| Description | Includes descriptions and copies of original sketches of some of the harbours of: Kiese [Keiss], South Boat Haven, Loch of Wester, Akergill [Ackergill], Staxigo [Staxigoe], Broad Haven, Wick, Sarclet, Clyth, Faligo [?Whaligoe], Lybster, Forse, Dunbeath, Helmsdale, Brora, and Portmahomack |
| Administrative History | Thomas Telford FRS, FRSE (1757-1834) was a Scottish civil engineer, architect and stonemason, and a noted road, bridge and canal builder. In 1787, through his wealthy patron William Pulteney, he became Surveyor of Public Works in Shropshire. Civil engineering was a discipline still in its infancy, so Telford was set on establishing himself as an architect.
Most notably (and again William Pulteney was influential), in 1801 Telford devised a master plan to improve communications in the Highlands of Scotland, a massive project that was to last some 20 years. It included the building of the Caledonian Canal along the Great Glen and redesign of sections of the Crinan Canal, some 920 miles (1,480 km) of new roads, over a thousand new bridges (including the Craigellachie Bridge), numerous harbour improvements (including works at Aberdeen, Dundee, Peterhead, Wick, Portmahomack and Banff), and 32 new churches.
We see at the end of the report a copy is being sent to William Pulteney, who as Governor of the British Fisheries Society, Pulteney appointed Telford to design the world's then largest herring fishing port, at Wick in Caithness. The village was named Pulteneytown. |