Hide

Lybster village

hide
Hide

Topographical Dictionary of Scotland, Samuel Lewis - 1851

LYBSTER, a village and quoad sacra parish (for a time), in the parish of Latheron, county of Caithness, 13 miles (S. W.) from Wick; containing 2699 inhabitants, of whom about 460 are in the village. This village, which is situated near Amherst bay, on the eastern coast, was originally planned by Lieut.-Gen. Sinclair, of Lybster House, who in 1802 granted certain portions of his lands on building-leases; and within the last twenty or thirty years it has rapidly increased in extent. It contains many well-built houses, and, from the improvements which have been made by the present proprietor, Temple Frederick Sinclair, Esq., promises to become a place of importance. The inhabitants are principally employed in the herring-fishery; and for the protection of the numerous boats, a harbour has been provided at the cost of the proprietor, affording shelter for more than 100 boats, and capable of receiving vessels of 100 tons burthen. This was effected by a stone pier 300 feet in length being carried along the bank of a small river that flows into the sea at this place; and within the last few years a number of vessels of 100 tons have landed, and taken in, their cargoes here during the summer and harvest months. An excellent county road leads to the harbour; and a bridge sixty feet high, with a deep ravine behind, gives the scene an air of the picturesque. A post-office is established in the village of Lybster. Facility of communication is afforded by the great north road, which extends along the coast, and by steam-boats plying weekly from Wick to Aberdeen and Leith. The former ecclesiastical parish was separated from Latheron, under act of the General Assembly, after the erection of a church here in 1836: the church was built by subscription, at an expense of £830, and is a neat and substantial structure containing 800 sittings, but is now closed. There is a place of worship for members of the Free Church, commenced in the summer of the year 1845.