Kinnaird

   1) KINNAIRD, a parish, in the county of Perth; containing, with the hamlets of Craigdallie, Flawcraig, Nethermains, and Pitmiddie, 458 inhabitants, of whom 90 are in the hamlet of Kinnaird, 4 miles (N. by W.) from Errol. The name is derived from a compound word of Celtic origin, signifying "high end or head," and is descriptive, either of the elevated site of the village, or of the high ground at the end of the estate of Kinnaird, on which stands an ancient castle. Very little is known concerning the early history of the place; but it is recorded that it belonged originally to the noble family of Kinnaird, whose present seat is Rossie, in the neighbouring parish of Inchture. In the reign of King William, in 1170, Randolph Rufus obtained from that prince the lands of Kinnaird, from which he took his surname, and which continued in his family till the time of Charles I. The parish is nearly three miles long and two broad, and contains above 3000 acres. It is situated half way beyond Perth and Dundee, and has a fine south-eastern exposure, looking down on the Carse of Gowrie, part of which is contained within its bounds. It has the parish of Collace on the north-west, Errol and Inchture on the south-east, Abernyte on the north-east, and Kilspindie on the south-west. Some of the higher grounds command extensive views, especially of the Highland mountains.

   The land which lies in the Carse, though small in extent, is the richest part of the parish, the soil, consisting of a fertile black clayey earth. On the south side of the braes skirting the Carse, the land, though good, is inferior to the former, and chiefly a stringent binding earth; on the north side the soil is light and shallow, and covered for the most part with bent and heath, intermixed occasionally with natural pasture. About 1550 acres are under tillage, and 1500 are uncultivated, consisting principally of moor ground, pastured with Highland sheep in the winter, and at other times with oxen. Green crops are cultivated; but grain is the chief produce of the arable land, most of which is capable of yielding wheat, in general of very good quality. Live stock are but little attended to. The husbandry is excellent; and improvements, commenced here at an early period, have been ever since gradually advancing. The parish is entirely agricultural. Its rateable annual value amounts to £3195. The chief communication of the people is with Perth and Dundee, the great road between which places passes within half a mile; and there is a port on the Tay, about four miles off, from which much grain is shipped, and at which coal and lime are imported. The higher and lower parts of the parish have been connected by a new road, which forms a kind of thoroughfare between Strathmore and the Carse of Gowrie. The ecclesiastical affairs are directed by the presbytery of Dundee and synod of Angus and Mearns; patron, the Crown. The stipend of the minister is £184, with a commodious and substantial manse, recently built, and a good glebe consisting of ten acres. The church is large, built only a few years ago, and fitted up in a comfortable manner. There is a parochial school, the master of which has the maximum salary, with about £24 fees. The only relic of antiquity is the ruin of the ancient castle, erected in feudal times, with massive walls, and strong stone arches under the respective floors, and evidently intended as a place of defence as well as residence.

   2) KINNAIRD, a village, in the parish of Moulin, county of Perth, 1 mile (E. N. E.) from the village of Moulin; containing 70 inhabitants. This small village, which is beautifully situated on the banks of a tributary to the river Garry, has a pleasingly rural aspect, and is inhabited chiefly by persons engaged in agricultural pursuits. The surrounding scenery is richly diversified, and abounds with features of interest; and from the hills in the immediate vicinity is obtained a fine view of the valley of Glenbrierachan.

   3) KINNAIRD, a village, in the parish of Larbert, county of Stirling, 3½ miles (N. by W.) from Falkirk; containing 304 inhabitants. This village, which is situated in the south of the parish, has arisen on the lands of Sir Michael Bruce, Bart., whose seat is in the vicinity, from the quantity of coal underneath that estate; and is chiefly inhabited by persons engaged in the collieries, and in the works of the Carron Iron Company. The making of nails affords employment to a few of the inhabitants; and many of the females are engaged in tambouring muslin for the Glasgow manufacturers, at their own dwellings.