Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 3.djvu/583

This page needs to be proofread.
571

STRATHBEG. 571 STRATHMIGLO. modern part is well 'built, and contains branches of the Bank of Scotland, the Union bank, and the Western bank, also a savings-bank, general post-office, &e. Cotton weaving is carried on. It has no public funds, and is governed by a bailie appointed by the Duko of Hamil- ton. The par. is in the presb. of Hamilton and synod ol Glasgow and Ayr. The church was removed from its ancient site in the churchyard in 1772, and rebuilt where it now stands. Besides the National church there are two relief chapels, an United Associate Synod meet- ing-house, and a chapel for the Independents. There are a free school and several others. Market day is on Thursday. Fairs are held on the first Thursdays in January, March, and November, and for cattle on the first Thursday in April, and on a Thursday in October. STRATHBEG, a sea-loch on the coast of Aberdeen, Scotland, near Rattray. STRATHBLANE, a par. in the co. of Stirling, Scotland. It extends in length about 5 miles from N.W. to S.E., with an extreme breadth of about 4 miles. The country is watered by six small lakes, covering from 8 to 60 acres each, and abounding with pike, perch, and trout. The hills which rise on the N., adjoining the boundary with Killnirn and Campsie, constitute part of that range anciently known as the Lennox hills, and at the hill of Earl's Seat attain an elevation of 1,400 feet above sea-level. The low grounds are fertile. In this parish are some basalt pillars 30 feet in height, and from 2 to 3 feet in diameter. The soil in the upper part of the valley is sandy, but in the lower part clay and loam. The prevailing rocks are Old Red sandstone, but at one point on the river bank no fewer than 192 alternate strata of earth and limestone have been counted. The air is mild and healthy. The par. is traversed by the great road from Glasgow, and is within easy access of the terminus of the Campsie branch of the Edinburgh and Glasgow railway. The village of Strathblane is about 3 miles S.W. of Fintry, and 4 N. of Milngavie. It is on the river Blane, which signifies " the warm river," and has a fall at Ballagan Spout of 70 feet. Many of its inhabitants are employed in the cotton mills and in the bleach and print works. In the vicinity are the ruins of Mugdock Castle, which has an echo repeating six syllables. This par. is in the presb. of Dumbarton and synod of Glasgow and Ayr. The stipend of the minister is about 231. There are a parochial library and a girls' school. The castle and estate of Duntreath, formerly one of the greater baronies, and in right whereof the proprietors sat in the Scottish parliament without election or patent, still constitutes about a third part of the parish, and belongs to the illustrious family of Edmonstone. STRATHBOGIE, a district in the co. of Aberdeen, Scotland. It comprises the pars, of Dumblane, Forgue, Huntley, and parts of Cairney, Gartley, and Glass. It is watered by the river Bogie. It gives name to the presbytery of Strathbogie, containing a dozen parishes in the synod of Moray. The Free Church also has a presb. of Strathbogie, consisting of ten congregations. STRATHBUNGO, a vil. in the par. of Govan, co. Renfrew, Scotland, 1J mile S. of Glasgow. It is situ- ated on the road thence to Pollockshaws. It is principally inhabited by weavers, miners, and other artificers. There is a small chapel. STKATHCOXAN, a district in the 8. part of co. Ross, Scotland. It is situated under Scuir Vuillin, and ia celebrated for its honey. It is 15 miles in length by 13 in breadth, and is watered by the rivers Conan and Meig. The district is densely wooded, and is a resort of sportsmen. In 1745 it was forfeited to the crown by the Mackenzies.

UATHDEARN, a district in cos. Nairn and In-

-s, Scotland. It extends from .the head of the river Findhorn in Badenoch, through Nairn to the borders of Elgin. Fairs are held on the Friday after tin: 19th May, on the Friday in August before Cump- 'i, on the Friday in August after the Moor of Ord,

i tli.' I- riihiy in October lifter Itejmly fairs.

BTBATH-DIGHTY, or STIIATIIMARTINE, an vol.. lit. ancient par. in the district of Dundee, co. Forfar, Scot- land, now joined to Mains. It gives the title of baron to the Earl of Strathmore. STRATHDON, anciently INVERNOCHTIE, a par. in the district of Alford, co. Aberdeen, Scotland. It contains a detached part of the adjoining parish of Tar- land. This parish, which occupies the head of the valley through which the river Don flows, is 16 miles in length, with a breadth of 9 miles, and is bounded by Banflshire, and by the pars, of Glenbucket, Migvie, Logie, Cold- stone, Glenmuick, and Braemar. The detached por- tion of the parish of Tarland consists of a hilly valley extending southward. The parish was formerly named Inver-Nochtie from the situation of the church, which stands at the confluence of the Nochtie with the Don. The rivulet Kindy also falls into the Don a little above the kirk of Towic. The prevailing rocks are granite, slate, and limestone, the latter being extensively worked. The village of Strathdon is about 9 miles N.W. of Ballatir, and is situated near the confluence of the river Don and Nochtie. The old castle of Curgarflf, on the great road from Edinburgh to Fort Gore, was a_hunting seat of the earls of Marr, and was garrisoned by the government in 1746. This par. is in the presb. of Alford and synod of Aberdeen, and in tho patron, of the crown. Tho parish church was erected in 1757, and is situated near the Doun of Invernochtie. The Society for the Promotion of Christian Knowledge have established several schools in this district. The principal seats are Newe, Candacraig, Invernan, Auchor- nach, Glenkindy, Edinglassie, Bellabeg, and Skelluter. STRATHERRICK, a district in co. Inverness, Scot- land. The strath is open, extending along the S.W. side of Loch Ness, but is separated from that lake by a narrow range of hills. The upper table lands are intersected by the rivers Foyers and Farigag. STRATHFILLAN, a quoad sacra par. in the par. of Glenorchy, co. Argyle, and partly in that of Killin, co. Perth, Scotland, near Tyndrum. It is situated in the vale of the Tay, and contains the hmlt. of Clifton. A fair is held on the 3rd July. STRATHGLASS, a district in co. Inverness, Scot- land, comprising the basins of the rivers Glass and Beauly. At Erchless Castle, the seat of The Chisholm, the Pretender, Charles Stuart, lay hid in 1746. STRATHKINNESS, a vil. in the par. of St. Andrew's, co. Fife, Scotland, 3 miles W. of St. Andrew's. It is situated on the road from Leuchars to Largo. There is a Free church. STRATHLACHLAN, an ancient par. now joined with Strachur, co. Argyle, Scotland. STRATHMARTINE, See STRATH-DIOHTY. STRATHMIGLO, a par. and town in the district of Cupar, co. Fife, Scotland. It extends in length 5J miles from N. to S., with an extreme breadth of 4 miles, and is bounded by the cos. of Kinross and Perth, and by the pars, of Auchtermuchty and Falkland. Tho greatest altitude is attained on the southern border at Mid-Lomond Hill, which rises 1,700 feet above sea-level. The land for the most part is well cultivated. The soil in the N. is a rich friable loam on trap rock, and in the S. light and sandy, upon Old Red sandstone, which is quarried to some extent. The parish is traversed by tho Fife and Kinross railway, which has a station here. The town is situated on the river Eden or Miglo, about 3 miles N.W. of Falkland, and 8 N.E. of Kinross. It was a burgh of barony under the Scotts of Balweary, and afterwards under the Balfours of Burleigh, the site of whose old castlo is near tho town. It principally consists of two streets, with several lanes diverging from them. The townhall is an ancient structure with a square steeple, surmounted by a spire 80 feet in height, a sundial, now much defaced, and the arms of the house of Burleigh. Within tho present century a village has been formed on tho opposite side of the Miglo, called the Fens of Wester-Cash, adjoining the Town Green. Bleaching and linen-weaving are the principal industries. It is lighted with gas, and is i hUition of the county police. This par. is in tho 4 K