Gazetteer of Scotland

G A L
G A L
GAIRLOCH, a parish in Ross-shite, on
tlie W. coast, 32 mil«i long, and nearly IS
" broad. It it very hilly, and atlbrdsaseanty
pasture. The valleys are tolerably fertile.
In this parish lies Loch Mari, a large fresh
water lake, containing many beautiful is-
land!. The coast of Gairloch is famous for
the cod and herring fishery. Population
41755.
GAIRNEY, a small stream, which rises
amongst the Cliesh hills in Kinross-shire,
and discharges itself into Loch Leven.
GAIRSAY, one of the Orkneys, about 4
miles' in circuit, lying 2 miles S. of Pomona
island.
GALA river takes itsrise In the E. end of
the parish of Heriot, Mid-Lothian, and after
being joined by the Heriot, runs S. and,
passing the villages of Stow and Galashiels,
disembogues itself into the Tweed. Its
whole course is singularly romantic.
GALASHIELS, a parish of an irregular fi-
gure, about 5 miles and a half in breadth, in
the countiesof Roxburgh and Selkirk; the
Tweed divides it into two parts. The sur-
face is billy ; the liighest point, Meghill, is
elevated 1.480 feet. The hills are mostly
green, and furnish excellent 3heep pasture.
The soil is various. Considerable attention
is paid to the rearing of sheep and the im-
provement of the wool. Besides the Tweed,
the parish is intersected by the Ettrick and
Gala waters. Population 986—The TOWN
of GALASHIELS, lies 30 miles S. from
Edinburgh. It is situated mostly on the
right bank of Gala water; it has a street, in
which are a number of good houses ;, the
church stands in the centreof the town. The
lower part, in which most of the manufac-
turers live, is scattered along the banks of
the river. Galashiels has been long famous
for the manufacture of woollen cloth, which
is here carried on to a great extent. A great
quantity of woollen yam is spun ; and there
is also a considerable manufacture of stock-
ings. *t contains 1000 inhabitants.
GALATON, a village in the parish of Dy-
sart, Fifeshire, on the great N , road. Popu-
lation 769.
GALLOWAY, comprehends the stewart-
ry of Kirkcudbright, and the county of Wig-
ton. This district, with Dumfries-shire,
appears to have been peopled by that nation
which the Roman writers term the Selgovae
and Novantae; and the Roman province of
Valentia must have included this district.
It is probable, that colonies from the N. of
Ireland frequently visited Galloway, and J
became incorporated with the natives, in- j
-twducing every where the Celtic, tongue !
and manners. The names justify that idea
for writers of this period st\lo them the
Gaelwegenses, and their country Gaelweg,
the country of the Gaels, a term synonymous
with the Celts. This political distinction,
and the diversity of character, were suffi-
cient to make them appear in the eyes of
the old writers a distinct race, and procured
them the appellation of Wild Scotsof Gallo-
way, from their ferocity and impetuous un-
disciplined mode of lighting. Galljway was
anciently famous for a particular breed, of
small horses, which are now mixed with the
Irish and Knglish breed-:, but retain the
same name. The bl^k cattle are still noted
for their excellent species ; and the Galloway
sheep afford the best flavoured mutton. A
considerable numberof swine are also fed
for the English markets. The district has
been divided into Upper Galloway, which
includes the northern parts of Kirkcud-
bright and Wigton ; Lower ,Gallow.ay, the
southern part of the same, shires ; and, the
Rinns of Galloway, that peninsula; or. djs-
trict of Wigton which lies W. of the isthmus
formed by the bays of Luce ami Ryan.
GALLOWAY (MULL of), the southern
point of tiie Rinns, is a promontory in ihe
parish of Kirk-maiden, and county of Wig-
ton. It extends several miles into tho sea,
and is excavated into several caverns.
GALLOWAY (NEW), a royal burgh, in.
the parish of Kill's, in the stewartry of Kirk-
cudbright, 19 miles N. by W. of that town,.
It is situated in the vale of Glenkens. The
houses are neat, and regular, but it possesses
no manufactures. It was erected into a
royal burgh by Charles I. ; is governed by a
provost, 2 bailies, and 14 councillors; and
joins with Wigton, Stranraer, and Whitliorn,
in sending a mem-be! to parliament. The
town is the property of Mr Gordon, the re-
presentative of the Kenmure family. Ken
mure castle is situated in the neighbourhosd.
It contains about 500 inhabitants.
G ALSTON, a parish in the county of Ajr-,
about 13 miles in length, and from 4 to r y
in breadth. It is diversified with hills, ma-
ny of which, tbpugh elevated, are arable. J,t
is bounded on the N. by the river Irvine, and
watered by several of its tributary streams.
There are two considerable lakes, Gait and.
Bruntwood ; from the former of which the
Aven takes its rise. The old castle of Cess-
nock, and old Bar castle, are surrounded
with wood. Population 3009.— The VIL-
LAGE of GALSTON, lies 22 miles a. by W .
of Glasgow, on the road from Edinburgh to
Ayr, and from Glasgow to Dumfries. Pofiu..
lationeOQ.