Logie-Coldstone

   LOGIE-COLDSTONE, a parish, in the district of Kincardine O'Neil, county of Aberdeen, 9 miles (W.) from Kincardine; containing 936 inhabitants. This place comprises the ancient parishes of Logie and Coldstone, united in 1618, and of which the former derives its name from a Gaelic term signifying a "hollow" or "low situation," which is faithfully descriptive of its character. Of the name Coldstone, formerly Colstane, the derivation is altogether uncertain. The parish occupies a district between the rivers Don and Dee, from both of which it is nearly equidistant; it is bounded partly on the west by the river Deskry, separating it from the parish of Strathdon, and is about six miles in length and three miles and a half in breadth. It is of very irregular form, inclosing within its boundaries a detached portion of the parish of Migvy; neither have its superficial contents been duly ascertained. About 3000 acres are arable, 900 woodland and plantations, and the remainder hill pasture, moorland, and waste. The surface is diversified with numerous hills, of which a range of precipitous height extends along the western boundary; the most conspicuous is the hill of Morven, commanding from its summit an unbounded prospect towards the east. On the north the hills are less elevated, of more gradual ascent, and partly under cultivation. The river Deskry, after forming for some distance the boundary of the parish, flows into the Don; and there are some small rivulets, which, after intersecting various lands here, flow into the Dee in the parish of Aboyne. There are also several lakes, of which Loch Dawan, situated at the south-western extremity of the parish, is nearly three miles in circumference: Loch Uaine, which takes its name from the green colour of its water, is on the farm of Nether Ruthven; and though apparently impure, the cattle drink of its water in preference to any other. Of the numerous springs, several of which possess mineral properties, the most distinguished is a powerful chalybeate near the church, called the Poll Dubh, signifying in the Gaelic the "black mire," and which is still resorted to by many persons for its efficacy in the cure of scorbutic complaints.

   The soil is various; in some parts, a deep rich loam; in others, light and sandy; and on the slopes of the high grounds, generally fertile; the whole producing favourable crops of grain, potatoes, and turnips, with the usual grasses. The system of husbandry has been greatly improved, and considerable tracts of moor and waste have been brought into profitable cultivation. The lands have been inclosed; the houses and offices are usually substantial and well arranged; threshingmills have been erected on most of the farms, and all the more recent improvements in the construction of agricultural implements have been adopted. The moors abound with grouse, snipes, woodcocks, partridges, hares, and game of every other variety; ptarmigan and white hares are found in abundance on the hill of Morven, and great numbers of wild ducks and geese frequent the lower grounds. There are but small remains of ancient wood, consisting chiefly of dwarf alder; but roots of oak, fir, and hazel of large growth, are often dug up on the mosses. The modern plantations are principally fir and larch, for which the soil seems well adapted, and which are all in a thriving state. The rocks in the parish are of the granite formation; but there are neither mines nor quarries of any description. The rateable annual value of Logie-Coldstone is £6258, the amount for Logie being £3178, and for Coldstone £3080. The seats are Corrachree and Blelack, both modern mansions. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Kincardine O'Neil and the synod of Aberdeen. The minister's stipend is £217. 9. 3., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £15 per annum; alternate patrons, the Crown, and the Farquharson family, of Invercauld. The church, rebuilt in 1780, is a neat plain structure, and well adapted to the accommodation of the parishioners. The parochial school is attended by about 100 children: the master has a salary of £34, with a house and garden, and the fees average £25 per annum; he has also a portion of the Dick bequest. There are several cairns in the parish, two of which, of large dimensions, have given the name of Cairnmore to the farms on which they are respectively situated. In the gable of one of the offices on the farm of Mill of Newton is a sculptured stone, originally erected on ground in the vicinity, which is still called Tomachar, or the "Hillock of the Chair." Within the last few years, part of a paved road was discovered below the surface of a ploughed field, on the lands of Blelack; and near the spot is a hollow called the Picts' Howe. On removing some of the stones, layers of charred wood were found beneath them.