Statistical Account - Dollar Parish

Laid out below is a copy of the Statistical Account of Scotland entry for Dollar parish, published in 1795.

The Statistical Account of Scotland, Volume 15, (1795)

Compiled by Sir John Sinclair

Number X.

PARISH OF DOLLAR

(County of Clackmannan, Presbytery of Stirling, Synod of Perth and Stirling.)

By the Rev. Mr John Watson, Minister

Origin of the name.

THE word Dollar is said to be Gaelic. According to some it was formerly spelt Dollard, from doll, a plain, or vale, and ard, a hill, or high land. This is perfectly applicable to its real situation, the principal part of the parish being a beautiful plain or valley, of about an English mile in breadth, lying along the foot of a high range of hills, known by the name of the Ochil-Hills. According to others, it may be expressed Doillar, signifying a hidden or concealed place. This also is expressive of its real situation; which is low and not seem at any great distance, when one approaches it in my direction.

Situation, Extent, Farm, and Appearance.

It is supposed to be equally distant from Stirling, Kinross, and Dunfermline; and is reckoned about 12 English miles from each. The middle and principal part of the parish, in which both the church and the town stand, is an extensive and gently sloping plain, beautifully interspersed with small villages, farm houses, and inclosures; and, taking in with it a small part of Muckart on the east, and Tillicoultry on the West, it forms a beautiful of amphitheatre, of an oval figure, of about 3 miles in length, and one in breadth; bounded by the Ochil-hills on the north, and a rising ground on the south. This beautiful plain would seem to have been laid down, and smoothed by the great hand of nature, to be the seen of sports and exercises, such as those of the ancient Olympic games. It is of a southern exposure; and, when viewed from the rising grounds, particularly on the South, the pleased and admiring beholder would he ready to pronounce it the most delightful spot in the world.

River and Fish

The water of Dovan, which runs from E. to W. neatly divides the parish. The Dovan is not navigable, being a small but beautiful stream of pure limpid water. Its channel, at a medium, may be about 100 feet in breadth. Here it gently glides over a bed of pebbles, where, finding itself at ease (as it were,) after having been dashed and broken in its narrow and rugged channel, through the parishes of Glendevon and Muckart, it seems to sport itself in many beautiful meanders; winding from side to side of the valley, as if loth to leave the delightful haughs of Dollar. But at times, when swelled by heavy rains, which come down in torrents from the hills, it suddenly overflows its banks to a considerable extent, to the no small damage of the farmer, whose lands are situated by the side of it. The river, being small, does not admit of many kinds of fish; yet there are very fine fresh-water trouts, of a considerable size, taken in it, as well at sparrs, in great numbers. In harvest, sea trouts are likewise killed in it, from 2 lib. to 4 lib. Weight. And, in the season, salmon are caught from 5 lib. to 20 lib. About 20 or 30 years ago, salmon were found in Dovan in great plenty; but, from the illegal and murderous manner of killing them with spears, at an improper season, their numbers of late have greatly decreased. As there are but few or none killed now, but by gentlemen in the way of sport, or by some of the poorer sort of the people, for the use of their families, the prices cannot well he ascertained.

Bridges

There was a very good stone bridge over the Dovan nearly opposite to the church; but some years ago, it was carried down by a flood. At present a wooden bridge is about to be put over it, near the same place, by the voluntary subscriptions of a few public-spirited persons in the neighbourhood; which will be of very great convenience to the people in this place, particularly upon the sabbath; as many of the parishioners have to cross the Dovan in their way to church. The want of a bridge would not have been felt so much here 20 or 30 years ago, as the people in this place were very expert at crossing the river on stilts.* And there are still some who cross it in this way. But since the time that the bridge was built, this practice has been generally laid aide.

*These stilts were two branches of a tree, of a proper strength, with a cleft or small branch preserved in each, of a sufficient wideness to receive a person's foot, about 18 or 20 inches from the root end. Upon which the person being mounted, with a foot on each cleft or projecting branch, and the top or small end of the stilt in each hand, they stalked through the river at the fords. This they called stilting.

Climate and Diseases.

The air in this place is remarkably pure and healthy; the country being free and open, neither cumbered with woods, nor infected with marshes. The purity and sweetness also of the water, (which, perhaps, is exceeded by none,) coming through rock or sand, and free of metallic substances, must also contribute greatly to the health of the inhabitants; and this blessing they usually enjoy in an uncommon degree. As a remarkable instance of this, the minister, in the whole course of his parochial visitation from house to house, did. not find one single sick person in the parish; and scarcely any complaining of ailments, such as coughs, shortness of breath, etc. though it was in the month of December, when complaints of this nature are more frequent; especially among such as are advanced in life. Some few were indeed labouring under the natural infirmities incident to old age; there being several who were arrived at the advanced age of 80 and upwards. The salubrity of the air is also much owing to the dryness of the soil, which readily imbibes the rains that fall upon it; while the many small rivulets, which come down from the higher grounds, carry off the superfluous waters, without allowing them to stagnate on the surface, and to breed noxious vapours to be exhaled into the air. Epidemical diseases are therefore unknown here; except those which are of a common and general nature. Such as the small-pox, chin-cough, etc. The small-pox, at times, carries off many of the children; inoculation not having yet got much into practice.

Soil and Surface, Sheep, Wool and Cultivation.

The soil in this parish is of various kinds. That of the Ochil-hills, which lie towards the North, is partly rocky, partly mossy, and partly gravel. The hills are covered with a beautiful green; but part of the foil being now washed off by the storms, in the course of time, the rocks in some places begin to appear. They afford excellent pasture for sheep; of which about 1640 are fed upon that part of them belonging to this parish. The mutton, and especially the wool, produced upon the Ochils, (as they are sometimes called); is considered as of a superior quality; particularly that upon the farm called Craiginnan, which is the property of the Duke of Argyll. Towards the foot of the hills, the soil, in general, is light and gravelly, causing a quick vegetation. In dry seasons, it in indeed apt to be patched; but in wet seasons, the crops are moderately good. The greater part of the flat-lying ground in the bottom is likewise of a light gravely nature, and usually yields rather an early harvest. Along the banks of the Dovan, the soil is mostly of the haugh kind; and some of it a deep clay. Upon the south side of the Dovan, the ground is rather wettish and clayey, but, with proper attention and culture, it is capable of very considerable improvement. And some of the farms, which are under proper management, make very good returns.

Produce, Seasons, etc.

The ordinary crops raised in this parish are barley, oats, pease, beans, and potatoes. There is also some wheat and hay; but not much. The usual time of sowing oats, pease, and beans, in this parish, in ordinary seasons, is the months of March and April, and the barley in May. It is usually over by the 20th of the month. The harvest commonly begins towards the end of August, or beginning of September; and, excepting some late spots, is over by the tenth of October. As soon as the barley, oats, and pease are got in, the potatoes are taken up and housed, which concludes the harvest work.

Improvements.

Agriculture, in this parish, until within these few years, has continued much in the same state that it was about 150 years ago; the feuers, who possess the greatest part of the parish, following the same system of farming, that had been handed down to them by their fathers. What indeed proved an insurmountable bar to improvement, was, the lands of different proprietors lying interspersed with one another, commonly called run-rig, which was a case that very much prevailed through many parts of Scotland; but it is now hardly known in this part of the country. About 16 years ago, a very considerable part of the best lands in the parish, which lay in that state, were divided; when the different proprietors got their respective proportion of ground laid together, each by itself. This has, been productive of several very desirable consequences such as, cutting off endless quarrels and disputes, that were continually taking place between the different proprietors, or their tenants, about their encroaching or trespassing upon one another; and to establishing peace and harmony amongst neighbours, instead of strife and variance. It has also opened up a door to improvements of every kind. For, immediately upon the ground being divided, the different proprietors inclosed and sub-divided, with ditch and hedge, their respective proportions of land. And the several inclosures are now alternately under oats, barley, hay, pasture, etc. to the no small benefit of the proprietors, and the pleasure of the traveller. Some late purchasers are carrying on very considerable improvements in the modern style; the agreeable and beneficial effects of which are daily appearing.

Minerals

This part of the country abounds in coal, of different qualities. The coal-works are going on at present in this parish; two upon the South side of the Dovan; the one at Mellack, the property of the Duke of Argyll; the other closely. adjoining to it, but belonging to Lord Alva. Upon the North side of the Dovan, and near to the town of Dollar, there is another coal-work, belonging also to the Duke of Argyll. These works employ in whole about 18 working people; besides a horse gin for drawing the coals. From these coal-works, and those of Blairingone, in the parish of Fossoway, but immediately upon the border of this parish on the S. E., very great quantities of coals are annually carried many miles to Stranhern, on the North side of the Ochil hills. lron-stone is also found in different parts of the parish, and said to be of very excellent quality. It is working at present by the Dovan Company, who are now effecting a public work at Sauchie, some miles to the west-ward, in the parish of Clackmannan*. The Ochil hills consist chiefly of whin-stone; but. free-stone also is found in different places of the parish.

Hills, Rivulets, etc.

The only hills in this Parish, are the Ochils. They begin in the parish of Dumblane, immediately East from the Sheriff-muir, and stretch in an eastern direction many miles into Fife. In this parish they are of considerable height; perhaps some thousand feet. They are, as already observed, of a beautiful green; afford excellent pasture for sheep, and produce mutton of finest flavour from their verdant sides, many beautiful rivulets of the finest water are daily gliding down, for the health and refreshment of the inhabitants who dwell below.

* Some time ago, a vein of Lead was discovered in the Ochil hills, a little above the town of Dollar; and wrought by a Company for several years. From this work, a considerable quantity. both of Lead and of Copper ore, is said to have been shipped off for Holland. But it is said that the Company, somehow disagreeing among themselves, gave it up. Nevertheless, it is believed, that if a company of spirit were to make a thorough trial, it might turn to good account. Silver Ore in considerable quantities, likewise said to have been found in the Glen of Care, or rather, of Cairn, on the west of Castle-Campbell; but that it did not answer the expence of working it. Pebbles, of considerable value, have also been found upon the top of a hill above Castle-Campbell, called the White Whisp.

Roads.

There are two high-ways passing through this parish, leading from Stirling to Kinross. The one is upon the south side of the Dovan ; and the other upon the north side. That upon the south side of the Dovan is only in part formed, but not gravelled; and as it passes through clay grounds, it is scarcely passable in winter. But that upon the north side of the Dovan, as it passes along the foot of the Ochil hills, where the bottom is a hard channel, it equally firm and passable at all seasons; and therefore is most frequented. The proper stage upon that read, between Stirling and Kinross, is Dollar. The greatest fault of it is, that it is too narrow; for in some places, two carriages meeting can do no more than pass. Were it only widened a little, nature has sufficiently gravelled it. They who have marked it out at first, humouring the nature of the ground along the foot of the hills, have formed it much after the manner of a serpentine walk; It is very much frequented, not only by those who travel from Stirling to Kinross, but also by those who go to Perth, Dundee, etc.

Population

The population of this parish has decreased very little within these 40 years.

Population table for the parish of Dollar
No. of souls in 1755, as returned to Dr. Webster – 517
Ditto in 1792, - 510
Decrease – 7

Families etc.
No. of families in the town, 51
Ditto in the country, 71
Seceders of all denominations 17

Conditions, Professions etc.

Ministers - 1
School-Masters - 1
Merchants - 2
Miners - 18
Musicians - 4
Corn-Millers - 2

No. Of Mechanics - 24
Viz.
Smiths - 3
Masons -2
wrights or joiners - 2
weavers - 5
Tailors - 4
Shoe makers - 2
Dyers - 2
Coopers - 1
Bakers - 1
Butchers - 2
Total-24

Carters - 1
Excise Officers - 1
Keepers of public houses - 2
Male servants - 30
Female Servants - 29
Servants, chiefly men, employed at the bleach field, in the heat of the season - 30
Poor on the roll, yearly - 9

Extract from the Register of Births, Marriages, and Deaths
for the last 10 years, viz from the first of January 1783, to the first of January 1793.

Provisions and Labour.

The price of barley, min, meal, etc. are regulated by the fiars of Clackmannan, the head town in the county. The price of butcher meat is usually from 3d.to 4 ¼ d. per lib Dutch weight; a good hen sells at 1s; chickens from 4d. To 6d. each, according to their age and size. Eggs from 3d. to 4d. per dozen; * The ordinary price of butter at present is 6d. per lib; cheese 3 ½ . The wages of men labourers are from 10d. to ls. per day; in harvest; they receive 13d. or 14d. per day; and for cutting hay, is 6d. The wages of women who work without doors, at hay-making, weeding potatoes, &c. are 6d. Per day; except in harvest, when they receive 10d. per day: out of which wages, both men and women furnish their own provisions. The average annual wages of farm servants, of men that are able to hold the plough, thresh the barn, etc. when they eat in the house, are 6L and 2L 10s for women. A masons wages are from 1s. 8d. to 2 s. per day; a wrights, or joiner's wages, from 1s. 6d. to 1s. 8d; and a slater's 2s per day.

* Till within these two or three years, a hen might have been bought for 9d. Chickens for 4d. Per pair; and eggs for 3d per dozen.

Bleachfields and Mills.

There is a very fine bleachfield in this parish beautifully situated on the banks of the Devan. It was erected by Mr William Haig, the present proprietor, in the year 1787. The machinery, which is excellent, is driven by water from the Down, while the canals, boilers, etc. Are plentifully supplied, at all seasons, with the finest filtrated water from the hills. The trade of this field has much increased since its first commencement. For the first and second years, there were scarcely 6 acres of ground under cloth. Whereas, in the present year, 1793, there are 20 acres covered with it. The greatest part of the cloth, bleached at this field, is the diaper, or table linen of Dunfermline, the first town in Britain, (we may even say in the World) for this manufacture, the table linen made there being, both in point of quality and variety of patterns, incomparably superior to what is to be found any where else. Nor can any place supply the demands to London, and other places for that article, upon the same terms. Besides, the author in well informed, that improvements are daily making in several branches of that business, which promise to be of great service with regard to the elegance of the patterns*. The new chemical method of bleaching, by the oxygenated muriatic acid, has been tried at this field with much success. In the year 1790, Mr Haig gained a premium from the Honourable Board of Trustees for that method of bleaching. Since that time, he hath made several valuable discoveries, both at to the preparation and application of this acid, and finds it very useful; particularly at the end of the season, when the sun so greatly loses its influence. He then finishes off goods by this method of bleaching, which otherwise could not be dune until the next year. By this method, he bleaches cotton goods through the whole season and finds it much better adapted for cotton than for linen. In this parish there are two mills for grain, one of them has machinery for making barley, and rollers for grinding malt. There are also two waulk mills for scouring cloth, etc.

* Some light cotton goods have, for some years past, been sent here from Glasgow; and, by reason of the exceeding cleanness of the water, have been returned with a most excellent colour; very much to the satisfaction of the employers.

Church, School, and Poor.

The Duke of Argyll is superior and patron * as well as titular of the tithes. The value of the living, exclusive of the manse and glebe, has for some years past been considered, at an average, to be about 80 L. The church was rebuilt in the year 1775; and is considered as very neat for a country church. The manse, at present, in out of repair.—Mr John McArbrea, the parish school-master, teaches English, Latin, writing, arithmetic, Ste. and is much respected. His fixed salary is only 100 L. Scotch, but he draws the interest of 560 merks Scotch, of sunk money, he besides prerequisites, as precentor and session clerk, ** etc.—The poor upon the roll, are supported by the public collections on sabbath, and the intetest of several sums of money, sunk by different persons *** for that purpose. They receive their stated allowance monthly, which amounts to about 17L Sterling per annum; besides occasional supplies persons or families in distress, which amount to about 41. or 5 l. Sterling more. There have been ho beggars in this parish in the memory of man.

* The greatest part of the parish was formerly the property of that family. But in the year 1605, it was feued out by Archibald, Earl of Argyll, and Dame Agnes Douglas, Countess of Argyll, reserving only Castle-Campbell, and two farms in the neighbourhood.

** The schoolmasters, established in this parish have, from time immemorial, been men of a liberal education, and several men of eminence have been taught at this school. Many of Mr McArbrea's scholars fill respectable places in the church, both in the establishment and the secession. The school was erected in the reign of King Charles I. As appears from the decrees of locality, dated 1640, for 100 merks Scotch. In 1766, the heritors added 50 merks. The above 500 merks were sunk by one Archibald Paterson, merchant in Edinburgh July 18, 1652; and the other 60 by one Kirk, in Dollar.

*** Mr John Gray was ordained in the year 1709. He was the first that was settled in this parish after the Revolution. He was commonly stiled the Baron; from his having, while minister here, purchased two baronies of land: First that of Teasses in Fyffe, which he paid upwards of 3,333 L. Sterling. Afterwards he purchased the barony of Fossoway, in Perthshire, for which he paid upwards of 1,611 L. Sterling. At his death, he left for the use of the poor in this parish, 300 merks Scotch money. Miss Jean Grey, his only child, of respectable memory, some few years before her death, which happened in the year 1792, sold both of these baronies of land; that of Teasses for 13,500 L. Sterling, and that of Fossoway for 6,500 L. Sterling; amounting in whole to 20,000 L. Sterling. At her death she left many considerable legacies: among these was 50 L. Sterling to the poor of the parish, and a very elegant folio bible to the kirk session, for the use of the minister.

Antiquities.

In the neighbourhood of the town of Dollar, there are two little round mounds*, about a quarter of a mile distant from each other. But the principal antiquity in this parish, is the venerable remains of Castle Campbell **: anciently the occasional residence of the noble family of Argyll: a family which, for ages, has been eminently distinguished for their attachment to religion, liberty, and patriotism. And the present worthy head, and representative of that noble Family, treading in the steps of his illustrious ancestors, dignifies and adorns the exalted station which he fills. By the lapse of time, and the violence of storms, at a very considerable part of Castle Campbell is now fallen down; and other parts of it are nodding over their foundations. The tower is yet nearly entire. The ascent is by a spiral stair, which is continued to the top. It is visited by most strangers who come here; and though it is a pretty fatiguing walk up to it, yet when they reach the top of the tower, which is of considerable height, they are much pleased, not only with the view, but more particularly with the surrounding scene, which is truly enchanting.

The Castle of Campbell continued to be the occasional residence of the family of Argyll, as appears from the services which the vassals were obliged, by their charters, to perform to the family, when residing there; until that magnificent building was burnt down by the Marquis of Montrose, about the year 1644; and ever since it has been in ruins. And not only the castle of Campbell, but the whole of the parishes, both of Dollar and Muckart, were burnt, the inhabitants being vassals of the family of Argyll, excepting one house in Dollar, which they imagined to belong to the Abbey of Dunfermline. There was likewise only one house saved from the flames, in Muckart; which they imagined to be in the parish of Fossoway; being nearly adjoining to it. Besides that, there was a sheep-house that escaped the general conflagration. Every other house in both parishes was, by the Grahams, burnt to the ground.

*In the one of these, some years ago, were found two urns, filled with human bones; but upon what occasion, or by whom they were deposited there, is not known. The other mound remains in the same state it hath been time immemorial. Towards the end of the last century a man was burnt for a wizard, at the foot of the Gloom hill, not many yards from the town of Dollar.

** It would seem not to be now known, when or by whom this venerable pile of building was erected. Buth the ruins plainly shew, that it had been designed for a place of strength; and therefore was probably built in the turbulent days of old, when family feuds so unhappily prevailed among the Scotch barons. Nor can we discover the precise period when it came into possession of the family of Argyll: but, from the inventory of their titles, that family appears to have possessed that barony, and the lands belonging to it, called the Lordship of Campbell, so far back as the year 1465. The lands were then held of the bishop of Dunkeld. Formerly, it went by the name of the Castle of Gloom: but for what reason, we are not certain. Tradition indeed, which wishes to inform us of every thing, reports that it was so called from the following circumstance: A daughter of one of our Scotch Kings, who then resided at Dunfermline, happening to fall into disgrace for some improper behaviour, was, by way of punishment, sent and confined in this castle; and she, (not relishing her situation, which probably might be in some vault or other) said, that it was a gloomy prison to her. Hence, says tradition, it came to be called the Castle of Gloom. very near to it on the coast, there is a green hill, which still goes by the name of Gloom-Hill, the property of Mr John Moir, writer to the signet. And now that we have mentioned tradition, we shall present the reader with an anecdote concerning this place, from the same source, which, perhaps, may be more curious than true. In going down from the Castle, towards the point of rock which overhangs the glens, there is a passage cut down through the rock to the side of the burn, in the bottom of the glen. This passage is said to be from top to bottom more than 100 feet deep, and six feet wide. The design of it was to get water conveyed, or brought up from the burn or rivulet below, in the time of a siege. This seems more likely, as it appears to have been cut with steps, which are now mostly filled up with earth. This passage, partly from the trees, and partly from the frightful rocks overhanging it, is now become so dark and gloomy, that a person can see but a very little way down into it: and indeed, to look into it, would be sufficient to make a person of weak nerves shudder. It is called Kemp's score or Cutt, from its having been made by one of that name; who is said to have been a man of gigantic stature and strength, and at the same time of very bold and resolute temper. It is reported, that he had committed many depredations, and at last was so daring as to enter the palace at Dunfermline, and carry off the King's dinner; but that a young nobleman, who happened to be in disgrace for improper behaviour towards the King's daughter, hearing of it, pursued the said Kemp, and having cut off his head, threw the body into the water of Dovan, a little above the back mill, and, as his name was William, so the place where this happened is called Willie's Pool, to this day. But on his carrying the head with him to court, he obtained his pardon, and was received into favour again. But to return to the castle, that ancient seat of the Argyll family, The name Was, by an act of the Scotch Parliament, in, or before the year 1493, changed to that of the Castle of Campbell, by which name it has ever since been denominated. It is reported, that this was amongst the first of those places in Scotland, where the sacrament of the Lord's Supper was dispensed, after the Reformation. And it is certain, from his own history, that the famous John Knox, the Scotch Reformer, did preach here. For he tells us, that, upon his being called over by the English Congregation at Geneva, who had chosen him for their pastor; he sent over his family before him, but he himself remained behind in Scotland, for some time; during which, he passed to Archibald, whom he stiles “The Old Earl of Argyll” then residing at the Castle of Campbell, and there he taught, or preached, certain days. It is not improbable, therefore that he dispensed the sacrament of the Lord's Supper there, at the same time. One of the company, who was then staying with the Earl at Castle Campbell, was the laird of Glenorchy, one of the ancestors of the present family of Breadalbane; who importuned the Earl to desire Mr. Knox to stay some time with them; but Mr Knox could not consent to it. This Archibald was the 4th Earl of Argyll; and is said to have been the first man of quality who embraced the Protestant Religion in Scotland, and contributed all in his power to bring about the Reformation.

Romantic Scenery around the Castle

The situation of these venerable ruins is somewhat retired backwards amongst the hills, with a beautiful opening before it, as it were a kind of vista, through which to view the plains below: And being pretty high, it commands a considerably extensive prospect towards the Forth, and the adjacent country. It is situated upon the top of a round mound, which would seem to have been partly formed by the hand of nature, and partly finished by art. It stands a little back from the point of a high rock; having a deep ravine or glen upon each hand; with very steep banks, whose declivity commences from the very foot of the walls on both sides, and is almost wholly inaccessible. In the bottom of the glens, run murmuring rivulets of the purest water, which come down from the mountains behind, and unite their streams immediately below the Castle. Each of the rivulets furnishes a beautiful cascade, to entertain the eye of their visitants, and somewhat reward them for the fatigue they have had in climbing the hill. The mound on which the castle stands, was formerly disjoined from the mountains behind, with a fosse, or ditch, shelving down to the bottom of the glen on both sides, which renders it almost inaccessible on every side; the entry, then, being by a draw-bridge, which was let down or taken up as occasion required. The banks of the glens, on both sides, are beautifully adorned with natural woods, which nearly cover the faces of the rugged rocks with which this romantic scene is interspersed. It is almost surrounded with hills. Immediately behind it, is the hill called the White Whisp; which so much overtops all its fellows, that it furnishes a rich and extensive prospect. From this elevated situation, looking towards the south, may be seen the Frith of Forth, with the adjacent country, as far as the hill of Tintoc in Clydesdale. Then turning to the North, one sees the most part of the shires of Perth and Fife, as far East as Dundee, and the German Ocean; with the Lothians on the opposite side of the Forth. A little to the South-West of the White Wisp, is the place called the King's Seat; where, according to tradition, the Kings of Scotland, then residing at Dunfermline, sat, and viewed the hunting of the wild bears, which then haunted amongst these hills; whence several places, particularly in the farm of Craiginnan, immediately above the Castle, are named, some of them, the bear's den, and others, the Bear's Know, to this day. Thus, the scene around this ancient seat of Campbell, consisting of rocks, and woods, and glens, and mountains, contain a pleasing mixture of the beautiful, the picturesque, and the awfully romantic.

Literary Shepherd

There is living at present in this parish, in a very advanced age, a man who was bred up, and lived merely as a shepherd, and who received only a common education; and yet possesses a valuable library of books, containing upwards of 370 volumes; consisting of folios, quartos, octavos, duodecimos, and decimo-quartos. They are upon many different subjects, as divinity, history, travels, voyages, etc. besides magazines of various kinds, such as the Scots, the Universal, and the Christian magazines; a complete set of the Spectator, Guardian, Tatler, Rambler, etc. They are all of them his own choosing and purchasing. They are neatly hound, and lettered on the back. His name is upon a printed ticket, and pasted on the inside of the board of each volume; with a mark, generally of blue paper, cut on purpose, and placed in each volume, to prevent folding in the leaves. The books are all clean, and in excellent order. Besides these, he has several volumes of pamphlets, etc. lying in numbers unbound. His name is John Christie: he was born in this parish, baptized on the 12th of October 1712, and has lived in it from his infancy. His brother William, and his sister Margaret, who are a few years younger, live in the same house with him, and all three remain unmarried.

General Character etc.

The people are sober, regular, and industrious in their different professions and employments; and live in peace and harmony with one another. The common employment of the women, except such as are engaged with farmers for husbandry work, is that of spinning wool for the manufacturers in Stirling, Bannockburn, etc. They all enjoy, in their respective stations, a reasonable share of the conveniences and comforts of life; and some seem well contented with the condition in which Providence has placed them. They are much of the ordinary size, and speak the English language tolerably well, without any remarkable provincial dialect.