Cluny

   CLUNY, a parish, in the district of Kincardine O'Neil, county of Aberdeen, 15 miles (W. by N.) from Aberdeen; containing 959 inhabitants. The name of this place, signifying, in Gaelic, meadows interspersed with rising grounds, is descriptive of the appearance of the locality. The parish is about ten miles, from east to west, in length, and about two in breadth; the soil is mostly warm and dry, and the lands are intersected by several rivulets, some of them of considerable size, flowing in different directions, from the surrounding hills, and sometimes overflowing the adjacent low grounds. In the western part is a mountain called the forest of Corranie, forming the boundary of the parish, and which, though now destitute of wood, was formerly, it is said, remarkable for a profusion of it. The rent of land averages thirteen shillings per acre; agricultural improvements have been for a considerable time steadily advancing, and the generally level surface is favourable to the operations of husbandry. The rateable annual value of the parish is £4425. The gentlemen's seats comprise the handsome castle of Cluny, Castle-Fraser, and the recently built mansion-house of Linton; the second was erected in the beginning of the fifteenth century, and many improvements have been carried into effect by the respective proprietors. The produce of the parish is usually sent to Aberdeen, the Skene and Alford turnpike-road passing through, and affording facility for its transit. Many of the inhabitants were formerly employed in the knitting of stockings. The parish is in the presbytery of Kincardine O'Neil and synod of Aberdeen; and the Crown, the proprietor of Cluny, and the proprietor of Castle-Fraser, are alternate patrons, the first exercising patronage on account of half of the old parish of Kinnerny having been annexed to Cluny in 1743. The minister's stipend is £173. 16. 7., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £20 per annum. The church is a plain substantial edifice, erected in lieu of the former building, which had become ruinous, in 1789. There is a place of worship for members of the Free Church. The parochial school affords instruction in the ordinary branches; the master has a salary of £25. 13. 4., with an allowance for a garden, and £14 fees: he also shares in the Dick bequest, and receives the interest of £200, left by Mr. Robertson, for teaching eight poor children.