OS1/12/17/71

Continued entries/extra info

[page] 71
............................................................................................................. -- Examiners replies to each of the underlined portions.
Parish of Rafford Extracts from New Stat. [Statistical] Account
The origin of the name of this parish is not certainly known. It
has undergone so many alterations as to defy all attempts at fixing
its etymology. In charters of the 13th Century it is styled Ratheforde
and Rathe fd; and in records of subsequent dates, it is designated
Rathed, Rathat, Raffart, Raffort, Raffard, and Rafford, the .......................... -- Rafford written
last of which is the present orthography.
The parish is of a very irregular figure, and is intersected near its .............. -- The first of these indentations was
northern extremity by a narrow neck of the parish of Forres, which ........... -- perambulated but the latter I
stretches for two miles into the interior, while it again encroaches on ........ -- am not certain of, but it is
what might be supposed to be the proper boundaries of that Parish, ........ -- probably correct.
and reaches a point nt farther than a quarter of a mile from the
burgh of that name.
Hydrography- There are several lochs in the parish. The most important
is the Loch of the Romach, which forms a part of the Southern boundary
of the parish. Its extreme length is about a mile, and its breadth about ..... -- Romach Loch written
1/8 of a mile; but what it wants in space is compensated by the romantic
nature of its situation. a streamlet issues from it, which takes the
name of the Back Burn, and which, afterwards increased, winds ................. -- Black Burn written
down the Valley of Pluscarden, famed for its fertility and Stately
Priory. The Loch of the Blairs, or loch of the moss, also on the estate of
Altyre, has been considerably enlarged by the proprietor, and, having ....... -- Loch of Blairs written
been stocked with trout, is now rendered useful as well as ornamental
to his grounds. The loch of Tulloch, on the estate of Blervie, has, ................ -- Tulloch loch written
on the other hand, been much reduced in size, it having been found necessary
to drain it for the purpose of reclaiming a flat of moss which surround it

The Findhorn bounds the parish on the West, and is the only River
in it. The burns of Altyre and Rafford partake very much of ........................... -- Altyre Burn written
the same character as the river Findhorn. The declivities through ................ -- Rafford Burn written
which they pass are so rapid, and theire course lies so much through
deposits of gravel, that they are continually inundating the plains
below with debris, which is a constant annoyance and expense to
those through whose lands they run.
Here are two quarries, one of freestone and the other of grey Slate. ........... -- They have no name