Kirkhill

   1) KIRKHILL, a village, in the parish of Penicuick, county of Edinburgh, ½ a mile (N. E. by E.) from Penicuick; containing 315 inhabitants. It is situated on the west bank of the North Esk river, on which are considerable mills for the manufacture of paper. The population is chiefly engaged in these mills, and in weaving.

   2) KIRKHILL, a parish, in the Mainland district of the county of Inverness, 6 miles (W.) from Inverness; containing 1829 inhabitants. This place, which consists of the two united parishes of Wardlaw and Farnua, derives its name from the situation of its church on a hill; its Gaelic name refers to the dedication of its church to the Virgin Mary. The parish, which is bounded on the north by the Beauly loch and the Frith of Moray, and on the north-west by the river Beauly, is about eight miles in length, varying from one mile to three miles in breadth. The surface is diversified with hills, of which those in the south-eastern portion of the parish rise to a considerable elevation, and are mostly covered with heath, affording scanty pasture for sheep and cattle. The river, which skirts the parish for nearly three miles, is navigable for vessels of sixty tons to the village of Beauly, in the parish of Kilmorack, and abounds with salmon, and trout of various kinds. Herrings are taken in moderate quantities during the season in the Beauly loch; and on the shore, at Fopachy and Wester Lovat, are landing places where vessels deliver cargoes of lime and coal for the supply of the parish.

   The soil in the valleys, and along the Frith, is a strong clay, and on the rising grounds a rich loam. The crops are, wheat, barley, and oats, with potatoes and turnips; the system of husbandry is improved, and the lands are generally in a state of profitable cultivation. Considerable portions of moor have been rendered fertile by draining; the farms are partly inclosed, and the buildings are mostly substantial and commodious. There are some natural woods, chiefly of alder and birch, of which the former is predominant; and extensive plantations have been formed, consisting of firs and the various kinds of forest and ornamental trees, all in a thriving state. The rateable annual value of the parish is £6807. The mansions are, Moniack, Newton, Lentran, Auchnagairn, Fingask, Reelick, and Bunchrew, the birthplace of President Forbes. The village, or Kirktown, is pleasantly situated on the bank of the Beauly river; and facility of communication is afforded by the road to Inverness, which passes through the whole length of the parish. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Inverness and synod of Moray. The minister's stipend is £247, with a manse, and a glebe valued at £20 per annum.; patron, Hercules Scott, Esq. The church, originally erected in 1220, on Wardlaw or St. Mary's Hill, was taken down, and rebuilt near the former site, in 1791, and is in good repair. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship. The parochial school is well attended; the master has a salary of £30, with a house and garden, and the fees average from £15 to £20 per annum. There is also a school supported by the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. On the summit of Wardlaw Hill, and on the site of the old church, is a chapel, the burial place of the Fraser family, and which contains elegant monuments to Thomas and Simon Fraser, Lords Lovat.

   3) KIRKHILL, a village, in the parish of Cambuslang, Middle ward of the county of Lanark; containing 216 inhabitants. This is one of thirteen villages in the parish, and is among the largest. It has about forty-three families, of whom thirty-two are engaged in the manufactures of the district, chiefly hand-loom weaving for the Glasgow houses.