Tealing

   TEALING, a parish, in the county of Forfar, 5½ miles (N.) from Dundee; containing, with the hamlets of Balgray, Balkillo, Kirkton, Newbegging, and Todhills, 854 inhabitants, of whom 517 are in the rural districts. This place derives its name, signifying in the Gaelic language "a country of brooks or waters," from the small streams with which the district abounds; it is chiefly the property of Mr. Scrymseour, and Lord Douglas. The parish, which is situated on the southern brow of the Sidlaw hills, is bounded on the south by the Fithie burn, which separates it from the parish of Mains and Strathmartine; it is about four miles in length, and rather more than two miles in average breadth, comprising 5400 acres, whereof 4630 are arable, 450 woodland and plantations, and the remainder moorland pasture and waste. The surface is hilly, forming part of the Sidlaw range, whose highest point within the parish is the Craig-Owl, which has an elevation of 1600 feet above the level of the sea, and from which the lands slope gradually towards the southern boundary. The scenery is pleasingly varied, and enriched with thriving plantations; and from the higher grounds are obtained extensive and interesting prospects over the adjacent country. The burn of Fithie is the principal stream connected with the parish; it abounds with trout of large size, and is much frequented by anglers. The soil in the higher lands is light and gravelly, and rather adapted for pasture than for tillage; on the arable lands, a rich black loam of great depth, in some parts alternated with clay; and in the southern districts, of a marshy quality, and chiefly in meadow and natural pasture. The principal crops are oats and barley, with potatoes and turnips, and the usual grasses: wheat was formerly raised to a very great extent, and towards the close of the last century, the cultivation of it was revived; but after a fair trial, its growth was abandoned as altogether unprofitable. The system of husbandry has been much improved; the lands have been rendered more productive by extensive and judicious draining, and the use of manure, of which a plentiful supply is obtained from the town of Dundee, in the immediate vicinity; and a due regard is now paid to the rotation of crops. The farms are of moderate size, and the farm-buildings substantial and well arranged; the lands have been inclosed, and the fences are kept in good repair. Threshing-mills, driven by water, of which there is an abundant supply from the numerous brooks that intersect the parish, are in almost common use. Considerable attention is paid to the management of the dairy-farms, the produce of which is sent to the market of Dundee; and the hills afford good pasturage for black-cattle, usually of the Angus or native breed. No more horses, however, are reared than are required for the purposes of husbandry, and there are but very few sheep of any kind. The rateable annual value of the parish is £5263.

   The plantations consist of larch and Scotch fir, interspersed with ash, elm, beech, and other forest-trees, for which the soil appears well adapted; they are regularly thinned, and mostly in a thriving state. The rocks are chiefly composed of a greyish kind of slate-stone, and the principal substrata are freestone, of good quality for building, and whinstone, for the repair of the roads: there are several freestone quarries in operation, from which, also, considerable quantities are raised for pavements, and sent to Dundee. Tealing House, the property and residence of the Scrymseour family, situated in the eastern portion of the parish, is the only mansion-house of importance. There are several small villages, or rather hamlets, all of which are noticed under their own heads. Facility of communication is maintained by the turnpike-road from Dundee to Aberdeen, which passes through the eastern extremity of the parish; by the Dundee and Newtyle railroad, which intersects its south-western boundary; and by cross roads, kept in repair by statute labour, and which have been recently much improved. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Dundee and synod of Angus and Mearns: the minister's stipend is £162. 8., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £14 per annum; patron, the Crown. The church, erected in 1806, is a neat substantial structure, situated nearly in the centre of the parish, and contains 700 sittings. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship. The parochial school affords instruction to about thirty children; the master has a salary of £34. 4. 4., with a house and garden, and the fees average £10 annually. A parochial library, supported by subscription, is in a very flourishing state. The late Mrs. Scrymseour, of Tealing House, bequeathed £100 to the poor. On the farm of Priestown has been discovered a subterraneous structure of large flat stones without any cement, and containing several apartments, in which were wood ashes, fragments of earthen vessels, and a quern. Near Tealing House is a passage under ground, formed of loose stones about four feet in height, and four feet wide, and extending for a considerable length: in it were found an instrument resembling an adze, and a broad earthen vessel. It is still in its original state, though the entrance has been closed up. On the farm of Balckembeck are some remains of Druidical circles; and on two sandy hillocks have been discovered stone coffins containing a skull and several human bones, with urns of earthenware filled with ashes.