II-CIVIL HISTORY.

In several returns of the earldom of Linlithgow, which were made in the seventeenth century, this parish is reckoned among its patronages, and it is declared in ancient times to have been annexed to the parish of Falkirk. The date of disjunction is unknown; but the names of Bruce, Uric, Campbell, Bennet, Boyd, Bertram, and Macall, ministers, predecessors in the church of Moranside, from 1660 till 1834, attest its independent existence throughout the greater part of Protestant times. It is named a separate parish in 1606, the date of the oldest presbytery record.

The origin of the most ancient remains in the parish is involved in deep obscurity. They consist of a series of fortified eminences, extending from Harlelaw, near Eastef Manuel, by Castlehill, to Sight Hill. The last two present a steep face of about 1.50 feet in height to the valley of the Avon, upon which a triple trench had been formed, presenting now the appearance of three parallel roads towards the north-east, as if the attack were expected from that quarter. Whether they were ratsed by the original Celtic inhabitants against Danish invaders from the Lothians,* or to retard the advance of the Rotnans or the Scots towards Camelon, long defended against both, ~ it is impossible now to deter-mine with any certainty. The quantity of stone-coffins found at Linlithgow Bridge, Castle Hill, Sight Hill, and Brakes, on the ilanks and in the rear of these defences, leave no doubt that the place was one of carnage. It is not believed that any remains decidedly Roman have been found nearer than Justing Haugh, half a mile to the eastward of Avon.

At Balleubriech, on the Avon, three miles to the westward of the parish church, there are ruins, as tradition says, of a Popish chapel. Those of Manuel are sufficiently known to have belonged to a convent of Cistertian nuns, founded by Malcolm 1V. in 1156, consecrated to the Virgin ; yet the name seems to indicate a prior settlement by the Culdees, to whom the name Etnanuel was dear. Its revenues were increased by succeeding sovereigns, and in 1292, the prioress, Christiana, and in 1296, her successor, Alice, swore fealty to Edward 1. at Linlithgow.

The history of the Castle of Almond is more obscure. It was anciently known by the name of Haining, or more rarely Manuel, and seems to have owed its origin to the Crawfurds of Haining, a familv of note in the reign of James III., one of whom was Abbot of Holyrood, and Treasurer of Scotland, under that sovereign. The stag's head and antlers, which formed the crest of their armorial bearings, show their descent from that Crawfurd who rescued King David from the deer, on the spot where Holyrood now stands. This much is certain, from the retour of Agnes Crawfurd, whose marriage in 1540 transferred the castle to the family of Livingstone, that it was then a manorial residence of note. In that family it continued till, in 1633, the name of Almond was given to it, and Sir James Livingstone, second son of the first Earl of Linlithgow, was created a baron by that title. However, although it became the ground of this title, and appears very frequently as held for the Crown by the Earls of Linlithgow, the Castle of Almond was possessed, for about two centuries, by the descendants of Thomas Livingstone of Haining, a cadet of that noble family, with which the Learmonths of Parkhall and Craigend, in the neighbourhood, are doubly connected by marriage. About the middle of last century, it ceased to be inhabited; and still remains a fine specimen of the strength and durability of the materials and masonry of ancient times.

Of more recent date is Linlithgow Bridge, built by Alexander Earl of Linlithgow, about the year 1650, as appears by a grant of its customs to Earl George, by Charles II., in 1677. Contrasting with these, are two of the finest bridges reared in modern times, one bearing the Union Canal, and the other the Edinburgh and Glasgow Railway, over the river and valley of the Avon. The first is of twelve arches, some of which look down one hundred feet upon the stream, and so covered are the banks with foliage, that the mighty fairy-like work seems resting on green leaves. The second, for the railway, consists of more than twenty arches, all of fair proportion, and substantial masonry. A mile above Manuel, is a place named Fechtin Foord, traditionally reported as the scene of a feud between the shepherds of the opposite banks; and to the northward two circular eminences, rounded by art for purposes unknown.

Land-owners.- William Forbes, Esq. of Callendar, late Member for the county, is principal land-owner; and, although not resident himself, does all to remedy that disadvantage, by his liberality to the poor and parochial institutions of the parish. There are thirty-six proprietors of estates, or parcels of land, in the parish. Several of the last inherit the perpetual feus granted by the last Earl of Linlithgow, in order to raise money for carrying on the Rebellion of 1715. Twenty-one are resident; seven of independent fortune.