Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 2.djvu/510

Rh KIRK-OF-MOCHRUM. 502 KIKKPATRICK DURHAM. by Wooler, and on the W. by Scotland. Tbe surface is varied by mountain and dale, including the valley of the Glen, and the mountainous region of the Cheviots, part of which range, at the Cheviot, in this parish, attains an altitude of 3,600 feet. The land is sparsely inha- bited. The principal villages or hamlets are Kirk Newton ; Kilham, on the N. side of the Kilham hills ; Akeld, on the old road from Newcastle to Glasgow ; Milfield, where the famous battle of Homildon Hill was fought on Holyrood Day, in 1402, and near which place Sir William Bulmer defeated a large body of Scots before the battle of Flodden Field. The other hamlets are West Newton and Paston. The inhabitants are chiefly engaged in agricultural pursuits, and in the breeding of cattle and sheep, for which last the Cheviot and Kilham hills afford excellent pasture. The soil is generally of a light character, and the chief crops wheat, barley, and turnips. The principal landowners are the Earl of Tankerville, Lord Grey, Sir F. Blake, Bart., Sir W. Davidson, and G. A. Grey, Esq., and several minor proprietors. The Earl of Durham occasionally resides at Copeland Castle. The Earl of Tankerville is lord of the manor. Milfield Hill, the residence of G. A. Grey, Esq., is a handsome mansion, commanding extensive views. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of 631. The living is a vie.* in the dioc. of Durham, val. 490. The church, dedicated to St. Gregory, having become very dilapidated, it "was resolved in 1858 to erect a new one. The old church was a very venerable structure, with a small bell turret, and had been, at some ancient period, of larger dimen- sions. It contained a rudely carved stone of great antiquity, representing the Adoration of the Magi. The Presbyterians and Independents have each a place of worship, and the Primitive Methodists have a spacious chapel at Milfield, erected in 1856. At the village of Kirk Newton are National, Sunday, and denominational schools. On the N. bank of the Glen, in the township of Lanton, is an obelisk, called Lanton Tower, erected by Sir W. Davidson, who owns the whole of the soil in this township. In the township of Milfield, and in other parts of the parish, Roman and British remains have been found ; and on the hills in the township of Paston are traces of ancient encampments, and extensive earthworks, with fosses. KIRK-OF-MOCHRUM, a vil. in the par. of Moch- rum, co. Wigton, Scotland, 5 miles W. of Sorbie. KIRK ONCHAN. See CONCHAX, Isle of Man. KIRK OSWALD, a par. in Leath ward, co. Cumber- land, 8 miles N.E. of Penrith, its post town, 15 S. of Carlisle, and 6 from the Plumpton station on the Lan- cashire and Carlisle railway. The village, which is considerable, but irregularly built, is situated on the declivity of a hill near the eastern bank of the river Eden. The par., -which is about 6 miles in length by 4 broad, contains the tnshp. of Staffield. It was formerly a market town, but the market is now discontinued. At the W. end of the town are the remains of Kirk Oswald Castle, once held by the lords of Burgh, but now in the possession of the Musgrave family. There are paper, corn, and saw mills, which give employment to many of tho inhabitants. The land is well cultivated, and chiefly arable. Over tho Eden is a neat bridge of six arches, built in 1762. The Raven Beck, which flows through the town, is spanned by a bridge of one arch. Kirk Oswald is a polling place for the eastern division of the county. The parish is embellished with plantations of oak, fir, and other trees. The living is a vie. in the dioe. of Carlisle, val. 120, in the patron, of the lord chancellor. The church, dedicated to St. Oswald, is an ancient stone edifice, with a detached tower built on a hill 200 yards from the church. In the churchyard are some ancient grave- stones. A spring of water runs through the church, which is supposed at one time to have been used for baptism. There are a few small charities for the poor. The Independents and Wesieyans have each a chapel, and there is a National school, with an endowment of 15 per annum. The principal residences are Eden Hall, Staffield Hall, and the College, which last is built on the site of the old college. This mansion was appro- priated as the residence of twelve priests belonging to the church, and was plundered by the parliamentary troops in the reign of Charles I. Some remains of the old buildings are still to be seen. Fairs are held on the Thursday before Whit-Monday, and the 6th August, for pedlery. KIRKOSWALD, a par. in the district of Carrick, co. Ayr, Scotland. It is situated on the coast of the Atlantic, and contains the vils. of Maidens and Kirkoswald, tho latter being 13 miles S. from Ayr, and 4J from May bole. Its extent along the coast is 6 miles, and its greatest extent inland is 7 miles. It has a sandy beach in tho northern portion, which is admirably adapted for bathing, and is much resorted to by visitors in the summer season. The surface of the parish is diversified. Near the sea the soil is abundantly -fertile, while the interior or mountainous district affords pasturage for numerous flocks of sheep. Coal is worked to the amountof about 1,000 tons per annum. A coal mine in this parish caught firo in the middle of last century, and was burning for above 60 years. The fishery off the coast is very profitable. Tho par. is in the presb. of Ayr and synod of Glasgow and Ayr, in the patron, of the crown. The minister's stipend is 261. The church was built in 177". The original church, founded in the 9th century, was dedi- cated to St. Oswald, King of Northumbria, and has given its name to the parish. Here is a Free Church preaching station, and several schools : 2 miles E. of the village are the ruins of Cross Regal Abbey, founded by the Earl of Carrick in 1244 for Cluniac monks. It is at present the most entire monastic ruin in this part of Scot- land. On a promontory at tho entrance of the Frith of Clyde are the ruins of Turnberry Castle, which in ' 1274 was occupied by the ancestors of the royal house of Stuart, and in 1306 by an English garrison under Earl Percy. It was afterwards taken by storm and demolished by King Robert Bruce. One of Brace's nephews, in 1335, built in the vicinity the castle of Thomaston, which was inhabited so late as a century ago, and is now the property of the Marquis of Ailsa. Upon a rocky precipice overhanging the sea is the castle of Cullean. There are several remarkable caves at the foot of this rock termed the caves of Cullean. About 1 mile from Turnberry Castle is the farm of Shanter, once the residence of Douglas Graham, the hero of Burns' poem " Tarn O'Shanter." KIKKO WEN. See KIRKCOWAN, co. Wigton, Scotland. KIRK-PATRICK, a par. in Glanfaba sheading, Isle of Man, 2 miles S. of Peel. It is situated on the coast, near Dolby Point, and was created a separate parish in 1714, having previously formed part of Kirk-German. The par. is very considerable, and includes the chplry. of Dolby. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in the load mines, slate quarries, and herring fishery. The principal residence is Ragget, the seat of Captain Cameron. In a dale called Glen Moji is a cascade much visited by tourists. The living is a vie.* in the dioc. of SodorandMan, val. 180, in the patron, of the bishop. The church is dedicated to St. Patrick, and has given name to the parish. There is a school with a email endowment. KIRKPATRICK DURHAM, a par. in co. Kirkcud- bright, Scotland. It comprises the vils. of Bridge-of- Urr and Kirkpatrick Durham, the latter being 6 miles N.N.E. of Castle Douglas, its post town. It is 9 miles in length by 3j in breadth, and lies along the eastern ride of the river Urr. The surface of the northern dis- trict, save a few arable patches, is wholly covered with heath, and appropriated as pasturage for black cuttle and sheep. The district is chiefly distinguished for ita abundance of game. The southern portion is mostly enclosed arable, and produces good crops. The par. is in the presb. and synod of Dumfries, in the patron, of tho crown. The minister's stipend is 289. The parish church was built in 1748. Here are a Free church and three parochial schools. The parish derives its name from the old church dedicated to St. Patrick, at Durham,