Bothkennar

   BOTHKENNAR, a parish, in the county of Stirling, 3 miles (N. by E.) from Falkirk; containing, with part of the village of Carronshore, 1000 inhabitants. The peculiar features of this place appear to be described with tolerable accuracy in the Celtic term by which it is denominated, and which signifies "the small arable fen" or "marsh;" the parish, originally marshy, having been subjected, throughout its whole extent, which is very small, to the operations of the plough. It is bounded on the east by the Frith of Forth, and on the south by the river Carron, forming a part of the tract called the Carse of Falkirk, and is about one and a half mile in length, and of nearly the same breadth, comprising 1240 Scotch acres, the whole under tillage. The surface is entirely level; and the soil, under which, at various depths, are found layers of marine shells, is a very rich alluvial loam, highly cultivated, according to the most improved methods of husbandry, and produces all kinds of crops, but wheat and beans in the largest proportions, with hay of a superior quality, which is sent for sale to the Edinburgh market. The parish contains numerous orchards, some of which are supposed to have been planted by the monks of Cambuskenneth; they yield various kinds of fruit, but especially very fine pears, of which the trees bearing an indigenous species called the "golden nap," are particularly celebrated for their luxuriance, beauty, and fruit, and sometimes produce each, yearly, fruit to the amount in value of £10. The whole of the lands, with very few exceptions, have been improved by tile-draining, the benefit of which has been so extensive as to pay the farmer in two years for the outlay; great attention is given to the rearing of horses of a superior kind, for the uses of husbandry. The rateable annual value of the parish is £4299. Coal, of excellent quality, is abundant, and is wrought by the Carron Company, who pay £1000 per annum to the proprietors for this privilege. The parish is in the presbytery of Stirling and synod of Perth and Stirling, and in the patronage of Mr. Lewis; the minister's stipend is £201. 12. 10., with a manse, built in 1816 at a cost of £1600, and a glebe valued at £12 per annum. The church was built in 1789, and is a plain comfortable edifice, suited to the accommodation of the parishioners. The parochial school affords instruction in English grammar, arithmetic, writing, geography, mathematics, Latin, and Greek; the master has a salary of £34. 4. 4., with £25 fees.