PARISH OF AIRTH.

PRESBYTERY OF STIRLING, SYNOD OF PERTH AND STIRLING

THE REV. JOHN MACGACHEN, MINISTER.

1.-TOPOGRAPHY AND NATURAL HISTORY.

Name.-It is generally supposed that the word Airth is derived from the Gaelic ard or ardhe; signifying a hill ; and if this supposition be correct, it furnishes strong grounds for the opinion, that the parish, which for the most part presents a complete level, owes its name to what is well known by the appellation of the Hill of Airth.

Extent, &c.-The extent of the parish, from north to south, may be estimated at fully 6½ miles in length ; and in breadth, from east to west, at about 3½ miles; the whole comprehending a surface of 30 square miles. It is bounded on the north by the Forth; on the east, by the same river and the parish of Bothkennar; on the south, by the parishes of Bothkennar and Larbert; and on the west, by the parish of St Ninians. Its figure is somewhat irregular, and may be considered as approximating nearer to a parallelogram than to any other. With the exception of the Hill of Airth, and the rising grounds of Dunmore Park, the parish, as has been already hinted, forms an entire plain. And, although there are no records for enabling us to fix the precise period, yet, from the strata of shells to be found at no great depth throughout the whole of the low grounds, it may be reasonably inferred that these once formed part of the bed of the river, and that vessels were to be seen spreading their white sails to the wind, where the husbandman now pursues his peaceful occupations. The Hill of Airth is of a circular form, and may be computed in height at about 100 feet above low water-mark at spring tides. On its south-east extremity; stands Airth Castle, the seat of William Graham Stirling, Esq.; nor is it too much to say, that, from every part of it, the admirer of nature may luxuriate on scenes exquisitely picturesque and beautiful. The grounds of Dunmore Park, the seat of the Earl of Dunmore, may be reckoned at about 70 or 75 feet above low water-mark. They are richly wooded; and, together with the mansion-house, present an enchanting prospect to the steam-boat traveller between Newhaven and Alloa. The sea coast, forming the boundary of the parish to the north and east, may be said to extend in length 8~ miles; and though there are in a manner three harbours, Newmiln, Airth, and Dunmore, yet there are none of them sufficiently important. to require particular notice.

Hydrography.-There are several springs said to be medicinal; one of which is known by the name of the Lady Well; a name which it is generally supposed to have received in times of Popery, from being used to furnish holy water for the abbacy, which is said to have then existed at Airth, in connection with Holyrood. The only river in the parish is one of no note, called the Pow. It takes its rise in the adjacent parish of St Ninians, and empties itself into the Forth, a little above Kincardine Ferry. It is crossed by several small bridges, one of which is still known by the name of the Abbey Town Bridge.

Geology.-All the rocks in the parish are of the coal formation, and form a part of the great coal-field of Scotland. The line of dip varies. Next to the Forth, it is southerly ; but in the south part of the parish, it is towards the north-east, which is the general dip of the surrounding coal-fields. Veins and fissures cut 4" across the strata, and have the effect of dislocating them; throwing the corresponding strata either up or down, according to the angle which the vein makes with the strata. The declination which the line of dip makes with the horizon, is generally about one foot in six. The rocks are sandstones, of various shades of yellow, grey, and approaching to white; some of them of excessive hardness. Some of the beds are several fathoms thick. Argillaceous rock varies in thickness from an inch to two feet. This rock is generally the bed on which the coals rest, and is suitable for making fire-brick for furnaces. Sand and clay are variously mixed in these beds. Argillaceous ironstone is found in the argillaceous schistus in thin beds or bands of a few inches thick ; also in detached balls. This ironstone yields about 30 per cent. of iron. The greater proportion of the parish is composed of alluvial deposits from the Forth; the lower part of which is dark-coloured soft clay or sludge, in which are found varieties of sea-shells, corresponding with those which are found at Leith. All the soils lie on rocks of the coal formation. The only mines are those of coal; but at present, there is no colliery establishment in the parish. There was an extensive one near the village of Dunmore, from which coals were exported, both coastwise and over seas; but, being nearly exhausted, it was given up in the year 1811. It is said, and there is every reason to believe it to have been the case, that, at a very remote period, coals were wrought at no great distance from Airth Castle ; and it is supposed, that there is still a considerable quantity of coal to be found, both in the south and north-east parts of the parish.

Zoology.- Badgers, not many years ago, were common in Dunmore Wood; but they have now entirely disappeared. This fact is ascribed to an assault which certain mischievous individuals made upon them one night with dogs, whereby either the whole of them were destroyed, or such dreadful havoc made amongst them, that those which escaped the general carnage consulted their safety by flight. Certain it is, that the badger, once so common, is now never to be seen.

Woods.- Various plantations, consisting of all kinds of hardwood, larch, Scotch fir, birch, &c. have been made, chiefly on the grounds of Airth and Dunmore Park, all of which are in a thriving condition. On the former of these grounds, the castle is surrounded by trees of every description, very majestic, and of very ancient date ; but the willow trees, which are scattered in all directions, deserve to be peculiarly noticed, as surpassing, both in nature and beauty, most of the same species to be found either in Scotland or England. Many more trees of the same sort have been planted by the present active proprietor_, chiefly in hedgerows; by the rapid growth of which, in the course of a few years, the estate has been greatly beautified, and its value will be greatly increased. The trees of Dunmore Park are very numerous and valuable. The oak and beech trees especially are most magnificent, and, being profusely scattered throughout the park, impart to it an air of singular grandeur and beauty. There is likewise a wood of considerable extent, through which the principal approach to the mansion-house is made, abounding with all kinds of forest trees, many of them of stately dimensions; amongst which, however, the beech and Scotch fir occupy a conspicuous place. Of the latter kind is one, close to the approach, so remarkable as to have attracted the attention of an eminent London artist, who has given it a place in a set of engravings of the most striking trees to be found in Scotland, lately published.. On measurement, it was found to contain, excluding all limbs not six inches in the side, 290 cubic feet.