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RERWICK, Kirkcudbrightshire - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

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The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland - 1868

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

"RERWICK, a parish in the district of East Kirkcudbright, county Kirkcudbright, Scotland. It comprises the villages of Dundrennan and Auchencairn. It extends in length about 10 miles from S.W. to N.E., with an average breadth of 6 miles. It is bounded by the Solway Frith, and by the parishes of Kirkcudbright, Kelton, and Buittle. The surface in the north-eastern district is of a hilly nature, the highest summit being Bencairn, on which stands an extensive cairn. The views are extensive. The surface in many parts has been greatly improved by drainage, and is now in a fertile and flourishing condition. The predominant rocks are granite, trap, and jasper, which last is found in the coves along the coast. The shore, which is of a sandy nature, is indented by the creeks of Balcarry, Mullock, and others. The village of Rerwick is distant about 6 miles E. of Kirkcudbright. It is situated on the Solway Frith. In the vicinity are two Druid circles, also remains of 12 camps of Danish and other origin. This parish is in the presbytery of Kirkcudbright and synod of Galloway, and in the patronage of the crown. The minister has a stipend of £254. The parish church was built at the latter end of the 17th century, and was enlarged and restored in 1743, and again in 1828. There are two parochial schools."

"AUCHINCAIRN, a postal village in the parish of Rerwick, in the county of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, 7 miles E. from Kirkcudbright. It stands pleasantly on the bay of Auchincairn, an inlet of the Solway Frith; the small island of Heston lies opposite to the village, at the opening of the bay."

"BEN CAIRN, a mountain in the parish of Rerwick, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, about 1,200 feet in height."

"BEN GAIRN, one of the highest of a range of hills on the border of the parishes of Kelton and Rerwick, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland, about 1,200 feet in height."

"DUNDRENNAN, a village in the parish of Rerwick, in the county of Kirkcudbright, Scotland, 2 miles from the Solway Frith, and 5 from Kirkcudbright. It is finely situated with charming views down the valley and across Solway Frith. The chief and only object of note is the famous ruin of the abbey founded in the 12th century. It was here that an asylum was offered to the Queen of Scots after her defeat at Langside."

"PORT MARY, a creek in the parish of Rerwick, county Kirkcudbright, Scotland, 5 miles S.E. of Kirkcudbright. It was here that Mary Queen of Scots embarked in her flight to England."

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