Kilmodan

   KILMODAN, a parish, in the district of Cowal, county of Argyll, 16 miles (N. W. by N.) from Rothesay; containing 567 inhabitants. This place derives its name from the dedication of its church to St. Modan, soon after the introduction of Christianity into Britain. The parish is separated from Loch Fine, with the exception of about three miles of coast, by the intervening parish of Kilfinnan, and is twelve miles in length, the arable lands lying principally in the bottom of a deep glen scarcely half a mile in breadth. The surface is boldly diversified with hills of mountainous elevation, chiefly covered with heath, and affording tolerable pasture for sheep and cattle. The river Ruail, which flows through the glen, after a course of a few miles falls into Loch Ridon, forming at its mouth a small bay, affording shelter for a few vessels of from twelve to thirty tons' burthen, employed in the herring-fishery. The Ruail once abounded with salmon and trout; but, within the last few years, the number has greatly diminished. The shore is flat and sandy; and off the coast are found cod, ling, haddocks, mackerel, and other whitefish. Of the lands, about 1500 acres are arable, 1000 woodland and plantations, and nearly 20,000 chiefly moorland pasture and waste. The soil of the arable ground is deep and fertile, and the system of agriculture has lately been much improved; the lands have been drained, and a due rotation of crops is regularly observed. Large quantities of potatoes are shipped from the bay of Ruail to the several ports on the Clyde, in smacks which return laden with manure. The sheep pastures have been greatly benefited by surface-draining; and much attention is paid to the management of the stock, under the inducements held out by a pastoral association in the district. The rateable annual value of the parish is £3439.

   There is a considerable tract of natural wood, mostly copse; and very extensive plantations have been formed at Dunans, Glendaruel, and Ormidale, consisting chiefly of larch and the various kinds of fir, all of which are in a thriving state. The principal substrata are limestone and pipe-clay; but the scarcity of fuel renders the former inapplicable to the purpose of manure. The mansion-houses in the parish are, Dunans, Glendaruel, and Ormidale, which last estate has been greatly improved and embellished with plantations. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Dunoon and synod of Argyll. The minister's stipend is £150., of which sum £6. 8. are paid from the exchequer, with a manse, and a glebe valued at £20 per annum; patron, the Duke of Argyll. The church, which is conveniently situated, was built in 1783. There is a place of worship for members of the Free Church. The parochial schoolmaster has a salary of £27. 10., with a house and garden, and the fees average £10 per annum. There are several cairns in the parish; and some stone coffins have been found, supposed to have contained the ashes of chieftains slain in battle with the Danes. Colin Maclaurin, professor of mathematics in the university of Edinburgh, and the Rev. John Maclaurin, an eminent divine, were born in this parish, of which their father, the Rev. John Maclaurin, was minister in 1698.