Gazetteer of Scotland

KIL
KIL
frowse and extensive pleasure grounds
of Buchanan, the residence of the
Duke of Montrose, on its banks, pre-
sent to the traveller a most pictur-
esque landscape, which is further in-
creased by the view of Loch Lomond,
its numerous islands, and the distant
hills towering to the clouds. On the
banks of the river the soil is a deep
rich loam, favourable eitherforpasture
or tillage ; but on the rising ground it
gradually degenerates into a moor or
moss. There are the remains of 2
Romish chapels ; and at Catter, the
property of the Duke of Montrose, is
a large artificial mound of earth,
where in ancient times the baronial
courts were held, near to which the
Dukes of Lennox had a residence, of
which there is 1 not now the smallest
vestige remaining. The castle of
Kilmaronock, and the castle of Bat-
turret, appear to have been formerly
■ very magnificent edifices. Population
in 1801, 879.
KILMARTIN ; a parish in Argyll-
shire, of an oblong figure, 12 miles
in length, and about 3 in breadth, ly-
ing on the W. coast of Argyllshire,
and bounded on the E. for s miles by
Loch Ow. In the S. W. corner, the
surface is rather hilly than mountain-
ous, with arable and pasture grounds
intermixed, and the soil is light and
early, fn the N. E. end the surface is
more rugged, but in the vallies there
are also extensive fields of arable land.
Here the soil is deep, but the crops
uncertain, owing to the elevated and
exposed situation. The valley in which
the church and village of Kilmartin
are situated, is one of the most beauti-
ful in the Highlands ; the rocks cover-
ed on each side with lefty trees to their
summit, form a picturesque scene ;
and the luxuriance of the wood shews
that planting of every kind thrives
well. Through this vale is the line of
road from Kintyre to Fort Wil!iam f
on which the village is a stage with a
commodious inn. Loch Cri'nan is the
principal harbour, not only in this pa-
rish, but also on the western coast of
Argyllshire: it was this circumstance
which induced it to be preferred for
the canal across the isthmus,. though
longer by 3 or 4 miles than the isthmus
of Tarbert. That navigable canal,
now fortunately completed, by open-
ing a cafcrnuriicatidii from Loch Fyr.c
to the Atlantic, will be attended with
the greatest advantage to this part of
the kingdom ; the western coasts will
be supplied with coal from the ports
of the Frith of Clyde, without sub-
jecting the vessels to the long and dan-
gerous navigation round the Mull cr"
Kintyre, and it will invite the inhabi-
tants to follow industrious pursuits,
to which they have hitherto been stran-
gers. There is a rich copper mine
which has been wrought for some
years. Limestone is abundant, and
there are many schistic rocks, which
bear impressions of vegetable subtan-
ces. Several cairns or heaps of loose
stones are to be seen here. Popula-
tion in 1801, 1501.
KILMARTIN ; a river in the isle
of Sky.
KILMAURS ; a parish in Ayrshire,
about 6 miles in length, and 3 in
breadth. The surface is in general fiat,
interpersed with gentle eminences, ge-
nerally covered with clumps of plan-
tation, which, while they vary the
appearance, render the scene highly
picturesque. The soil is in most
places a deep clay, and in many parts
a rich loam, highly fertile, and every
part is arable, and well inclosed. It
is every where adorned with country
seats, of which Craig and Carmel
Bank are the chief. Busby Castle, the
property of the Marchioness of Titch-
field, is now unroofed, and falling to
ruin. The parish is watered by se-
veral rivulets, which are employed in
working machinery. The town of
Kilmaurs is a borough of barony, e-
rected by James V. at the instance of
the Earl of Glencairn. It is pleasant-
ly situated on a gentle ascent,' having
a S. exposure, and consists of one
handsome street, with a small town-
house, and spire in the middle. It is
governed by 2 bailies, annually elec-
ted by the majority of portioners in
the town. It formerly earned on a
considerable trade in cutlery, there
being at one time no fewer than 30
employed in that branch in the town.
The knives were so much famed, that
a Kilmaurs -.vhlttle became prover-
bial. Kilmaurs is only 2 miles dis-
tant: from Kilmarnock, and gives title
of Baron to the eldest sen of the Earl
of Glencairn. The parish is well
supplied with coal, of which there art;
several eicolkfit piu in t!u :kfe!