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 is said to derive
its name Gask, of Gaelic origin, from the peculiar
nature of its surface, consisting almost entirely of braes
and undulated ground: the distinctive prefix. Trinity,
arose from the union of three districts, which constitute
the present parish. Trinity-Gask is chiefly situated on
the north bank of the river Earn, in the picturesque
strath to which that river gives name; and is about five
miles in length, and three in breadth. Its 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 much improved by
draining, and by the construction of embankments to
protect the lower lands from the occasional overflowings
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; the remainder is chiefly moorland
and waste, and it is supposed that about '2000 acres
may be rendered arable, when the measures at present
in contemplation for that purpose shall be carried out.
The river abounds with various kinds of fish, the principal
of which are salmon, trout, perch, and pike; but the
quantity of salmon has greatly diminished since the use
of stake-nets was introduced in the Tay. The crops
raised in the parish are, grain of all kinds, potatoes, and
turnips. Bone-dust and lime are used, 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;
the short-horned breed was introduced by Lord Strathallan,
and is found to answer well: the sheep, which are
very limited in numbers, are chiefly of the Leicestershire
breed. The farm-buildings are substantial, and on all
the large farms are threshing-mills, several of which are
driven by water. There are also corn-mills in various
parts. The annual value of real property in the parish is
£4700.
The oldest of the woods are of 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. In this parish 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.
Both 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 intercourse 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 plough-
ing matches. Ecclesiastically the parish is within the
bounds of the presbytery of Auchterarder, synod of Perth
and Stirling; patron, the Earl of KinnouU. The stipend
of the incumbent varies from £190 to £"270; the manse
is a commodious residence, and the glebe comprises fourteen
acres and a half of profitable land, with about ten
acres of wood. Trinity-Gask church is adapted for a
congregation of about 350 persons, but is inconveniently
situated. There is a place of worship for the United
Presbyterian Church. The parochial school affords a
useful education; the master has the maximum salary,
and the fees average about £12 per annum. The poor
receive 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 on the lands belonging
to the Earl of Kinnoull; it consisted of four upright
stones, with one lying horizontally on the top.