KILCALMONELL-AND-KILBERRY, a parish, in
the county of Argyll; containing, with the village of
Tarbert, 3325 inhabitants. The former of these two
ancient parishes, now united, derives its name from the
Gaelic term signifying " the burial-place of Malcolm
O'Neill". The word Kilberry is by some traced to the
Gaelic term Cill-a-Mhairi, "the burial-place of Mary".
Kilcalmonell is situated at the northern extremity of the
peninsula of Cantyre; it stretches to Loch Fine on the
north-east, and is bounded on the north-west, nearly
throughout its whole length, by West Loch Tarbert and
the Atlantic Ocean: the district is about sixteen miles
long, and two and a half or three broad. Kilberry approaches
in figure to an equilateral triangle, each side
measuring eight miles, and is situated in the district of
Knapdale; it is separated from Kilcalmonell by West
Loch Tarbert, and bounded by the sea or the loch on
all sides except the north-east. The surface of Kilcalmonell
is irregular and varied, rising in some parts with
a gentle acclivity and in others much more abruptly,
and terminating on the south-east in a hilly range about
1500 feet high: it is diversified occasionally by low
valleys, 100 or 150 feet above the level of the sea. The
coast of this part of the parish is sandy, and altogether
uniform and uninteresting, except in the vicinity of
Loch Tarbert, where birch, alder, and other trees, displaying
a wild profusion of fohage, relieve the tameness
of the scenery. In the Kilberry district is a ridge of
lofty hills running from west to east, and gradually increasing
in elevation till it reaches Sliobhghoil. One of
the two bases of this height spreads itself out into a
large tract of sterile moorland, while the other affords a
striking contrast in the superiority of its soil, and its
eligibility for agricultural operations. The shore presented
to the Atlantic is bold. The only bay of consequence
in the parish is Stornaway, near which is the
headland of Ardpatrick, the landing-place, according to
tradition, of St. Patrick, on his way from Ireland to
Icolmliill. West Loch Tarbert, which divides the two
parochial districts, is a branch of the Atlantic, nine miles
long and one broad: at the northern extremity stands
the populous fishing-town of Tarbert, where a narrow
isthmus, separating East Loch Tarbert from West Loch
Tarbert, makes Cantyre a peninsula. There are several
fresh-water lochs; but they are small and unimportant,
and contribute little to the improvement of the generally
unattractive scenery.
A few of the farms are well cultivated: potatoes constitute
the principal crop, and a large quantity of them
is sent both to the English and the Irish markets. The
tenants mostly hold their lands at will, and but little
improvement in husbandry has taken place; but there
are some exceptions, especially on the farm of Crear, in
Kilberry, where the land has been brought into good
cultivation, and received much embellishment. Limestone
occurs in several places; but it lies in thin beds,
and is not much used. The annual value of real property
in the parish is £7563. The principal mansions
are, Stonefield, situated in Kilcalmonell; Dunmore and
Ardpatrick Castles, in Kilberry; and an elegant castellated
edifice lately erected near Tarbert. The village of
Tarbert, which is separately described, is supposed to
have been anciently the county-town of Argyll; it is
now chiefly famed for its harbour, and for the herringfishery
in which its inhabitants are actively and successfully
engaged. Tarbert has a general post-office, communicating
by steamer daily with Glasgow; and a road
runs through Kilcalmonell to Campbelltown, by which
letters are forwarded to the latter place. The produce
of the parish is sent for sale, partly to Campbelltown,
but chiefly (especially the potatoes) to Ireland and England.
A fair, principally for horses, is held at Tarbert
in the beginning of August. For ecclesiastical purposes
the parish is in the presbytery of Cantyre, synod of
Argyll, and in the patronage of the Duke of Argyll.
The minister's stipend is £'218, with a manse, and a
glebe valued at £1*. 10. per annum. The church of
Kilcalmonell was built about the year 1760; that of
Kilberry in 1821: the former contains 600 sittings, and
the latter 700. A chapel is supported at Tarbert by
Royal Bounty; and the Independents have a place of
worship. There are two parochial schools, affording
instruction in the ordinary branches; the masters each
receive a salary of £25 per annum, with the fees. The
parish contains the forts of Dunskeig, forming part of
a chain of strongholds built along the coast of Cantyre;
they are very ancient, lofty, and strong, and command
extensive views. The castle of Tarbert, now in ruins,
was, formerly, also a place of great strength; and there
wa-s once a large vitrified fort in the parish, the remains
of which arc still to be seen.