A New Description of Orkney, Zetland, Pightland-Firth and Caithness (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1883 edition. Excerpt: ...good riding Horses in 24 especially they'le be the more vigorous and live the longer, if they be 4. Years old before they be put to Work. These of a black Colour are Judged to be the most durable, and the pyeds often prove not so good; they have been more numerous then now they are the best of them are to be had in Sanston and Eston, also they are good in Waes and Yell, these of the least Size are in the Northern Isles of Yell and Unst. The Coldness of the Air, the Barrenness of the Mountains on which they feed, and their hard usage may occasion them to keep so little, for if bigger Horses be brought into the Countrey, their kind within a little time will degenerate; And indeed in the present case, we may see the Wisdome of Providence, for their way being deep and Mossie in Many places, these lighter Horses come through, when the greater and heavier would sink doun: and they leap over ditches very nimbly, yea up and doun rugged Mossy braes or hillocks with heavy riders upon them, which I could not look upon but with Admiration, yea I have seen them climb up braes upon their knees, when otherwise they could not get the height overcome, so that our Horses would be but little if at all servicable there. The great Fishing which they have upon the Coasts, makes the place desirable to the Natives, and to be frequented by strangers; it excelling any other place of the King of BrittarCs Dominions for Herring, White and Grey Fishing: the White Fishing they call the Killin and Ling &c, their Grey, the Silluks and seths; there are also sometimes very strange Fishes here to be found, As about 24. Years ago, there came a great number of small thick Fishes into a Voe on the South side of Neston, they were of a Golden Colour, very pleasant to behold, they...