KILARROW-AND-KILMENY, or Kilarow-and-KilMENZiE, a parish,
in the district of Islay, county of
Argyll; containing, with the villages of Bowmore and
Bridgend, 5782 inhabitants, of whom 4026 are in the
clistrict of Kilarrow. These two ancient parishes, now
united, arc frequently designated as the parish of Bowmore,
from the erection of the new church of Kilarrow
in that village. The feuds which had so long subsisted
in this quarter between the Macdonalds, lords of the
Isles, and the Macleans, of the Mull, terminated about
the commencement of the seventeenth century, in the
Hucccssion of the Campb<:lls of Argyll, whose descendant,
W. F. Campbell, Esq., of Islay, is the sole proprietor of
the lands. The parish, which is situated on the eastern
shore of Loch Iiulal, i.s about seventeen miles in length
and six in extreme breadth, comprising 49,920 acres,
whereof 15,000 acres are arable, a small portion in
plantations, and the large remainder rough pasture,
moorland, and waste. Though generally level, the surface
is diversified with hills of moderate elevation, covered
with heath and fern. The rivers are, the Laggan, which,
taking a south-western course, falls into the bay of
that name; and the Kilarrow, which empties itself into
Loch Indal. There is a salmon-fishery on the Laggan.
The soil is various, and on some of the farms rich and
fertile. The system of agriculture has been much advanced
by the spirited and liberal efiforts of the Campbell
family; the pasture lands have been improved by
surface draining, and large tracts of moor have been
reclaimed and brought into cultivation. Furrow draining
is also growing into extensive use, a tile-work having
been established for that purpose. Great attention is
paid to the rearing of sheep and black-cattle, and prizes
for the improvement of the breed are awarded by an
agricultural society, which has been established here
some years. The annual value of real property in the
parish is £8888. The plantations are well attended to;
the soil appears best adapted to the growth of hard-wood
trees. Islay House, the seat of Mr. Campbell, is a handsome
mansion, beautifully situated on the north shore of
Loch Indal, in grounds tastefully laid out, and embellished
with plantations. The villages of Bowmore and
Bridgend are described under their own heads.
Kilarrow originally formed part of the parish of Kildalton,
from which it was separated in 17 67, when Kilmeny
was annexed to it. The parish is in the presbytery
of Islay and Jura, synod of Argyll; and the minister's
stipend is £I60, of which two-thirds are paid from the
exchequer; with a manse, and a glebe valued at £10
per annum: patron, the Crown. The church is an elegant
structure of circular form, with a handsome spire; it
was erected in I767, enlarged by the addition of galleries
in 1828, and contains 830 sittings. A church, also, has
long existed at Kilmeny (which see), about seven miles
distant; it is now a separate incumbency, and the
minister has a stipend of £120. The parochial school,
situated in Bowmore, is a commodious building, erected
by Mr. Campbell; the master has a salary of £34, with
a house and garden, and the fees average £25 per annum.
A parliamentary school has been established at Ballygrant,
in the district of Kilmeny, the master of which
has a salary of £35; two schools are supported in the
parish by the Gaelic Society; and near Bridgend is a
female school, supported by Mrs. Campbell, who allows
the teacher a hoiise and garden, and a salary of £12.
There are various remains of forts, the ancient strongholds
of the Macdonalds.