are, the Loch Awe road, to run from Loch Feachan on the western coast, across Loch Awe to near Inverary, an extent of 20 miles; the Moydart road, from Corran Ferry at Ardgowr, by Loch Sunart, to the nearest convenient landing-place on the north side of Loch Moydart: this line of road is upwards of 34 miles in length, and is already finished; the Morvern road from Inversanda to the Sound of Mull, a length of 20 miles.

Several roads have likewise been completed or begun in some of the larger islands. In Jura a road of 16 miles in length, from the Ferry of Feoline to the Ferry of Lagg, has been finished. Application has been made to the commissioners for another road, to extend from Lagg to the northernmost point of the island.

In Mull, a road has been proposed and surveyed, to proceed from Tobermory by Ballachray, Torloish-house, the Ferry to Ulva, and to Kirk of Salen, with branch roads, an extent of 31 miles.

CHIEF SEATS.—Inverary Castle, Duke of Argyll.—Ardgarton, Campbell.-Ardkinlass, Campbell, Bart.-Dunderraw, Campbell, Bart.-Asknish, Campbell.-Largie, M'Donald.-Fassfern, Came. ron.-South-hall, Campbell.Strachur, Campbell, Bart.-Kilmar

tin, Campbell.-Craignish, Campbell.-Saddle,

-Kilsinan, Lamont of Lamont.-Arroquhar, Ferguson of Raith, &c.

Table of Heights in Argyllshire.

Dunicoich, behind Inverary Castle

Ben Arthur, or the Cobler, opposite the inn at Arroquhar,

Feet above

the Sea.

750

3000

3250

3390

TIRLINGSHIRE is one of the most noted an noted and most beautiful

counties in w

It is bounded on
by Dunbartond
the east by the shires of Clack-
ded on the west

n the north by

inshire; on

on

mannan and Linlithgow; and on the south

this

the

of Lanark

veroja bens the shires as 325-20 and Dunbarton. It extends in length 36, and in breadth about 13 miles. The features of couplet si castle, are rich and beautiful. north-west, terminated by watered by the rivers Forth and Numberless gentlemen's seats and extensive plantations, gh the whole, sed through the windings of the Forth, the rich catre d loaded with the most luxuriant

county, as viewed from Stirling An extended plain stretches to the majestic Ben Lomond, and finely Teith, with their collateral streams.

SOBHAN mantations, intersper

enrich the prospect. Towards the cast

21

carse and Wised and plains of Carron, crops, gladden the heart, and delight the e eye. The majestic G Grampian mo mountains terminate the prospect e north, and the green hills of Campsie on the south This county abounds in coal coal, ironstone, and sandstone; in some, places there is lime also: more valuable, at least more precious mfnerals, have likewise been discovered, and in part w wrought; viz.; silver, copper, cobalt, and lead, so that at some future period, and that perhaps not far distant, Stirlingshire may become the Peru of Great Britain. In what are called the carse grounds, beds of sea-h shells, and large stumps of trees, are frequently met with. considerable part of the low grou ground is covered with moss to oss to the thickness of several feet, the gentlemen in different parts of the county have followed the example of the late Lord Kames, of let tingliparcels out to people at a small rent, for a number of years who clear the moss, and bring in the ground. These have got the appellation of moss-lairds *.

Situated, in ancient times, upon the confines of no less than four kingdoms, having the Northumbrian and Cumbrian dominions on the south, and those of the Scots and Picts on the north, this county was the field of much contention and bloodshed. It was wol fur al

*They who wish a minute description of the antiquities of this county, may consult a History of Stirlingshire, published by the Rev. Mr Nimmo, and the Edinburgh Magazine and Review for 1774,

here the Romans found the greatest difficulty in subjugating the ancient inhabitants, who poured down upon them like torrents from the hills. To stop their progress, Agricola built a chain of forts, about the year 60 between the Friths of Clyde and Forth, which were afterwards connected by the famous wall of Antoninus, called Graham's Dyke *, erected about it the year 140. In this of Ossian are likewise said to have county, many

10.297ida 289

20

been fought. At Stirl At Stirling our kings frequently resided, particular ly Pames VI. The castle of Stirling has withstood some of the closest most lengthened sieges which are recorded in the histo

ry of Scotland. On a field near Bannockburn was fought the far mous battle between Robert Bruce and Edward II.

A

dward II. of England Contiguous to this is as to this is Torwood, famous for being the retreat of the renowned William Wallace. The root of Wallace's tree is still poffited out, zallo Ferraff The out, near the toll-bar. Near r Falkirk two famous battles were fought on streld van fought, one wherein Wallace and the the other is the he well-known engagement in the

were defeatedse the year 174 Daihats have also been the stage of many megol

banks of the river Carron have

27sla bns 92760

rable

e transactions. The two hills of Dunnipace are noticed, ig
the pre-prom
places where

monarchs in person and

history as being To many nation national causes have been decided, and oftener than once by great mo where many treaties of peace have ace have been signed. On the banks of

Cafron Stood Arthur's Oven, whether intended for a temple, a trophy, or a mausoleum, is uncertain t. In place of gloomy castles and fields of blood, happily now the scene is changed the wall of Antoninus, that barrier of Roman usurpation, 1S s almost entirely demolished by the ploughshare. Here we see the Caledonian trampling on the ruins of Roman oman ambition, and unfettered com merce occupying the seat of imperious usurpation. The great gant nal which unites the eastern with the western ocean, has its entrance from the Carron, and runs parallel to it for many miles. The Carron works, erected about the year 1760, where the manu facture of iron, and all sorts of iron utensils, is carried on to a very great extent, give employment to many hundreds. Stirling is the

tui, 36 180302 DROI LAS 35000

So called because it was broken down by a famous chieftain of that name. It consisted of a ditch, generally from 12 to 150 feet wide, the earth from which formed the wall. In very few places was it constructed of stone.

slain.

+ From Dun, a hill, and pax, peace, according to Buchanan; but the late Sir James Foulis makes it a corruption of of Dunabas, i. e. "The hills of death," where the prisoners of war were A model of it is erected at Pennycuick: it was called by Buchanan Templum Termini.

12

only royal burgh in this county: but there are several towns and villages of considerable consequence in it, such as Falkirk, St Ninian's, Larbert, Kippen, Kilsyth, Airth, Buchlyvie, Campsie, and Killearn. It is watered by the Forth, the Teith, and the Carron, besides several smaller streams.

A Table of the Extent and Population of the Parishes in Stirlingshire.

PARISHES.

ENTERING this county at the south-east corner, we first come to the parish of SLAMANNAN. The river Avon runs through it, the anks of which are a light fertile soil; as you recede, it becomes a stiff clay, and the high ground is bleak and moorish.

MUIRAVONSIDE is also situated upon the Avon; and the surface, on the whole, is flat. The soil on the east is light and gravelly, towards the west clayey; but in both productive, when properly managed. The old Castle of Almond is still entire. Coal and ironstone abound.

POLMONT lies on the banks of the Forth and Avon. The surface is flat and productive. There are considerable coal-works here, belonging to the Duke of Hamilton, but no manufacture is carried on.

In the united parish of LARBERT and DUNNIPACE, the soil is not naturally fertile, though bearing good crops, in many places, from culture. There is here a bleachfield, and manufactory for spinning cotton; but the Carron-works, employing about 1000 hands, surpass every thing of the kind in the world. The famous Falkirk cattle tryst, where, in the month of October, between 20,000 and 30,000 cattle are annually collected, is held on a moor in this parish. Coal and ironstone abound here. Near the junction of Bony water with the Carron, stand the noted artificial hills of Dunnipace, covered with trees. The scenery here is very beautiful.

On the banks of the river Carron lies the parish of DENNY, and the great canal passes through it. The soil is in general a thin clay, and very unproductive.

The parish of ST NINIANS, like other parishes of this county in a similar situation, is divided into carse land, dryfield land, and moor. The appearance is enriched by a great many seats and thriving plantations, and the cultivation is well managed. This extensive parish enjoys the benefit of the rivers Carron and Forth; the minerals are coal, limestone, and sandstone; the manufactures carried on are chiefly tartan for the army, cotton cloth, tanning of leather, and making nails.

FINTRY is situated in the midst of the Campsie hills. The river Carron and a branch of the Enderick take their rise here; two small valleys on their banks constitute the only flat arable ground in the parish. The hills afford, however, good pasture, being VOL. II.

B.