Page:The National Gazetteer - A Topographical Dictionary of the British Islands, Volume 3.djvu/589

Rh STROMAY. S77 STROUD. and the land good, but subject to sea-spray in storma. The coast is rocky, and on tho cliffs are the ruins of a castle and chapel. In 1856 an iron beacon was con- structed on the island, 45 feet in height, with a cross and cage. STEOMAY, an island in Harris Sound, Western Islands, coast of Scotland, N. side of the island of North Uist. STR01INESS, a par., seaport, market town, and burgh of barony, in the S.W. of Pomona, mainland of Orkney, co. Orkney and Shetland. It is a sub-port to Kirkwall, and contains a post town of its own name. The parish, which is about 5.J miles in length by 3J in breadth, lies opposite Graemsay Island. Tho coast, in general rocky, rises on the Atlantic side precipitously into cliffs sometimes 500 feet above the sea. During the storm of 1783 Riddock shoal, near Graemsay, was formed by great stones piled up by the force of the waves. The geological formation of this part of the island belongs to the Old Eed sandstone, and abounds with fossils. Limestone and roofing slate are extensively quarried ; and there are traces of lead and iron ore, and stromnite, a variety of strontium, was found here by Dr. Traill. The land in the southern part of the parish is generally fertile, being disposed in meadow and arable, but the rest is chiefly moss and unimprovable upland, occupying a considerable portion of the northern and western districts. The soil of the cultivated land is a black vegetable mould, alternated with sand and clay. The town of Stromness is 14 miles S.W. of Kirkwall, and 29 N.E. of Thurso. It has risen within the last century from being a fishing village, composed of a few scattered huts, to a comparatively populous town of 2,000 inhabi- tants. Previous to 1743 it formed a dependence of Kirkwall, but in that year obtained a decision from the House of Lords which virtually had the effect of rendering all the villages in Scotland independent of the royal burghs by which they had been formerly cessed. In 1817 it was constituted a burgh of barony by royal charter. It owes its rapid increase to its harbour and convenient position, which causes it to be frequented by vessels trading to the northern parts of Europe and America, and until lately by the vessels engaged in the whale fishery. About 1,500 men are engaged in the local fisheries of herrings, ling, haddock, and sillocks, 150 in the Greenland whale fisheries, and many in ship and boat building, while others are employed by the Hudson's Bay Company, who have a resident agent here. There is a patent slip capable of carrying vessels of 600 tons. The principal buildings are ex- tensive warehouses at the N. end of the town, a bridge, library, and branches of the National Bank of Scotland, and of the Commercial Bank, and two large inns. The government is vested in two bailies and nine councillors. The par. is the seat of the presb. of Cairs- ton, in the synod of Orkney. The minister has a stipend of 160. The parish church was built in 1814. There ore also a Free and an United Presbyterian church. At Brackness Point is a house built by Bishop Graham, the last Bishop of Orkney, in 1633, and about half a mile from it are the ruins of the old church and a monastery. Tho principal residence is Cairston House, tho seat of Pollexfen, the chief heritor, but there are upwards of 70 others. A market is held on the last Wednesday in every month, and an annual fair on the first Tuesday in September, which lasts for a week. STROMNESS VOE, a loch on the N. side of Scallo- Bay, Shetland Isles, coast of Scotland. BTRONE, a vil. in the par. of Kilmun, co. Argyle, Scotland, 3 mile E. of Dalmally. It is situated on the N. side of Holy Loch. The village is modern, consisting chiefly of villas, and is much resorted to by Glasgow citizens for its bathing. It has a pier, at which steamers call several times a day. STRONFERNAN, a hmlt. in tho par. of Kenmore, co. Perth, Scotland. STUONSAY AND EDAY, an united par. in the North Isles of Orkney, Scotland. It is separated from tho mainland by Stronsay Frith, and comprises tho vils. of Ladykirk, St. Nicholas, and St. Peter's, with Holm of Midgarth, and Papa-Stronsay Islands. See EDAY. STRONTIAN, a quoad sacra par. in the N. div. of co. Argyle, Scotland. It extends in length 25 miles, with an extreme breadth of 10 miles, comprising parts of the pars, of Ardnamurchan and Morven. The village of Strontian is about 21 miles N.E. of Tobermoray, and 19 N.W. of Oban. It is situated at the head of Loch Sunart, and gives name to the metal " strontium," or strontites, first discovered here by Dr. Hope in 1792. Many of the inhabitants are employed in the lead mines, and some in the manufacture of straw plait. Galena, spar, talc, and other minerals are found in the gneiss and granite rocks. The living is in the presb. of Mull and synod of Argyle, and in the patron, of the crown. The stipend of the minister is about 120. The church was erected in 1827 by grant from the par- liamentary commissioners. There is also a Free church. The principal seat is Strontian House, the residence of Sir James M. Riddell, Bart., who is sole landowner. Fairs are held on the Thursday before the last Wed- nesday in May, Friday after the third Thursday in June, 12th August or Wednesday after, and on the Thursday before tho last Wednesday in October (old STROOD, or STROOD EXTRA and INFRA, a par. partly in the city of Rochester, and partly in the liuncl. of Sham well, lathe of Aylesford, co. Kent, 6 miles from Gravesend, and half a mile N.W. of Rochester, its post town. It is a station on the North Kent line of railway. It is situated on the river Medway, opposite Rochester, of which it is a suburb, and to which it is joined by the bridge at its eastern extremity. The vil- lage consists of one irregularly built street. Of Strood Temple, which was given by Henry II. to the Knights Templars, and by the Countess of Pembroke to the abbey at Denny, there are some remains on Temple Farm. At tho Dissolution the site was given to the Cobhams, when the revenue was estimated at 52 6s. Wd. Many of the inhabitants are employed in the fisheries on the Medway, and in the shrimp and oyster fisheries. There are some extensive brick kilns. The North Ayleeford union poorhouse is situated in this parish. The living is a vie.* in tho dioc. of Rochester, val. 290, in tho patron, of the dean and chapter. Tho church, dedicated to St. Nicholas, was rebuilt, with the exception of the tower, in 1812. In the interior are a stone seat and a brass of T. Glover and his three wives, bearing date 1444. The parochial charities produce about 53 per annum. There is a place of worship for Independents. In the vicinity is a stable and other remains of Bishop Gilbert de Glanville's hospital for infirm and indigent travellers, founded in Richard I.'s time. About 2 miles from Strood on the London road is Gadshill, celebrated by Shakspeare as the scene of Falstaff's valorous ex- ploits. STROOD, a hmlt. in the par. of Herne, hund. of Bleangato, lathe of St. Augustine, co. Kent, 5 miles N.N.E. of Canterbury. STROUD, or STROUDWATER, a par., post and market town, and parliamentary borough in the hund. of Bisley; co. Gloucester, 9J miles S.E. of Gloucester, and 14 from Cheltenham. It has a station on the Great Western Union railway. It is a petty sessions and polling town, situated on the Slade or Stroud canal, a short distance from its confluence with the river Frome. It stands on a declivity, sheltered by the Cotswolds, at a point where the vales of Avening, Rodborough, Chalford, and Painswick meet. The town consists principally of one long street extending up the side of the hill, with another diverging from it at the base, besides several smaller streets and newly-formed roads con- necting it with the neighbouring towns. The streets are well paved, drained, and lighted with gas. It contains two banks, court-house, casualty hospital, union workhouse, and gas works. The county court is held monthly, and petty sessions for the hundred weekly. It formed part of Bisley up to Edward Il.'a