Gazetteer of Scotland

KIL
KIL
water of Roy, in the direction of S. W.
and N. E. and the opening betwixt
which forms the valley of Glenroy.
There were originally 3 lines of these
roads on each side of the glen, each
corresponding in height to the one op-
posite to it ; the lowermost, however,
is in some places effaced, particularly
on the S. side. They all run parallel
to each other, and in an horizontal
direction, humouring the windings of
the mountains. Their dimensions are
various ; in general, they are from 60
to 70 feet in breadth ; and the distance
betwixt two of them has been found
to be about 180. Similar roads are
likewise to be seen in two of the ad-
jacent glens, but not in such perfec-
tion." As nothing is left upon record
concerning the persons by whom, and
the uses for which the roads were
constructed, we can only mention that,
by the common people they are as-
cribed to some of the monarchs who
resided at Inverlochy, or to Fingal, as
theyare still known by the name of
the Fingallan roads. The purpose for
which they were constructed, accord-
ing to the general opinion, was to fa-
cilitate the exercise of hunting ; for,
when the valley was covered with
wood, certain avenues were necessary
to allow them to pursue the deer.
Perhaps they were fenced about, and
used as places where to confine the
game, before they were driven out
into the Dal-na-sealg, or " hunting-
dale," where they were killed. Popu-
lation in 1801, 2541.
KILMANY ; a parish in Fifeshire,
about 6 miles in length and 4 in
breadth, lying in a fine valley, water-
ed by the river Motray, which, while
it fertilizes the soil, renders the adja-
cent scenery truly picturesque. The
sides of the hills are rugged, and in
many places covered with beautiful
and thriving plantations. A great
part of the lands in the parish are in
a high state of cultivation. The small
village of Kilmany is pleasantly situa-
ted on an eminence, on the old road
from Dundee to Cupar, about 5 miles
from the latter, and 3^ miles from the
harbour of Balmerino on the Tay.
Population in isol, 787.
KILMARNOCK ; a town of Ayr-
shire, seated in a valley, on each side of
5 rivulet which is a tributary stream
of the Ji'yiqe. Jt is very irregularly
built, few of the streets being laid out
on a fixed plan. It is a borough of
barony, governed by 2 bailies, and a
council of 12 of the merchants, and
the deacons of the 5 incorporated
trsdes. The first charter in its favour,
was granted to Thomas Lord Boyd,
in 1591, which was renewed and am-
plified by a charter to William Earl of
Kilmarnock, in 1672, and ratified by-
act of parliament the same year. Up-
on the attainder of that family, the
superiority of the borough became vest-
ed in the crown. The town possesses
great property and extensive common-
ties, through the munificence of the
Boyd family. Kilmarnock is one of
the principal manufacturing towns iu
Ayrshire, and carries on a considerable
trade in making of carpets, serges, and
other woollen cloths ; and in saddlery,
leather, &c. to the average annual a-
mount of nearly 90,oool. It contains'
about 6000 inhabitants. The parish
of Kilmarnock extends about 9 miles
in length, and 4 in breadth, along the
banks of the river Irvine. The sur-
face is level, having in general a gentle
declivity towards the S. The soil is
deep, strong, and fertile, inclining to
moss on the northern borders. Along
the banks of the Irvine are some fine
rich holms ; and the greater pari is
inclosed, and highly cultivated. The
Marchioness of Titchfield and the
Countess of Loudon are the princi-
pal proprietors. Dean Castle, about
half a mile N. E. from the town, is a
very ancient edifice, formerly the Re-
sidence of the noble and unfortunate
family of Kilmarnock. In 1735, it
was entirely destroyed by fire, and still
remains in the same desolate condi-
tion, a monument of fallen grandeur
and magnificence. In.one of the areas
of the town stands a stone pillar, of
elegant workmanship, erected to the
memory of an English Lord Soules,
who was killed on the spot, in 1444,
by an arrow from one of the family
of Boyd. There is an extensive coal
work about half a mile N. W. of the
town ; and in other places coal is. to
be found. Population in 1801,8079.
KILMARONOCK; a parish in
Dumbartonshire, about 5 miles in
length, and from 2 to 4 in breadth.
It is watered by the river Endrick,
the windings of which, through a
beautiful plain of 3000 acre? ; with the.