Gazetteer of Scotland

DAL
Sari of Galloway, is finely situated on
the banks of the Ken. Population in
1801, 832.
DALRYMPLE ; a parish in the
county of Ayr. It extends along the
banks of the river Doon from 6 to 7
miles in length, and about 2 in breadth.
The lower grounds are delightfully
situated, surrounded on all sides with
little green hills. Near the Doon, the
ground is remarkably beautiful and
diversified. The soil is partly clay,
and partly sand. The state of agri-
culture is much improved of late
years, and inclosures are becoming
general. The Doon contains salmon
and trout. A salmon-fishing on this
river lets at about lsl. per annum.
There is plenty of limestone, marl,
and some freestone. Here, it is said,
was an engagement, in which Coilus,
King of the Britons was slain. Popu-
lation in 1801, 514.
DALSERF ; a parish in the county
of Lanark. It is situated on the S.
bank of the river Clyde, extending in
length about 5 miles, and on an ave-
rage 3 in breadth. The holms on the
banks of the Clyde, which are of irre-
gular breadth, are very fertile, but
liable to be overflowed by the river.
From these plains the ground rises by
a bold and precipitous ridge to a con-
siderable height. Here the soil be-
comes clay, or rather argillaceous
loam, with a till bottom. The lower
grounds are well cultivated, but the
rest of the parish being more steril, is
but slightly improved. There are se-
veral extensive plantations in the pa-
rish, and on the Clyde some large or-
chards. Except the ground occupied
by these the whole is arable. The
rivers Avon and Calnar run through
it. There are 3 neat villages, viz.
Dalserf, Millheugh, and Larkhall ; the
last of which is now very considerable,
and is daily increasing. Dalserf stands
in a low situation on the banks of the
Clyde. In this village is the church,
with a clock and spire. There are 4
pits of excellent coal, and lime has
been found in small quantity. There
is great plenty of freestone, and iron-
stone is also abundant. There are
several mineral springs, the water of
which contains iron in solution. Dal-
serf House and Broomhill are both
finely situated, commanding a charm-
ing prospect of the Clyde and Avon,
DAL
with their pleasant banks. The ruins
of two small chapels remain, one of
which is dedicated to St. Patrick.
Population in 1790, 1100.
D ALTON ; a parish in the district
of Annandale,in Dumfries-shire, about
4 miles in length from N. to E. and 3
miles in breadth. The banks of the
Annan, which bound the parish on
the E. have a light loamy soil, very
capable of improvement: in the pla-
ces farther from the river the soil is
clay, on a cold till bottom, which, by
retaining the moisture, renders it un-
favourable for vegetation. Of late,
several commons and moors have been
brought into culture, and the appear-
ance of the country in general is much
improved. Population in 1801, 595.
DALWHINNIE; a stage-inn in
Inverness-shire, on the great Highland
road to Inverness, 98 miles from Edin-
burgh.
DALZIEL ; a parish in the county
of Lanark, about 4 miles in length,
and 2 in breadth. The land is low,
and the surface even and regular, ris-
ing gradually from the rivers Clyde
and Calder, by which it is bounded,
to a ridge, with a declivity just suffi-
cient to carry off the superfluous wa-
ter. The banks of the Clyde are low,,
except at one place, where there is a
bold rocky bank for 300 yards, on the
top of which is buili. a summer-house,
commanding a fine prospect of Ha-
milton and the surrounding country.
The banks of the Calder are beauti-
fully diversified with coppices, and
there are several plantations of thriv-
ing trees, which heighten the beauty
of the scenery. The sop of the parish
is a rich loam, and strong mariy clay,
capable of a high state of cultivation.
There is a salmon fishing on the Clyde,
belonging to the family of Wish aw.
Coal abounds in the parish, but no
pits are wrought at present : there
are also freestone quarries of excellent
quality. Upon a most picturesque
spot stands the mansion-house of Dal-
ziel, attached to the old tower or
chateau of the manor, which is kept
in repair solely on account of its an-
tiquity. The latter is a large Gothic
building, with battlements and loop-
holes on the top, and otherwise for-
tified very strongly ' in the ancient
manner. A Roman way passed
through this parish, some vestiges of