Historical Description of the Zetland Islands in the year 1733. With an appendix of illustrative documents ... Reprinted from the original edition published in 1786 under the superintendence of J. Nichols

Front matter

HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ZETLAND ISLANDS IN THE YEAR 1733, WORKS RELATIVE TO OKKNEY AND SHETLAND ON SALE AT THE TOelkftnofon antiquarian anu historical aSoofoSfjon OF THOMAS GEORGE STEVENSON, 22 Frederick Street, Edinburgh. I.— EENTALL OF THE PROVOSTRIE OF ORKNEY, a.d. m.d.lxxxiv. Edited by J. A. Maconochie, Sheriff of Orkney. 4to, — "not printed fob sale," — stitched. 2s. 6d. 1840 II.— MACKENZIE'S (James, Writer, Kirhwall) General Grievances and Oppression of the Isles of Okknat and Shetland, with an Appendix of Documents, 1 750. New Edition, with a Memoir of the Author, and Illustrative Notes by Gboat and Chetnb. Sm. 8vo, boards. 3s. 1836 %• "This highly interesting work has special reference to the Lawsuit (which occurred about the middle of the last century), raised at the instance of several of the Orkney heritors against the Earl of Morton, and which is commonly called ' The Pundlar Process.' " Igg" "The real writer of this work, — of which only two parts appeared,— was James Fea, Surgeon, on whoso abilities it reflects great credit.

It was originally printed for private circulation, and the impression limited to fifty copies." III.— MONTEITH (Robert, of Eglisha and Gairsa), The Description op the Isles of Orknay and Zetland, in the year 1633. Reprinted from the Edition of 1711, published under the Superintendence of Sib Robert Sibbald. 8 to, with two beautiful facsimiles of the exceedingly rare maps, boards. 7s. 6d. 1845 *„* "Only Onb Hundred and Fifty-five Copies Printed." IV. — GLFFORD'S (Thomas, of Busta) Hijtorical Description of the Zetland Islands in the year 1733. With an Appendix of Historical Documents. Reprinted from the Original Edition published in 1786 under the superintendence of John Nichols, London. With an Introductory Notice. 8vo, map, boards. 10s. 6d. 1879 rgj- " Displays a degree of research that would do credit to the topography of any province.

It is an excellent work." *«* " Gifford's position as a native of Shetland, with a large property and extensive connections as a merchant, gave him exceptional opportunitres for understanding tho circumstances of the country in his own day, and entitle his ' Historical Description ' to be received as an authority on all matters coming within the range of his observation. Il IS EXTREMLY INTERESTING AND VALUABLE TO THE STUDENT OF THIS PORTION OF NORTHERN HISTORY " rgj- " IMPRESSION LIMITED TO ONE HUNDRED COPIES " HISTORICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE ZETLAND ISLANDS IN THE YEAR 1733. JtHitlj an Ssppcniii of Mustratibe documents. l;Y THOMAS GIFFORD, OF BUSTA, STUART AND JUSTICIAR-DEPUTB\OF ZETLAND. Reprinted from the Original Edition published in 1786 under the superintendence of JOHN NICHOLS, LONDON.

Appendix

. No. 1. Spynie's Charter granted to the Heritors of Zetland upon their Udell lands. 2. Spynk's Few Charter granted to the Fewers of the Crown-land in Zetland. 3. The Queen's Gift of the Islands of Orkney and Zetland to the Right Honourable the Earl of Morton. ■4. The old Country Acts, or Abridgements thereof. 5. The Ferry Fraughts in Zetland on the East Side. 6. Country Act anent Parochial Schools. 7. A Coinpend of the Country Acts for directing the Rancell Men, and Society for regulating of Servants, and Reformation of Manners, with their Instructions. 8. Commission and Instructions to the Society for regulating of Servants and Reformation of Manners. 9. A Scheme anent regulating the German and Danish Money passing current here. 10. Two Letters from Mr. Preston to Mr. Ames. Map of the Zetland Islands, to face titlepage.

Preface

. jKjH^fi|HE description of Zetland here offered to the !>$§g5fl public was written by Thomas Gifford of Busta. Ira'TiBj esquire, 1733, in 173 pages 4to, to which was prefixed a drawing of the main land with the islands thereto belonging. The original MS. is in the hands of the author's family. A copy of it was presented to the Earl of Morton when president of the Royal Society, written and signed by Mr. Gifford, and still remains in the noble family library. Copies were given by the author to other per sons ; and a transcript of one of them falling into the hands of Mr. George Paton of Edinburgh,1 was, with the spirit of liberal communication which so eminently marks his character, imparted to the editor of the Bibliotheca Topogra2mica Britannica [1780-90, 8 vols. 4ta] The first description we have in print of this island, or rather collection of thirty -three inhabited islands, seems to have been included in " England's Improvement revived, digested into six books, by captain John Smith, 1670,"2 4to.

The first five books of this work treat of the improvements that might be made in planting and raising timber ; and the sixth was printed first by itself, 1G62. The author being apprentice to Mr. Matthew Cradock, of London, merchant, one of the society for the fishing trade of Great Britain, was sent to sea by th-j Earl of Pembroke, and his associates, for the discovery of the island of Shetland, the manner and way of trading, the profits and customs there of, the settling a staple building of storehouses, viewing l British Topography, [by Gough], vol. II. p. 730. 2 This seems to be the same mentioned in the list prefixed to Gibson's Camden. the PEEFAC E. VI the ground on shore for landing and drying of nets, making and drying of fish, and building of blockhouses for the security of trade.

He sailed from Gravesend April 27, 1633, was forced by foul weather into Harwich, and de tained there till the 30th. The wind not favouring he anchored in Yarmouth Road, and there going on shore, learnt that the Hollanders' busses did drive at sea for her rings on that coast, and that from the Holmes before Yarmouth to Bookness [Buchanness] in Scotland, N.N.E. is 9G leagues, and from Bookness to the south end of Shet land, N. and by E. about 53 leagues. May 5, he sailed from Yarmouth, and by stress of wind was forced into Scarbrough, and there going on shore, was informed of the Hollanders' busses fishing on that coast, and that from Scarbrough northward toward Catness, in 45 fathom, or thereabouts, in that fair way are usually the first summer herrings caught. From Scarbrough he sailed and came to an anchor before Leith in Scotland, May 13, where going on shore, and from thence to Edinburgh, he delivered his letters to Mr. William Dicks, who was at that time gover nor of the island of Shetland, and did receive the revenue of those islands.

Having received instructions and letters from Mr. Dicks to Mr. James Scot, who lived at the time in the north pails of the island of Shetland, and was agent or deputy to the said WilUam Dicks, he sailed from Leith, and came to anchor at Casten in the island of Orkney, May 2± These islands he briefly describes, adding, that those of Faro lye from Shetland westerly, about 58 leagues. The south part of Shetland lyeth about thirty leagues northward from the said island called Maland. He sailed from Casten and came to au anchor by Sundbrougdiead, the south part of Shetland, June 3, and going ashore spake with the good man of Quundale, one of the chief of those parts, who with other of the inhabitants informed him of their manner of trading with the Hamburghers and otheis, and of the Hollanders fishing for herrings on that coast, and of their dogger boats that fish only for ling and cod. He next anchored in Bracey [Brassa] Sound, otherwise called Broad Sound, a very gallant harbour, where many ships

PREFACE.

. VII ships may lie land-lockt for all winds. After informing himself of the trade and fisheries carried on there, he next visited Evey Sound, the northernmost sound in Shetland, June 12, and there going on shore continued about 11 or 12 months, and in that time travelled the greatest part of the island by sea and land. " The land of Shetland lyeth N. and by E. and S. or S. and N. about 60 miles. But there are many islands be longing to Shetland. That which is most considerable are the sounds and harbours. On the west side of the south ward point of Shetland is a good harbour and sound, called St. Magnus, and on the east side near Sunbrough head is a fair sand-bay, where there is good anchorage in 10 or 12 fathom. To the northward of this last sound is another sound called Hambrough haven, which is a lade place for the Hamburghers and Scotch.

About 9 or 10 leagues from the southward part of Shetland there is a chan nel that runneth through the land ; the south part of the land divided by the channel is called Swanberg , the other part so divided on the north part Laxford. Within the channel aforesaid are several sounds or harbours, but the best and chiefest sound in Shetland is Brace Sound or Broad Sound, as before-mentioned. Out of this sound the aforesaid channel doth run northward. On the north part of Swanbergh lieth the lugh hill of Hangrix, from which, about 9 leagues northward, lie some out rocks, called the Stars. To the northward of these is a very good harbour, called Bloom Sound ; north of this is another good haven, called Hue Sound, being the northern or north-east sound or haven belonging to the island called Ounst.

There are other havens or sounds which lye through the land be tween and about that part of Shetland called Laxford, and the island called Jello. There are also other islands and sounds, which for brevity sake I forbear to mention. " The merchants which trade with the inhabitants of Shetland are Hamburghers, Bremers, Luberghers, Scots, and English. The chief merchants of the islands are Scots, the meaner and inferior sorts are a mixt people of Danes and Scots. The islands of Shetland, as I have been informed

PREFACE.

. formed, were given to King James of blessed memory, by the king of Denmark, with queen Anne, in part of her dowry. The commodity of Shetland, which the merchants do for the most part trade with them is ling and cod, which they take with hooks and lines in small boats called yawls, about the beginning of Gravesend ocean. The ling they sell for three pence a pound, being a ling of the larger size, and called a gild ling ; if smaller, we have two for one, or three for two, and so proportionable. The cod is sold for two pence the gild cod, and is measured as the ling. I bought of fisherman merchants of the island of Ounst, 11655 gild ling, and 834 gild cod, at three pence the gild ling, and two pence the gild cod, which ling and cod were taken by the said fisherman at several times in the small boats, and brought to my booth or place of abode every morning as they were caught.

The said ling and cod being very good and merchantable, were salted on board the ship that landed me, and within seven weeks after my landing, I sent her for London with the said fish to the Earl of Pembroke. There are also other small fish, which the inhabitants do catch with angles, sitting in the rocks and in their small boats with hooks and lines in the soundings and between the islands ; and these small fish are very considerable, for though they cannot spend them by reason of the multitude which they take, and have not industry to make use of them for transportation ; yet the livers they preserve, and with the livers of the ling and cod make train oil ; but if it were improved as taking them with nets, the train oil would amount to a considerable sum ; and if this measure of trade were carried through the whole island, it would be a great encouragement to all merchants trading into those parts.

Several other mer chants in the island where I inhabited bought ling and cod of the fishermen, so that the quantity which I sent for England was not above the fifth part taken in that island, which with the whole quantity of fish bought by other merchants throughout the whole island of Shetland being added to them would amount to a very considerable sum, or quantity to the lading of many vessels, which might be much

PREFACE.

. IX much more improved and increase trade, and thereby fur nish the inhabitants with money and commodities. In the island of Shetland were beeves and sheep, sold at a very reasonable rate. I bought for my own use in victu alling the ship sent to London three oxen for three pounds ; and at another time, four for five pounds, which were fat, and about the bigness of the smaller sort of cattle which we have in England. There were also fat sheep sold for two shillings, and two shillings and six-pence per sheep. There were also other creatures for food, as conies and fowl. The fuel or firing is peat and turf. There may be salt pans set up, and good salt made to serve all the fishing fleet. There are very good shores for landing and drying of nets, and making and drying of fish. There is no night in the north of Shetland part of two months in the year, as June and July.

In an island north of Ounst, being not inhabited, but stocked with wild cows and conies, I killed with my bird ing pieces ten couple of coneys in one night, from sun-set to sun-rise, and it was as light as a cloudy winter. I do not remember any frost or snow in Shetland ; if any, it was not of long continuance. The coldest weather is by reason of great winds in the winter quarter, the wind blowing so violent, that no ship dare look on the north coast, so that the people of those islands have little communication with other nations in that quarter. I can speak by experience : being blown down flat to the ground by the violence of the wind, I was forced to creep on hands and knees to the next wall, and going by the wall, got into an house, or else must have stood by the wall till the violence of the .wind were over.

Sometimes it lasted half a day or more. There are several towns in Shetland so called, having about eight or ten houses together, where they plow and sow corn, as oats, which is their chiefest bread ; and if my memory do not much deceive me, there was good barley growing in my time ; but the land might be much improved if the inhabit ants were industrious. They are like the idle Irish, not improving anything either by sea or land, spending that in winter which they get in summer, though their winter might

PREFACE.

. X might be very profitable to them, if they were laborious and industrious as the Hollanders. The goods and commodities that are vendible in Shetland are hooks and lines for taking ling and cod, nets for taking herrings, strong beer, biscuit, wheaten meal, salt, peas, fruits of all sorts, strong water, Monmouth caps, and many other particulars. The inhabitants of Ounst usually have a bark that they trade with to Norway, where they may buy timber for houses ready framed, deal boards, tar, ships, barks and boats of all sorts, and other necessaries for their use. With these small fishing boats, called yawls, they will row into the main about two or three leagues, where the banks are, on which they lay their hooks and lines for ling and cod. In one of these boats, rowing with two men, and sometimes four, according to the largeness of the boat, they usually bring to shore every morning that they go to sea about fifty or sixty ling and cod.

There are many barrels of herrings taken by the inhabitants with their small boats in the Sound and at sea, not far from land, which are the gleanings of the Hollanders busses, for the busses driving at sea break the scull or shoal of herrings, and then the herrings flee near the shore and through the Sound, where these small boats with those nets they have take them, but if they had better tackle and boats they might take 500 barrels for one, which would much inrich the island, and by increasing trade augment his majesty's revenue." Thus far Captain Smith. The result of his observations was a plan for England to fit out a fleet of busses for the fishing trade here, and exclude all foreigners from fishing and trading in the islands of Orkney and Shetland. The next authentic account of these islands was given by Mr. Thomas Preston, in two letters to Mr. Joseph Ames, dated Jan. 31, 1743-4, printed in the Philosophical Transactions, No. 473, p. 57, which, as it follows Mr. Gifford very close in point of time, we shall give at large in the Appendix. A description of the islands of Orkney and Zetland was advertised

PREFACE.

. XI advertised in the Edinburgh Evening Courant, of August 24, 1771, as preparing for the press, to give " an account of " their fisheries, commerce, manufactures, natural curiosi " ties, antiquities, plants, minerals, state of agriculture, num " ber of inhabitants, public buildings, &c. from the earliest " account of these islands to the present times." Such gentlemen as had anything to communicate concerning them, which is not mentioned by Wallace or Mackenzie, were de sired to transmit their materials to A. Donaldson, bookseller in Edinburgh, or to William Coke, bookseller in Leith, who was then at Kirk wall in Orkney ; but of this design nothing further has transpired, and it seems rather to be laid aside. " The description of the isles of Orknay and Zetland " with the mapps of them, done from the accurat observa " tions of the most learned who lived in those isles, ' published by Sir Robert Sibbald, Ed. 1711. sol. seems to be taken from various accounts.

Captain Smith is cited in it.1 John Bruce, of Simbister, surveyed all the coast of Shet land, and " made a large map of all the Voes, i.e. bays and sounds, and the entries to them, and marked the meaths in them, and showen where dangers are, and how they are to be avoided ; and resolved as soon as he goes home to take a more exact survey of all again, and to miss no bank, rock, nor shallow." This description is divided into twelve chapters,2 in the last of which these islands are supposed to be the Thule mentioned by Tacitus, on which idea, in which Hector Bactus [Boethius] anticipated him, Sir Robert wrote a fuller dissertation, first printed at the end of Wallace's description of Orkney, 1693, 1700; aud in bishop Gibson's first and succeeding editions of Camden's Britannia. John Brand's "new description of Orkney, Zetland, Pight " land-firth, and Caithness, Edinburgh, 1703," 8vo. professes " to give a particular view of the several isles thereto bel [This work, which was written by Robert Monteith of Eglisha and Gairsa, 1633, was Reprinted in octavo, with facsimiles of the two rare Maps, by Thomas G. Stevenson.

Edinburgh, 1845.] 2 Bishop Nicolson, in his Scottish Historical Library, p. 55. [Loudon. 1702], gives a different enumeration of the chapters of this work, which would lead one to suspect he had seen a different work. longing,

PREFACE.

. XII " longing, together with an account of what is most rare " and remarkable therein." But as he was an itinerant missionary preacher, he has inserted all the legendary stories 1 so roundly believed by the common people, and converted every uncommon fish into an evil spirit.2 He speaks highly of the civility and hospitality of the people, and their attention to religion, where they had an opportunity of hearing sermons, but laments the want of schools, particularly a good Latin one. His description of Zetland takes up about 70 pages. Among Macfarlane's MS. Collections now in the Advo cates' Library at Edinburgh is a general geographical de scription of Zetland, by Mr. Hugh Leigh, minister of Brassie and Buro.3 Mr. Wallace promised a full description of the western islands, Shetland, and those in Edinburgh Frith, by his father, with maps of the most considerable.4 Mr. Martin, at the end of his description of the western isles of Scotland, 1697, 1703, and 1716, gives a short account of ScJietland or Zetland ; but this is only an abridgement of Mr. Wallace's. Martin never was there ; and Brand supplies manjr defects in Wallace ; yet both of them are far from being full, accurate, or entertaining, says Mr. Toland in his MS. notes on Martin's book.

" I shall say nothing here," continues he, " of those two clusters of islands ; but though I am persuaded Iceland to have been the true Thule of the ancients, yet that seen by the Roman fleet when it sailed round Britain in Vespasian's time was Hetland. The words of Tacitus are, Dispecta est et Thule quam hactenus nix et hiems abdebat.'" This passage just follows his mention of the discovery of the Orcades, so that nothing can be plainer, the ships having sailed be tween them." From Brand and Wallace was compiled the account of Zet land in the "System of Geography," 1741,382; and the Tours through Great Britain have drawn from the same source. i Spirit Browney appears to be as much the Genius of these islands as of Cornwall, and had his share of every dairy, harvest, or brewery. i Seep. 113-115. 3 Brit. Top. vol. II. p. 729. * Ib. 730. » Vit. Agr. The

PREFACE.

. XIII The " Voyages to Shetland, the Orkneys, and Western Isles," printed 1753. 8vo. is a meagre compilation to favour the herring fishery just then established ; and of the same stamp is the " exact and authentic account of the greatest white herring fishery in Scotland, carried on yearly in the island of Zetland by the Dutch only, 1750," 8vo. To complete the Topography of the Northern parts of the kingdom, Mr, Pennant supported the Rev. Mr. George Low, minister of Birsa, Orkney, iu a voyage through the Orkney and Zetland Isles [in- 1774]. He transmitted to him the MS. account of his voyage, which is executed in a very satisfactory manner. He enters largely into the state of the fisheries and commercial concerns of the islands, and gives a very good account of their antiquities. Mr. Pennant means to complete the voyages of our islands, by publishing, at his own expense, this work of Mr. Low, and should any profits arise, dedicate them to his benefit.1 The oldest map of Orkney and Zetland is that by Timothy Pont.

One captain West, who about 1730 or 1734, was wrecked upon the coast of Shetland, and lived there some time, made a map or chart of it ; but, besides that it was very imperfect and borrowed from Dutch charts, it does not ap pear to have been engraved. Captain Preston, before mentioned, made a new survey in 1743 and 1744. The places where he was are exactly laid down ; but in those copied from former charts the mis takes are retained. This chart has many marginal notes, and is sold by Mount and Page on Tower-hill. From the scanty and imperfect accounts hitherto given of this cluster of islands dependant on the British crown, which Mr. Camden - before the Union thought no better l [This work, under the title of " A Tour thro' the Islands of Orkney and Schetland," has now bean printed for the first time, with an Introduction by Joseph Anderson, Editor of the Translation of the " Orkneyinga Saga," etc., and published by William Peace & Son, Kirkwall, 1879, 8vo.] 2 Schetlandia, quæ nonnullis Hethlandia, est insula aliis exiguis coronata sub imperio Scotorum /W#ore obrigens et undique procettis exposita, cujus in eolis perinde ut Istandia piscis exsiccatus et contusus pro farre est. Britan nia, p. 850, Ed. 1607. mi

PREFACE.

. XIV in point of situation and advantages than Iceland and its inhabitants, a parcel of frozen Ichthypophagi, it is no un fair presumption that a more minute detail, written by a native and a resident little more than 50 years ago (so slowly does knowledge and information travel) would not be unacceptable, at a time when the British Fisheries are become so much the object of public attention.1 The following information relative to the author of this work came to hand after the preceding pages were printed. " THE Gifford family of Busta in Shetland, or Zetland, have been proprietors and possessed of great property there. The estate at present, including the fisheries, yields above £1200 yearly, which has arisen to that sum by fish ing and wrecks. There is a traditional report, that in the year 1739, or 1740, when the earl of Morton visited this family, Mr. Gifford told the earl, that there was a Swedish East India ship wrecked near his house, and that his fishers, among other articles got from that ship, found on the coast, a large log of lead, which his servants used as a stool in his kitchen.

This his lordship viewed, and scraping a part of it with a knife, informed him that it was silver, and was the most valuable piece of furniture in the house. It was afterwards taken care of, and sold for the benefit of the owners, after paying the salvage. The late Mr. Gifford of Busta was a very respectable gentleman, generous to his tenants and servants, and a very useful member of society. His lady was sister to the late Sir Andrew Mitchell of Westshore. The present laird's grandfather had three sons, who were lost in a boat crossing a bay in the month of June, 1746. His father was not then born; he succeeded to the grandfather's estate on his decease. It is remarked, that the Morton family got the superiorities of Orkney and Zetland, • l See Mr. James Anderson's " Account of the Present State of the Hebrides and Western coasts of Scotland," just published [1785], in8vo, which

PREFACE.

. XV which belonged to the earls of Orkney, after his forfeiture, as a pledge for £30,000, which his predecessors had ad vanced to the Royal Family during the reigns of queen Mary, James VI., and Charles I., which was granted to James earl of Morton in the year 1741 or 1742, by king George II. in a perpetual free gift, and in 1767 was sold for £63,000 to Sir Laurence Dundas, whose son now inherits that property. The present laird is Gideon Gifford, of Busta, esquire. A DESCRIPTION OP ZETLAND

Chapter I

Containing a Geographical Description of the Isles of Zetland, in 1733; its Extent, and Divisions into Parishes. jra^HlHE Island of Zetland lies about 20 leagues N.E. pfl!|pl from the Orltneys, between 60 and 61 degrees M^t^Wll N. latitude, and longitude between 2 and 3 W. from London, having the German Ocean on the east, the Ducalidonian Ocean on the west and north, and the sea that divides it from the Orkneys on the south. It consisting of 33 inhabited islands, many whereof are very small and inconsiderable ; containing some one, and others two or three poor families. The whole island together is in length, from north to south, 64 miles ; and in breadth from east to west, 36 miles where broadest ; and is divided into 27 Parishes, many whereof being very small, two or three of them is united into one parish ; each of these united parishes being a bailifvic, and the charge of one minister of the Gospel, being in all 12 parishes, (besides a new erec tion of Fair isle, Foully, and Skeries), in the following order : The The whole inhabited Islands are, 1 Mainland 2 Brasay Dumossnes J Sandwick )" 1 , Cunningsburgh ) Gulberwick (_ o Town of Lerwick J Tingwall ") Whitnes /-3 Wisdall ) Sandsting v , Aithsting ) Walls I Sandnes { 5 Isle of Papastowr ' North Maven ( 6 Delting ) 7 Nesting "1 Lunesting r 8 Isle of "Whalesay I ' South Tele ") MidYele j9 North Yele ) Fetlor j North Parish ) Unst Mid.

Parish)* H South Parish Brassay v j 2 Burray J Fair Isle I Foullay sl3 . Skerries ' sDunrossnes -J Sandwick Lerwick 3 Noss 4 Burray 5 Houss 6 Havery 7 Trondery 8 Papa s Tingwall } Whitnes ( Wesdall j Sand (.Twat Mainland contains the Parishes of Parish Churches in the Mainland are 9 Oxnay 10 Hildu[s]ay 11 Linsduay [?] 12 Langa j Walls •^ Sandnes \ Papastowr J Hilswick (_ Ollaberie _| Olnafirth (_ Scatstoy 13 Valay 14 Papastowr 15 Vemantrie 16 Papalittle 17 Meikle Roue 18 Lamba ( Nesting < Lunisting V Whalsay 19 Littleroue 20 Brother Isle 21 Bigga CHamnavoe HRefirth ( North Yele 1 Fetlor ( Harlswick < Balista IWick J Brasay (.Buray In the Isles are the Parishes of In the Isles are the Parish Churches, 22 Sarnptfrea 23 Eishholm 24 Yeall 25 Hascasay 26 Fetlor 27 TTnst 28 F/yea 29 Whalsay 30 Linga {Fair Isle Foullay Skerries 31 Fair Isle 32 Foullay 33 Skerries Zetland is thus divided into twelve parishes, besides the new erection of Fair Isle, Foully, and Skery, which did formerly belong, Fair Isle to the parish of Dunrosnes, Foully to the parish of Walls, and Skery to the parish of Nesting, and the tythes payable yearly out of them do still belong to the vicars of these parishes.

The biggest island of Zetland is that called the Main land, being in length, from north to south, about 48 miles ; and in breadth, from east to west, 20 miles where broadest; but is so much indented with bays of the sea on all sides, called here Voes, that there is not any part of it two miles from the sea on one side or the other. It contains eight parishes. First, The united parishes of Dunrosnes, Sandwick, and Cuningsburg, in length, from north to south, 16 miles ; and about three miles broad where broadest; surrounded with the sea except on the north ; bounded by Quarfs in Gulberwick, Sandwick, and Cuningsburg. It is for the most part high mountains, covered with heath and marshes, the arable ground being all upon the sea coast. Dunrosnes is the southermost part of Zetland, aud is mostly low ground and sand}7 downs, excepting two promontories ; the one called Fitfall-head, and the other Samburg-head.