BALLINGRY, a parish, in the district of Kirkcaldy,
county of Fife, 2 miles (N. E. by E.) from
Blair-Adam Inn; containing 436 inhabitants. This
place is supposed to have derived its name, of Gaelic
origin, from its having at one time been an occasional
residence of the Scottish kings. During the invasion of
Britain by the Romans under Agricola, the neighbourhood
is conjectured by some to have been the scene of
the battle between the Caledonians under Galgacus, and
the IX. legion, which may have been stationed here.
The Romans were totally defeated; but Agricola, upon
receiving intelligence of the event, put the whole of his
army in motion, and, falling upon the rear of the
Caledonians, compelled them to yield to superior numbers,
and retire from the field. The latter, however,
retreated in good order, bravely defending the fords of
Loch Leven, it is said, against the invaders, and obstinately
disputing every inch of ground. Numerous
memorials of a contest have been met with: at the east
end of the loch, and also where Auchmnir bridge now
crosses that ancient ford, Caledonian battle-axes and
Roman weapons have bee* discovered; and a few years
since, a Caledonian battle-axe of polished stone, firmly
fixed in an oaken handle, twenty-two inches long, was
found near the spot. No vestige remains of the supposed
Roman camp in the jjarish: near its site is now the
steading of the Chapel farm.
This parish, which is of very irregular form, comprises
about 3700 acres, whereof 1394 arc arable, 1874 meadow
and pasture, 242 woodland and plantations, and the remainder
common and waste. The surface is in part a
level, broken by the hill of Binarty, the southern acclivity
of which has been richly planted, forming an interesting
feature in the scenery. In the northern portion of the
parish the soil is rich, dry, and fertile, but in other
parts of inferior quality; the crops are oats and barley,
with some wheat, beans, and potatoes. Great improvement
has been made by draining, but in rainy
seasons the drains are insufficient to carry off the water;
much more draining is necessary, and stones in many
places still encumber the ground: the loch on the estate
of Lochore has been drained, and now produces excellent
crops of grain. The annual value of real property
in the parish is £4611. Limestone and coal are
found in various parts; the former is of inferior quality,
and not worked, but the latter is wrought on the Earl
of Zetland's property, and also on the Earl of Minto's,
with success: whinstone and freestone are also found
here, and, on the hill of Binarty, basaltic whinstone.
Facility of communication is afforded by the Dunfermline
branch of the Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee
railway. The parish is in the presbytery of Kirkcaldy,
s5-nod of Fife, and in the gift of Lady Scott of Abbotsford;
the minister's stipend is about £150, with a
manse valued at £10, and a glebe at £"20, per annum.
The church is a substantial and neat structure, erected
in 1831. The parochial schoolmaster's salary is £34. 4.
4., with about £4 fees, a house, and an allowance in lieu
of garden. The poor are partly supported by the rent of
land producing £^1, and by the proceeds of a bequest
of £100 by William Jobson, Esq., of Lochore.