KILMALCOLM, a parish, in the Lower ward of the
county of Renfrew, 4 miles (S. E. by S.) from Port-
Glasgow; containing I6l6 inhabitants, of whom 377 ^re
in the village. This parish is situated on the Firth of
Clyde, and is about six miles in length and nearly of
equal breadth. It comprises 25,000 acres, whereof 8000
are arable land in a state of profitable cultivation, to
which 1000 might be added; about 250 natural wood,
and plantations; 6000 moorland in undivided common;
and 10,000 pasture and waste. The surface is gently
undulated, rising from the bank of the Clyde, and in
various parts relieved by tracts of ornamental planting,
that add much to the beauty and variety of the scenery.
The village has an elevation of nearly 400 feet above the
level of the sea, and commands an extensive and interesting
view of the surrounding country, embracing the
Firth, which skirts the parish for nearly four miles. The
rivers Gryfe and Duchal have their source in the western
confines, and after intersecting the parish unite their
streams, and flow into the river Cart, which falls into
the Clyde at Inchinnan. These streams abound with
trout, and, towards the close of the year, with salmon,
which come up from the Clyde to spawn.
In general the soil is light and unproductive, and consequently
a very small proportion is under cultivation:
the system of husbandry is, notwithstanding, considerably
improved; and with due encouragement, a great part ot
the waste lands might be reclaimed. The farm-buildings
are also improving in their st}'le; and the crops of grain
are favourable, and equal in quality those of any neighbouring
parish. Great numbers of sheep and cattle are
fed on Duchal moor, which comprises nearly 6000 acres
of undivided common; the cattle are generally of the
Ayrshire breed. Some improvement has taken place in
draining and inclosing the lands; but the fences are
badly made, and indifferently kept. The rocks with
which the parish abounds are of granite, and frequently
extend to a great depth; but few minerals of any value
have been found. The annual value of real property in
Kilmalcolm is £9025. There are four modern mansions
in the parish, namely, the houses of Finlayston, Duchal,
Carruth, and Broadfield: that of Finlayston commands
a beautiful and e.vtensive view of the Clyde. Three
mills are employed for grinding oats and barley. The
parish is intersected by various roads, and by the line of
the Glasgow, Paisley, and Greenock railway. Ecclesiastically
it is within the presbytery of Greenock, synod of
Glasgow and Ayr, and in the patronage of Dr. Anderson;
the minister's stipend is £246, with a manse, and a glebe
valued at £16 per annum. Kilmalcolm church, which
is situated in the village, and has been rebuilt within the
last few years, is adapted for a congregation of 1000
persons. There are places of worship for Baptists and
Reformed Presbyterians. The parochial school, also situated
in the village, is well attended; the master has a
salary of £34, with £10 fees, and a house and garden.
A circulating library has been formed. John Knox, the
celebrated Reformer, dispensed the sacrament at Finlayston
House, since rebuilt, then occupied by the Earls
of Glencairn. On this occasion the wine was put into
the hollow of the lower parts of two silver candlesticks,
which, while the family remained at Finlayston, were
regularly used in the church; but upon the removal of
the family from the parish, they were exchanged for four
cups of gilt copper, by the last Countess of Glencairn,
who is said to have taken the candlesticks away with
her. The Lords Lyle, as well as the Earls of Glencairn,
had property anciently in the parish; and several members
of the two families are interred in the cemetery of
the church.