KIRKDEN, a parish, in the county of Forfar,
5 miles (E. by S.) from the town of Forfar; containing,
with the village of Friockheim, 1483 inhabitants. This
place, which was anciently called Idvie from the glebe
lands being in the barony of Idvies, derives its present
name from the position of its church in a deep and narrow
valley. It appears to have been the scene of a sanguinary
conflict with the Danes in the reign of Malcolm
II.; and near the spot are the remains of an obelisk
erected by that monarch in commemoration of their defeat,
not far from which, in a tumulus raised over the
slain, have been found several urns containing ashes. In
the adjoining plain, also, numerous stone coffins ranged
side by side, and each containing an entire skeleton,
were discovered towards the close of the last century.
The PARISH is about seven miles in length from east to
west, and of very irregular form, varying from less than
a quarter of a mile to two miles in breadth, and comprising
an area of 4514 acres, of which 3000 are arable,
1300 woodland and plantations, and the remainder
meadow, pasture, and waste. Its surface is boldly undulated,
and towards the south rises to a considerable
acclivity, forming part of the termination of the Sidlaw
hills, and commanding an extensive and richly varied
prospect over the surrounding country, with the vale of
Strathmore and the passes ot the Grampian hills. The
small river Vinny flows for more than four miles along
the northern border of the parish, and entering the
parish is joined by the Lunan, the streams together
forming the Lunan Water: in rainy weather the Vinny
frequently inundates the lower lands. Both these streams
abound with excellent trout, and in the latter pike are
also sometimes found, and occasionally a few salmon.
The SOIL is mostly a friable clay, but has been greatly
improved by a mixture of marl found in the lakes in the
vicinity, and by good cultivation has been rendered generally
fertile. The crops are, grain of all kinds, with
potatoes and turnips; and considerable attention is
paid to the management of the dairy-farms, and to the
improvement of live stock: the breed of cattle is principally
the polled or Angusshire kind. The lands are
inclosed chiefly with stone fences. Within the last few
years, a very large portion of ground has been reclaimed
from absolute sterility, and brought into profitable cultivation,
by draining. The farm-buildings are in good
condition, and on most of the farms threshing-mills have
been erected. In this parish the plantations consist of
oak, ash, elm, plane, and beech, with larch, spruce, and
occasionally silver firs to nurse: they are carefully
thinned. The substratum is partly sandstone, of durable
texture and of a greyish colour; and in the
southern part, trap rock, which is a continuation of the
Sidlaw hills, is prevalent. Freestone of good quality is
found; and there are two excellent quarries, which, when
in operation, employ a considerable number of men.
The annual value of real property iu the parish is £401 '2.
Gardyne Castle is a spacious baronial structure of venerable
aspect, beautifully situated on the steep acclivity of
a deep and picturesque dell watered by a streamlet; the
demesne attached to it is richly planted, and laid out
with great taste. Middleton is a handsome modern
mansion, seated in a wooded plain, near the banks of the
Vinny. Pitmuics is also a modern mansion, situated
in grounds tastefully embellished.
There are two villages; one called Cot-town of Gardyne,
consisting of a few scattered cottages inhabited
by about eighty persons; and the other called Friockheim,
which has arisen in consequence of the increase
of the linen manufacture, and contains about 900 inhabitants.
The people of both are chiefly employed in the
weaving of Osnaburghs by hand-looms, and in mills for
spinning flax, of which there are three within the parish.
Facility of intercourse with the neighbouring districts is
afforded by numerous roads; the Arbroath and Forfar
road passes for nearly three miles through the pari.sh,
and the Arbroath and Forfar railway likewise intersects
it. For ECCLESIASTICAL purposcs Kirkden is within the
limits of the presbytery of Arbroath, synod of Angus
and Mearns. The minister's stipend is £1,50, of which
sum nearly one-half is paid from the exchequer; with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £13 per annum: patron,
the Crown. The parish church, erected in IH'i.'j, on the
site of the former, is a neat and commodious structure,
containing 5'2.5 sittings; and a church has been built in
the village of Friockheim. The members of the Free
Church have also a place of worship. Kirkden parochial
school is well attended; the master has a salary of £25.
\S. 10., with a house and garden, and the fees average
about £12 per annum. A school at Friockheim is supported
by subscription. A parochial library was established
in 18'27, by James Douglas, Esq., of Cavers, who
presented a collection of seventy-two volumes, chiefly
on religious subjects; and the number has been greatly
augmented by James Mudie, Esq., of Pitmuies. There
is a weak chalybeate spring at the extremity of the parish,
in considerable repute; also a pretty strong chalybeate
spring on the glebe, beside the manse. On the
lands of Idvies and the estate of Gardyne are conical
mounds called respectively Bractullo and Gallows Hill,
supposed to have been anciently places for the trial and
execution of criminals; they are both planted with trees.
Upon the farm of Bractullo were found some stone coflins
containing human bones, with strings of beads apparently
of charred wood.