Topographical Appearances –
The soil of the parish is various; but of late years it has been greatly improved, especially in the lower parts, which border on the shore of the Frith of Cromarty. The whole of this range, including the Mains of New Tarbat, is now in a fine state of cultivation, and adorned with plantations. The higher grounds contain a great quantity of barren muir, intermixed with natural wood, and fit only for the pasture of sheep. The soil is, in general, of a light gravelly nature in those parts which are cultivated; but there is also a considerable quantity of moss. The coast is flat, and composed of red sandstone. At the recess of the tide, the sea retires very far, and leaves an almost uninterrupted passage to the opposite parish of Nigg. The sands of Nigg contain a great quantity of cockles, and other shellfish. The parish is in the lower parts very flat and level. The temperature of the atmosphere is in general mild and gentle, and extremely salubrious; and the climate is free in a great measure from those heavy and noxious vapours which occasion almost incessant rains in many parts of the Highlands. In summer, there is a transparent sky, and unclouded sunshine. This is greatly owing to the absence of any mountainous ridges. The hills which skirt the parish on the north are of no great elevation, and serve as a barrier of defence in that direction. There are no prevalent distempers peculiar to the district, though the parish is occasionally visited with fever. The inhabitants generally enjoy robust health, and often live to an extended old age.

In winter, the sea coast is frequented by barnacle, and different species of wild duck. Swans occasionally visit the sands. There is abundance of sea-ware at certain seasons of the year, thrown ashore, which the inhabitants collect as manure for their land. Westerly winds generally prevail, and blow very severely, but, for the last three years, east winds have been most prevalent. The whole of the lower district is well cultivated, and appears to reward the toil and expense employed in the production of the various agricultural crops, and in summer the aspect which it assumes is most beautiful. Directly opposite to the parish lies the Bay of Cromarty, which, together with the fine prospect afforded of the Moray Frith by the opening betwixt the Sutors, forms one of the most delightful landscapes in Britain. Much of the higher district of the parish still remains uncultivated, and covered with heather, amidst which large blocks of granite are thickly scattered, and great quantities of moss, which afford peats for fuel to the inhabitants.

Hydrography –
There is no river or fresh water lake in the parish. The small river of Balnagown bounds the parish on the north-east, and runs north and south until it empties itself in the Frith of Cromarty. On the south, the parish is bounded by the Frith of Cromarty, which is from 6 to 7 miles in breadth. In the vicinity of Tarbat House, in a beautiful plantation, and very near the shore, there are two chalybeate springs which flow perennially, and are strongly impregnated.

Zoology –
The small river of Balnagown affords abundance of trout, and sometimes salmon of a certain growth. Cod, skate, flounders, and cuddies, and occasionally herrings, are fished in the Frith of Cromarty. In the sands opposite the shore, there are considerable beds of cockles, and large mussel scalps, which are the source of some annual revenue to the principal proprietor in this parish, Mr Hay Mackenzie of Cromarty. There is also an oyster scalp, which thrives very well.

Botany –
There are several superb and very ancient trees in the vicinity of Balnagown Castle, consisting of oak, and elm, and beech, and chestnut interspersed, and forming a splendid avenue. There is, likewise, in the vicinity of Tarbat House, a fine old grove, which contains trees of very ancient growth and large size. Larch is now frequently planted in the parish, but the Scotch fir is still the tree most commonly grown.