ORWELL - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

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

"ORWELL, a parish in the county of Kinross, Scotland, 2 miles N. of Kinross. It comprises the villages of Milnathort and Middleton. It extends in length about 9¼ miles from E. to W., with an extreme breadth of 3½ miles. It is bounded on the S.E. by Loch Leven, and on other sides by the parishes of Kinross, Fossoway and Tulliebole, Dunning, Forgandenny, Forteviot, Arngask, Strathmiglo, and Portmoak. The surface is moderately even in the southern and eastern parts of the parish, but in other parts rises into hilly heights, and towards Kinloch Braes attains an altitude of 760 feet above the sea. Red sandstone is the predominant rock. The soil in the low lands is loam, sand, and clay, with an intermixture of gravel. The parish is traversed northward by the road from Edinburgh to Perth, and eastward by that from Stirling to Cupar. It is situated on Loch Leven among the Ochil hills, and is watered by the river Queigh. In the vicinity of the Ochils stands Carn-a-vain, a vast collection of loose stones, which has been recently greatly reduced in size by the stones being taken away for dyke-building. On Orwell farm, near Loch Leven, are two standing stones 6½ and 8 feet in height. This parish is in the presbytery of Kinross and synod of Fyfe. The minister has a stipend of £155. The parish church was erected in 1729. There area Free church, and an United Presbyterian church. There is a parochial school, and several private schools, also a public library."

"MIDDLETON, a village in the parish of Orwell, county Kinross, Scotland, 3 miles N. of Kinross."

"MILNATHORT, (or Mills O' Forth), a post and market town in the parish of Orwell, county Kinross, Scotland, 1', mile N. of Kinross, and 14 miles S. of Perth. It is a station on the Kinross branch of the North British railway. It is situated on Queich water, a stream discharging itself into Loch Leven, from which the town is distant about three-quarters of a mile. Milnathort, popularly designated "Mills o' Forth," is a neatly built town consisting of five streets. It is well lit with gas and paved. Cotton weaving was formerly carried on, but of late years it has been superseded by the weaving of tartan shawls and plaiding, which give employment to a large number of bands. The Queich water is crossed by a bridge of modern erection. The places of worship are the parish church of Orwell, a Free church, and an United Presbyterian chapel. There are a parochial school and other useful institutions. On the low ground towards Loch Leven stands the ancient ruined castle of Burleigh, formerly the seat of the lords of Burleigh. A weekly market is held on Wednesday for the sale of corn. Fairs are held on the second Thursday in February, the Thursday prior to the 25th December, the last Wednesday in April, and on the 9th July, 29th August, and 5th November, old style, chiefly for the sale of horses, cattle, and sheep."

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