Cambuskenneth, or Abbey

   CAMBUSKENNETH, or ABBEY, a village, in the parish of Stirling, but locally in the county of Clackmannan, 1 mile (E.) from Stirling; containing 227 inhabitants. This place, which is situated on a peninsula formed by the winding of the river Forth, takes its name, signifying "the field of Kenneth," from some ancient event not distinctly recorded, in which one of the Scottish kings of that name is supposed to have been concerned. A monastery for canons regular of the order of St. Augustine, was founded here in 1147, by David I., who richly endowed it with lands in various parts of the kingdom; and the endowment was augmented by many of his successors. This establishment, of which the abbots were frequently styled abbots of Stirling, continued to increase in importance; it was the place of interment of James III. and his queen, and the scene of many transactions connected with Scottish history. The buildings were extensive and magnificent; but, soon after the Reformation, they were demolished by the lords of the congregation, who had taken possession of Stirling; and of the once splendid structure, only one solitary tower is remaining. The church was dedicated to St. Mary, from which circumstance, the street leading to it from the town of Stirling was called St. Mary's Wynd. On the dissolution of the monastery, the lands were granted to the Earl of Mar, with whose descendants they remained till the year 1737, when they were purchased by the corporation of Stirling, on behalf of Cowan's hospital. The village is chiefly inhabited by persons employed in agriculture, and in the woollen manufactures in the vicinity; there is a ferry here over the river Forth; and a school is supported.