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THE history of this
small parish has been destitute of interest ever since it became the
exclusive property of the Campbells of Cawdor.
The Mackintoshes, who
were in the ascendant in the neighbouring Parish of Petty at an
early period, were ousted by the Campbells, after the lapse of a
liferent conceded to the last Mackintosh possessor. The Templars at
one time had a good hold, and under them were Mackays.
The possession up to
the time of the sale to the Crown for the erection of Fort-George
and the sustenance of the garrison was of little value to the
Campbells. From the Crown was obtained a much larger sum than was
originally paid for the whole of Ardersier.
The erection of a
Fort attracted a considerable population, and the foundations of the
two settlements of Stewarton, so called, on the Moray estate, and of
Campbelltown on the Cawdor estate. A ditch dividing the estates of
these two potentates, draining a large extent of land, has through
neglect become a public nuisance, reflecting little credit on the
wealthy owners of the lands adjoining.
The clergyman of
Ardersier of old sat in the Presbytery of Chanonry, and ministerial
inductions, judging from the mass of papers concerning them, created
more interest with the estate managers and owners than the weal of
the inhabitants.
The Crown has been
curtailing its interest in Ardersier by parting with the lands of
Hilihead, and if the Fort itself disappeared, with its name, the
public would not regret.
The present
inhabitants of Campbelltown have shown their public spirit by the
erection of a substantial pier, which it is hoped may satisfy the
wishes and objects of the promoters. By Fort-George is an old
highway to Ross- shire and the Northern Counties, and if a light
railway from the present Fort-George station to the sea were made,
and an efficient system of ferryage established, prosperity would
follow.
The further scheme of
adapting the Fort into bathing quarters for the Inverness people and
others who, in the summer and autumn, pour into Nairn and other
places on the Moray Firth, has much to recommend it to public
favour. |
