Gazetteer of Scotland

DAL
ral is level, and in many places cover-
ed with furze and swamps. The soil
is various ; in some parts consisting of
a light dry loam ; but the greater part
is a deep strong loam, mixed with clay,
naturally wet and stiff, but in general
productive of heavy crops. There
are several extensive pits of excellent
coal, of which a great quantity is an-
nually exported from the port of St.
David's,inthis parish. Dunibristle,the
seat of the Earl of 'Moray ; Fordel,
the seat of Sir John Henderson ; and
Cockairny, are of great ornament to
the .surrounding country. Near the
church of Dalgety, which is an ancient,
building, are the ruins of a seat of the
Earl of Dunfermline. Population in
1801, 890.
DALKEITH ; a considerable vil-
lage and parish in the county of Mid-
Lothian. The parish is of small ex-
tent, being only about 2 miles square,
lying on the banks of N. and S. Esk
rivers. There are no mountains nor
hills : indeed, the whole might be
considered as a plain, did not the
steep banks of the rivers give it an
uneven and broken appearance. The
soil is various, being light and sandy
thi the lower 'grounds, and in the
higher a pretty deep clay, well adapt-
ed for raising- either fruit or forest
trees, which arrive here at great per-
fection. The village of Dalkeith is
singularly beautiful. It stands on a
narrow stripe of land between the
two Esks,the banks of which are beau-
tifully wooded, and embellished with
seats of families of the first distinc-
tion. One of the greatest markets in
Scotland for grain is held here every
Thursday : a very great quantity of
oats, in particular, is brought from all
the neighbourhood, and especially
from Berwickshire. All the corn
trade done here is for ready money, a
circumstance of great importance to
the farmer. A few manufactures
have been introduced ; but these have
not been carried to great extent. The
grammar school of Dalkeith has been
long in high repute, and at one period
was esteemed the best seminary in
Scotland : several of the brightest or-
naments of literature here received
the rudiments of their education.
During the summer season, Dalkeith
is much resorted to by parties of plea-
sure from Edinburgh, which is distant
D AL
| about 6 miles, to enjoy the beautiea
of the surrounding scenery. Adjoin-
I ing to the town is Dalkeith House,
i the principal seat of the Duke of Bue-
j cleugli. This elegant and extensive
| building was erected about the begin-
ning of the last century, on the site of
the old c"astle of Dalkeith. The beau-
ty of the situation, which is deserved-
ly admired, is greatly heightened by
the serpentine windings of the two ri-
vers, which unite about half a mile
below Dalkeith House, and the abun-
dance of the thriving plantations with
which it is surrounded. There is a
beautiful bridge of white stone over
the North Esk, within sight of the
house, and the banks of both rivers-
are cut into extensive walks with
great taste. The park contains a
number of venerable oaks, and is well
stocked with deer. Population in
1801, 3906.
DALLAS ; a parish in the county
of Elgin, about 12 miles in length,
and 9 in breadth. Its form is some-
what oval, being surrounded with
hills, so as to form a valley or strath,
in the middle of which runs the small
river Lossie. The soil on the banks
of the river is light and sandy, subject
to frequent inundations ; the rest of
the soil is black and mossy, and the
surrounding hills are covered with
short heath. The harvests are late,
and the crops are seldom sufficient
for the consumpt of the district.
The parish possesses inexhaustible
quarries of a light gray slate, and
some good freestone. Population in
1801, 818.
DALMALLY ; a small village in
Argyllshire, situated at the head of
Loch Awe, about 6 miles from Crua-
chan mountain.
DALMENY ; a parish in the coun-
ty of Linlithgow, on the S. coast of
the Frith of Forth. It is nearly 4 miles
long, and from 2 to 3 in breadth. The
surface is beautifully diversified with
hill and dale, and from the eminences
the prospect is remarkably extensive'
and beautiful. Numerous travellers
have remarked, that the scenery com-
prised in the extent of the prospect
from Mons-hill (one of the highest
eminences) is among the finest in
Europe. The soil is in general a poor
clay, bordering on till ; but there are
some spots of sandy ground* The