbers than formerly, most generally by the Croft ers. Owing partly to the overcrowding of the island of Lewis and partly to the unkindly nature of the bulk of the surface - which offered no opportunity for other than patchwork tillage - the number of smallholdings was enormous - Sutherland alone amongst Scottish counties showing an even larger proportion of holdings under 5 acres (20,000 m²); while the average size of all the holdings throughout the county did not exceed 20 acres (80,000 m²). As Of 1911 about 800,000 acres (3,200 km²) were devoted to Deer forests, a greater area than in any other county in Scotland, among the largest being Achnashellach with 50,000 acres (200 km²)), Fannich with 20,000 acres (80 km²), Kinlochluichart with 20,600 acres (83 km²), Braemore with 40,000 acres (160 km²), Inchbae with 21,000 acres (85 km²) and Dundonnell with 23,000 acres (93 km²). At one time the area under wood must have been remarkable, if we accept the common derivation of the word "Ross" as from the Old Irish ''ros'', a wood, and there was until recent times a considerable extent of native Woodland , principally Pine , Oak , Ash and Alder . The Fauna was noteworthy. Red and Roe Deer abounded, and Fox es and Alpine Hare s were common, while Badger s and Wild Cat s were occasionally trapped. Winged Game was plentiful, and amongst Birds Of Prey the Golden Eagle and Osprey occurred. Waterfowl of all kinds frequented the sea Loch s. Many rivers and lochs were rich in Salmon and Trout , and the pearl Mussel was found in the bed of the Conon. OTHER INDUSTRIES Tourism is a major industry in the region, with over 20% of the workforce employed in the wholesale, restaurant and hotels sector, second only to the public service sector. A little over 5% of the workforce are employed in Agriculture , Forestry and Fishing , traditionally major industries in the region. The oil industry, which spurred a rapid increase in industrial development in the 1970s, is in decline, although still a major employer. The Glen Ord and Glenmorangie distilleries are prominent whisky distilleries. A railway, the Far North Line from Inverness , enters the county to the north of Beauly and runs northwards to Dingwall . From there the Far North Line continues north/northeast through Sutherland to Thurso and Wick in Caithness , and the Kyle Of Lochalsh Line runs west/southwest to the Kyle Of Lochalsh . AREA COMMITTEE Main article: The Ross and Cromarty Committee Area elects 24 members to the 80-member Highland Council . The majority of Councillors do not belong to any party, and sit as Independent s. CONSTITUENCY |
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