Elginshire

Elginshire (formerly Morayshire), a N. E. county of Scotland, bounded N. by Moray frith; area, 528 sq. m.; pop. in 1871, 43,598. It is divided into two parts by a detached portion of Inverness-shire, the smaller on the south. It has a coast line of about 30 m., on which are a few small harbors. With the exception of some broken masses of rock, the surface in this quarter is nearly level, but inland it rises into hills, interspersed with fertile valleys, and diversified by lakes. The Spey, Lossie, and Findhorn, the first and last of which contain salmon, are the chief rivers. Slate and freestone are the only valuable minerals. The climate is mild and dry; the soil of the lowlands is generally fertile, and the hills furnish pasturage for black-faced sheep, cattle, and horses. The staple production is wheat, but oats, potatoes, and turnips are also grown extensively. Less than a quarter of the land is cultivated, and there are large unenclosed tracts. Corn, whiskey, fish, and timber are the most important exports. The county is traversed by a number of good roads, but has no canals or railways.

Chief towns, Elgin, Forres, Fochabers, and Burghead.