Strathfillan

   STRATHFILLAN, lately a quoad sacra parish, partly in the parish of Glenorchy, district of Lorn, county of Argyll, but chiefly in the parish of Killin, county of Perth, 14 miles (W. by S.) from Killin; containing, with the village of Clifton, 735 inhabitants, of whom 247 are in the county of Argyll, and 488 in the county of Perth. This place, which, for ecclesiastical purposes, was separated from the parishes of Killin and Glenorchy by act of the General Assembly in 1836, appears to have derived its name from a priory founded here by King Robert Bruce, and dedicated to St. Fillan, in gratitude for his victory in the battle of Bannockburn. The establishment was for canons regular of the order of St. Augustine, and continued to flourish under a regular succession of priors till the Dissolution, when its revenues and site were granted to the Campbells, ancestors of the Marquess of Breadalbane. Of the building, which seems to have been 120 feet in length and twenty-two feet in breadth, there are still some portions of the walls remaining; and near the site is a deep pool called the Holy Pool, in which it was the practice in ancient times to dip persons afflicted with insanity. The patients on these occasions, after immersion in the pool, were left bound during the night in a part of the church designated St. Fillan's chapel; and if they were found loose on the following morning, the cure was deemed to be complete. A stone called St. Fillan's chair, and several small round stones, each of which was consecrated by the saint, and supposed to have been endowed with the power of curing some particular disease, were long preserved at the mill of Killin; and five of the stones are still kept there for the inspection of the curious. The strath to which the priory gave name forms an interesting portion of the Highland district of Breadalbane, and is situated on the north of Loch Dochart; it is rather a pastoral than an agricultural district, and in its various features partakes of the general character of the parish of Killin. Among the seats of importance is Glenure House, the summer residence of Thomas Herbert Place, Esq., a handsome modern mansion, beautifully situated in grounds tastefully laid out, embellished with thriving plantations, and comprehending much picturesque and romantic scenery. The village of Clifton, near which is a mine of lead-ore in operation, stands not far from the western extremity of the strath. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Weem and synod of Perth and Stirling. A church was erected here in 1829, and endowed by Lady Glenorchy with funds from which the minister derives a stipend of £60; and a manse, and a considerable extent of hill pasture, are given to him by the Marquess of Breadalbane: patrons, the Society for the Propagation of Christian Knowledge, who support a school in the district. The members of the Free Church now hold the place of worship.