KIRKHILL, a parish, in the county of Inverness,
6 miles (W.) from Inverness; containing 1829 inhabitants.
This place, which consists of the two united parishes
of Wardlaw and Farnua, derives its name from
the situation of its church on a hill; its Gaelic name
refers to the dedication of its church to the Virgin Mary.
The parish is bounded on the north by the Beauly loch
and the Firth of Moray, and on the north-west by the
river Beauly. It is about eight miles in length; varying
from one mile to three miles in breadth, and diversified
with hills, of which those in the south-eastern portion of
the parish rise to a considerable elevation, and are mostly
covered with heath, afTording scanty pasture for sheep
and cattle. The river, which skirts the parish for nearly
three miles, is navigable for vessels of sixty tons to the
village of Beauly, in the parish of Kilmorack, and abounds
with salmon, and trout of various kinds. Herrings are
taken in moderate quantities during the season in the
Beauly loch; and on the shore, at Fopachy and "Wester
Lovat, are landing-places where vessels deliver cargoes
of lime and coal for the supply of the parish.
In the valleys, and along the Firth, the soil is a strong
clay, and on the rising grounds a rich loam. The crops
are wheat, barley, and oats, with potat(jes and turnips;
the system of husbandry is improved, and the lands are
generally in a state of profitable cultivation. Considerable
portions of moor have been rendered fertile by
draining; the farms in the parish are partly inclosed,
and the buildings are mostly substantial and commodious.
There are some natural woods, chiefly of alder
and birch, the former of which is predominant; and
extensive plantations have been formed, consisting of the
various kinds of forest and ornamental trees, all of them
in a thriving state. The annual value of real property
in the parish is £6S07. The mansions are Moniack
Castle, Newton, Lentran, Auchnagairn, Fingask, Reelick,
and Bunchrew, the last distinguished as the birthplace
of President Forbes of Culloden. The village, or Kirktown,
is pleasantly situated on the bank of the Beauly
river; and facility of communication is afforded by the
road to Inverness, which passes through the whole length
of the parish. Ecclesiastically Kirkhill is within the
limits of the presbytery of Inverness and synod of Moray.
The minister's stipend averages £260, with a manse,
and a glebe valued at £20 per annum; patron, Hercules
Scott, Esq. The church, originally erected in 1220, on
Wardlaw or St. Mary's Hill, was taken down, and rebuilt
near the former site, in 1791, and is in good repair.
The members of the Free Church have a place of worship.
Kirkhill parochial school is well attended; the
master has a salary of £30, with a house and garden,
and the fees average from £15 to £20 per annum.
There is also a school supported by the Society for Propagating
Christian Knowledge. On the summit of Wardlaw
Hill, and on the site of the old church, is a chapel,
the burial-place of the Eraser family, and which contains
elegant monuments to Thomas and Simon Fraser, Lords
Lovat.