In a message dated 13/04/00 2:11:36 AM Central Daylight Time, ronmck@computech.com.au writes: << Dear Dave, Thank you for your reply to my inquiry concerning the ferryman, Donald McKenzie at Kessock. You mentioned the "Elun Dubh III" which was the ferry when you were younger. Without any local knowledge I really don`t know of the history of the ferry service across the Moray Firth. On marriage and birth documents Donald was listed as the ferryman during the period 1801 to 1812 and I assumed that he probably spent the remainder of his life crossing the waterway. I don`t know whether the ferry in those days would have been a rowing boat or a floating pontoon attached to cables. Would anyone have any idea of the history of the ferry? Best Wishes Ron(Canberra) >> In the 1800 it would of probably been a "Puffer" of some sort. A steam driven engine. The firth is way to big for cables, besides it would block the fishing boats. I remember it was a 15 to 25 minute crossing on the large ferry which I think held 5 cars or so. Dave.M