Seaforth, Loch, a projection of the sea on the E coast of the island of Lewis. It is 3¼ miles wide at the entrance, and, striking north-westward for 8½ miles, diminishes gradually to a breadth of 1 mile; it then bears 5½ miles north-north-eastward, its breadth contracting from 2¾ miles to ¼ mile, and enbosoms to the S an island, Eilean Shithford (1½ mile x 6½ furl.; 600 feet high); and it finally goes off in two arms-1 mile westward and 3 miles eastward, with a maximum breadth of ½ mile. Over the first 8½ miles it divides Lewis from Harris, and over the rest of its length it penetrates the Lewis parish of Lochs. The mountains around its entrance rise to a great height, and, together with much grandeur of outline, form groups of highlypicturesque composition. In all the narrow or central and upper part, the loch, being environed with lofty ground, and forming a stupendous natural canal, is gloomy, sequestered, and silent; and in its lower part, though frequented by shipping, it is subject, from the clefts of the surrounding mountains, to sudden squalls and gusts, which render its anchorage not altogether safe. At a shoal, 3½ miles above Eilean Shithford, the current of a spring tide runs at the rate of 8 miles an hour, and makes a noise which, in calm weather, can be heard at a distance of several miles. This shoal cannot be passed by boats except near high water. Seaforth gave the title of Earl to a branch of the family of Mackenzie, created Baron Mackenzie of Kintail in 1609, and Earl of Seaforth in 1623. The earldom became attainted, in 1716, in the person of William, the fifth Earl, whose heir-male is Mr Mackenzie of Allangrange.—Ord. Sur., sh. 99, 1858.
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