For several years, a public coach ran from Kippen, through Fintry, thrice a week to Glasgow; but, for want of encouragement, it is now withdrawn. There is no post-office in the parish, nor any nearer than Campsie, Balfron, or Kippen, the nearest of which places is distant from Fintry six miles. But we have carriers of various descriptions to Glasgow, every alternate day.
Ecclesiastical State.-The church is a very neat, plain building, with a tower on the west end. It was built in 1823, and contains 500 sittings. It is three-quarters of a mile from the village, but quite in the centre of the parish. Indeed, with the exception of eight families, all are within a mile and a half of the church. It is an oblong square, with a gallery in one end, and the pulpit in the other. It is now sufficiently large; but if the population should be increased, it might easily be enlarged. The average number of communicants is about 380. There is no other public place of worship in the parish. The few Dissenters that are in it, go to one or other of the meeting-houses in Balfron.* The manse is a new building, and promises to be a very convenient and good house. The old manse has been converted into offices. It was built in 1732. The glebe contains nine Scotch acres, all now arable, and can be let at L.3 per acre. The stipend is 44 bolls meal, 5 bolls, 3 pecks barley, and L.24, lOs. money. L.91, 17s. 0d. is drawn from the Exchequer.
* There are about thirty Dissenters in the parish, including two Bereans and four Roman Catholics. A few of them belong to the Relief; but the greater part to the United Associate Synod.
Education.-There is one parish school. The salary is the maximum, with a dwelling-house, and ground for a garden to the teacher. There is also a Sunday school in the village well at tended; and under the superintendence of the minister. A free school has lately been erected in the village for the benefit of the parish, but chiefly for the children of those employed at the cotton mill. The sum of L.3000 was mortified for this purpose by the late Mr John Stewart, who carried on a mercantile business in Fintry for nearly fifty years, and died in 1836. The building is elegant and commodious, and includes a house for the teacher. The school is, at present, attended by about 100 day- scholars, and from 50 to 60 evening scholars. Mr Stewart also left L.500 to form a fund for a Savings Bank in Fintry.
Literature.-There is a small subscription library in the parish, which was established about nine years ago. The books were read with eagerness, for two or three years after it was opened, but they are now much neglected. The taste for reading has decreased.
Poor and Parochial Funds. -The number of persons receiving parochial aid, is from 9 to 16. The highest allowance that has been given, for years past, is L. 1 per quarter. A cart of coals in addition is given to the most needful, in very severe winters. Some get 15s., some 10s. or less, according to their necessities. There is no regular assessment in the parish; but for the last ten or twelve years, the heritors have assessed themselves voluntarily in a small sum, varying, according to circumstances, from L. 10 to L. 20. With this exception, the poor are supported wholly by collections at the church, amounting to about L. 30 per annum, the interest of a fund of L.400, and by mortcloth and proclamation dues. The whole expenditure (including session-clerk, precentor's, and bell man's salaries, &c.) amounts to about L.60 per annum.
Inns.-There are five licensed public-houses in the parish.
Fuel-Coals are generally carted twelve miles, from Kirkintilloch, by a very hilly road, at the rate, for some time past, of L.1* per ton; or from Bannockburn or Banknock still farther. There are coals at Campsie, distant only eight miles; but the others are preferred.
* They are now reduced to about 15s. per ton.