Gazetteer of Scotland

F I F 108
of moss; on the E. it becomes deeper, of a
fertile clayey loam. The greater part is in-
closed, and a great quantity of trees were
planted by the late Lord Adam Gordon,
■who built an elegant house, at a small dis-
tance from the North Esk, where he has
laid out some extensive walks. A roman-
tic bridge, called Gannachy bridge, is
thrown over the North Esk,thefoundations
of which stand on two stupendous rocks.
About a mile W. from Fettercairn is a ruin
called Fennella's Castle, where, it is said,
Kenneth III. King of Scotland, was mur-
dered. Population 1502.
FETTERESSO, a parish in Kincardine-
shire, about 10 miles long, and nearly 6
broad ; containing 24,914 square acres, 8000
of which are arable, the rest moor or moss,
which is now planted with thriving trees.
It is watered by the small rivers Cowie and
Carron, near the former of which stands the
house of Urie.— About 2 miles S. W. from
Urie, is the house of Fetteresso. The coast
possesses only one bay where fishing boats
can lie in safety. Near Stonehaven, which
lies on the border of the parish, Mr Barclay
has a village, consisting of two parallel and
cross streets, with a square of two acres in
the middle. Its inhabitants resort to the
harbour of Stonehaven. Population 4252.
FIDDICH, a river in Banffshire, which
has its rise between the parishes of Kirk-
michael and Mortlach, and joins the Spey,
about a mile below Elchies.
FIDDRIE, a small island in the mouth
of the Frith of Forth, opposite to Dirleton.
FIFE-NESS, the eastern point of land in
Fifeshire, which projects into the German
Ocean.
FIFESHIRE. This extensive and popu-
lous county is a sort of peninsula, lying be-
tween the Friths of Tay and Forth, and the
German Ocean bounds it on the E. It is,
on an average, 3G mites long, and 14 broad,
comprehending a superficies of nearly 504
square miles. The face of the country is
agreeably diversified; towards the W. it is
mountainous, and a ridge of hills extends
eastward almost its wholelength, occupying
the central district ; towards the N. and S.
the surface gradually descends to the friths,
exhibiting the most beautiful prospect of
fertile and well cultivated fields. Woods
and plantations abound, and the hills are
covered with sheep, whose wool is in high
estimation. Great improvements have been
lately made in agriculture ; and the farms,
especially on the N. declivify, are rented
exceedingly high, It is watered by several
•♦reams, none of which deserve the name of
N
rivers, except the Eden and Leven ; the fish-
ings, the coal mines, the harbours, and other
advantages, must have early attracted set-
tlers on the coast. James V. compared this
county to a grey mantle with a gold fringe.
The whole coast is covered with small
burghs, which that monarch regarded with
particular attention. He granted them
many privileges and immunities, and en-
deavoured to encourage the inhabitants, to
prosecute the advantages which they pos-
sessed. It contains 13 royal burghs, which
possess parliamentary representation, and
several which have lost that privilege,
from inability to defray the expense which
attended the sending a commissioner to the
Scottish parliament. Of those which retain
all their privileges, except that of sending a
member to parliament, we may mention
Auchtermuchty, Strathmiglo, Newburgh,
Falkland, Earlsferry, &c. To this county
also belong the small islands of May, Inch-
colm, and Inchgarvie. There are few large
estates in Fifeshire. From the minute di-
vision of the land, in no county in Scotland
is land of greater value. It is divided into
63 parochial districts, and contains 101,272
inhabitants, being upwards of 201 to the
square mile ; a larger proportion than exists
iu any other country to the northward of
the Forth. It was anciently an earldom in
the Macduff family. The ruins of the resi-
dences of that powerful family are still evi-
dent in many parts. The whole of the S.
side lies upon coal ; in many places is excel-
lent limestone ; and ironstone is found in the
western and middle quarters.— Lead ore Js
found in the Eastern Lomond. In Kemback
parish, also, it has been wrought. Pebbles,
agates, and rubies of uncommon beauty,
are procured in several places. The valued
rent is L. 362,584, 7s. 5d. Scots, and the re:il
land rent is estimated at L.174,000 Sterling.
FILL AN, a river in Perthshire, in the
parish of Killin, it takes its rise on the bor-
ders of Argyleshire, and, winding a circui-
tous course of S or 9 miles through a valley,
to which it gives the name of Strathrillan,
falls into Loch Dochart.
FINANjST.) a small and beautiful island
in Argyleshire, in loch Shiel, upon which
are the ruins of a church.
FINNIN.ariverin Invernes«-shire, which
gives name to Glenfinnin, and falls into the
eastern extremity or* Loch Shiel.
FINUHAVEN, a hill in the parish of Oath-
law, in Angus-shire, about 1500 feet above
the level of the adjacent country. On its
summit are the remains of an extensive
fortification, which appears to have beet.