Gazetteer of Scotland

KIR
wrovfght for fome time, but has been
given up fince 1739. In 1793? the
number of inhabitants was 1276.
KIRKMiCHAEL; a parifh in
Dumfries-fhire, of an elliptical figure,
nearly 10 miles long, and 4 broad in
the middle. The general appearance
K rather barren, being interfperfed
with extenfive unimprovable heathy
tracts, and fwampy grounds and mof-
fes, which fupply the country with
fuel : the upper or N. W, diftrict is
hilly, chiefly covered with heath, but
pollefling*a few valuable arable farms,
on the banks of the rivers Ae and
Kinnet, and the Glenkill burn. Belides
plantations, nearly 200 acres are co-
vered with copfes of natural wood.
Notwithftanding the unfavourable ap-
pearance of the diftricb, the produce
in grain is confiderably greater than
fleceffary for the confumpt of the in-
habitants ; the number of which, in
1792, was 950. Here are the remains
of feveral ancient fortifications; and a
part of the, great Roman road can be
diftinctly traced through the whole
length of the parifh. There are feve-
ral veins of ironftone, and many of
the fprings contain that mineral in fo-
lution.
KIRKMICHAEL; a parifh in the
N. E. cornier of Perthfhire, extending
17 miles in length, and from 6 to 7 in
breadth. It comprehends the greater
part of Strathardle, and the whole of
Glenfhee ; being watered by the rivers
Ardle and Sbee, which run through
thefe valleys. The furface is moun-
tainous ; and, from its elevated fitua-
tion, it is expofed to the feverity of a
cold or ftormy feafon. The foil, on
the banks of the Ardle, is thin and
dry, having a fandy bottom, and pro-
ducing light crops ; on the higher
grounds, and in Glenfhee, the foil is
wet and fpongy, and, except in dry
warm feafons, unfriendly to vegeta-
tion. But, though there are feveral
arable farms, the greater part of the
parifh is better adapted for pafturage
than tillage. The number of fheep is
about 9000 ; of black cattle 2000 ; and
©f horfes 800. There are feveral lakes
which abound with trout. Near the
Spital of Glenfhee, a mountain called
Bbein-Ghulbbuin, is diitinguifhed as
the fcene of the hunting which proved
fatal to Diarmid, one of Ofiian's he-
roes. Tradition points out the place
KIR
where he was flain, where he was blU
ried, and other circumftances relative
to the chafe. There are feveral cairns,
tumuli, and druidical circles ; and one
of the rocking Jloncs, which are fup-
pofed to have been fubfervient to
druidical fuperftition ; (vide Kells.)
The great military road from Gupar
Angus to Fort George palTes along
the Ardle, and through Glenfhee.
Population in 1794, 2200.
KIRKMICHAEL ; a parifh in the
counties of Rofs and Cromarty ; to
which were added, about the end of
the 17th century, the two parifnes of
Cullicudden and St. Martins. It
lies along the S. coalt of the Frith
of Cromarty, and extends about 8
miles in length, and 3 in breadth.
There are a greater number of en-
campments in this, than in any other
parilh in the N. faid to have been e-
rected by the Danes, when they in-
vaded Scotland : there are feveral old
catties, and 3 modern feats of the pro-
prietors, viz. Braclang-well, Ne-uiball,
and Poynterjield, which are furround-
ed with extenfive policies and planta-
tions. Freellone abounds ; and, in
1786, there were found fome ftrata of
limeftone, interfperfed with veins of
rich lead ore. Population in 1793,
1.234.
KIRKNEWTON ; a parifh in the
county of Mid-Lothian, to which the
parifh of East Calder was annexed
in 1750. It is 6 miles long, and 4
broad ; bounded on the N. by the ri-
ver Amond, and on the S. by the wa-
ter of Leith. The furiace towards
the S. is hilly ; but, towards the N.
and E. it becomes level and fertile. A
confiderable number of fheep are fed
in the hills, and the low grounds are
moftly enclofed, and well cultivated.
Lord Meadowbank has beautified and
greatly improved his eftate, in this pa-
rifh, by belts and clumps of planting,
variegated with every kind of wood
fuited to the foil. The celebrated
Dr. William Cullen was proprietor
of the eftate of Ormijion-bill, in this
pariih, and lies buried in the church-
yard of Kirknewton. In 1793, the
population was 812.
KIRKOSWALD ; a parifh in the
diftricl of Carrick, in Ayrshire. It ex-
tends about 6 miles along the coaft,
and contains nearly 1 1,000 Scots acres.
The finfaec is hilly and uniheltcred j