GIRTHON, Kirkcudbrightshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]

"GIRTHON, a parish in county Kirkcudbright, Scotland, 5 miles N.W. of Kirkcudbright. It is situated along the bank of the river Fleet, and contains the greater half of the post town of Gatehouse. It is 18 miles long, and its breadth is about 4 miles, having Kells on the N. and Borgue on the S.E. The surface is bleak and hilly in the northern district, but as it approaches the river it becomes picturesque and is highly cultivated. There is a large extent of plantation at Castramont. Lochs Fleet, Skerrow, Grannoch, and Winnyan are within this parish. The Dumfries and Portpatrick road and a canal traverse the southern portion. This parish is in the presbytery of Kirkcudbright and synod of Galloway, in the patronage of the crown. Tho minister has a stipend of £158. The church was built in 1817, and there are Free and United Presbyterian churches at Gatehouse. There are parochial and other schools. The Bishop of Galloway held the church of Girthon up to the time of the Reformation. Murray, of Cally House, is the sole landowner."

"GATEHOUSE-OF-FLEET, a post and market town, and a burgh of barony in the parishes of Anwoth and Girthon, county Kirkcudbright, Scotland, 8 miles from Kirkcudbright, and 105 from Edinburgh. It is situated on the river Fleet, which is here spanned by a fine stone bridge. The town consists of well-built houses. It is one of the chief seats of trade in the district of Galloway, a subport to Dumfries, and a burgh of barony, chartered in 1796. The principal import trade is in coal and lime, the export in grain. Here are manufactories for cotton, soap, and bricks, a brewery, and a tanyard. In the town stand the parish church, Free and United Presbyterian churches, and an Episcopal chapel. The town likewise contains a branch bank, a savings bank, news-rooms, telegraph office, schools, and benefit societies. Gatehouse was founded in 1760; and is governed by a provost, 2 bailies, and 4 councillors. A justice of peace and small-debt court is held every month. Saturday is market day. A fair is hold on the first Monday in June (old style), and a cattle market on the first Friday in November and December."

"GRANNOCK, a small loch, in the N. division of the parish of Girthon, county Kirkcudbright, Scotland. It is 3 miles in length by one quarter broad, and abounds with pike, perch, and trout."

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