Gask, Trinity

   GASK, TRINITY, a parish, in the county of Perth, 2 miles (N.) from Auchterarder, and 4 (S. E.) from Crieff; containing 620 inhabitants. This parish derives its name Gask, of Gaelic origin, from the peculiar nature of its surface, consisting almost entirely of braes and undulated ground; its distinctive prefix, Trinity, arose from the union of three districts, which constitute the present parish. It is chiefly situated on the north bank of the river Earn, and in the picturesque strath to which that river gives name; and is about five miles in length, and three in breadth. The surface is pleasingly varied, containing but few tracts of level land; and the scenery is enlivened by the windings of the Earn, which flows from west to east, displaying much beauty in the natural wood and thriving plantations with which its banks are crowned. The soil, greatly differing in various parts, has, in some, been rendered productive by draining, and by the construction of embankments to protect the lower lands from the occasional over-flowings of the Earn; and through the improvement that has taken place in the system of agriculture, a considerable portion of barren land has been reclaimed and brought into profitable cultivation. Of the whole number of acres in the parish, nearly 4300 are arable, and 1000 in woods and plantations; and of the remainder, which is chiefly moorland and waste, it is supposed that about 2000 acres maybe rendered arable, when the measures at present in contemplation for that purpose shall be completed. The river abounds with various kinds of fish, of which the principal are, salmon, trout, perch, and pike; but the quantity of salmon has greatly diminished since the use of stake-nets has been introduced in the Tay. The crops are, grain of all kinds, potatoes, and turnips: bone-dust and lime are employed as manure, but on account of the expense of bringing those articles from a great distance, the quantity is not adequate to the wants of the soil. Great attention is paid to the rearing of cattle, which are mostly of the short-horned breed, introduced by Lord Strathallan, and which are found to answer well; the sheep, though very limited in numbers, are chiefly of the Leicestershire breed. The farm-buildings are substantial, and on all the large farms are threshing-mills, of which several are driven by water; there are also corn-mills in various parts. The rateable annual value of the parish is £4700.

   The oldest of the woods are Scotch fir; and the plantations of more modern date are principally spruce, larch, oak, and beech, all of which, under judicious management, are in a thriving state. The substrata are chiefly sandstone and whinstone, of which there are several varieties, and occasionally a gray stone, of great compactness, containing a portion of copper, but not sufficient in quantity to repay the cost of working it. The sandstone and whinstone are quarried for building purposes, and for the roads; but the stone is of inferior quality. Millearne, a seat in the parish, is a spacious mansion in the later English style, beautifully situated in grounds laid out with great taste, and forming a conspicuous feature in the landscape. Colquhalzie is a handsome mansion, finely seated on the south bank of the Earn, and commanding some highly interesting views. Facility of communication with the neighbouring towns is afforded by good roads; a ferry-boat plies across the river, and at Kinkell is a bridge of four arches, built by subscription in 1793, and kept in excellent repair. An agricultural society has been established in the parish, for the promotion of husbandry by the distribution of prizes to the successful candidates in ploughing matches. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Auchterarder and synod of Perth and Stirling; patron, the Earl of Kinnoull. The stipend of the incumbent is £230; the manse is a commodious residence, and the glebe comprises fourteen and a half acres of profitable land, with about ten acres of wood. The church is adapted for a congregation of about 350 persons, but is inconveniently situated. There is a place of worship for the United Associate Synod. The parochial school affords a useful education; the master has a salary of £34, and the fees average about £12** per annum. The poor have the interest of a bequest of £80. Some remains exist of an ancient castle called Gascon Hall, of which, however, there are no authentic records; and a considerable portion of the Roman road leading to the camp at Ardoch is within the parish. A kistvaen, containing human bones and ashes, was found a few years since upon the lands belonging to the Earl of Kinnoull; it consisted of four upright stones, with one lying horizontally on the top.