A vision of Britain through time
A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
A vision of Britain through time
A vision of Britain from 1801 to now.
Including maps, statistical trends and historical descriptions.
Balmaghie (Gael. ` town of Macghie,), a parish of central Kirkcudbrightshire, which contains near its south-eastern boundary the Bridge of Dee station on the Glasgow and South-Western, 7½ miles NNE of Kirkundbright, and 3 SW of Castle-Donglas; and which is also accessible from Crossmichael, Parton, and New Galloway stations, lying just beyond its north-eastern and northern border. In it are the post office hamlets of Glenlochar and Laurieston, respectively 3 miles NW and 6 WNW of their post-town Castle-Donglas; and further westward is Lochenbreck Spa, 4 miles S by W of New Galloway station. Balmaghie is bounded N by Kells, NE by Parton, E by Crossmichael, SE by Kelton, S by Tongland and Twynholm, and W by Girthon. Its greatest length from E to W is 7¼ miles; its width from N to S varies between 4½ and 5½ miles; and its area is 21,824 acres, of which 755½ are water. Grobdale Lane or Airie Burn traces the western border to the Dee, which, following the northern, passes through Stroan Loch, and 3 miles lower down receives the Ken. A capital salmon and trout river, the Dee thence sweeps round the north - eastern, eastern, and south - eastern boundary, widening at intervals to 2 or 3½ furlongs, and wearing there the aspect of a lake- Bargatton Loch (3¼ x 2½ furl.) lies on the Tongland border; and sheets of water in the interior are Glentoo Loch (4 x 2¾ furl.), Dornell Loch (3 x 2), Blates Loch (2½ x 1½), Grenoch or Woodhall Loch (1½ mile x 1 to 2 furl.), and Lochenbreck Loch (2¾ x 2 furl.)-all of them yielding tolerable sport, and all communicating with the Dee by burns. Level and fertile in the SE, with pastures and well-tilled fields, the surface has a general westward rise from Glenlochar Bridge (150 feet above sea-level) to Kenick or Hill of Health (862 feet), Loch Hill (900), and Airie (900); but though nearly three-fourths of it are hilly waste-boulder-strewn heath or moss,-it nowhere attains 1000 feet of elevation. The antiquities include the supposed site of a Roman camp, near Hensol; Dunnance Moat, 1 mile SW of Laurieston; and the noble ruins of Threave Castle, on an islet in the Dee, 1½ mile W of Castle-Donglas. Mansions are Hensol or Duchrae (R- Cunninghame) in the N; Woodhall (W. K- Laurie), near Laurieston, an old-fashioned house, with finely-planted park; and Balmaghie (G. Hutchison), a good modern residence standing on an estate that is said to have been acquired by an Irish chieftain, M `Ghie, whose descendants obtained charters from James IV-, V., and VI- At present 6 landowners hold each an annual value of £500 and upwards, 9 between £100 and £500,1 between £50 and £100, and 3 between £20 and £50. Balmaghie is in the presbytery of Kirkcudbright and synod of Galloway; its minister's income is £384. The parish church, a picturesque building (1794), with tiny spire and 360 sittings, is situated on the Dee, opposite Crossmichael, and 3½ miles NNW of Castle-Douglas. Two David Hallidays, shot for adherence to the Covenant (1685), rest in the graveyard; a former minister was the Rev. John MacMillan (1669-1753), who founded the Reformed Presbyterian Church, and from whom a section of the Cameronians have sometimes been called MacMillanites. There is also a Free church; and 3 schools were open in 1879-at Glenlochar, Laurieston, and Bridge of Dee (Christ. Knowledge Society's). These had then respective accommodation for 60,120, and 65 children; an average attendance of 55,42, and 36; and grants of £57,6s. 6d-, £35,1s-, and £13,14s. 6d. Valuation (1881) £11,919,17s. 4d- Pop- (1831) 1416, (1871) 1085, (1881) 922.—Ord. Sur., sh. 5,1857.
(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)
| Linked entities: | |
|---|---|
| Feature Description: | "a parish" (ADL Feature Type: "countries, 4th order divisions") |
| Administrative units: | Balmaghie ScoP Kirkcudbrightshire ScoCnty |
| Place: | Balmaghie |
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