Parish of Tongue, County of Sutherland

IV - Industry

Quarries:

The only quarries that have been wrought are on the Melness, or west side of the Bay of Tongue, a flag quarry at Portvasgo, and a slate quarry at Talmine. Both are of the mica-slate formation. They have been wrought to a considerable extent and have been found very useful for several country purposes. The expense of quarrying, however, is too great to make this a profitable trade, or to admit of much export and accordingly it has of late been almost discontinued.

Fisheries:

There is a salmon-fishing upon the water of Borgie, where on an average 2000 fish are caught yearly. The herring fishery that which has been carried on most extensively in the parish. At one time it promised to be profitable; of late, however, it has turned out a ruinous speculation, as the annexed accounts will show.

in 1833, boats fishing, 30 - barrels cured, 3538 - average per boat, 118
in 1835, boats fishing, 64 - barrels cured, 6304 - average per boat, 98½
in 1839, boats fishing, 68 - barrels cured, 1425 - average per boat, 21
in 1840, boats fishing, 68 - barrels cured, 1233 - average per boat, 18

Raw Produce:

Produce of grain of all kinds - L. 3450
potatoes and turnips - L. 1939
meadow and cultivated hay - L. 500
land in pasture, rating at 15s. per cow, and at 2s. 6d. per ewe or full-grown sheep - L. 3080
gardens - L. 140
thinnings of woods and plantations - L. 60
fisheries, sea and river - L. 1300
quarries - L. 20
Miscellaneous produce, viz. fuel, sea-weed, and cockles - L. 541
Total: L. 11,030

Manufactures:

From twenty to thirty tons of kelp were annually manufactured in this parish until 1832; but since then, as its place has been supplied by cheaper substitutes, the price has suffered such a depression as to render it no object for employing labourers.