Topographical dictionary of Scotland > Volume 2

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LITTLE-MILL, a village, in the parish of Old Kil-
patrick, county of Dumbarton ; containing 136 in-
habitants. This, though a small, is a growing village,
situated on the north bank of the river Clyde, and at
which Messrs. Mills and Wood had till recently a con-
siderable yard for ship-building. The yard was opened
by them in the spring of 1S34, and they built in it seve-
ral steamers of the larger size. In the village is a
small school.
LIVINGSTONE, a parish, in the county of Linlith-
gow ; containing, with part of the village of Blackburn,
1004 inhabitants, of whom 111 are in the village of
Livingstone, 2§ miles (W. by S.) from Mid Calder. This
place derives its name from an ancient castle called
Livingstone Peel, which in the time of David I. was the
baronial residence of the family of the Livingstones,
whose descendants were elevated to the peerage by the
title of Barons Livingstone, and of whom Alexander, the
seventh baron, was by James VI., in 1600, created Earl
of Linlithgow. This title, however, became extinct on
the attainder of James, the fourth earl, for his participa-
tion in the rebellion of 1715. Of the ancient castle,
there were some remains till the middle of the last
century, consisting chiefly of the fosse and rampart ;
but they have entirely disappeared ; and the more
modern mansion of the Livingstone family was taken
down by the present proprietor, the Earl of Rosebery,
soon after he purchased the lands. About half a mile
to the north-east of the castle, was once a building said
to have been a hunting-lodge of the kings of Scotland
during their residence in the palace of Linlithgow, and
of which the fragment of a square tower was remaining
within the last forty years.
The parish was formerly of much greater extent than
at present, as it included the parish of Whitburn, which
was separated from it in 1*30. It is now about seven
miles in extreme length from east to west, and almost
one mile and a half in breadth, comprising an area of
5S00 acres, of which, with the exception of nearly 300
acres of woodland and plantations and 200 acres of
moss, the whole is arable and pasture. The surface,
though boldly undulating, scarcely rises into hills of
any striking height, except in the north-eastern extremity,
where the Dechmont-law, or Knightsridge hill, attains
an elevation of 686 feet above the level of the sea, com-
manding an extensive and richly-diversified prospect.
The lower grounds are watered by the river Almond,
which in its course through the parish is but a moderate
stream turning some mills, though, when flooded, it
frequently bursts its banks, and expands into consider-
able breadth. The soil is generally clay, much improved
by draining and manure ; the crops are favourable, and
the lands not under the plough afford good pasturage
for cattle, which are of the Ayrshire and Teeswater
breeds, with occasional crosses. The lands are well
inclosed, and the more recent improvements in husbandry
have been adopted. The plantations, which consist of
spruce, larch, and Scotch fir, with an intermixture of
the hard- woods, are well managed, especially those en
the lands of the Earl of Rosebery, the yearly thinnings
of which are considerable. The rateable annual value
of the parish is £4556.
Limestone, coal, and whinstone are the principal sub-
strata ; but they have not been wrought to advantage.
Compact basalt is found near the base of Dechmont-
191
law, of which the summit is greenstone ; and still nearer
the base, on the eastern side, is fine blue shale. There
are several quarries of whinstone and sandstone ; and
near the village of Blackburn is a quarry of lakestone,
which was wrought for many years, producing excellent
stone for laying ovens, and the working of which, lately
discontinued as an encroachment on the road, is
now completely resumed. Blackburn House is a hand-
some mansion, pleasantly situated in grounds em-
bellished with thriving plantations. The village of
Livingstone has a public library containing about 300
volumes, supported by subscription : at the village of
Blackburn, which is described under its own head, the
cotton manufacture is carried on to a considerable
extent. Facility of intercourse with Mid Calder and
the adjacent district is maintained by good roads. The
ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of
the presbytery of Linlithgow and synod of Lothian and
Tweeddale. The minister's stipend is £188. 12., with
a manse, and a glebe valued at £1S per annum ; patron,
the Earl of Rosebery. The church, rebuilt in 1732,
and recently repaired, is a neat structure containing 263
sittings. There are also places of worship for members
of the Free Church and Independents. The parochial
school is attended by about seventy children ; the master
has a salary of £34, with a house and garden, and the
fees are considerable. There is also a school at Black-
burn, supported by subscription.
LOx\NHEAD, a village, in the parish of Lasswade,
county of Edinburgh, 1^ mile (W. by S.) from Lass-
wade ; containing 810 inhabitants. This is a rural and
pleasant village, situated a little east of the high road
from Liberton to Penicuick, and is a favourite retreat
in summer for families from the larger and more busy
towns around, particularly Edinburgh, from which city
it. is distant between four and five miles. It contains a
number of good houses and several handsome villas ;
and possesses the advantage, not usual in such small
places, of an excellent supply of water, brought in pipes.
In the neighbourhood are collieries, considerable paper-
mills, and a brewery ; employing a large part of the
population. There is a Cameronian meeting-house ; and
the visitors have the benefit of a good subscription
library.
LOANHEAD, a village, in the parish of Denny,
county of Stirling, If mile (S. S. W.) from the village
of Denny ; containing 74 inhabitants. This village,
which is situated in the eastern portion of the parish,
upon a stream that flows into the river Bonny, is
chiefly inhabited by persons employed in the collieries
and in the various manufactories in the neighbourhood.
There is a place of worship for members of the United
Secession ; and a Congregational library, containing 500
volumes, is supported by subscription.
LOANS, a village, in the late quoad sacra parish of
Troon, parish of Dundonald, district of Kyle, county
of Ayr, 7| miles (S. W. by W.) from Kilmarnock ; con-
taining 205 inhabitants. This village is situated on the
turnpike-road from Ayr to Irvine, and is inhabited
chiefly by persons employed in the works in the imme-
diate vicinity. At the northern extremity is a road
communicating with the line of the Glasgow and Ayr
railway.
LOCHALSH, a parish, in the district of Mainland,
county of Ross and Cromarty, 9 miles (W. N. W.) from