Kilchrenan and Dalavich

   KILCHRENAN and DALAVICH, a parish, in the district of Lorn, county of Argyll, 11 miles (W. by S.) from Dalmally; containing 943 inhabitants, of whom 553 are in Kilchrenan. The names of these places, which are of Gaelic origin, signify respectively, "the church or burial-place of Chrenan," the tutelary saint of this locality, and "the field of Avich," a term descriptive of a level tract situated near the river Avich. This is an inland parish, lying on each side of the beautiful piece of water named Loch Awe, and measures about sixteen miles in length, and eight in average breadth, comprising, it is supposed, between 70,000 and 80,000 acres, of which considerable portions are arable and pasture land. The surface is finely diversified, rising in each direction from the lake, in a gradual manner, for nearly four miles. On the east it reaches the summit of a range of hills called the Muir of Leckan, twenty-four miles long; and on the west is another range, also twenty-four miles long, called the Mid-Muir. The scenery is of the highest order, consisting of a rich combination of almost every picturesque and romantic object usually seen in the most admired Highland districts. There are several wooded islands in Loch Awe, with interesting and ancient ruins; numerous creeks intersect its shores, and the whole lake is relieved, with great effect, by the bold mountain heights overhanging the district. The average breadth of the loch is about a mile; and on its banks are two ferries, one three-quarters of a mile from Dalavich, and the other a mile from Kilchrenan. The island of Inish-Chonnel, a beautiful spot, lying opposite the church of Dalavich, exhibits an ivy-mantled ruin of great antiquity, for many centuries the chief residence of the Argyll family. Near this is the isle named Inish-Errich, containing the ruins of a chapel, and an old burial-ground still in use; and at a small distance from Inish-Errich is Eilean'n Tagart, otherwise Priests' isle, formerly the priests' residence.

   The parish also contains Loch Avich, anciently called Loch Luina, a prominent feature in the scenery, situated a little west of Loch Awe, and communicating with it by the Avich stream. It is of triangular form, measuring about eight miles along the entire line of its shores, and is well supplied with trout. The vicinity of this lake, which has a castle and several islands frequented by a great variety of water-fowl, was the scene of Cathluina, or the conflict of Luina, described in an ancient Celtic poem; and one of its isles was the scene of another event, the subject of a poem called Laoi Fraoich, or "the Death of Fraoch." Many places, also, in the parish are named after some of the heroes of Ossian. Besides these lakes, contributing so largely to the embellishment of the scenery, there are several streams, tributaries of Loch Awe, flowing among numerous elevations and hollows, ornamented in some parts with good natural pasture, and in others with tracts of valuable wood.

   The fertile banks of Loch Awe are well cultivated, producing good crops; the mosses, covering a large space, are to some extent capable of improvement, and draining has lately been carried on in several places. The chief avocation of the inhabitants, however, is the rearing of black-cattle and sheep; and the district is more distinguished for its imposing scenery than for agricultural operations. The rateable annual value of the parish is £4280. The rocks consist of mica, quartz, limestone, and whinstone. The mansion called Eridine House, and that named Sonachan House, are both situated within the parish. A manufactory for pyroligneous acid has been erected, in connexion with an establishment at Camlachie, near Glasgow. The parish is in the presbytery of Lorn and synod of Argyll, and in the patronage of the Duke of Argyll. The minister's stipend is £150, of which about a sixth is received from the exchequer, with a manse, and a glebe of ten acres valued at £11 per annum. There are two churches, more than nine miles distant from each other: that of Kilchrenan was built in 1770, and is in good repair; the church of Dalavich was erected a year later; the one containing 280, and the other 242 sittings. The incumbent generally takes the services alternately, but occasionally preaches in both churches on the same Sunday, though this is seldom practicable, the climate being rainy, and the roads very bad. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship. The parochial school at Kilchrenan affords instruction in the usual branches; the master has a salary of £17, with about £6 fees. He receives, in addition, £11. 10., of which £10 are the interest of a charge on the Marquess of Breadalbane's property, left for the education of poor children. There are also two parochial schools at Dalavich: the masters have salaries respectively of £17. 4. and £17. 10., with £7 and £5 fees; they likewise receive £1. 15. and £1 from other sources.