Gazetteer of Scotland > Volume 2

740
LOCHMABEN.
immemorial, been regarded by the people
around in no other light than that of a super-
terraneous quarry. The Castle Loch is a fine
sheet of water, skirted by green and fruitful
fields, and woods of the true rich and massive ap-
pearance. Fed entirely by its own springs, it is
remarkable in the eyes of the natural historian
and the gourmand, for containing a peculiar
species of fish entitled the vendise. It is said
that a causeway traverses the bottom of the
loch between the point of the castle promon-
tory and a spot called the Castle-hill of Loch-
maben, where the vestiges of the ancient fort-
ress of the Bruces are yet very distinctly to be
traced. The common tradition regarding
this phenomenon is, that the materials of the
old castle were transported by its means over
to the site of the new one, which was thus built
out of it. But how so elaborate a work of
art could have been constructed at the bottom
of a loch seven feet deep, is not accounted
for. The history of the Cross of Loch-
maben is somewhat curious. It is a tall time-
worn stone, fixed into a broad freestone socket,
and stands in the market-place. At the time
when the neighbouring Castle of Elshieshields
was built, this stone was left from the materi-
als employed in its erection; and, Lochmaben
being then deficient in the object which was
considered indispensable to all burghs, the
town-council made over to the Laird of El-
shieshields, and his heirs and successors for
ever, the mill and mill-lands of Lochmaben, a
part of the burgh property, as the price and
purchase of the said stone, to the intent that
it might be erected as a market-cross in their
burgh, and remain a proud monument of their
taste and public spirit. The mill and mill-
lands with which it was purchased then afford ~
ed to the town a yearly rental of only a few
merks ; at present, the proprietor of Elshie-
shields draws from them annually the sum of
one hundred pounds sterling. Lochmaben is
poetically called " Queen of the Lochs," from
its situation in the midst of eight or nine
sheets of water. On account of these great
natural ornaments, an experienced person once
declared, that if the town were cleared away,
a good house built in its place, and the envi-
rons, including the lochs, converted into a
pleasure-ground, there would not be a finer
thing in Scotland. Lochmaben, in its present
state, is well worthy of a visit, and, indeed, is
much visited. The church of the town and
parish is a handsome and convenient building
in the pointed style, with a bold square tower.
It was opened in 1820, and cost L.3000.
There is also a chapel of the United Associ-
ate Synod and one of the Cameronians in
the neighbourhood. The town-house, with
its tower and clock, stands at the end of
the principal street. The town has a sub-
scription library and mason lodges. As a
royal burgh, it is governed by a provost, three
bailies, and a dean of guild, with a treasurer
and fifteen councillors. The burgh joins with
Annan, Dumfries, Kirkcudbright, and San-
quhar, in sending a member to parliament.
It has several annual fairs. — Population of the
town in 1826, 700; including the parish, 2651.
LOCHMOIR, a small lake in the parish
of Edderachylis, Sutherkndshire.
LOCHMORE, a lake in the parish of
Halkirk, Caithness, from which flows the
river Thurso.
LOCHNAGAR, a lofty mountain in Aber-
deenshire, noticed under the head Glenrnuick.
LOCHRUTTON, a parish in the eastern
part of the stewartry of Kirkcudbright, sepa-
rated by Troqueer from the Nith on the east,
bounded by Terregles and Irongray on the
north, Urr on the west, and Kirkgunzeon on
the south. It extends about four and a half
miles long, by three broad. From the town of
Dumfries, which is distant about four miles to
the eastward, the country rises gradually, more
especially throughout the whole extent of this
district. In the lower and upper extremities,
and towards the south, the country is hilly ;
but the rest of the parish lies in a valley con-
sisting of arable land, interspersed with
knolls, mosses, and meadows. The whole
forms a kind of amphitheatre. Near the cen-
tre of the district is a loch from which the
name of the parish has partly been derived.
It is a mile in length and about half a mile in
breadth: In the middle of it there is a small
island, about half a rood in extent, of a circular
form. It seems to have been, at least in part,
artificial. The remains of a distinct druidical
circle are still to be seen upon a hill at the
eastern extremity of the parish. The parish
has been considerably improved in modern
times, and is well intersected by roads. —
Population in 1821, 594.
LOCHRYAN. See Ryan. (Loch)
LOCHS, a parish in the island of Lewis,
county of Ross, lying on the south side of the