LETHNOTT-AND-NAVAR, a parish, in the county
of Forfar, 7 miles (N. W.) from Brechin; containing,
with the hamlet of Balfield, 400 inhabitants. These
two ancient parishes, united in 1723, measure fifteen
miles in length from north-west to south-east, and about
five miles in average breadth. There are not more than
2324 acres under cultivation, the remainder being extensive
hills and moorland in a state of undivided common,
and used as sheep-walks. The parish is surrounded by
the Grampians on all sides except the east; and among
the many lofty hills the most elevated is that of Wirren,
or " the Hill of springs". The cultivated portion chiefly
forms an irregular glen watered by the West water, a
tributary of the North Esk; the lands rise gradually
from the stream, and stretch into the hills and mountains.
The scenery is improved by about fifteen or
twenty acres of wood, disposed in clumps; and in the
southern quarter is some level ground, adjacent to rivulets,
of which there are several in this and other parts of the parish.
In general the soil is clay and loam on atilly bottom,
producing barley and oats, and the usual green crops;
no wheat is ever sown. The higher grounds are not so
much loaded with the debris of the hills as the lower,
whither it is brought down by the rains and streams;
but the soil there is more gravelly, and much thinner,
and the value of the farms in the hilly part consequently
depends chiefly upon the right to hill pasture. The rotation
system of husbandry is followed; and the average
rent of arable land is 12.s'. per acre, the leases running for
nineteen years. In this parish the inclosurcs are of
stone, and are mostly in good condition; the chief deficiency
is in the tarm-buildings, which are very indifferent.
Vast improvements have taken place within the last
thirty years, by the reclaiming, draining, and liming of
land; and in some districts the extent of ground under
tillage has been nearly doubled. The greatest discouragements
to the farmers are, the rugged and uneven
state of the roads, and the distance of a market-town,
the nearest being Brechin, to road to which, moreover,
lies across a steep hill. Lord Panmure, the principal
proprietor, in order to encourage his tenants in this parish
and those of Ed/.ell and Lochlec, several years since
instituted an annual show of sheep itiid cattle, at which
premiums are awarded for the best specimens.
The hills consist of clay-slate and mica-schist, upon a
bed of gneiss. A vein of blue slate intersects the parish
from east to west, extending, as is supposed, from the
German Ocean to the Western Isles: this is thought to
be a continuation of that found at Dunkeld and at Easdale,
and it was wrought a few years since for a short
time, but the working was discontinued. A little limestone
also exists; and in the lower parts of the valley
are gravel, sand, clay, marl, and peat. The last partly
supplies the inhabitants with fuel; but they also burn a
good deal of turf, and coal brought from Montrose, the
nearest sea-port town, sixteen miles distant. The annual
value of real property in the parish is £1399. It is
ecclesiastically in the presbytery of Brechin, synod of
Angus and Mearns, and in the patronage of the Crown:
the minister's stipend is £1.58, of which nearly a third is
received from the exchequer; with a manse, and a glebe
valued at £20 per annum. The church is a plain edifice,
built in 1827, and accommodates 250 persons with sittings.
The parochial school affords instruction in the
usual branches; the master has a salary of £34, with a
house and garden, and £7 fees. A school, five miles distant
from the other, is supported partly by a small endowment,
and partly by subscription. Lord Panmure
takes part of his title from this parish, being Baron Panmure
of Brechin and Navar.