Kippen

   KIPPEN, a parish, partly in the county of Perth, but chiefly in the county of Stirling; containing, with the greater portion of the late quoad sacra parish of Bucklyvie, the village of Kippen, and the hamlets of Arnprior, Cauldhame, Kepp, and Shirgarton, 1922 inhabitants, of whom 397 are in the village of Kippen, 10 miles (W.) from Stirling. This place derives its name, in the Gaelic language signifying "a promontory," from the situation of the village at the extremity of an eminence which terminates near Boquhan, in the eastern portion of the parish. Few events of historical importance are recorded in connexion with the place, though, from the names of several localities, indicating ancient fortresses, of which there are now scarcely any vestiges remaining, it appears to have been the scene of frequent hostilities between the different clans in the vicinity. In the reign of James V., a dispute arose between the inhabitants of the baronies of Arnprior and Glentirran, respecting the course of the stream issuing from Loch Leggan, which dispute terminated in a sanguinary battle near the loch, when many persons on each side were killed. Upon this occasion, the king, who at that time resided in the castle of Stirling, ordered the stream to be diverted into the channel it at present occupies, and, depriving both parties of their claim, erected on its banks a mill, which still retains the appellation of the Royal mill.

   The parish is bounded on the north by the river Forth, and is about eight miles in extreme length, varying from two to four miles in breadth, and comprising rather more than 10,000 acres, of which 5300 are arable, 600 woodland and plantations, and the remainder meadow, pasture, and waste. The surface of the parish, which contains two portions of the county of Perth, stretching from north to south, and detaching nearly one-third of Kippen from the county of Stirling, is pleasingly diversified with rising grounds of moderate elevation. Along the shore of the Forth extends a level tract of carse land in a state of the richest cultivation, from which the ground rises towards the south by a partly abrupt, but generally gradual, ascent for more than a mile, beyond which it again subsides by a gentle declivity. From the higher grounds is obtained an extensive and varied prospect over the surrounding country, embracing the whole of the carse, Stirling Castle, the rocks of Craigforth and the Abbey Craig, the braes of Monteith, and the range of the Grampians from the Ochil hills to Ben-Lomond. The river Forth is here of inconsiderable width, and the stream greatly discoloured by the floating moss, which has also injured the fishery, previously very lucrative. There are several rivulets flowing through the glens that intersect the parish, and most of them abound with trout of good quality. The burn of Broich, issuing from Loch Leggan, runs through the beautiful glen of Broich, and afterwards, in its course to the Forth, serves chiefly to float off the moss in the plain below. The burn of Boquhan, which is the boundary line between the parish and Gargunnock, has its rise in the rock of Ballochleam, and in its descent has made for itself a channel through the substratum of red sandstone, which it has excavated into caverns of singular form: flowing along the richly-wooded glen of Boquhan, it falls into the Forth at the bridge of Frew. Some smaller rivulets, in their way through their respective glens, exhibit picturesque cascades; and on the moor of Kippen is Loch Leggan, a fine sheet of water about a mile in circumference, of which the shores are well wooded, and which is the only lake in the parish.

   The soil for some breadth from the shore of the Forth is light and fertile, and in the carse between it and the higher grounds, a deep rich clay; on the acclivities, a loam alternated with sand and gravel; and towards the summit, of lighter and less productive quality. There are also considerable tracts of moss, with which, indeed, the whole carse appears to have been formerly overspread. The crops are, wheat, oats, barley, beans, potatoes, and turnips; the system of husbandry is in a highly-improved state. The lands have been drained, and are generally well inclosed; and much moss has been reclaimed and brought into cultivation: the farm-houses are substantial and commodious, and on most of the farms are threshing-mills. The dairy-farms are well managed; the cows are usually of the Ayrshire breed. Considerable attention is paid to live stock, and all the more recent improvements in the construction of agricultural implements have been adopted. There are about sixty or seventy acres of ancient woods remaining. The plantations, which are extensive, are chiefly, on the higher lands, larch and Scotch fir; and on the lower, oak, ash, and elm, which are all in a thriving state. In the glens are also large tracts of coppice-wood, and a great part of the moor has recently been planted. The principal substrata are red sandstone and limestone; and coal is supposed to exist, though some attempts to explore it have not been attended with success. The sandstone is extensively quarried on the moor; it is soft when taken from the quarry, but hardens on exposure to the air, and is of excellent quality for building, for which purpose large quantities are sent to a considerable distance. The limestone is found chiefly in the southern district of the parish, and is also of good quality; but, from the want of coal, which is to be obtained only from a great distance, it is but little wrought for manure. The rateable annual value of the parish is £8775. The seats are, Garden, a handsome modern mansion, to which recent additions have been made; and Broich House, also a modern residence, beautifully situated, and in the grounds of which is a stately and venerable yew-tree, said to be about 300 years old.

   The village of Kippen is near the turnpike-road from Stirling to Dumbarton, and has a pleasingly-rural appearance. A public library is supported by subscription, and there is a library of religious books for gratuitous circulation; a post-office, also, has been established under that of Stirling, and has a daily delivery. There was until recently a distillery for whisky, which paid duties amounting to £17,000 per annum. Fairs for cattle are held on the first Wednesday in January, the second Wednesday in April, the 26th of May, the 23rd of October, and the first, second, and third Wednesdays in December. Facility of communication is maintained by the road from Stirling to Dumbarton, which passes for seven miles through the parish; by a turnpike-road from the village to Glasgow, which intersects the parish for three miles in a south-west direction; and by good bridges over the Forth, in excellent repair. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Dunblane and synod of Perth and Stirling. The minister's stipend is £250, with a manse, and a glebe valued at £12 per annum; patrons, the Galbraith family, of Blackhouse. The church, erected in 1825, is a handsome structure in the later English style of architecture, with a square embattled tower, and contains 800 sittings. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship. A church in connexion with the Establishment was built in 1835, at Bucklyvie, where is also a place of worship for the United Secession. There are two parochial schools, one at Kippen, of which the master has a salary of £27. 15. 6., with a house and garden, and fees amounting on the average to £20; and the other at Claymires, in Bucklyvie, of which the master, in addition to the fees, has a salary of £5. 11., with a house and garden. The late Rev. James Miller, of Edinburgh, who was a native of this parish, bequeathed, in trust to the Kirk Session, property for the foundation of a bursary of £24 in each of the universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, for young men who are intended for the ministry. There are not any remains of the ancient castle of Arnfinlay, or of the tower of Garden, formerly in the parish; and of several small heights called Keirs, supposed to have been originally Pictish or Celtic fortresses, and on which are still vestiges of military works, nothing of the history is distinctly known.