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National Gazetteer, 1868

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Dalmellington, Ayrshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

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"DALMELLINGTON, a parish in the district of Kyle, in the county of Ayr, Scotland. It contains the town of Dalmellington and the villages of Waterside and Craigmark, and is bounded on the N. by Ochiltree, on the E. by New Cumnock on the S.E. by the county of Kirkcudbright, on the S.W. by the river Doon, and on the W. by Dalrymple. It extends 10 miles in length, with an average breadth of 3 miles. The surface is level along the Doon; to the N. and E. of which it rises into mountain ridges. Through one of these passes, called the Glen of Ness, the river Doon emerges from its picturesque mountain cradle, Loch Doon. The soil is rich and loamy near the Doon, and in other parts moorland and gravelly. Coal of excellent quality is worked, and sandstone, limestone, and ironstone abound. The greater part of the parish is the property of the Hon. F. Macadam Cathcart, of Craigengillan. In 1847 the Dalmellington Iron Company erected extensive works, and also the villages of Waterside and Craigmark The roads from Ayr to Dumfries, and from Dalmellington to New Cumnock traverse the parish. A railway for conveying the mineral produce has been constructed to Ayr. A Roman road, from the counties of Dumfries and Kirkcudbright, formerly traversed the parish in the direction of Ayr. In the uplands there were at one time three large cairns; one of them, 100 yards in circumference, covering large masses of human bones. Many traditions, respecting the sufferings of the Covenanters under the Stuarts, abound in the district. This parish is in the presbytery of Ayr, and synod of Glasgow and Ayr, and in the patronage of the crown. The minister has a stipend of £158. There are two preaching stations at Waterside and Craigmark belonging to the Establishment, and endowed by the Dalmellington Iron Company. There is also a Free church for Dalmellington and Carsphairn. The town of Dalmellington is an ancient burgh of barony, and stands, surrounded by hills, 1 mile N. of the Doon. Fairs are held on the day before Ash-Wednesday, Hallowe'en, and the first Friday after Whit-Sunday (all old style)."

"BEN BEOCH, a height in the ridge which occupies the lower part of the parish of Dalmellington, in Ayrshire, Scotland. Here there are some fine basaltic columns"

"WATERSIDE, a village in the parish of Dalmellington, county Ayr, Scotland. It is a station on the Ayr and Dalmellington branch of the Glasgow and South-Western railway. The village is chiefly inhabited by miners."

Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003