Rivers and Antiquities –
There are many rivers in this parish, but no bridges nor passage but by horses, and therefore, when these rivers overflow their banks, which often happens in the winter and spring seasons, and sometimes even in summer, travellers are detained, and are exposed to delays, and additional expenses. There are two large rivers near the east end of this parish, which meet and run into one at Kenlochew, which in the Earse language imports the Head of the Loch-River. These two rivers empty themselves into Loch-Mari. This loch again is 12 computed miles in breadth, and more in some parts than a mile in breadth. There are 24 small islands in it, which are beautified with fir trees, and a variety of other kinds of’ wood; in one of these islands there is an ancient burying place, called Island-Mari, where the people on the north side of the loch still contine to bury their dead. There is a well in it of fabulous quality, the water of which has been found, for ages past, very serviceable to many diseased persons. The remains of a Druidical temple is like-wise to be seen in this small island.

Fish –
Gairloch has been for many ages famous for the cod-fishing. Sir Hector McKenzie of Gairloch, the present proprictor, tends to market annually, upon an average, between 30,000 and 40,000 cod, exclusive of the number with which the country people serve themselves. Gairloch has also from time immemorial been remarkable for the herring-fishing. The coast of this parish abounds in very safe harbours for vessels of all dimensions.

Agriculture –
Oats and barley are sown in this country. Some of the gentlemen sow a small quantity of pease, which when the harvest is warm and dry, yield profitable returns; our time of sowing oats, black and white, is commonly from the middle of March to the end of April, within which period we also plant potatoes; we sow barley from the beginning of May to the 10th of June; our latest barley is seldom the worst part of the crop, when the summer proves warm and showery. Our harvest commences about the end of August, and the crop is gathered in about the 10th of October. Our crop frequently suffers much from shaking winds, attendant with heavy cold rain, about the autumnal equinox.

Diseases –
No peculiar local distemper of any kind is prevalent in this parish. Fevers are frequent; sometimes they are of a favourable kind; at other times they continue long, and carry off great numbers. An infectious and putrid fever, early in winter last, made its way from the north over a long tract of different countries, and proved fatal to many.

Population –
There were in this parish in the year 1774, of examinable persons about 2000. And from that period to the present, there is an increase of 200 souls, and upwards. In Dr Webster’a s report the number was 2050. There are few people in the parish at the age of 85 and 87. Two died lately who arrived at the age of an 100 years.

Character of the people –
They are in general sober, regular, industrious and pious. They have always been remarked and esteemed for their civility, and hospitality to strangers.

School –
In the great extent of this parish, as has been already observed, there is no school but the parochial, by which means the rising generation suffer much, and are wholly neglected, having no access to the benefit of instruction. There are only two catechists, who have their appointments partly in the skirts of this and partly of the two neighbouring parishes.

Church –
All the people of every denomination are of the established church; there are no Dissenters, Seceders, nor any other kind of sect whatever in the parish. The church of this parish has stood more than a century, but has for some years past been in a ruinous situation, and was therefore taken down this summer, and a new elegant church is building. There are three places of public worship in the parish, exclusive to the church, viz. Kenlochew, Chapel of Sand, and the croft of Jolly. The church and manse are at the distance of six English miles from each other. The manse is very near the shore on the north of the church, and supposed to be in the centre of the parish. The value of the living, exclusive of the glebe, and including the expense allowed for communion elements, is only L.58. 6s. 9d. There are five heritors in the parish; viz. Sir Hector McKenzie of Gairloch, Baronet; John McKenzie of Gruinord; John McKenzie of Letterew; Roderick McKenzie of Kernfary; and Colonel McKenzie of Coul, who is at present in the East Indies; all the rest reside in the parish.

Rent –
The land-rent cannot be ascertained with accuracy. It may probably be about L.1700 per annum.

Poor –
The number of poor in this, as well as in many other Highland parishes, is daily increasing. There are 84 upon the kirk-session roll, besides some other indigent persons, who, though not inrolled, yet are considered as objects of sympathy. They have the annual collections made in the church, with the interest of L.20 distributed amoung them. The collections upon an average are about L.6. 7s. 0d.

Language –
The Gaelic is the prevailing language in this, as well as in several other corners on the west coast, where the people have no opportunity of learing English.