GOLD IN INVERNESS-SHIRE.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 641, 5 April 1870, Page 3

GOLD IN INVERNESS-SHIRE.

It appears that Sutherland is not the only gold-bearing country in the north of Scotland. When much excitement prevailed regarding the discovery at Kildonan, a great deal of prospecting was done in several parts of the country, and jewellers' shops were crowded with people, who imagined, in more than one instance, that they had fallen upon an inexhaustable treasure. But disappointment was the invariable result; glittering particles of mica were found in abundance, but no trace of gold was ever discovered. Kildonan and the neighborhood appeared to enjoy a monopoly, and the search in other places was soon discontinued. It is rather singular that, just when the Sutherland diggings are about to be closed, a second discovery has been made public. The existence of gold in the county of Inverness was known to one person a month or two ago. Having no permission to work, he simply examined the stream, and satisfied himself of the presence of gold, but he recently received authority from one proprietor to carry on further operations, and during the spring the value of the discovery will, no doubt, be fully tested. The name of the discoverer is Alexander Simon Eraser ; he is a young man in the employment of Mr Mackintosh, of Eaigmore, and has had considerable experience at Kildonan. The discovery was made in the parish of Daviot, and the search has been confined hitherto to llaigmore; but it seems pretty clear that the streams on the neighboring estates are auriferous, and a search will soon be instituted. The glen is a quiet spot, sheltered and protected by high hills, and watered by the river Nairn and a number of mountain torrents. There seems little doubt that gold exists in most of the upper portions of the valley; and so far as investigations have yet been made, the appearance is fully as promising as at the commencement of the Kildonan diggings. At the Kildonan diggings, the Duke of Sutherland's factor has notified that on the expiry of those current the diggers must remove their tents and leave the locality. The diggers are hastening to remove, and the discoverer is said to be on his way to Australia.