Gazetteer of Scotland

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L A
water, uniting the opposite hills. It was
55 feet long, 10 1-2 broad, and the thick-
ness of the arch was 2 1-2 feet of soiid
stone. The height of the arch from the
water was 31 feet, and had every appear-
ance of seveial square stones being united.
BLACKBURN, a small village in the
parish of Whitburn, about 3 miles W. of
Livingstone, and 3 E. of Whitburn ; the
Glasgow road passes through it.
BLACKFORD, a parish in Perthshire, of
a circular figure, having a diameter of
nearly six miles. Its soil is in general mar-
shy and wet. The northern part is moor-
land ; a ridge of the Ocliils is within its
southern boundary. It contains a village
of the same name, 3 1-2 miles W. from
Auchterarder. In this parish are a few
small lakes, from which the Ruthven and
Allan take their rise. The remains of se-
veral ancient chapels are still extant; and
the site of a Roman camp is easily disco-
vered. Population 16G6.
BLACKFORD, a village in the above
parish, on the road from Stirling to Perth
by Sherifrmuir, about 10 miles N. E. of
Dumblane, and 4 W. of Auchterarder. It
contains a few weavers, and has an annual
fair.
BLACKFORD HILL, the hill most ad-
jacent to Edinburgh on the S. distant about
2 miles. Not more than 40 years ago, the
greater part of it w as an unproductive and
stubborn heath ; but under the manage-
ment of an enterprising lessee, the whole
of it has for many years been subjected to
tillage. A finely romantic, though narrow
glen, through which the water of Braid
runs, separates it on the S. from the ridge
called Braid Hills.
BLACKHOUSE HEIGHTS, a ridge of
hills in the county of Selkirk, the highest
of which is 2373 feet.
BLACKNESS, a village on the Forth, 4
-miles N. E. from Linlithgow, and 6 W. of
Queensferry. At a small distance from it,
upon a peninsula, stands the Castle of the
same name, a very ancient fortification,
and one of the four in Scotland, which, by
the articles of the Union, are stipulated to
be kept in repair.
BLACKSHIELS, a small village, 15
miles from Edinburgh, on the great road
to Coldstream.
BLACKSIDE-END, a hill in Ayrshire,
in the parish of Som, 1560 feet in height.
BLACKWATER, or BLACKADDER, a
river in Berwickshire, which takes its rise
in the Lammcrmuir hills, and falls into the
Whittadder, near the village of Allan,
town.
BLADENOCH, a river in the county of
Galloway. It rises in the hilis which di-
vide Galloway from Carrick ; an d after a
winding of 24 miles, falls into the bay of
Wigton.
BLAIR-ATHOL, an extensive parish in
Perthshire, to which that of Strowan is an ■
hexed. Its extent in length is about 50,
and its breadth about IS miles. Its ap-
pearance, surface, and soil, are exceeding-
ly various. There are many lakes and ri.
vers in the parish. Of the rivers, the Tum-
mel, the Garry, Erochty, Bruar, and Tilt,
are the chief. The principal mountains
are Bein-deird, Beinglo, Strath-groy, Ra-
tamhili, &c. Loch Tummel contains a
small fortified island. Athol House, with
the extensive policies and natural curiosities
that surround it, is much admired. Popu-
lation 2515. The VILLAGE of Blair-A-
thul lies on the road from Edinburgh to
Fort Aug ustus, 20 miles N. from Dun-
keld
ELAIRGOWRIE, a parish and village
in the county of Perth. The PARISH is
of an irregular form, and extends in length
about 11 miles, and about 3 in breadth.
It is divided into 2 districts by the Gram-
pians, which form the northern boundary
of the valley of Strathmore. Newton-house
is a fine old mansion, and was the birth
place of George Drummond, who was 6
times lord provost of Edinburgh. The VIL-
LAGE of Blairgowrie was erected into a
burgh of barony in 1634. Population 1965.
BLAIRINGONE, a village in Perthshire,
in the parish of Fossaway and Tulliebole.
It is a burgh of barony.
BLANE, a small river in the county of
Stirling. It had its source in one of
the Lennox hills; and, after running 3 or
4 miles S. W. is precipitated over several
high falls. The most remarkable of these
is the Spout of Eallagan, a cascade 70 feet
high. After a course of 8 miles farther, it
joins the Endiick, a short way before itfalls
into Lochlomond.
BLANTYRE, a parish in Lanarkshire,
6 miles in length, and on an average one in
breadth. Its whole surface is a plain. The
soil is in general fertile. It is watered by
the Calder ; and the Clyde forms the north-
ern boundary. A very extensive cotton
spinning machinery has of late increased
the population one-half. Iron-stone, for
the supply of the Clyde iron-works, is
wrought to great advantage. The ruins of