GIRTHON, a parish, in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
6 miles (N. W.) from Kirkcudbright; containing,
with the larger part of the burgh of Gatehouse of Fleet,
1874 inhabitants. This place, which is of great antiquity,
is supposed to have derived its name, signifying
in the Celtic language "an inclosure" or "sanctuary",
from some religious establishment having the privilege
of sanctuary, and which existed at a very early period,
at the passage of the river Fleet. In 1300, Edward I.
of England, during the contested succession to the Scottish
throne, resided for several days at the old town of
Fleet, now Gatehouse, and presented an oblation at the
altar of Girthon: after levying some fines from the town,
for the misconduct of the inhabitants, who had attempted
to oppose his progress, he retired without further molestation.
The lands anciently belonged to a branch of the
family of Stewart, from whom they passed by marriage
to Donald de Levenax or Lennox, son of the Earl of
Lenno.x; and on the death of the seventh lord of Girthon,
the estate, together with the family seat of Cally,
was conveyed by his daughter, in marriage, to Richard
Murray of Broughton, whose descendant is the present
proprietor.
The PARISH, which is bounded on the south and west
by the bay and river of Fleet, is about sixteen miles in
length and from two to five miles in breadth, comprising
15,480 acres, whereof 4000 are arable, 1000 woodland
and plantations, and the remainder heath and waste
land, affording tolerable pasture for flocks of sheep. The
surface towards the north and east is mountainous and
bleak j towards the south, with the exception of some
gentle undulations, pretty level. In the mountainous
district are several lakes, the principal of which are Loch
Greanoch, about three miles in length and half a mile in
breadth; Loch Skerroch, nearly half a mile square;
Loch Fleet; and Loch Whinnyan, on the eastern border
of the parish. From Loch Fleet flows the little Water
of Fleet; and this, after a few miles, is joined by the
great Water of the same name, together making the
river Fleet, which after a winding course, dividing the
parish from that of Anwoth, runs into Fleet bay. In
Loch Greanoch are found char in abundance, and pike
and large trout in Loch Skerroch. A few salmon are
taken in the river Fleet, and flounders in great plenty;
and near the mouth of the river are two small islands,
called the Isles of Fleet, where excellent oysters are obtained.
These isles are uninhabited, affording only pasturage
for sheep. The soil is various: the arable lands,
which are under good cultivation, produce favourable
crops, and the grass-lands are luxuriant. The farmhouses,
most of which have been rebuilt, are substantial
and commodious; and all the more recent improvements
in husbandry have been adopted. The cattle, of
which about 1200 are grazed, are of the Galloway breed;
and the sheep, of which SOOO are fed in the mountain
pastures, are of the small native kind. The annual value
of real property in the parish is £5698.
There are considerable remains of ancient woods at
Castramont and a few other places; and the plantations
are in a thriving condition. The substrata are chiefly
clay-slate and granite, of which latter the rocks are
principally composed. A slate-quarry was some years
since in operation, but it has been superseded by the importation
of slate from England and Wales, at a cheaper
rate; and a vein of copper-ore, which was formerly
wrought by a company from Wales, has been also discontinued.
Cally, the seat of Mr. Murray of Broughton,
is a spacious and elegant structure of granite, erected in
1763, and since much improved; it contains a noble
hall of marble, in which are some handsome pieces of
sculpture, and has many stately apartments, with valuable
paintings. The pleasure-grounds and gardens are
extensive and tastefully embellished, and in the park are
numerous deer, and some fine specimens of the ancient
Caledonian breed of cattle. For ecclesiastical purposes
the parish is within the bounds of the presbytery
of Kirkcudbright, synod of Galloway. The minister's
stipend is £158. 6. 8., with a manse, and a glebe valued
at £'20 per annum; patron, the Crown. Girthon church,
situated at Gatehouse, is a neat substantial structure,
erected in 1818, and contains 714 sittings. The members
of the Free Church have a place of worship. The
parochial school is attended by ninety children: the
master has a salary of £45, increased to that amount by
Mr. Murray, with a house and garden; and the fees
average about £40 per annum. A charity school is supported
by Lady Anne Murray, in which the children are
gratuitously clothed and instructed. The site of the palace
of the bishops of Galloway is still pointed out here,
though there are no vestiges of the building; and in the
pleasure-grounds of Cally are the remains of the ancient
family seat. There are several small moats, called
"Doons", and also an ancient camp, forming one of a
line which traverses the stewartry.