KIRKPATRICK-IRONGRAY, a parish, in the stewartry
of Kirkcudbright, 5 miles (W. N. W.) from
Dumfries; containing, with the village of Shawhead, 927
inhabitants. This parish derives the adjunct Irongray,
by which it is distinguished from other parishes of the
same name in this part of the country, from the lands
on which its ancient church was erected. It is bounded
on the north by the river Cluden, which separates it
from the county of Dumfries; and is about nine miles
in length, and from one mile to four miles in breadth,
comprising nearly 14,500 acres, of which 7125 are
arable, 2114 woodland and plantations, and the remainder
rough pasture and waste. In the eastern portion of the
parish the surface is almost a level plain. Towards the
centre the land rises into bold undulations, forming
part of a ridge of hills that intersect the county; the
summits are richly wooded, and the acclivities in the
highest state of cultivation. Of these hills the most
conspicuous are the Bishop's Forest and Glenbennan,
which have an elevation of 1500 feet above the level of
the sea, and command extensive and diversified prospects,
embracing portions of Nithsdale and Annandale,
the Solway Firth, and the hills of Cumberland. The
only river strictly belonging to the parish is the Auld
Water, which has its source on the confines of Kirkpatrick-
Durham,and after flowing for some miles through
this parish in an eastern course, curves towards the
north, and falls into the Cairn, which, afterwards taking
the name of the Cluden, forms a boundary of the parish.
The Auld Water, near its influx into the Cairn, makes a
small but picturesque cascade of two falls, the upper one
twenty feet in height; and near the lower fall is a romantic
bridge of one arch, which, from the noise of the
water, has obtained the appellation of the Routing Bridge.
The river abounds with trout and par, and, during the
season, with grilse.
In some parts the soil is of a light and sandy quality,
alternated with gravel, and in others a mixture of clay,
with tracts of rich alluvial soil near the shores of the
rivers; the crops are oats, barley, and wheat, with potatoes
and turnips, and the various grasses. The system
of husbandry is improved: the lands are inclosed, and
the fences kept in good order; considerable quantities
of waste have been brought under cultivation, and the
farm houses and buildings are substantial and commodious.
Great attention is paid to the improvement of
live stock; the cattle are principally of the Galloway
breed, and, instead of being sold as formerly to drovers,
are fattened by the farmers at home for the markets, to
which they are forwarded by steam-boats. The sheep
are of the native breed, partaking of the Galloway kind.
Horses of the Clydesdale breed are reared in considerable
numbers; and large numbers of pigs, forming a staple
commodity, are sent to the market of Dumfries. In
this parish the substrata are, whinstone, of which the
rocks are generally composed, slate, freestone, and puddingstone:
an attempt was made to discover coal, but
without success. The annual value of real property in
Kirkpatrick-Irongray is £6'206. The Grove is a handsome
mansion in the castellated style, with a tower
rising from the south entrance; Drumpark is also a
handsome residence. The village of Shawhead consists
chiefly of a few cottages and a small ale-house. Facility
of communication is afforded by good roads and bridges.
For ECCLESIASTICAL purposcs the parish is within the
limits of the presbytery and synod of Dumfries: the
minister's stipend is £231. 6. 2., with a manse, and a
glebe valued at £25 per annum; patron, James Oswald,
Esq., of Auchencruive. Kirkpatrick church, built in
1803, and situated on the bank of the river Cluden, is a
neat structure containing 400 sittings. The members of
the Free Church have a place of worship. There are
two parochial schools, one of which is in the village of
Shawhead; the masters have each a salary of £25. 13. 7-,
with a house and garden, and the fees average about
£15 each annually. A parochial library has been established,
and contains about 200 volumes. The poor
have bequests yielding £23 per annum. In this parish,
about four miles from the church, are the Communion
Stones, where the Covenanters used to celebrate the
sacrament of the Lord's Supper. Helen Walker, whose
history is recorded by Sir Walter Scott in his Heart of
Mid Lothian under the name of " Jeanie Deans", was a
native of the parish; and a stone to her memory was
erected here by Sir Walter.