Stow

   STOW, a parish, partly in the county of Selkirk, but chiefly in the county of Edinburgh; containing, with the hamlets of Fountainhall and Killochyett, 1734 inhabitants, of whom 408 are in the village of Stow, 8 miles (N. N. W.) from Galashiels. This place derives its name from a residence of the bishops of St. Andrew's, who anciently had a regal jurisdiction over the whole of the district of Wedale, in which Stow is situated, and which, from the numerous remains of camps and fortresses, appears to have been early the seat of warfare. The parish, which is in the southern portion of the county of Edinburgh, and northern portion of that of Selkirk, is bounded on the north-west by the parish of Heriot, and on the south-east by that of Galashiels. It is about sixteen miles in length and four in breadth, comprising an area of about sixty-two miles, or 40,000 acres, of which 11,345 are arable, 960 woodland and plantations, and 27,510 meadow and pasture. The surface is hilly, and the scenery boldly varied. The pleasing vale of the Gala water extends for a considerable length into the parish, and the banks of the river from which it takes its name are remarkable for their beautifully romantic character. The Heriot water flows into the Gala, which is subsequently augmented in its progress by various other streams, the most considerable being the Lugate water; and after a devious course through tracts abounding with picturesque scenery, the Gala falls into the Tweed about a mile below Galashiels.

   The soil is fertile, and the arable lands produce favourable crops of grain of every kind, with some turnip and potatoes which are raised chiefly for consumption on the several farms. The low lands are well drained and inclosed; the farm buildings and offices are substantial and commodiously arranged; the various improvements in the construction of implements have been generally adopted, and all the branches of rural economy are now skilfully practised. The hills afford good pasture for sheep, of which not less than 20,000 are annually reared; they are of the Cheviot breed, with a considerable number of the black-faced, and a smaller number of the Leicestershire. The cattle, of which not more than 500 are reared or fattened, are chiefly of the Teeswater breed. That part of the lands within the county of Selkirk was formerly a portion of the Ettrick forest, and there are still some fine specimens of forest-trees in the older woodlands. The plantations, of more modern growth, are rather extensive and in a flourishing state; the soil is adapted for every kind of timber, and the oaks are particularly thriving. There is nothing peculiar in the substrata of the parish: the rocks are chiefly greywacke; slate and claystone, red porphyry, calcareous spar, quartz, and steatite have been found in some places, and in one instance a specimen of pyrites of iron. Crookston, Torwoodlee, Bowland, Burnhouse, Torquhan, and Pirn, are the principal mansions.

   The village is situated on the road from Edinburgh to Carlisle, and on the Gala water, over which is a commodious bridge, erected in 1654. The only manufacture carried on is that of woollen cloth, for which there is a large mill. A fair is annually held in the village, on the second Tuesday in March, chiefly for the sale of seed-corn, and for the hiring of servants; a post-office has been lately established here; and at Torsonce, about a quarter of a mile distant, is a good inn. The parish comprises the hamlets of Fountainhall, Killochyett, Caitha, Crosslee, and Whytbanklee. Facility of communication is afforded by good roads, of which one, connecting the Carlisle road with the road to Selkirk, is of modern construction; and by several bridges over the Gala water, some of which, recently erected, are of handsome appearance. The rateable annual value of the Edinburgh part of the parish is £11,641, and of the Selkirk part £2906. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the synod of Merse and Teviotdale and presbytery of Lauder; the minister's stipend is £256. 9. 1., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £27. 10. per annum; patron, the Crown. The church is a very ancient structure containing about 600 sittings; it has undergone various alterations, and is now in good repair. There is a place of worship in the village for members of the United Secession. The parochial school is well attended; the master has a salary of £30 a year, with a house and garden. There are also schools at Caitha and Pirntaiton, of which the masters have rent-free houses, that for the former erected by General Walker, and that for the latter by Miss Innes in 1832. A congregational library of about 300 volumes is maintained, and also a library of 700 volumes in the hamlet of Fountainhall. There are numerous remains of ancient castles in the parish; the principal are, Bow Castle, Lugate Castle, Torwoodlee Castle, and Howliston Tower, all in ruins, and Torsonce Castle, which has been recently roofed in, and is occupied by the proprietor as a summer residence.