Kinkell
KINKELL, county of Aberdeen.—See keithhall.
Kinloch
KINLOCH, a village, in the parish of Collessie,
district of Cupar, county of Fife, 5 miles (W.) from
Cupar; containing 58 inhabitants. It is situated a
little to the south of the road from Cupar to Auchter-muchty, and a short distance from the village of Collessie. Not many years since, it was the largest village
in the parish, having nearly four times its present
amount of population; a number of families, however,
who resided here, have removed to Monkton. The
houses form a line, with an interval of twelve feet between every four. The lands around the village have
latterly been much improved by draining.
Kinloch
KINLOCH, county of Perth.—See Lethendy.
Kinloch-Luichart
KINLOCH-LUICHART, a large quoad sacra parish,
in the county of Ross and Cromarty; consisting of
parts of the parishes of Contin, Fodderty, and Urray;
and containing 681 inhabitants. This district, which was
disjoined for ecclesiastical purposes from the above-mentioned parishes in 1833, by authority of the General
Assembly, is wholly rural; its greatest length is twenty-two, and greatest breadth seventeen miles. The population is all of the poor and working classes, and is
thinly dispersed over this large extent, the land being
chiefly let out as sheep-walks to tenants who do not
themselves reside in the district. The ecclesiastical
affairs are under the controul of the presbytery of Dingwall and synod of Ross, and the patronage is vested in
the Crown: the stipend of the minister is £120, entirely paid from the exchequer; and he has a manse,
and a glebe of the annual value of £3. The church
was built in 1825–6, under the act for building additional churches in the Highlands; it contains 310
sittings, all of which are free. There is as yet no parochial school; but a school in which English and Gaelic
are taught is supported by the Free Church; and there
is a catechist, who was once allowed £8 per annum from
the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge.
Kinlochspelve
KINLOCHSPELVE, lately a quoad sacra district,
in the parish of Torosay, district of Mull, county of
Argyll; containing 453 inhabitants. This district is
in the eastern part of the island of Mull, and comprises
between thirty and forty thousand acres, of which not
more than the one-fortieth part is under tillage; between forty and fifty acres are under plantation; a considerable extent is natural wood, and the rest mostly
sheep-walks. Two arms of the sea, called Loch Buy
and Loch Spelve, may be said to divide the district
into two nearly equal parts, and, with very moderate
exceptions, the whole surface of the land is mountainous. In the northern division the mountains attain
an elevation of about two thousand feet, and in the
southern part they are twelve hundred feet in height:
the prevailing rocks are trap and mica-slate, but there
is also sandstone. During the spring months, cod and
salmon, particularly the former, are taken in considerable quantity; and Loch Buy abounds in fish of various
kinds: the produce of the season is partly forwarded
to Glasgow, and much of it to Oban. The sheep and
black-cattle reared here are sent to the great markets
of the south, principally the Dumbarton and Falkirk
trysts. The mansion of Lochbuy, the residence of the
Maclaine family, is a splendid structure at the head of
the loch, with two wings, and a handsome porch; the
central portion has three stories. It stands in a level
plain of several hundred acres, from which the mountains rise to an immense height all around, except in
front, where the sea approaches. The ecclesiastical
affairs are under the presbytery of Mull and synod of
Argyll, and the patronage is vested in the Crown: the
stipend of the minister is £120, with a manse and
glebe. The church is a neat plain building, beautifully
situated at the end of the romantic fresh-water lake
named Loch Uisge, and in a narrow vale with an aspect
to the south; it was erected in 1828, and is seated for
360 persons. There is a parochial school, of which the
master has a salary of £15., with about £8 fees.
Kinloss
KINLOSS, a parish, in the county of Elgin; containing, with the village of Findhorn, 1202 inhabitants,
of whom 24 are in the hamlet of Kinloss, 2 miles
(N. E.) from Forres. This place derives its name from
the Celtic words Ceann-loch, signifying "the head of the
bay," and descriptive of its situation on the border of
Burgh-Head bay, in the Moray Frith, by which it is
washed on the north. A magnificent abbey was founded
here by David I., in the year 1150, and its establishment
confirmed in 1174 by a papal bull; the abbots were
mitred, and sat in parliament. It was richly endowed,
and became the scene of many splendid banquets. King
Edward I., also, resided here for the space of six weeks
in the year 1303, and a part of his army remained for a
still longer period. At the Reformation, Edward Bruce,
of Clackmannan, was commendator; he was created
Baron Kinloss in 1601, and his son, Thomas, became
Earl of Elgin and Baron Bruce, of Kinloss, in 1633.
By the latter, the lands and feu-duties were sold to
Brodie, of Lethen. The parish was disjoined from
Alves, Rafford, and Forres, and erected into a separate
parish in 1657; it is nearly four miles long, and of
about the same breadth, and comprises 5065 acres, of
which 2850 are cultivated, 1765 undivided common,
250 under plantations, and the remainder waste. The
coast extends for about four miles eastward, and is low,
except in parts where sand-banks have been formed by
repeated drifts. On the west is Findhorn loch, a capacious and secure natural harbour, formed by the expansion of the river of the same name, and communicating,
by a narrow strait, with the Frith; at the mouth is the
bar, a sandy ridge which shifts with heavy floods and
strong easterly winds, but the nature and soundings of
which are so well known to the pilots that an accident
is of very rare occurrence.
The site of the parish is generally low, being not more
than ten or twelve feet above the sea at high water;
but near the southern boundary the surface rises considerably, and affords an extensive view, embracing the
plantations of Grangehall, the ruins of the ancient abbey,
with the church and several fertile and well-cultivated
tracts, interspersed with farm-houses, and in the distance, on the north, the town of Findhorn, with its
shipping. The sea is supposed to have made great
encroachments on this coast, the bar at the entrance of
the harbour being partly formed of land once in tillage,
and the present town being the third of the same name,
owing to inundations. The burn of Kinloss, which,
flowing from east to west, falls into the bay of Findhorn
a little below the church, divides the parish into two
nearly equal parts. The soil exhibits several varieties;
but they are all sandy, clayey, or gravelly modifications
of the rich loamy earth which generally prevails: the
proportion of moss is inconsiderable. The ordinary
subsoil of the whole is sand or gravel. All kinds of
white and green crops are raised, of good quality,
amounting in annual value to nearly £12,000; and the
produce of dairy-cows, fat-cattle, sheep, swine, and
horses is also considerable. The six-shift course of
husbandry, with every improved usage, is followed;
and much attention is paid to the breed of the various
kinds of stock. Among the most conspicuous advances
are, the reclaiming of large tracts of waste ground;
draining and inclosing; and the erection of neat and
commodious farm houses and offices. The rateable
annual value of the parish is £3925. The mansion of
Grangehall is a spacious and handsome modern residence, of quadrangular form, and ornamented with thriving plantations of Scotch fir, larch, birch, and oak. That
of Seapark, also a modern building, has been of late
greatly improved, and the grounds beautified with many
young trees.
A considerable part of the population are engaged in
fisheries, and reside at Findhorn, in the northern portion of the parish. There is a daily post; and a turnpike-road runs between Findhorn and Forres, which
has, at the bridge of Kinloss, a branch eastward to
Burgh-Head and Elgin. Grain, sheep, cattle, and swine
are sent for sale to Aberdeen, Glasgow, and London,
and salmon also to the last place; herrings are exported
to Ireland, the continent, and the West Indies. Fairs
are held for sheep, cattle, and horses, at Findhorn, on
the second Wednesday, O. S., in March, July, and
October. The parish is in the presbytery of Forres
and synod of Moray, and in the patronage of the Earl
of Moray, and Mr. Brodie, of Lethen, alternately: the
minister's stipend is £240, with a manse, and a glebe
of between four and five acres, valued at £5 per annum.
The church was built in 1765, and thoroughly repaired
in 1830. The members of the Free Church have a place
of worship. The parochial school affords instruction in
the usual branches; the master has a salary of £34,
with a house, and £10 fees; also an allowance from
the Dick bequest. The parish contains a flourishing
friendly society; and a savings' bank, in connexion
with that in Forres, has been lately established. The
chief relic of antiquity is the ruin of the abbey, which,
till it became dilapidated, was used as the parish church.
In the year 1652, the walls were broken down, and the
stones sold to Cromwell's soldiers, for the erection of
the citadel of Inverness. Since that period, depredations have been made upon the materials, at different
times; and all that now remains of this once imposing
structure is the east gable, for the preservation of which
a buttress of mason-work has been raised by the liberality of a resident gentleman.—See the article upon
Findhorn.
Kinnaird
KINNAIRD, a parish, in the county of Perth;
containing, with the hamlets of Craigdallie, Flawcraig,
Nethermains, and Pitmiddie, 458 inhabitants, of whom
90 are in the hamlet of Kinnaird, 4 miles (N. by W.)
from Errol. The name is derived from a compound
word of Celtic origin, signifying "high end or head,"
and is descriptive, either of the elevated site of the
village, or of the high ground at the end of the estate of
Kinnaird, on which stands an ancient castle. Very
little is known concerning the early history of the place;
but it is recorded that it belonged originally to the noble
family of Kinnaird, whose present seat is Rossie, in the
neighbouring parish of Inchture. In the reign of King
William, in 1170, Randolph Rufus obtained from that
prince the lands of Kinnaird, from which he took his
surname, and which continued in his family till the
time of Charles I. The parish is nearly three miles
long and two broad, and contains above 3000 acres.
It is situated half way beyond Perth and Dundee, and
has a fine south-eastern exposure, looking down on the
Carse of Gowrie, part of which is contained within its
bounds. It has the parish of Collace on the north-west, Errol and Inchture on the south-east, Abernyte
on the north-east, and Kilspindie on the south-west.
Some of the higher grounds command extensive views,
especially of the Highland mountains.
The land which lies in the Carse, though small in
extent, is the richest part of the parish, the soil, consisting of a fertile black clayey earth. On the south
side of the braes skirting the Carse, the land, though
good, is inferior to the former, and chiefly a stringent
binding earth; on the north side the soil is light and
shallow, and covered for the most part with bent and
heath, intermixed occasionally with natural pasture.
About 1550 acres are under tillage, and 1500 are uncultivated, consisting principally of moor ground, pastured
with Highland sheep in the winter, and at other times
with oxen. Green crops are cultivated; but grain is
the chief produce of the arable land, most of which is
capable of yielding wheat, in general of very good
quality. Live stock are but little attended to. The
husbandry is excellent; and improvements, commenced
here at an early period, have been ever since gradually
advancing. The parish is entirely agricultural. Its
rateable annual value amounts to £3195. The chief
communication of the people is with Perth and Dundee,
the great road between which places passes within half
a mile; and there is a port on the Tay, about four
miles off, from which much grain is shipped, and at
which coal and lime are imported. The higher and
lower parts of the parish have been connected by a new
road, which forms a kind of thoroughfare between
Strathmore and the Carse of Gowrie. The ecclesiastical
affairs are directed by the presbytery of Dundee and
synod of Angus and Mearns; patron, the Crown. The
stipend of the minister is £184, with a commodious
and substantial manse, recently built, and a good glebe
consisting of ten acres. The church is large, built only
a few years ago, and fitted up in a comfortable manner.
There is a parochial school, the master of which has the
maximum salary, with about £24 fees. The only relic
of antiquity is the ruin of the ancient castle, erected in
feudal times, with massive walls, and strong stone arches
under the respective floors, and evidently intended as a
place of defence as well as residence.
Kinnaird
KINNAIRD, a village, in the parish of Moulin, county
of Perth, 1 mile (E. N. E.) from the village of Moulin;
containing 70 inhabitants. This small village, which is
beautifully situated on the banks of a tributary to the
river Garry, has a pleasingly rural aspect, and is inhabited chiefly by persons engaged in agricultural pursuits. The surrounding scenery is richly diversified,
and abounds with features of interest; and from the
hills in the immediate vicinity is obtained a fine view of
the valley of Glenbrierachan.
Kinnaird
KINNAIRD, a village, in the parish of Larbert,
county of Stirling, 3½ miles (N. by W.) from Falkirk;
containing 304 inhabitants. This village, which is situated in the south of the parish, has arisen on the lands
of Sir Michael Bruce, Bart., whose seat is in the vicinity,
from the quantity of coal underneath that estate; and
is chiefly inhabited by persons engaged in the collieries,
and in the works of the Carron Iron Company. The
making of nails affords employment to a few of the inhabitants; and many of the females are engaged in
tambouring muslin for the Glasgow manufacturers, at
their own dwellings.
Kinneff
KINNEFF, a parish, in the county of Kincardine,
2 miles (N. E. by N.) from Bervie; containing, with the
village of Catterline, 1029 inhabitants. This place is
supposed to have derived its name from its castle,
founded, according to tradition, by Kenneth, one of the
kings of Scotland, and of which there are still some
vestiges near the church. In 1341, King David Bruce,
returning from France with his queen and retinue, in
order to avoid the English fleet, by which he was closely
pursued, effected a landing on the shore of this parish.
In gratitude for his escape, he afterwards built a chapel
on the spot, of which, till within the last thirty years,
there were considerable remains; and in commemoration of the event, the cliff under which he landed is
still called Craig-David. During the siege of Dunnottar
Castle by the forces of Cromwell, the regalia, which had
been for security deposited in that fortress, were, on the
prospect of its inability to hold out much longer against
its assailants, dexterously removed from it by Mrs.
Grainger, wife of the minister of this parish, and concealed under the pulpit of the church here till the Restoration. The parish, to which that of Catterline,
which had previously formed a part of it, was reannexed
in 1709, is of nearly triangular form, and extends for
more than five miles along the coast of the German
Ocean. It comprises an area of 6408 acres; 4798 are
arable, about fifty woods and plantations, and the remainder meadow, pasture, and waste. The surface is
intersected by several ridges of elevated ground, and
diversified with hills, of which the hill of Bruxie, towards
the north-western boundary, has an elevation of 650
feet above the level of the sea. The coast is precipitously
rocky along its whole extent, presenting a rampart of
cliffs rising abruptly to the height of 180 feet, and in
some parts indented with small bays, the shores of
which are covered with verdure almost to the margin of
the sea, the whole forming a bold line of beautifully
romantic scenery.
The soil near the coast is a rich deep loam, celebrated for its abundant produce of grain; in the interior
it is of inferior quality, and in some parts, but for the
improvement it has received from persevering efforts, it
would be absolutely sterile. The crops are, wheat, oats,
barley, potatoes, and turnips. The system of agriculture
is in an advanced state; the lands have been partially
drained, and inclosed chiefly with fences of stone; the
farm-houses are substantially built and well arranged.
Considerable portions of waste have been brought
into profitable cultivation. The moorlands afford good
pasture for cattle, which are chiefly of the polled Angus
breed; and on many of the farms much attention is
paid to their improvement. There are some quarries of
freestone, from which is raised stone of good quality,
in quantities sufficient for the buildings within the
parish; and along the coast, the rocks furnish excellent
material for millstones. The rateable annual value of
the parish is £6122. Fawside is a handsome modern cottage, pleasantly situated; there are also several ancient
mansions, formerly the residences of proprietors, but
now occupied as farm-houses. The village of Catterline
is situated on the coast, and chiefly inhabited by fishermen, who employ two boats; the smaller village of
Shieldhill employs only one boat. The fish taken here
are, cod, ling, skate, haddock, and various kinds of shellfish. A small harbour has been constructed at Catterline, which see. There are also some salmon-fisheries in
the parish, of which, however, the aggregate rents do not
exceed £15 per annum; and several of the inhabitants
are employed in hand-loom weaving for the linen manufacturers in the neighbourhood. Facility of communication is afforded by good roads: the coast road from
Edinburgh to Aberdeen, and the great Strathmore road,
pass through the parish.
The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Fordoun and synod of
Angus and Mearns. The minister's stipend is £232. 3. 6.,
with a manse; and the glebes of Catterline and Kinneff
are valued together at £28 per annum: patron, the
Crown. The church, situated on the sea-shore, was
built in 1738, and repaired in 1831; it is a neat structure containing 424 sittings. There are some remains of
the ancient church in which the regalia were preserved
during the interregnum. The members of the Free
Church have a place of worship; and there is a temporary place of worship at Catterline for Episcopalians.
The parochial school is well attended; the master has
a salary of £34, with a good house and garden, and the
fees average £25 per annum. A parochial library was
established in 1838, under the direction of the Kirk
Session. In 1841, Sir Joseph Straton bequeathed £100
for promoting education, and £100 for encouraging
industry among the poor. There are remains of a
house called the Temple; and at the base of St. John's
Hill is a farm named the Chapel of Barras, from which
is inferred the probability of there having been an establishment of the Knights Templars here. Of the castle
of Kinneff, little more than the foundations are left. On
the summit of a peninsular rock, not far from it, are
the remains of an ancient work called the Castle of
Cadden; on another rock are the remains of some
buildings styled the Castle of Whistleberry; and at a
small distance are other remains, designated Adam's
Castle. In digging a grave for Lady Ogilvie, of Barras,
in the church, an earthen pot was found, containing a
great number of small coins of silver, bearing inscriptions of Edward of England and Alexander of Scotland,
and supposed to have been buried during the possession
of the castle of Kinneff by an English garrison. Within
a tumulus on St. John's Hill, which was opened about
thirty years since, was found a tomb of flat stones, containing rich black earth, with a mixture of half-burnt
bones and charcoal, but no sepulchral urn. In 1831,
near the site of the castle, was found, by some workmen
employed by the late Rev. A. Stewart, a vase containing
a number of brass rings of various dimensions, two of
which were entire, and a spear head of bronze; the vase
was filled with strongly compacted black earth, in
which the rings were imbedded. Dr. John Arbuthnott,
the intimate friend of Pope and Swift, and physician to
Queen Anne, lived for some time in this parish, at Kingorny, the property of his father, who, on being deprived
of the living of Arbuthnott, of which he was minister,
at the time of the Revolution, retired to this his patrimonial estate.
Kinnell
KINNELL, a parish, in the county of Forfar, 5½
miles (E. by N.) from Letham; containing 853 inhabitants. This place, of which the name, in the Gaelic
language, is descriptive of the situation of its church
upon a conspicuous eminence, is of considerable antiquity, and at one time formed part of the possessions of
the abbey of Arbroath. The barony was granted by
King Robert Bruce to his steady adherent, Sir Simon
Fraser, in acknowledgment of his gallant conduct at the
battle of Bannockburn; and Fraser, during the lifetime
of his uncle, was styled the Knight of Kinnell. The
lands were subsequently divided into four portions, of
which Bolshan is now the property of Sir James Carnegie,
Bart., Wester Braky of Lord Panmure, Easter Braky
of the heirs of Mr. Alison, and Rinmure of the representatives of the late John Laing, Esq. The parish
comprises an area of 5000 acres, exclusive of a large
portion of the ancient forest of Monthrewmont, and
part of Rossy moor, an undivided common; 4400 acres
are arable, about seventy woodland and plantations,
and the remainder moorland pasture and waste. The
surface is gently undulated, and towards the east rises
to a considerable elevation, forming the hill of Bolshan,
near whose foot stood an ancient baronial castle, of
which the last remains were removed about the year
1770, and the hill of Wuddy-law, where was a spacious
tumulus. The lower grounds are enlivened with the
windings of the river Lunan, which flows for nearly two
miles through the southern part of the parish, dividing
it into two very unequal portions. The Gightyburn
forms its eastern boundary, separating it from the parish
of Inverkeillor, and afterwards runs into the Lunan.
The soil, though various, is not unfertile, and has been
improved by judicious management; the crops are,
wheat, barley, oats, peas, turnips, and potatoes. The
rotation system of husbandry is prevalent, and all the
different improvements in agriculture have been adopted;
considerable portions of moor have been brought under
cultivation, and the lands have been drained and partially inclosed. The farm houses and offices, most of
which have been recently rebuilt, are substantial and
well arranged; and on the several farms are thirteen
threshing-mills, of which one is driven by a steam-engine of eight-horse power. The timber is chiefly oak,
ash, elm, plane, and birch; the plantations, which are
of modern growth, are Scotch firs, which seem to thrive
best in the soil, with some larch and spruce. The cattle
are of the black breed, to the improvement of which
much attention is paid; and considerable numbers of
sheep and swine are reared. The rateable annual value
of the parish is £3878.
There are no villages properly so called; but about
eighty scattered houses are termed Muirside. The population is chiefly agricultural; but many persons are
employed in the weaving of linen-sheeting and Osnaburghs, for which 125 looms are in operation. There are
also several mills for the spinning of flax, which are
usually driven by water, but have steam-engines for use
when the supply of water is deficient. Communication
with the neighbouring towns is afforded by good roads,
of which that from Montrose to Forfar passes for nearly
four miles through the northern part of the parish.
Markets are held at Glesterlaw, on the lands of Bolshan,
on the last Wednesday in April, the fourth Wednesday
in June, the third Wednesday in August, and the first
Wednesday after the 12th of October; they are chiefly
for the sale of cattle, and are well attended. The Eastern
Forfarshire Agricultural Association hold their meetings
at the same place, at Lammas, when there is a show of
cattle and horses, as well as an exhibition of improvements in the construction of implements. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the
presbytery of Arbroath and synod of Angus and Mearns.
The minister's stipend is £229. 10. 10., with a manse,
and a glebe valued at £14 per annum; patron, the
Crown. The church, almost entirely rebuilt in 1766,
and repaired in 1836, is a sombre structure containing
about 400 sittings. The parochial school is well attended; the master has a salary of £31, with a house
and garden, and the fees average £15 per annum.
There is also a school erected in the Muirside of Kinnell, by Sir James Carnegie, for the instruction of girls
in reading, sewing, and knitting. A considerable number of silver pennies was found some time ago on the
bank of the Lunan, between Hatton and Hatton-mill,
together with a halfpenny of John Baliol; several of
the coins were of the time of Edward I. of England.
The tumulus on the summit of Wuddy-law was forty-five
yards in length and four yards in height, formed of
alternate layers of stones and earth. On the removal
of a cairn on Hatton-mill, in 1835, a grave of rude
stones was discovered, containing bones and a skull.
Kinnellar
KINNELLAR, a parish, in the district and county
of Aberdeen, 2 miles (S. E. by E.) from Kintore;
containing 483 inhabitants. The remains of antiquity
still visible show the Druids and the Danes to have been
each connected with this parish. In the churchyard,
several immense stones, some sunk in the earth, and
others remaining above ground, point out the site of a
Druidical temple; and in the western direction, on an
extensive common covered with heath, are the remains
of numerous tumuli, the depositaries of urns, skulls,
ashes, and bones calcined on beds of hot clay. This
common is supposed to have been the spot where
some sanguinary conflict took place between the Scots
and Danes, probably on occasion of the latter, in one
of their frequent incursions, landing at the mouth of
the Don river, and encountering the former. A stone
coffin was found a few years ago, in Cairn-a-Veil, about
six feet long, constructed of six flags, and containing
some black dust. On the hill of Achronie stands Cairn-Semblings, seen to a considerable distance on the west
and north, and near which is a large stone whereon
Irvine, Laird of Drum, sat, in order to make his will,
when on his route to the battle of Harlaw, in which
he fell.
The parish is rather more than four miles in length;
but its breadth no where much exceeds two. It contains between 3000 and 4000 acres, and is bounded on
the north by the parish of Fintray, from which it is
separated by the river Don; on the south by the parish
of Skene; on the east by Dyce and Newhills; and on
the west by Skene and Kintore. The land throughout
is a series of undulations, and the climate is bleak, the
parish being almost without shelter from winds and
storms. The soil is light and thin, and rests frequently
upon a rough stony subsoil, requiring great labour and
expense to reduce it to agricultural use; where, however, proper methods have been adopted, good crops
are obtained. Almost the whole of the parish is arable,
there being but a few acres under wood, and only a
small district of rocky moor. Oats, barley, and turnips
are the crops chiefly raised, the last of which is much
promoted in growth by the prevailing use of bone-dust
manure. The rotation is usually the six-years' shift;
and every farmer has a threshing-mill on his premises.
There are but few sheep; the cattle are of the black
breed. Considerable improvements have taken place in
husbandry within the last few years. Much land which
was poor, and covered with heath and stones, has been,
with considerable expense, brought into a state of profitable cultivation, well inclosed, and made to produce
good crops of grain and turnips. The farm-houses,
also, have been rendered comfortable and commodious.
A spirit of emulation has been excited, leading to important practical results, by the institution about the
year 1808 of prize-matches for ploughing, by a farmers'
club in the neighbourhood; and much skill has been
acquired in this branch of husbandry. The rateable
annual value of Kinnellar is £2840.
A superior turnpike-road, from Aberdeen to Inverury,
intersects the parish, and is traversed by the mail and
three coaches every day to and from Aberdeen. The
parish roads, however, are in bad repair, with the exception of one connected with a farm; and part of the
road most used, leading to the church, is said to have
been neglected for the last twenty-five years. The canal
between Aberdeen and Inverury, constructed in 1797,
passes through the parish, at its northern extremity,
but, though of great advantage to those who reside in
the upper districts, it is productive of little benefit to
the larger portion of the inhabitants here, who are more
distant from it. A passage-boat plies regularly; and
several boats bring coal, lime, and manure from Aberdeen, and take back grain, wood, slate, and other commodities. Among the few mansions in the parish, is
that of Glasgoego, not now in very good repair, its
former proprietor having built a new residence in its
vicinity. On the bank of the Don is a commodious
house belonging to the Tower family; and on the property of the Ewing family is a small but elegant house,
with very improved grounds around it. In the hamlet
of Blackburn are a post-office, an inn, and some houses
inhabited by tradesmen and others. The ecclesiastical affairs are subject to the presbytery and synod
of Aberdeen; patron, the Earl of Kintore. The stipend
of the minister is £160, of which £62 are received from
the exchequer; and there is a manse, built in 1778.
The glebe consists of five acres of land, valued at
£13. 15. per annum; the minister also has an allowance
of £20 as grass-money, and the like sum as moss-money,
there being a want of moss in the parish. The church,
a small building, of plain style, erected in 1801, is in
good repair, and contains 250 sittings: it stands on the
north side of the Don, about a mile from the river. In
the 17th century, Archbishop Sharp gave the patronage
to the dean of the university of St. Andrew's, reserving
to himself and his successors a veto upon any appointment; and the university held this privilege till 1761.
There is a parochial school, where the usual branches
of education are taught, with Latin and geometry if
required. The master has a salary of £26, with a house
and garden, and about £11 fees; also an allowance
from Dick's bequest to the schoolmasters of Aberdeen,
Banff, and Moray.
Kinnesswood
KINNESSWOOD, a village, in the parish of Portmoak, county of Kinross, 4 miles (E.) from Kinross;
containing 479 inhabitants. It is situated in the western
part of the parish, and on the east side of Loch Leven:
the road from Kinross to Leslie passes through it. A
parchment manufactory, in which vellum is now made,
has been carried on here for a considerable period; at
present it employs but a few hands. The population
chiefly consists of weavers. There is an annual fair in
May, latterly very ill attended. Michael Bruce, the
poet, remarkable for the beautiful effusions of his muse,
collected after his death, which was caused by consumption, in his twenty-first year, was born in the
village in 1746.
Kinnethmont
KINNETHMONT, a parish, in the district of Alford, county of Aberdeen, 2 miles (N.) from Clatt;
containing 1107 inhabitants. This place is supposed by
some to have taken its name, formerly Kennethmont,
from one of the Kenneths, kings of Scotland, having been
interred in the churchyard, which is an eminence similar
to a mount. Others, regarding its present orthography
of Kinnethmont as more correct, derive it from two
Gaelic words signifying "head" and "moss," which
express the proximity of the high ground of the church
site to a mossy tract in the vicinity. The parish consists of Kinnethmont properly so called, and of the old
parish of Christ's-Kirk, which has been annexed to it
from time immemorial; it is situated at the western
extremity of the fertile district of the Garioch. It is
nearly oblong in figure; is six miles in length from
east to west, and about three in breadth; and, with the
exception of several hundreds of acres in plantations,
and a few other tracts, is under tillage. The surface
is pleasingly diversified with hills and vales, and enlivened by the Bogie, a good trout stream, which runs
along the western boundary, and separates this parish
from that of Rhynie. The ground is in some parts
mossy, supplying the inhabitants with peat for fuel;
but the prevailing soil is a light loamy earth, producing,
when well cultivated, excellent crops. All kinds of
crops are raised, under the operation of the rotation
system; the farms vary in general from eighty to 100
acres, but there are many of much smaller extent.
Houses built of stones and lime, and roofed with slate,
are gradually displacing the old turf tenements; the
scythe has entirely superseded the sickle, in the cutting
of corn; and on the larger estates, threshing operations
are performed by machinery. Much land has been
trenched, marshy ground drained, and moorland brought
under tillage to a considerable extent, during the present century, many portions now producing most luxuriant crops. The rateable annual value of the parish
is £4578.
The mansion of Leith Hall is the seat of Sir Andrew
Leith Hay, who served in the peninsular war, a narrative of which he has published, with some smaller works.
There is also the residence of Ward House, situated
upon an estate greatly improved and beautified, during
a period of twenty years, by the late proprietor, Mr.
Gordon. A turnpike-road, finished a few years ago,
runs through the parish, from east to west, affording
facilities of communication with Aberdeen, Huntly, Inverness, and other parts: public coaches once travelled
on it. The agricultural produce is sent to Inverury,
eighteen miles distant, whence it is conveyed by canal
to Aberdeen for sale; and the carts, on their return
from Inverury, bring lime and coal. An annual cattlefair is held in April, another in July, and a third in
October. The parish is in the presbytery of Alford
and synod of Aberdeen, and in the patronage of Sir
Andrew Leith Hay: the minister's stipend is £195,
with a manse, and a glebe of twelve acres, valued at
£15 per annum. The church, a neat and commodious
structure, was built in 1812, and is capable of accommodating 600 persons. The members of the Free
Church have a place of worship. The parochial school
affords instruction in the ordinary branches; the master receives a salary of £25. 13., with a house, and about
£10 fees, augmented by an allowance from the Dick
bequest. The parish once had a small circulating library,
consisting of historical and religious works; and a
savings' bank, instituted fifteen years since. The remains of two Druidical temples are still visible; and a
bag of silver coins has been found, with "Alexander I."
engraved on one side. On the hill of Melshach is a
chalybeate spring which has long been in much repute.
Kinnettles
KINNETTLES, a parish, in the county of Forfar,
3 miles (S. W.) from Forfar; containing, with the village of Douglaston, and hamlet of Kirkton of Kinnettles,
437 inhabitants. This place appears to have derived its
name from the situation either of its church, or of an
ancient mansion-house, near the extremity of a tract of
marshy land, once the bed of a river. It is unconnected with any event of historical importance, though,
from various relics which have at different times been
discovered, it appears to have been inhabited at a very
remote period. The parish is about two miles in length
and the same in breadth, and comprises 3708 acres, of
which 2840 are arable and in good cultivation, about
120 woodland and plantations, and the remainder waste.
The surface is traversed by a hilly ridge of elliptical
shape, which, by a very easy ascent, attains an elevation
of about 350 feet above the level of the sea, dividing the
parish into two valleys of nearly equal extent. It forms
a branch of the Sidlaw hills, and one portion is called the
Brigton and the other the Kinnettles hill, from its being
in the two estates into which the lands are principally
divided. This ridge is mostly in a high state of cultivation, and clothed near the top with rich plantations,
forming a very interesting feature in the scenery; and
from its summit, which is flat, are many extensive and
varied prospects over the surrounding country. The
lands are watered by a beautiful rivulet called the Kerbit, which has its source in the parish of Carmylie, and
winds through the parish with a tranquil current, giving
motion to several mills, and falling into the river Dean;
it abounds with trout of excellent quality, and is much
frequented by anglers. There are also numerous copious springs, affording an abundant supply of water.
The soil is extremely various, consisting of rich dry
loam in some parts, in others being of a more damp
clayey character, in others sandy and gravelly, and in
some places an improvable moss. The crops are, oats,
barley, wheat, a few acres of rye and peas, with turnips
and potatoes. The system of agriculture is advanced;
the rotation plan of husbandry is in general practice;
the lands have been drained and partially inclosed,
chiefly with stone dykes; and the farm houses and
offices are substantially built, and well arranged. On
most of the farms, threshing-mills have been erected;
and all the more recent improvements in the construction of implements have been adopted. The dairy-farms are well managed, and all due attention is paid
to the rearing of live stock: the milch-cows, of which
about 100 are kept on the farms, are the Ayrshire
and Angus. The cattle, generally of the Angus breed,
average annually 500; and the sheep, which are of the
Leicestershire and Cheviot breeds, with a few of the
Linton, South-Down, and Merino, number 350. The
plantations consist of silver, spruce, and Scotch firs,
and larch, intermixed with oak, ash, plane, elm, beech,
lime, birch, and other varieties. The substrata are
chiefly whinstone, sandstone, and slate. The whinstone
is of compact texture, varying in colour from a dark
blue to a pale grey, and is extensively quarried both in
the northern and southern districts of the parish; it is,
however, very difficult to work, and is obtained only in
blocks of small size, of very irregular form, and used
chiefly for drains, and for repairing the roads. The
sandstone is partly of a grey colour, and partly tinged
with a reddish hue; it is quarried for building, and is
raised in blocks of massive dimensions. The slate,
which is of a fine grey colour, is found chiefly on the
banks of the Kerbit rivulet, but not to any great extent;
it produces good slates for roofing, and flagstones of
very large dimensions and of excellent quality. Copperore, and also veins of lead, are imbedded in the sandstone; manganese is found in the whinstone strata;
and garnets, mica, quartz, and calc and lime-spar in the
freestone rocks. The rateable annual value of the parish
is £4342.
The mansion-house of Kinnettles is a rather recent
building. Brigton is a spacious mansion, partly ancient, but principally of modern erection, having been
greatly improved and enlarged by the late proprietor; and there are some other good houses in the
parish, of which those erected within the last fifty years
are built of stone, and roofed with slate. The village
of Kirkton is small, but neatly built, and is mostly
inhabited by persons employed in the several handicraft
trades requisite for supplying the wants of the inhabitants of the parish. The weaving of various kinds of
cloth, chiefly Osnaburghs and brown sheetings, is pursued in different parts of the parish, but only to a
very moderate extent. Facility of communication with
the neighbouring towns is afforded by good roads, of
which the Strathmore turnpike-road passes for more
than two miles through the centre of the parish, and
the road from Forfar to Dundee through the eastern
portion of it. There are bridges over the Kerbit, of
which one, at the village of Kirkton, is a suspensionbridge. The parish is in the presbytery of Forfar and
synod of Angus and Mearns, and patronage of the
Crown; the minister's stipend is £158. 6. 8., with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £12. 15. per annum. The
church, erected in 1812, at the expense of the heritors,
is a neat handsome edifice, adapted for a congregation
of 400 persons. The parochial school is well attended;
the master has a salary of £34, with £40 fees, a house,
and two bolls of meal annually in lieu of a garden.
There is also a female school, of which the mistress has
a house and garden, in addition to the fees. The poor
have the interest of a bequest of £50 by Mr. James
Maxwell. The upper stone of a hand-mill for grinding
corn was discovered by the plough, in a field, in the
year 1833; it was rather more than two feet in diameter, and an inch and a half in thickness, of mica
schist intermixed with portions of siliceous spar, and
studded with small garnets. A small conical hill near
the banks of the Kerbit, and which is still called the
Kirk Hill, is supposed to have been the site of some religious foundation; but nothing certain of its history is
known. There are several springs of chalybeate properties, and two springs strongly impregnated with
copper. Colonel William Patterson, F. R. S., many
years lieut.-governor of New South Wales, was born
in this parish in 1755; and John Inglis Harvey, Esq.,
who held the office of a civil judge in India, is also a
native.
Kinnoull
KINNOULL, a parish, in the county of Perth, ½ a
mile (E.) from Perth; containing, with the suburb of
Bridgend, and the villages of Balbeggie and Inchyra,
2879 inhabitants, of whom 920 are in the rural districts.
This place, which is supposed to have derived its name,
of Gaelic origin, from the extent and beauty of the prospects obtained from the high grounds, was at an early
period the property of the family of Hay. Sir George
Hay, lord chancellor of Scotland, was created Earl of
Kinnoull by Charles I. in 1633; and his descendant,
the present earl, is still the chief proprietor in the parish.
Of the ancient castle of Kinnoull, the baronial residence
of the Hays, some slight vestiges were remaining till
within the last fifty years; but the site is now occupied
as a garden belonging to one of the villas on the banks
of the river Tay. The parish, which is bounded on the
west by the Tay, is about twelve miles in extreme
length, and nearly four miles in breadth, comprising in
the rural districts an area of 3700 acres, of which 580
are woodland and plantations, and the remainder, with
the exception of about twenty acres of undivided common, arable, meadow, and pasture. The surface is diversified with wooded hills of pleasing aspect, of which the
hill of Kinnoull, rising from the bank of the Tay to the
height of 632 feet, is justly celebrated for the romantic
beauty of its scenery. The ascent on the south is precipitously steep and rocky; but on the north, a spiral
road of gradual ascent has been formed to the summit,
which is crowned with thriving plantations, and commands a most varied prospect, embracing the city of
Perth and the adjacent country. Not far from the top,
which is divided into two points, is a hollow called the
Windy Gowle, near which is a remarkable echo of nine
distinct reverberations; and in a steep part of the acclivity is a cave, in which Sir William Wallace is said
to have concealed himself from his pursuers. About
two miles distant from the hill of Kinnoull, and forming
part of the same range, is the hill of Murray's Hall,
nearly of equal elevation, and commanding also an extensive prospect abounding with interesting features.
The Tay divides, near the church, into two branches
inclosing the island of Moncrieff, of which one-half is
within this parish, and the other in the parish of Perth:
the branch in this parish is navigable for vessels of sixty
tons' burthen, and affords a more direct passage to the
burgh of Bridgend. The river abounds with salmon of
excellent quality, and the fisheries belonging to the
parish produce a rental of £1200 per annum.
The soil, comprehending every variety, is luxuriantly
rich; and the lands are in the highest state of cultivation, under a system of husbandry combining all the
most recent improvements. A very extensive nursery
was formed on the east bank of the Tay, by Mr.
Dickson, in 1767, and, since his decease in 1835, has been
conducted by his nephew, affording employment to about
eighty persons: from this establishment most of the
plantations in the parish, which are in a highly flourishing condition, have been supplied. There is also a
nursery at the extremity of Bridgend. The principal
substrata are of the trap formation, with some veins of
sandstone of a reddish-grey colour, and of good quality
for building, for which purpose it is extensively quarried.
Agates of great beauty are found in the hill of Kinnoull,
and many specimens of them are preserved in different
museums. The rateable annual value of the parish is
£8667. The mansion-houses are, Balthayock, an ancient
castle of the Blair family, of which the more modern
portion was built in 1578; Inchyra, of recent date, in
the Grecian style of architecture; Murray's Hall, a
handsome building; Barnhill, or Woodend, pleasantly
seated on the Kinnoull branch of the Tay; and Bellwood, beautifully situated on the hill of Kinnoull, fronting the city of Perth. The village of Inchyra is on the
east bank of the Tay, in a detached portion of the parish;
about six miles from the church; it has a convenient
harbour, accessible to vessels of 100 tons, with a yard
for building and repairing ships, from which two vessels
of sixty tons have been launched within the last few
years. There is also a ferry across the Tay established
here. Facility of communication is afforded by the
river, and by good roads, of which the turnpike-road
from Perth to Dundee passes through the parish. The
suburb of Bridgend, and the village of Balbeggie, are
noticed under their respective heads.
The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Perth and synod of Perth and
Stirling. The minister's stipend is £269. 16. 9., with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £20 per annum; patron, the
Earl of Kinnoull. The present church, erected in 1826,
after a design by Mr. Burn, at an expense of £4000, is a
handsome structure in the later English style of architecture, containing more than 1000 sittings. In the aisle
of the old church, which is still remaining as the burialplace of the Hay family, is preserved a monument to
George, first earl of Kinnoull, who died in 1634, and
whose statue has the left hand resting on a table, on
which are placed the great seal of Scotland and a human
skull, but without any inscription. There is a place of
worship at Balbeggie for members of the United Secession. The parochial school is attended by about 140
children; the master has a salary of £34, with a house
and garden, and the fees average £40 per annum.
Murray's royal asylum for lunatics was founded by
Mr. James Murray, a few years since, with funds
which he inherited from his mother, to whom they had
been bequeathed by Mr. Hope, her son by a previous
marriage. Mr. Hope, with his whole family, was lost
in the wreck of the Duchess of Gordon East Indiaman,
on their return from Madras in 1809. The buildings
were erected on the acclivity of Kinnoull Hill, after a
design by Mr. Burn, at a cost of £40,000; and the institution was incorporated by royal charter, and opened
for the reception of patients, in 1827, and placed under
the superintendence of twenty-five directors, of whom
nine are ex officio, four chosen for life, and twelve elected
annually. The house is situated in the centre of a park,
of twelve acres, laid out in gardens, shrubberies, and
walks, affording ample opportunities of recreation and
amusement; and, under an excellent system of management, affords reception and relief to 140 patients. At
Balthayock are the remains of an ancient castle, supposed
to have belonged to the Knights Templars: the walls,
which are about fifty feet in height, and inclose an area
fifty-two feet in length and thirty-seven feet wide, are
of massive thickness, and still entire. It is situated on
the brink of a deep ravine of very romantic appearance.
Kinross
KINROSS, a post-town and parish, in the county
of Kinross, of which it is the capital, 15 miles (S.) from
Perth, and 25 (N. N. W.) from Edinburgh; containing
2822 inhabitants, of whom 2062 are in the town, and
760 in the rural districts of the parish. This place,
which derives its name, of Gaelic origin, from its situation at the head of a promontory extending into Loch
Leven, is of very great antiquity. It was selected as a
stronghold by the Pictish kings, of whom Congal, son
of Dongart, founded a castle on an island in the lake,
which subsequently became the occasional residence of
several of the kings of Scotland. In 1257, Alexander
III., after his return from Wark Castle, whither he had
gone to have an interview with his father-in-law, Henry
III. of England, resided at the Castle of Lochleven,
where he was surprised, and, together with his queen,
forcibly conveyed to Stirling. In 1301, and also in
1335, the castle was besieged by the English; but on
both occasions the assailants were compelled to raise
the siege, and to retire with considerable loss. In 1429,
Archibald, Earl of Douglas, was confined here by James
I., for some expression of disloyalty towards his sovereign; and in 1477, Patrick Graham, Archbishop of St.
Andrew's, after having been for some time under restraint
in a cell at Inchcolm, in pursuance of a sentence of deprivation pronounced by Pope Sextus and a college of
cardinals, was imprisoned in the castle till his death.
But this ancient fortress derives its chief celebrity
from the imprisonment in it of the unfortunate Mary,
Queen of Scots, who was placed within its dreary walls
in 1567. A captive in the hands of the confederate
nobles, she was sent from Edinburgh to the Castle of
Lochleven, then belonging to William Douglas, one who
had taken an active part against her; and in her
journey thither she was treated with studied indignity,
exposed to the gaze of the mob, miserably clad and
mounted, and under the escort of men of the rudest
bearing. The queen was now completely a prisoner,
and her confinement was accompanied with circumstances of the greatest rigour; she was put under the
charge of Lindsay and Ruthven, two noblemen familiar
with blood, and of coarse and fierce manners. The lady
of the castle, Margaret Erskine, daughter of Lord Erskine, had been mistress to the queen's father, James V.,
and was mother to the Earl of Murray. She had been
afterwards married to Sir Robert Douglas; and their
son, William, was, as already stated, proprietor of the
Castle of Lochleven at this period. It was here that
Mary made her celebrated resignation of the government
in favour of her son, the infant James, and of the Earl
of Murray. Feeling assured that her refusal to sign the
necessary papers would endanger her life; listening to
the insinuation of Robert Melvil, that any deed executed
in captivity, and under fear of life, was invalid; and
terrified by the stern demeanour of Lord Lindsay, she
submitted to what she had at first passionately resisted.
Without reading their contents, she, with a trembling
hand, affixed her name to three instruments prepared
by the confederates. By the first of these she was made
to resign the government of the realm in favour of her
son, and to give orders for his immediate coronation.
By the second, the queen, in consequence of his tender
infancy, constituted Murray regent of the kingdom;
and by the third she appointed the Earls of Lennox,
Argyll, Atholl, and Morton, with others, regents until
the return of Murray from France, with power to continue in that high office if he refused it. From the
galling restraint thus imposed upon her in the castle,
however, Mary at length, on the evening of the 2nd of
May, 1568, found means to escape. George Douglas,
younger brother of the proprietor of Lochleven, had
enthusiastically devoted himself to her interest; and
though dismissed from the castle on that account, he
had contrived to secure the services of a page who waited
on his mother, Lady Douglas, and by his assistance effectually achieved his purpose of releasing the queen. On
the evening in question, this youth, in placing a plate
before the castellan, dropped his napkin over the keys
of the castle, and carried them off unperceived: he
hastened to Mary, and hurrying down to the outer gate,
they threw themselves into a boat, first turning the locks
they had found it necessary to open, and casting the keys
into the lake, where they were discovered in the year 1806.
Some friends of the rescued queen were lying in wait
in the immediate vicinity, and with their aid she fled
in the direction of Lanarkshire. In 1569, the Earl of
Northumberland, who had incurred the displeasure of
Elizabeth of England by the interest which he took in
the fate of Mary, was imprisoned for three years in the
castle, whence he was removed to England, and publicly
executed for treason.
The town, though the chief town of Kinross-shire,
and the place where the sessions are held, and the
business of the county transacted, is not distinguished
by any features of importance. It is not even a royal
burgh; and the market which was formerly held here
has been gradually discontinued, and is now entirely
transferred to Milnathort, in the adjoining parish of
Orwell. The streets are lighted with gas; works for that
purpose having been erected on a site nearly equidistant from Kinross and Milnathort, by a company of
shareholders established for the accommodation of both
places. A public library is supported by subscription,
under the direction of a committee; and there is a
reading and news room established in an appropriate
building in a central part of the town; also a library
maintained by the tradesmen and artisans, and three
juvenile libraries in connexion with Sabbath schools.
The manufacture of cutlery, formerly carried on here to
a very considerable extent, has been altogether discontinued. The chief manufactures at present are those of
ginghams, checks, and pullicates, for the houses of Glasgow; and also, and of still more recent introduction,
tartan shawls, plaids, and other articles of similar character, by some companies settled in the town. There
is likewise a manufactory for damasks. The post-office
has a daily delivery; and a branch of the British Linen
Company's bank has been established. Facility of intercourse with the neighbouring places is afforded by
excellent roads, of which the great north road passes
through the town; and there are not less than thirteen
bridges of stone over the various streams that intersect
the parish. Fairs are held on the last Wednesday in
March, the 1st of June, the last Wednesday in July,
and the 18th of October, all O. S.; they are for cattle,
agricultural produce, and various articles of merchandise.
The government is under the management of a president, treasurer, and clerk, assisted by a committee of
eight or ten persons; they are annually chosen by the
inhabitants, at a general meeting held for that purpose,
and the police and all other regulations are conducted
by them, the expenses being defrayed by subscription.
The county-hall is a handsome edifice, erected in 1826,
at an expense of £2000, of which £750 were granted by
government, and the remainder raised by voluntary
contribution, and assessment of the heritors of the
county; it contains a spacious hall for the courts, and
the apartments requisite for conducting the public
business. Attached to it is the gaol, comprising three
wards for debtors, two cells for criminals, and a guardroom.
The parish, which is about four miles in length,
from east to west, is bounded on the east by Loch Leven,
and comprises 7062 acres, of which 6608 are arable,
271 woodland and plantations, and the remainder rough
pasture and waste. The surface, though generally elevated, is flat, in no part rising into hills; the chief river
is the Leven, which issues from the lake of that name,
and has been rendered more copious and powerful in its
stream by a contraction of the expanse of the lake.
There are numerous springs of excellent water; and the
scenery, in many parts romantic, is enriched by thriving
plantations. Loch Leven, the principal object of attraction, as well from its natural beauty as from the historical events with which it is associated, was, previously
to the contraction of its surface by draining, fifteen miles
in circumference, and in its present state may be estimated at about twelve miles. It is studded with islands,
of which the chief are, the island of St. Serf, in the
parish of Portmoak, and the Castle island, in this parish,
so called from the erection of the ancient castle. The
latter isle, situated near the north-western extremity of
the lake, is five acres in extent. The castle, which is
defended by an outer rampart of stone, inclosing a spacious quadrangular area, consists chiefly of a lofty square
tower at the north-west angle of the inclosure, and a
round tower of smaller dimensions at the south-east.
The building is without a roof, and at present is a mere
ruin; some portions of what is supposed to have been the
chapel are still remaining, and under the square tower
is a dungeon. The whole area within the rampart is
about 600 feet in circumference. The island is planted
with trees, of which some are of great antiquity; and the
surface affords good pasturage. The lake abounds with
trout and various kinds of fish, but not in such variety
as before its contraction; the season commences in
January, and ends in September, and the fish chiefly
taken are, trout, pike, perch, and eels, in which two
boats and four men are constantly employed. The fishery is let at a rent of £204; the produce is sent to the
markets of Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Manchester, at
which last place it is in great demand.
The soil is generally fertile and productive; the crops
are, oats, barley, wheat, potatoes, and turnips. The
system of agriculture is improved; the lands have been
well drained and inclosed; the farm houses and offices
are substantial and commodious; and on most of the
farms threshing-machines have been erected, of which
one is impelled by steam. Considerable attention is paid
to the rearing of live stock, and much improvement has
been made under the auspices of the various agricultural
societies established in the vicinity, several of which hold
their cattle-shows in the town. About 400 cows, and
a nearly equal number of calves, with 650 head of young
cattle, are pastured annually; the number of sheep is
400, and of horses 300. The rateable annual value of
the parish is £11,102. The plantations are larch, and
Scotch and spruce firs, intermixed in some parts with
different kinds of forest-trees; they are judiciously
managed, and in a thriving condition. The substrata are,
sandstone, which is found in two varieties, the old red formation and the carboniferous; whinstone; and limestone.
The whinstone, which is very compact, is quarried for
the roads, for which purpose it is well adapted. Coal
is supposed to exist, and it has been in contemplation
to explore it; but an abundant supply of that mineral
is procured from works not more than five miles distant, and at a very moderate cost. There are three extensive mills in the parish, all formerly for grain; but
two of them have been converted into mills for spinning
and carding, connected with the manufactories of tartan
plaids. Kinross House, the seat of Sir Graham Montgomery, Bart., a spacious mansion erected by Sir William
Bruce, architect to Charles II., was originally intended
as a residence for James, Duke of York; it is finely situated, and was once surrounded by some very ancient and
stately timber.
The parish is in the presbytery of Dunfermline and
synod of Fife, and patronage of Sir Graham Montgomery; the minister's stipend is £184. 16. 8., with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £35 per annum. The
present church, a handsome edifice in the later style of
English architecture, was erected in 1832, at an expense
of £1537, towards which the Rev. Geo. D. C. Buchanan
contributed about £300; it is situated on an eminence
nearly in the centre of the parish. The tower of the old
church is still standing, by itself, in the town. There
are places of worship for members of the Free Church
and of the United Secession. The parochial school
affords a liberal education, and is well attended; the
master has a salary of £34, with £55 fees, and a house
and garden. A savings' bank, established in 1837, contributes to diminish the number of applicants for parochial relief; and there are four friendly societies, and a
ladies' society for the distribution of oatmeal to necessitous females. The sum of £8. 6. 8. is annually given to
twelve poor persons, in lieu of the foundation of an almshouse which was projected by Sir William Bruce; and
the poor have also the interest of a bequest of £100 by
George Graham, Esq., of Kinross. About a mile from
the town is a small cairn; and there were formerly
others, in one of which, when removed, was found a
coffin, rudely formed of upright stones, with a slab resting on them, and inclosing several human bones, and
some ashes apparently of burnt wood. On the lands
of Coldon have been discovered about 400 silver coins,
chiefly of Edward I. and II. of England, and a few of the
reigns of Alexander III. and John Baliol. At West Green,
in 1829, was found, deeply imbedded in the earth, an
ancient seal of pure gold, of singular workmanship; it
has the arms of Scotland on the dexter side of the shield,
impaled with those of England on the sinister, and is
supposed to have been the private signet of James IV.
On the lands of Lathro have been discovered, by the
plough, several graves, containing some human bodies
and a skull: near the spot is an eminence called the
Gallows Know, which renders it probable that these
may have been the skeletons of malefactors, executed
here prior to the abolition of heritable jurisdictions.
Dr. John Thomson, professor of general pathology in
the university of Edinburgh, was a native of this parish.
Kinrossie
KINROSSIE, a village, in the parish of Collace,
county of Perth, 1¼ mile (W.) from Collace; containing 157 inhabitants. It lies in the western part of
the parish, on the road from Collace to Cargill, and is
built on an eminence not far distant from the church.
Formerly, two considerable annual fairs were held at
this place, of which the ancient cross is now the only
memorial, the business in cattle and small wares having
been transferred to Burreltown and other places in the
neighbourhood. A part of the population is engaged in
loom manufactures, which have latterly much increased
in the parish.
Kinross-shire
KINROSS-SHIRE, an inland county, in the south-east of Scotland, bounded on the north by the Ochils,
which separate it from Strathearn, in the county of
Perth; on the east, by the Lomond hills; on the south-east and south-west, by the Benarty range; and on the
west by the Cleish hills, which divide it from the county
of Fife. It lies between 56° 9' and 56° 18' (N. Lat.) and
3° 14' and 3° 35' (W. Long.), and is about eleven miles
in length and nine miles in extreme breadth; comprising an area of seventy square miles, or 44,800 acres;
1928 houses, of which 1812 are inhabited; and containing a population of 8763, of whom 4195 are males,
and 4568 females. Prior to the year 1426, the greater
portion of the county was part of that of Fife; and for
a considerable time after its separation, it contained only
the parishes of Kinross, Orwell, and Portmoak; but in
1685 were added the parishes of Cleish and Tulliebole,
and some small portions of the county of Perth. It
remained, however, notwithstanding this accession of
territory, under the jurisdiction of the sheriff of
Fifeshire till the year 1807, when, conjointly with
Clackmannan, it was erected into a sheriffdom. Before
the Reformation the county was included within the
archdiocese of St. Andrew's; it is at present in the
synod of Fife and presbyteries of Dunfermline, Kirkcaldy, &c. For civil purposes it is under the superintendence of a sheriff-substitute, who resides at Kinross,
the county-town, where all the courts are held; it contains the populous village of Milnathort and a few
hamlets. The shires of Kinross and Clackmannan
unite in sending a member to parliament.
The surface, though hilly towards the boundaries,
is generally level in the interior, and is divided into
several extensive plains. The chief of these are, Blair-Adam, between the Benarty and Cleish hills, through
which the great north road passes; a wide level opening
towards the Crook of Devon, on the road to Stirling;
and another between the Ochil and Lomond hills, to the
north-west, leading towards Cupar of Fife. The principal river is the Leven, which issues from Loch Leven,
and flows through a narrow valley into the Frith of
Forth at the town of Leven. Several rivulets rise in
various parts, and flow into Loch Leven, the only lake
in the county. This noble sheet of water, which has an
elevation of nearly 360 feet above the level of the sea,
is of oval form, and twelve miles in circumference,
covering about 4000 acres, and abounding in trout,
pike, perch, and eels. There are some small islands in
it, of which one, near the shore at Kinross, is five acres
in extent, and contains the remains of the castle in
which Mary, Queen of Scots, was detained a prisoner,
and which is supposed to have been originally founded
by Congal, King of the Picts, in the fifth century,
and subsequently enlarged. Another island, called
St. Serf's, from the foundation of a priory dedicated to
St. Serf, or Servanus, at a very ancient period, and of
which no vestiges are to be traced, is 100 acres in
extent, and affords pasturage to great numbers of cattle
and sheep. An act of parliament was obtained within
the last few years, for partly draining this lake, which
has been carried into effect, at an expense of £40,000;
and about 1000 acres have been recovered from it; but
the soil, contrary to expectation, is poor and sterile, and
not likely to afford any equivalent remuneration.
About four-fifths of the land are in profitable cultivation, and divided into farms varying from 50 to 300
acres in extent; the soil is partly light and dry, partly
a rich loamy clay, and partly moor. The system of
agriculture is greatly improved; the lands have been
well drained and inclosed; and excellent crops of oats
and barley are produced, and, in the best soils, fine
crops of wheat. The pastures on the low lands are
principally for cattle; and considerable numbers of
sheep are fed upon the Cleish and Ochil hills. Above
3000 acres are in woodland and plantations, of which
latter the most important are on the lands of Blair-Adam, 1300 acres in extent, consisting of oak, ash,
larch, elm, spruce, and silver and Scotch firs, all, except
the Scotch firs, in a thriving condition. The minerals
are not extensive. Coal is found in the south, but is
not wrought; freestone of excellent quality is quarried
in the parish of Cleish, and whinstone is every where
abundant. Red sandstone prevails in the district to the
north of Kinross, and limestone may be obtained in
abundance on the Lomond hills. The manufacture of
cutlery, which was formerly carried on to a great extent,
has been discontinued; and the only branches now pursued are, the weaving of cotton for the manufacturers
of Glasgow, and the manufacture of tartan shawls and
plaids, for which some large establishments have been
commenced at Kinross and Milnathort. Facility of
communication is afforded by excellent roads in every
direction. The rateable annual value of the real property in the county is £44,010, of which £38,892 are
for lands, £4375 for houses, £210 for fisheries, £93 for
mines, £29 for quarries, and the remainder for other
descriptions of property not comprised in the foregoing
items.
Kintail
KINTAIL, a parish, in the county of Ross and
Cromarty, 10 miles (E. S. E.) from Lochalsh; containing, with the village of Dornie and Bundalloch, 1168
inhabitants. This parish derives its name from a Gaelic
term, signifying "the head of two seas," and descriptive
of its situation on a point of land where two seas meet.
Nothing is known concerning its history earlier than
the period of Alexander III., who presented to Colin
Fitzgerald, the founder of the noble family of Mackenzie, the Castle of Donan, in the village of Dornie, now a
ruin, for his eminent services in the royal cause, both
by sea and land, at the battle of Largs. The family,
indeed, derive their crest of a burning mount from the
lofty and famous mountain here, called Tulloch-ard,
upon the top of which, in ancient times, a barrel of
burning tar was exhibited as a signal for the rendezvous
of the vassals of the Mackenzies, on the commencement
of hostilities. The parish, which is situated on the
west coast of Ross-shire, is about eighteen or twenty
miles long, and five or six broad; it is surrounded by
hills in every direction, and is altogether one of the
most mountainous and wild districts in the country.
The northern division, called Glenelchaig, is separated
from the southern and western parts by a lofty and
almost inaccessible ridge; and a length of about ten
miles only of the extent of ground in the parish is inhabited, which portion is contained between the north-east end of Loch Loing and the south-east end of Loch
Duich. The approaches on all sides are majestic and
commanding. The mountains of Ben-Ulay, Glasbhein,
Soccach and Maam-an-Tuirc, in the parish, abound with
picturesque and romantic scenery; and their vicinity is
plentifully enriched with every variety of valley, wood,
and water. The mountain of Tulloch-ard, however,
situated on the north side of Loch Duich, and embracing an extensive view of the Western Isles, is the
most celebrated, both for its towering appearance and its
history in legendary song. The pass of Bealach, a few
feet only in breadth, and inclosed by lofty and precipitous rocks, the whole encompassed with lonely glens
and wild mountain woods, is a spot which has always
interested the admirer of wild and lonely scenery. There
are many good springs, and a few inland lochs, the
chief of which are Loch-a-Bhealich and Loch Glassletter,
abounding with fine trout, and famous for angling. The
waterfall of Glomach, situated in a sequestered valley
about seven miles from Shealhouse, is highly celebrated.
The stream is precipitated from an elevation of 350 feet,
and, obstructed in its fall by the projection of a rugged
crag, throws forth a volume of beautiful spray, of unusual dimensions; it is surrounded on all sides with
mountainous and barren scenery. The chief rivers are
the Loing, which separates Kintail from Lochalsh; the
Croe, which divides it from Glensheil; and the Elchaig.
The Croe runs into Loch Duich, and the two others into
Loch Loing.
The parish is almost entirely pastoral. The larger
farms are held by the proprietors of the parish, two or
three in number; and the most improved system of
husbandry is adopted on these lands. The chief attention is paid to the breeding of sheep; and by crossing
the old stock with the Cheviots, it has of late years
been greatly improved, the sheep now fetching the
highest price at the markets in the south, particularly
that of Falkirk, to which they are chiefly sent. There
are several small but thriving plantations, which consist of Scotch firs, spruce, larch, oak, ash, birch, and
elm. The rocky strata are composed chiefly of gneiss,
distinguished frequently by a variety of veins; there are
also considerable beds of granite and sienite. The rateable
annual value of the parish is £3017. Dornie and Bundalloch form one village, situated on the north-east
shore of Loch Loing; it is inhabited principally by
fishermen, and is very thickly peopled. The bays
worth notice are those of Dornie, Corfhouse, and Inverinate. A parliamentary road from the western coast
to Inverness runs through the parish, and is in very excellent condition; and more distant communication is
afforded with this neighbourhood by the Glasgow and
Skye steam-boats, by which all necessaries are obtained.
There are fisheries for salmon established on Loch
Duich and the river Croe; they are let to strangers,
who send the fish to the London market. The ecclesiastical affairs are directed by the presbytery of Lochcarron and synod of Glenelg, and the patronage is in the
Crown: the stipend of the minister is £177, with a
good manse, built in 1831, and a glebe of the annual
value of £40. The church, which is inconveniently
situated at a great distance from the body of the parishioners, is capable of accommodating about 300 persons; it was repaired about 1820, when two small
galleries were erected; but is at present in a dilapidated
state, and too small for the population. The Roman
Catholics have a place of worship. There are two
catechists in the parish; and a parochial school is maintained, where the usual branches of education are taught,
the master having a salary of £27, with a house, and
an allowance in lieu of garden. Two other schools are
supported by the Gaelic Society. The chief relic of antiquity is the ruin of Ellandonan Castle, near the village
of Dornie, surrounded by beautiful and picturesque
scenery; it is supposed to have been built about the
time of Alexander III.
Kintessack
KINTESSACK, a village, in the parish of Dyke,
county of Elgin, 3 miles (W. by N.) from Forres; containing 122 inhabitants. It is a small village, lying a
short distance from the shore of the Moray Frith.
Until within these few years there was a good school
here, but it was given up for want of sufficient support;
there is, however, a small female school.
Kintore
KINTORE, a royal burgh and a parish, in the district
of Garioch, county of Aberdeen, 4 miles (S. S. E.)
from Inverury, and 12 (N. W. by W.) from Aberdeen;
containing, with the village of Port-Elphinstone, 1299
inhabitants. The name of Kintore signifies in Gaelic
"the head of the forest." This place was formerly
remarkable for its castle, said to have been built by
Robert Bruce for a hunting-seat, and which was the
occasional residence of several of the Scottish kings,
who enjoyed the pleasures of the chase in the adjacent
royal forest. This castle, called the Castle of Hall
Forest, was granted, with surrounding lands, which are
supposed to have extended from the west part of the
parish to the church of Dyce, a distance of five or six
miles, to Robert de Keith, great marischal of Scotland, by Bruce, after the battle of Inverury, or, as is
more generally supposed, after that of Bannockburn, for
his eminent services rendered to the king. Upon this,
it became the seat of the family; the son of Robert de
Keith was created Earl of Kintore, and it continued to
be inhabited so late as the 17th century by the family,
who hold the property at the present time. The castle
appears to have been of considerable strength, and its
vicinity was the scene of various conflicts: here, indeed,
Bruce is said to have completed the destruction of the
army of Edward I., after the defeat of Cumyn, Earl of
Buchan, near Inverury.
The town, situated on the bank of the river Don,
was once of some consequence, being the place of meeting of the great northern road by Aberdeen, and the
roads leading to some of the principal passes of the
Grampian mountains. It is, however, at present of
small dimensions, and the houses and buildings are not
of sufficient importance to merit particular notice, the
village of Port-Elphinstone having become, chiefly on
account of its situation at the head of the Aberdeenshire
canal, the main point of interest and traffic. The burgh
contains several good shops for necessary commodities;
but, through the facilities of intercourse with Aberdeen,
many articles are procured from that place. There are
a subscription library and a savings' bank; and the
post-office established in the town is the oldest in the
district of Garioch. A branch of the great northern
road from Aberdeen to Inverness extends westward,
and at last joins the Alford turnpike-road; and the
royal mail besides several other coaches pass and repass daily: there is likewise a depôt at the town, on
the Aberdeenshire canal. The northern part of the
parish, as well as Port-Elphinstone, has Inverury as
its post-town. Monthly markets are held, chiefly for
the sale of cattle. Kintore was erected into a royal
burgh by a charter of King James IV., dated February
4th, 1506, and is governed by a provost, two bailies,
a dean of guild, a treasurer, and nine councillors. The
old council, with the magistrates, choose the new magistrates; then the old council, with the new magistrates,
choose the new council: there is no restriction with
respect to re-election, and the present resident chief
magistrate has consequently been in office for many
years. The burgh has neither property nor debt; its
only revenue consists of feu-duty paid by Lord Kintore,
amounting to £9. 6. Scots, and of £1.13. 4. sterling, paid
annually by the family of Craigievar to the poor of
Kintore, as a fine for the murder within the burgh of
one of the family of Gordon of Craigmile. The magistrates have no power of taxing the inhabitants; the
cess and burgh charges, amounting to £5. 2. per annum,
are paid by Lord Kintore. Nor have they for many
years been in the practice of exercising jurisdiction,
either civil or criminal, except in confining a disorderly
person for the night; peace is maintained by a town-serjeant and one or two special constables, Lord Kintore
providing a gaol and town-house. The burgh is classed
with the Elgin district of burghs in returning a member
to the imperial parliament.
The parish, including the lands of Creechy and
Thainston, which were detached from the parish of
Kinkell, and annexed to it in 1760, is above six miles
in length, from the southern to the northern extremity,
and at its greatest breadth measures a little more than
three miles. It comprises 8430 acres, of which 3408
are under cultivation, 2478 waste or permanent pasture,
652 waste, but capable of cultivation, and 1892 under
wood. The surface is uneven, and in many places
rugged; but there is no high land except the hill of
Thainston, which rises about 280 feet above the level
of the sea, and by its beautifully-wooded scenery, in
connexion with the smoothly-gliding stream of the Don,
invests the locality with a lively and interesting appearance. The lands rising from the town, which is situated
in the vale of the Don, are alluvial and rich, occasionally
interspersed with hollows of mossy soil. The level and
cultivated parts not immediately on the side of the
river consist of a light sandy earth, or drained moss;
on the higher grounds the soil is so thin in many places
that the substratum is scarcely covered. Considerable
portions of peat-moss have been reclaimed, and the
remainder supplies fuel. Grain of all kinds, potatoes,
and turnips are raised; and their aggregate annual
value, with the revenue from pasturage, hay, and the
cuttings of woods and plantations, amounts to above
£10,000. The cattle are chiefly of the Aberdeenshire
breed, and much care is taken in selecting those of
good shape, and without horns. Formerly large flocks
of sheep, numbering upwards of 2000, were pastured
upon the moors; but very few are now kept, on account
of the extensive plantations since formed. The most
improved system of husbandry is followed; large tracts
of waste land have been reclaimed and cultivated, and
embankments have been raised against the inundations
of the river Don. Furrow-draining has been successfully
practised; and during the last thirty years more than
300 acres have been trenched, drained, and inclosed by
the tenants, under the encouragement of the proprietor.
The rateable annual value of Kintore is £4525.
The rock in the parish, as in most of the neighbouring parts, consists of granite, which exists in large
masses forming the substratum, and is also found in
blocks lying on the surface, and rendering the improvement of some of the waste grounds a work of great
labour. Part of the wood is ancient; but a large
proportion is plantation, containing chiefly larch and
Scotch and spruce firs, about 250 acres of which, for
some years past, have been annually planted by Lord
Kintore. The mansion of Thainston is an elegant
modern structure, beautifully situated in a well-wooded
tract, and commanding fine and extensive views. The
parish is in the presbytery of Garioch and synod of
Aberdeen, and in the patronage of the Earl of Kintore:
the minister's stipend is £184, with a manse, and a
glebe of eight acres, valued at £23 per annum. The
church, situated in the town, was built in 1819, and
contains accommodation for 700 persons. The members
of the Free Church have a place of worship. The
parochial school affords instruction in Latin and Greek,
in addition to the elementary branches; the master
has a salary of £30, with £30 fees. A legacy was
lately left by Mr. John Buchan, of Aberdeen, a native
of Kintore, for the promotion of education, the will
directing £200 to be put to interest, to form an endowment for a school to be founded in the western extremity
of the parish. A charitable bequest of £9 per annum,
called Davidson's, is confined to the poor of the burgh.
The only relic of antiquity of interest is the ruin of the
castle, situated about a mile to the west of the Aberdeen
road; it is a rectangular structure, containing two lofty
arched apartments, one over the other, and forms an impressive object from several points of observation. Arthur
Johnston, the poet, celebrated for his elegant Latinity, was
a pupil in the parochial school of Kintore; and Sir Andrew
Mitchell, ambassador to the court of Prussia in the
reign of Frederick the Great, possessed the estate of
Thainston, where he often resided.
Kintulloch
KINTULLOCH, a village, in the parish of Dunbarny, county of Perth, 3 miles (S. by E.) from
Perth; containing 119 inhabitants. This place takes
its name from a Gaelic term signifying "the top of a
gentle rising ground or green eminence," on account of
its contiguity to a slope near a brook. The lands were
granted, under William the Lion, to Hugh Say, an
Englishman, whose estate, having descended to Arabella,
his sister, passed in part from her by gift, after the
death of her husband, Reginald de Warrene, to the
monks of Scone in 1249, and finally, after frequently
changing proprietors, came into the possession of Mr.
Grant, of Kilgraston. The village is situated half a
mile south-west of the church, and is chiefly inhabited
by cottars, whose tenements are remarkable for the
cleanliness of the interior, and for the tasteful manner
in which the fronts are ornamented with roses and evergreens. At one extremity of this pleasing spot, is a
splendid gateway leading to Kilgraston. There is a
school, of which the master has a free house and garden, allowed by the Grant family.
Kippen
KIPPEN, a parish, partly in the county of Perth,
but chiefly in the county of Stirling; containing, with
the greater portion of the late quoad sacra parish of
Bucklyvie, the village of Kippen, and the hamlets of
Arnprior, Cauldhame, Kepp, and Shirgarton, 1922 inhabitants, of whom 397 are in the village of Kippen, 10
miles (W.) from Stirling. This place derives its name,
in the Gaelic language signifying "a promontory," from
the situation of the village at the extremity of an eminence which terminates near Boquhan, in the eastern
portion of the parish. Few events of historical importance are recorded in connexion with the place, though,
from the names of several localities, indicating ancient
fortresses, of which there are now scarcely any vestiges
remaining, it appears to have been the scene of frequent
hostilities between the different clans in the vicinity.
In the reign of James V., a dispute arose between the
inhabitants of the baronies of Arnprior and Glentirran,
respecting the course of the stream issuing from Loch
Leggan, which dispute terminated in a sanguinary battle
near the loch, when many persons on each side were
killed. Upon this occasion, the king, who at that time
resided in the castle of Stirling, ordered the stream to
be diverted into the channel it at present occupies, and,
depriving both parties of their claim, erected on its
banks a mill, which still retains the appellation of the
Royal mill.
The parish is bounded on the north by the river
Forth, and is about eight miles in extreme length, varying from two to four miles in breadth, and comprising
rather more than 10,000 acres, of which 5300 are arable,
600 woodland and plantations, and the remainder
meadow, pasture, and waste. The surface of the parish,
which contains two portions of the county of Perth,
stretching from north to south, and detaching nearly
one-third of Kippen from the county of Stirling, is
pleasingly diversified with rising grounds of moderate
elevation. Along the shore of the Forth extends a level
tract of carse land in a state of the richest cultivation,
from which the ground rises towards the south by a
partly abrupt, but generally gradual, ascent for more
than a mile, beyond which it again subsides by a gentle
declivity. From the higher grounds is obtained an extensive and varied prospect over the surrounding country,
embracing the whole of the carse, Stirling Castle, the
rocks of Craigforth and the Abbey Craig, the braes of
Monteith, and the range of the Grampians from the
Ochil hills to Ben-Lomond. The river Forth is here of
inconsiderable width, and the stream greatly discoloured
by the floating moss, which has also injured the fishery,
previously very lucrative. There are several rivulets
flowing through the glens that intersect the parish, and
most of them abound with trout of good quality. The
burn of Broich, issuing from Loch Leggan, runs through
the beautiful glen of Broich, and afterwards, in its course
to the Forth, serves chiefly to float off the moss in the
plain below. The burn of Boquhan, which is the boundary line between the parish and Gargunnock, has its
rise in the rock of Ballochleam, and in its descent has
made for itself a channel through the substratum of red
sandstone, which it has excavated into caverns of singular form: flowing along the richly-wooded glen of
Boquhan, it falls into the Forth at the bridge of Frew.
Some smaller rivulets, in their way through their
respective glens, exhibit picturesque cascades; and on
the moor of Kippen is Loch Leggan, a fine sheet of
water about a mile in circumference, of which the shores
are well wooded, and which is the only lake in the
parish.
The soil for some breadth from the shore of the
Forth is light and fertile, and in the carse between it
and the higher grounds, a deep rich clay; on the acclivities, a loam alternated with sand and gravel; and
towards the summit, of lighter and less productive quality. There are also considerable tracts of moss, with
which, indeed, the whole carse appears to have been
formerly overspread. The crops are, wheat, oats, barley,
beans, potatoes, and turnips; the system of husbandry
is in a highly-improved state. The lands have been
drained, and are generally well inclosed; and much
moss has been reclaimed and brought into cultivation:
the farm-houses are substantial and commodious, and
on most of the farms are threshing-mills. The dairy-farms are well managed; the cows are usually of the
Ayrshire breed. Considerable attention is paid to live
stock, and all the more recent improvements in the
construction of agricultural implements have been
adopted. There are about sixty or seventy acres of
ancient woods remaining. The plantations, which are
extensive, are chiefly, on the higher lands, larch and
Scotch fir; and on the lower, oak, ash, and elm, which
are all in a thriving state. In the glens are also large
tracts of coppice-wood, and a great part of the moor has
recently been planted. The principal substrata are red
sandstone and limestone; and coal is supposed to
exist, though some attempts to explore it have not
been attended with success. The sandstone is extensively quarried on the moor; it is soft when taken
from the quarry, but hardens on exposure to the air,
and is of excellent quality for building, for which purpose large quantities are sent to a considerable distance.
The limestone is found chiefly in the southern district
of the parish, and is also of good quality; but, from
the want of coal, which is to be obtained only from a
great distance, it is but little wrought for manure. The
rateable annual value of the parish is £8775. The seats
are, Garden, a handsome modern mansion, to which
recent additions have been made; and Broich House,
also a modern residence, beautifully situated, and in the
grounds of which is a stately and venerable yew-tree,
said to be about 300 years old.
The village of Kippen is near the turnpike-road from
Stirling to Dumbarton, and has a pleasingly-rural appearance. A public library is supported by subscription,
and there is a library of religious books for gratuitous
circulation; a post-office, also, has been established
under that of Stirling, and has a daily delivery. There
was until recently a distillery for whisky, which paid
duties amounting to £17,000 per annum. Fairs for
cattle are held on the first Wednesday in January, the
second Wednesday in April, the 26th of May, the 23rd
of October, and the first, second, and third Wednesdays
in December. Facility of communication is maintained
by the road from Stirling to Dumbarton, which passes
for seven miles through the parish; by a turnpike-road
from the village to Glasgow, which intersects the parish
for three miles in a south-west direction; and by good
bridges over the Forth, in excellent repair. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the
presbytery of Dunblane and synod of Perth and Stirling.
The minister's stipend is £250, with a manse, and a
glebe valued at £12 per annum; patrons, the Galbraith
family, of Blackhouse. The church, erected in 1825, is
a handsome structure in the later English style of architecture, with a square embattled tower, and contains
800 sittings. The members of the Free Church have
a place of worship. A church in connexion with the
Establishment was built in 1835, at Bucklyvie, where is
also a place of worship for the United Secession. There
are two parochial schools, one at Kippen, of which the
master has a salary of £27. 15. 6., with a house and
garden, and fees amounting on the average to £20; and
the other at Claymires, in Bucklyvie, of which the
master, in addition to the fees, has a salary of £5. 11.,
with a house and garden. The late Rev. James Miller,
of Edinburgh, who was a native of this parish, bequeathed, in trust to the Kirk Session, property for the
foundation of a bursary of £24 in each of the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, for young men
who are intended for the ministry. There are not any
remains of the ancient castle of Arnfinlay, or of the
tower of Garden, formerly in the parish; and of several
small heights called Keirs, supposed to have been originally Pictish or Celtic fortresses, and on which are still
vestiges of military works, nothing of the history is distinctly known.
Kippochill
KIPPOCHILL, a village, in the parish of Barony,
suburbs of the city of Glasgow, 1½ mile (N.) from
Glasgow; containing 235 inhabitants.
Kirk
KIRK, a hamlet, in the parish of Lundie and Fowlis, county of Forfar, 7 miles (W. N. W.) from Dundee;
containing 75 inhabitants. The population of this small
place is entirely agricultural.
Kirkaldy
KIRKALDY, county of Fife.—See Kirkcaldy.
Kirkandrews
KIRKANDREWS, a village, in the parish of Borgue, stewartry of Kirkcudbright, 2 miles (W.) from
Borgue; containing 47 inhabitants. It is seated on the
south-east shore of Wigton bay, into which opens a
small bay of its own name, about a mile north-west of
Boreness Point. This small village was formerly of
greater extent and importance than it is at present, and
was noted for the periodical celebration of horse and foot
races, to which numbers were attracted from all quarters. The ruins of its ancient church have a beautifully-picturesque and romantic appearance.
Kirkbean
KIRKBEAN, a parish, in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, 12 miles (S.) from Dumfries; containing,
with the villages of Carsethorn and Preston-Mill, 891
inhabitants, of whom 91 are in the village of Kirkbean.
This parish, of which the name, in the Gaelic language,
is descriptive of the situation of its church at the foot of
a mountain, is bounded on the east and south by the
Solway Frith, and is about six miles in length and three
in average breadth, comprising nearly 11,000 acres, of
which 5000 are arable, and the remainder hill pasture,
plantation, moorland, and waste. The surface is mountainous and rugged, especially towards the west, where
are lofty ridges of hills terminating in the height of
Criffel to the north, which has an elevation of 1900 feet
above the sea. From Criffel the land slopes gradually
towards the shore, which is tolerably level, and in a
high state of cultivation. The hill commands from its
summit very extensive and varied prospects, embracing
views of Annan, Carlisle, Dumfries, Castle-Douglas, and
the Isle of Man; and in favourable weather the mountains of North Wales, and the north coast of Ireland,
may be indistinctly seen. The coast is generally low and
sandy, but interspersed with rocky precipices of considerable elevation, in one of which, near Arbigland
House, is a naturally-formed arch of romantic appearance; the principal bay is that of Carse, and the most
prominent headlands are Borron Point and Saturness.
The soil in some parts is light and sandy; in others
of greater depth and fertility; and a considerable tract
of land, recovered from the sea by an embankment constructed by the late Mr. Oswald, has been brought into
profitable cultivation. The crops are, oats, barley,
wheat, potatoes, and turnips; the rotation system of
husbandry is practised, and guano has been introduced as manure. Much improvement has been, and
continues to be, made by draining the lands, which are
also well inclosed; many of the farms are extensive, and
the farm houses and offices are substantial, and kept in
good repair. The hill pastures are stocked usually
with sheep of the Cheviot breed, and great attention is
paid to the rearing of live stock; the cattle are of the
native breed, with the exception of the cows on the
dairy-farms, which are Ayrshire. There is little ancient
wood, and the plantations are far from being extensive.
The substrata are chiefly white granite, of which most of
the rocks are composed, and limestone and sandstone
of a coarse kind; the limestone is of inferior quality,
though well adapted for building purposes. Indications
of coal have been observed, but not holding out sufficient
inducement to operation. The rateable annual value of
the parish is £5758. Arbigland House is a handsome
mansion, situated near the coast, in a tastefully-embellished demesne; Cavens is also a handsome residence,
belonging to the Oswald family. The village of Kirkbean stands on the estuary of the Nith, in a beautifully-rural valley, and consists of pleasing cottages kept in
the neatest order, and surrounded by thriving plantations; there is a post daily to Dumfries, and facility
of communication is afforded by the turnpike-road to
Dumfries, which passes through the parish. At Saturness, on the coast, are several small cottages, which,
during the season, are inhabited by respectable families
for the purpose of sea-bathing; and at Preston-Farm
there was anciently situated a village which possessed
the various rights and privileges of a burgh of regality,
and of which the ancient cross is still remaining. At
Carsethorn, also a bathing-village, steam-packets touch
twice a week, in their passage from Dumfries to White-haven and Liverpool; and vessels anchor safely in its
bay when they cannot proceed so far as the harbour of
Dumfries.
The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery and synod of Dumfries. The
minister's stipend is £202. 12. 8., with a manse, and a
glebe valued at £18 per annum; patron, the Duke of
Buccleuch and Queensberry. The church, erected in
1776, is a commodious and handsome structure, with
a tower crowned by a dome, the latter erected by subscription in 1835; it is beautifully situated in the vale,
and its site is adorned with clumps of plantation on
little knolls surrounding it. The members of the Free
Secession have a place of worship. The parochial school
affords instruction to about seventy children; the
master has a salary of two chalders of meal, with a
house and garden, and the interest of a bequest of
£608. 4., producing £24. 6. 6., for which sum he teaches
thirty poor children gratuitously: the fees average £28
per annum. There is also a school, about three miles
distant from the former; the master has the interest of
a bequest of £400 by Messrs. Marshall, of Glasgow, to
which £100 have been added by the present minister.
The poor have the interest of various bequests, amounting in the aggregate to £350. At Wreaths, and also at
Cavens, are some remains of castellated buildings, of
which the latter was the property, and occasionally the
residence, of the Regent Morton; and at Borron Point are
vestiges of an ancient moat and ditch called Mc Culloch's
Castle, of which the history is unknown. Among the
distinguished natives of the parish have been, Admiral
John Campbell, who accompanied Commodore Anson
in his voyage of circumnavigation, born here in 1719,
while his father was minister of the parish; and the
late Dr. Edward Milligan, lecturer on medical science
in Edinburgh, who died in 1833, at the age of 47. John
Paul, better known as the notorious Paul Jones, and
whose father was gardener at Arbigland, was also a
native.
Kirkcaldy
KIRKCALDY, a royal
burgh, a sea-port, and parish, in the district of Kirkcaldy, county of Fife, 14
miles (E. by N.) from Dunfermline, and 10 (N. by E.)
from Edinburgh; containing 5275 inhabitants, of
whom 4785 are in the
burgh. This place derives
its name from an ancient
church founded here by the
Culdees, and annexed, in
the reign of David I., to the monastery of Dunfermline, into which that monarch had introduced an establishment of Benedictine monks from Canterbury. The
origin of the town is very obscure, neither is there any
authentic history of its early progress, though it is supposed that its proximity to the sea, and the abundance
of fuel in the vicinity, induced numbers to settle here
at a remote period, for the cultivation of commerce and
manufactures. The first notice of the town occurs in
a charter of David II., erecting it into a burgh of regality in favour of the abbot of Dunfermline and his successors, in whose possession it remained for more than
a century. In 1450, it was granted by the commendator and convent to the bailies and community of the
burgh, together with the harbour, the burgage acres,
and common pastures, with all the tolls, customs, and
other privileges pertaining to it, to be held by them for
ever. This tenure, however, was subsequently altered;
and instead of being one of the burghs of Dunfermline,
the town was constituted a royal burgh, and invested
with all the immunities enjoyed by royal burghs in
their fullest extent; but, the original charter being lost,
the date of this change cannot be precisely ascertained.
Under these rights the town continued to flourish, and
in 1622 contributed 1030 merks towards the relief of
the French Protestants. It had, about this time, not
less than 100 vessels belonging to the port, and had
attained a degree of importance which placed it next in
rank after St. Andrew's. In 1644, the privileges of the
burgh were confirmed and extended by charter of
Charles I., who created it de novo a royal burgh and
free port; and the government, which had been previously exercised by two bailies and a treasurer, was
vested in a provost, who was also admiral of the port,
two bailies, a dean of guild, treasurer, and council.
Burgh Seal.
During the war in this reign the inhabitants embraced the cause of the parliament, and zealously subscribed the solemn league and covenant. They sent
large numbers to join the army of the Covenanters;
and at the battle of Kilsyth, in which they were defeated
with great slaughter by the Marquess of Montrose, not
less than 480 of the men of Kirkcaldy were killed. In
the progress of the war the town suffered repeated
injuries; and under the usurpation of Cromwell it continued to languish and decline. According to the burgh
records, from the commencement of the civil war to the
restoration of Charles II., as many as ninety-four vessels belonging to the port were captured by the royalists, or lost at sea; and in 1682 the town was reduced
to such distress, that an application was made to the
convention of royal burghs to take its poverty into consideration, and administer to its relief. At the time of
the Revolution, the inhabitants, in the zeal of their
attachment to the cause of William III., apprehended
the chancellor of Scotland, the Earl of Perth, and, after
detaining him for some time in custody under a guard
of 300 men, delivered him to the Earl of Mar at Alloa.
William, in return for their loyalty, granted the inhabitants an abatement of their annual assessment; and
the town, with the trade of the port, now began to
revive, and continued to prosper till the Union, when,
in common with all the other sea-ports on the coast of
Fife, it fell into decay. It then and afterwards suffered
so much, indeed, that its shipping, in 1760, was reduced
to one coasting sloop of sixty tons' burthen, and two
ferry-boats of thirty tons each. From this time, however, the trade began to increase; and though it was
much impeded by the disputes with America, it continued to advance, and at the conclusion of the war
there were twelve vessels belonging to the place, which
is now one of the most flourishing sea-ports in Fife.
The town is situated on the north of the Frith of
Forth, upon a narrow strip of level land at the base of
a ridge of rising ground, and extends for a mile and
a half along the shore, consisting principally of one
street of, to a large extent, old ill-built houses. Towards the centre of this line, the street expands for
some distance into greater width, containing numerous
modern well-built houses of handsome appearance, and
a few good inns. Considerable improvements have been
for some time in progress; and the town has recently
been enlarged by the formation of several streets diverging from the main line towards the sands on the south,
and others built on the acclivities of the hills towards
the north. The streets are well paved, and lighted
with gas by a company who have erected works for
that purpose; the inhabitants are amply supplied with
water. Numbers of the ancient houses have been taken
down, and rebuilt in a better style; and the town generally is in a state of progressive improvement. A subscription library is well supported, and contains a
collection of more than 4000 volumes; a mechanics'
library has also been established, in which are 1500
volumes; and there are two circulating libraries,
comprising together nearly 3000. An institution has
been formed within the last few years, in which lectures on literary and scientific subjects are regularly
delivered during the winter months. Two public reading and news rooms are supported by subscription, and
are well supplied with newspapers and periodical publications; and a weekly journal is published in the
town. An agricultural association has also been founded, which holds meetings twice in the year, and awards
premiums for samples of seed, the finest specimens of
live-stock, and the best crops of every description raised
in the district.
The chief manufactures carried on are those of
the various kinds of coarse linen, consisting of checks,
striped holland, dowlas, ticking, sail cloths, and other
articles, in which great improvements were some time
since made by Mr. James Fergus, who adapted the
manufacture of ticking, which had previously been
made here for the manufacturers of Glasgow only, to
the use of the English markets, and introduced the
making of checks of cotton and linen mixed, drills, and
ducks. The gross value of the linens manufactured is
now estimated at £80,000 per annum, and, including
the different descriptions of linen goods, £200,000 per
annum, affording occupation to more than 1100 weavers,
exclusively of hand-looms in private dwellings. Connected with the factories are extensive bleaching-grounds and dye-houses. There are several mills for
the spinning of flax, in which about 6000 spindles of
yarn are produced daily, and of which quantities are
exported to France and other parts of the continent to
the value of £60,000 annually; these mills are driven
by steam-engines of twenty-horse power, and give
employment to considerable numbers of females. The
manufacture of steam-engines and the various kinds of
machinery for the use of the mills, for which there are
three establishments in the town, engages about 200
men. The manufacture of salt, formerly very extensive, is still carried on, but upon a limited scale; there
are also two tanneries, two breweries, a distillery, and
several collieries in the parish.
The trade of the port consists chiefly in the exportation of yarn and various manufactured goods, coal, and
agricultural produce; and in the importation of flax,
timber, and other merchandize. The foreign trade is
with North and South America, the Mediterraneant
France, the Baltic, Norway, Denmark, Prussia, the
Hanse Towns, and Germany: about ninety vessels from
foreign parts annually visit the port. The coasting-trade is also considerable. The number of vessels registered in 1842 as belonging to the port was ninety-one,
of the aggregate burthen of 8911 tons, and employing
about 800 seamen. A couple of vessels are engaged
in the whale-fishery, which was formerly much more
extensive. Two smacks sail regularly from Kirkcaldy
to London, and trading vessels to Leith and Glasgow;
steam ferry-boats ply four times a day between this place
and Newhaven, and contribute greatly to facilitate the
trade of the town. The jurisdiction of the port extends
over fifty-two miles of coast, from Aberdour, in the
Frith of Forth, to the upper part of the bay of St.
Andrew's, including the sub-port of Anstruther and
various creeks. The harbour, which is under the direction of a number of trustees appointed under an act of
parliament in 1829, is situated at the eastern extremity of the town, and is inclosed by two stone piers at
the east and west ends. Though capacious, however,
it is very inadequate for the trade of the port, being
accessible to vessels of any considerable burthen only
at spring tides. Attempts are consequently now in
progress for its improvement, by the extension of the
eastern pier under the superintendence of Mr. Leslie,
civil engineer, of Dundee; the cost is estimated at
£10,000, and further improvements are in contemplation, which, when carried into effect, will render it safe
and convenient, at an expense of £40,000. The shore
dues, from which the corporation derive their chief revenue, amounted in 1842 to £1715. The custom-house
establishment consists of a collector, comptroller, land-surveyor, three land-waiters, and fourteen tides-men;
and the amount of duties paid in 1842, according to
official returns, was £4766.
There are branches of the Bank of Scotland, the
Commercial Bank, the National Bank of Scotland, and
the Union Bank of Scotland, the buildings for which
add much to the appearance of the town. The post-office has two deliveries daily; and in addition to the
facilities of communication by steam-boats, the roads
to Dundee, Perth, St. Andrew's, and Glasgow pass
through Kirkcaldy. The chief market, which is amply
supplied with corn, is on Saturday, and is attended by
dealers from all parts; the average quantity of grain
sold is about 35,000 quarters, of which 10,000 only are
disposed of by sample, and the remainder in the stock
market. Fairs for horses and cattle are held on the
third Friday in February, the third Friday in July, and
the first Friday in October. The government of the
burgh, since the passing of the Municipal Reform act
in the reign of William, has been vested in a provost, two bailies, a dean of guild, a treasurer, and a
council of twenty-one members, including the provost,
bailies, dean of guild, and treasurer. The provost,
who is ex officio a justice of the peace for the county,
and the other officers of the corporation, are elected
by the council, and the council are elected by the
constituency at large. There are seven incorporated
trades, the smiths, wrights and masons, weavers, shoemakers, tailors, bakers, and fleshers, all of which, except the weavers, possess exclusive privileges of trading.
The magistrates hold courts for the adjudication of civil
causes to any amount; in criminal cases their jurisdiction is limited to misdemeanors. The town-hall and
gaol form one building in the High-street, surmounted
with a spire: the hall, in which the courts are held
and the public business transacted, is spacious and
handsomely fitted up, and contains a portrait of Walter
Fergus, Esq., of Strathore. The gaol is under excellent
regulations; proper attention is paid to the health and
comfort of the prisoners, who are profitably employed,
and its management is well adapted for their reformation. The whole buildings, which are in the Norman
style of architecture, were erected at a cost of £5000.
The burgh is associated with those of Dysart, Kinghorn,
and Burntisland, in returning a member to the imperial
parliament.
The parish formerly included the chief part of that
of Abbotshall, which was separated from it in the year
1650; but it is now of very inconsiderable extent. It
is only two miles and a half in length, and scarcely one
mile in breadth; and comprises little more, besides the
town site, than the burgh acres, and the common lands
once belonging to the town, not exceeding in the whole
1050 acres, of which 160 are woodland and plantations,
and the remainder arable. The soil near the town is
rich and fertile, from the abundance of manure; in
other parts less productive. The surface rises from the
shore of the Frith, a level sandy beach, towards the
north into a bold ridge, which has an elevation of 300
feet above the sea: the only stream is the Eastburn,
which, after receiving some tributaries in a course of
less than three miles, flows into the frith at the extremity of the parish bordering upon that of Dysart. The
substrata are principally sandstone, slate, and coal,
which last occurs in several seams varying from nine
inches to three and a half feet in thickness; one mine
only is at present in operation, and the coal is raised
from a depth of forty-six fathoms. Iron-ore is found
in the coal district, in globular masses; but the price
obtained does not remunerate the trouble of working
it. The rateable annual value of the parish is £18,239.
Dunnikier House, the seat of James Townsend Oswald, Esq., a handsome mansion erected about 1790, is
beautifully situated in a richly-wooded demesne; and
in the town and immediate vicinity are some pleasing
villas.
The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Kirkcaldy, of which this is
the seat, and the synod of Fife. The minister's stipend is
£200, with a manse and glebe valued at about £50 per
annum; patron, the Crown. The parish church, situated upon rising ground in the High-street, is a handsome structure in the later English style, erected in
1807, on the site of the ancient building, which had
fallen into a state of dilapidation. A portion of the old
tower, however, is attached to the west end, and detracts greatly from the appearance of the church; but
its removal, and the erection of a tower or spire of corresponding style, are in contemplation. The interior is
well arranged, and contains 1480 sittings. A church
to which a quoad sacra district was till lately annexed,
containing a population of 1977 persons, has been
erected near the east end of the town, at an expense
of £2000; it is called East Port Church, and has 840
sittings. There are also places of worship for members
of the Free Church, the United Secession, Episcopalians,
Independents, Bereans, Original Burghers, and Scottish
Baptists. The Burgh school is supported by the corporation and by the fees, and is under the superintendence of a rector, to whom they pay £50, and an assistant, who has a salary of £40; it is attended by 170
children, who are instructed in the classics and in the
various branches of a commercial education. The fees
produce £50 per annum to each master; but neither has
a dwelling-house. Schools have been erected in the town
and in Pathhead, Kinghorn, and Abbotshall, and teachers appointed, under an endowment by Robert Philp,
Esq., who, in 1828, bequeathed £74,000 for the education and clothing of 400 of the most needy children of
the district. To each of these, on leaving school, are
allowed from £7 to £10, according to merit, to enable
them to acquire a trade, or to introduce them into creditable employment. The master of the Kirkcaldy
school, under this trust, has £100 per annum; and a
mistress to teach the girls to sew has a salary of £15.
There are numerous other schools, partly endowed, and
partly supported by the fees; and the number of children attending them is about 700. Mr. John Thomson, in 1810, bequeathed £780, of which he appropriated
one-half of the proceeds to the payment of school fees
for poor children, and the remainder to the relief of the
aged. An institution for the benefit of old and disabled
mariners belonging to the port, and for their widows and
orphans, was established about the year 1590, to the
support of which the masters and crews of the various
vessels long contributed a per-centage of their pay.
This institution is called the "Prime Gilt-Box of Kirkcaldy," and has funds amounting to nearly £3000.
There are also a ladies' benevolent society, a clothing
society, and a fund for supplying the poor with coal.
In 1828, the gallery on the north side of the church,
which was densely crowded to hear the Rev. Edward
Irving, of London, fell down; and many lives were lost.
Dr. Adam Smith, author of The Wealth of Nations, and
one of the most illustrious men, as a writer, to whom
Scotland has given birth, was born at Kirkcaldy in
1723. After an absence of many years, which were
occupied in literary pursuits, and, for some time, in discharging his professional duties in the chair of moral
philosophy in the university of Glasgow, he returned to
Kirkcaldy, where he composed his most celebrated work.
He died in 1789; and it is not a little remarkable that,
to this day, no monument to his memory has been
erected in his native town.