Balquhidder

   BALQUHIDDER, a parish, in the county of Perth, 9 miles (S. by W.) from Killin; containing, with the villages of Strathyre and Lochearnhead, 871 inhabitants. This parish, of which the name, descriptive of its situation in the county, is derived from the Gaelic, is about eighteen miles in length, and rather more than six miles in breadth. The surface is very irregular, and comprehends a rich variety of valleys and hills, of level lands and deep glens, and of lofty rocks rising abruptly from the plains. The principal hills are, Benvorlich, Benchroin, Benvane, Binean, Benchoin, and Bentallachan: near the hill at Edinample, is an ancient castle, belonging to the Marquess of Breadalbane, embosomed in a wood of lofty plane-trees, near which is a beautiful cascade; and in the hill of Craigruigh, Robert Bruce is said to have concealed himself after the defeat of his forces in the battle of Dalrey. The river Balvag, over which are two bridges in good repair, rises in Lochvoil, winds for several miles through the parish, and falls into Lochlubnaig; and the small river Calair, which issues from Glenbuckie, though generally a peaceful stream, at times overflows its banks, and acquires the rapidity of a torrent. There are numerous lakes in the parish, of which the principal are, Lochvoil, Lochdoine, and parts of Lochlubnaig and Lochearn. The scenery is also richly embellished with woods, consisting mostly of oak, birch, alder, and common and mountain ash; and with thriving plantations, which are chiefly of Scotch and spruce firs, and larch-trees, for all of which the ground is well adapted.

   The soil, in the lower lands, is fertile; the hills afford pasture, and there are considerable tracts of good meadow; the system of agriculture is improved, and great attention is paid to the improvement of the breeds of cattle and sheep; the former are chiefly of the West Highland breed, and the latter, which are of the black-faced kind, command a ready sale in the neighbouring markets. The rateable annual value of the parish is £6100. The rocks are mainly of mica and clay slate, with quartz, porphyry, and primitive greenstone. Edinample Castle, the property of the Marquess of Breadalbane, an ancient mansion romantically situated, and Glenbuckie House, a handsome modern residence, are the only houses of distinction. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Dunblane and synod of Perth and Stirling; the stipend of the incumbent is £275. 15. 11.; the manse is a comfortable residence, and the glebe is of the annual value of £20. The church, situated nearly in the centre of the parish, is an ancient edifice, adapted for a congregation of 425 persons. The parochial school affords a liberal course of instruction; the master has a salary of £34. 4. 4½., with £8 fees, a house, and two bolls of meal in lieu of a garden. In a field near the manse, is an upright stone, about five feet in height, called Puidrac; but nothing of its history is known; and to the east of it, is a spot celebrated as the site of a desperate battle between the families of McLaren and Leney. The late Sir John Mac Gregor Murray, Bart., an eminent Gaelic scholar, and an indefatigable collector of the writings of the ancient Gaelic bards, and who, holding the rank of colonel in the British army, raised at his own expense a regiment of infantry for the service of his country, which was commanded by his brother. Colonel Alexander Mac Gregor Murray, was, together with his brother, buried in the family vault in this parish.