Wick

Wick, the county town of Caitness, on the Wick River, at its entrance to Wick Bay, 161 miles by rail (1874) NNE. of Inverness. The royal burgh, with its suburbs Louisburgh and Boathaven, lies north of the river, and Pultneytown, a settlement (1808) of the British Fisheries Society, on the south bank. The tidal harbour is a good erection, with accommodation for vessels of light draught and a large fleet of fishing-boats; but a costly attempt to provide larger space with an increased depth of water, by building a new pier and other works farther out in the bay, has been but partially successful. Wick is one of the great centres of the herring-fishery, and to this industry everything is subordinated. Cloth and furniture are also made in some quantity, and there is an extensive distillery and brewery in Pultneytown. Coal and salt are the chief imports, and salt-herrings, oats, and live-stock are exported. The shipping trade is considerable, and steamers call from Orkney, Thurso, Aberdeen, and Leith. There is some fine rock-scenery in the neighbourhood. Pop. (1841) 5522; (1891) 8463.