LOCHGILPHEAD, a quoad sacra parish, partly in
the parish of South-Knapdale, but chiefly in the parish of
Kilmichael-Glassary, district of Argyll and county of Argyll,
^4 miles (S. \V.) from Inverary; containing 2*48 inhabitants,
of whom 20*2 are in Kilmichael-Glassary. The
town of Lochgilphead derives its name from its situation
at the head of Loch Gilp, a branch of Loch Fine; and
at the end of the eighteenth century comprised only a
few fishermen's huts, since which time it has rapidly
increased in extent and importance. It now consists of
several well-formed streets of substantial houses, of
handsome appearance; and is paved. The scenery is
richly diver«^ified, and abounds with interesting and romantic
features, including some good seats, the demesnes
of which are tastefully laid out, and embellished with
plantations. Its fine scenery, central position, and ready
communication with all parts, render Lochgilphead daily
more and more a place of resort. The inhabitants are
principally employed in the herring-fishery, which is
carried on to a very consideral)le extent; cod, ling, and
other white-fish are also taken here in abundance.
About forty boats are engaged in the herring- fishery,
each having a crew of three men; and more than 100
persons are occupied in preparing, curing, and packing:
the herring-fishery commences in June, and continues
till December. Lochgilphead harbour affords good anchorage,
but little shelter from the south winds; and
the small bays of Silvercraigs give protection to the boats
employed in the fishery. The princi|)al port, however, is
Ardris/aig, in the parish of South Knapdale, about two
^iiiiles to the soutii of Lochgilphead, at the extremity of
the Crinan canal, and where an excellent pier has been
constructed, on which is a lighthouse. The canal affords
a direct communication between Loch Fine and the
Western Ocean, avoiding the circuitous and dangerous
navigation round the Mull of Cantyre. This important
work was commenced in 1793, and completed in 1801,
at a tost of £180,000; it is nine miles in length, and
ten feet in depth, admitting vessels of iCO tons' liurtlien,
and has thirteen locks varying from ninety-six to 108
feet in length, and from twenty-four to twenty-seven in
breadth. The revenue of the canal, however, is scarcely
sufficient to defray the cost of maintaining it.
From its situation on the high road from Inverary to
Campbelltown, the town derives a considerable degree
of inland trade; and a distillery has been established,
in which on an average * 6,000 gallons of whisky are
produced yearly» Here are likevvise a rope- work and a
gas-work. In front of the principal street, an area has
been inclosed for the cattle-markets and fairs that are
held annually in the village, and for the prize-shows for
cattle and sheep and the most approved specimens of
husbandry, which take place towards the end of September.
There are branches of the Union Bank of Scotland
and Western Bank of Scotland, a prison and courthouse,
and other public buildings. The post-office has
a daily delivery from Inverary, Glasgow, and Campbelltown,
and a delivery three times a week from Kilraartin.
Facility of communication is maintained by good roads
and bridges, kept in excellent repair, and by the steamers
that frequent Loch Fine and the canal. The parish of
Lochgilphead is about five miles in length and three
miles in breadth, comprising an area of 9500 acres, of
which the far greater portion is hilly moorland, affording
only pasturage for sheep and cattle. Its internal
economy is in every respect similar to that of the parish
of Kilmichael-Glassary. The principal mansions are,
A'chindarroch, a modern residence beautifully situated h^
on an eminence overlooking the Crinan canal; Kilmory
House; and Achnaba. The church, built at a cost of
£750, by parliamentary grant, in 1828, and enlarged by
the addition of galleries in 1834, is a neat plain structure
containing 506 sittings. The minister has a stipend of
£120, paid from the exchequer, with a manse, and a
small glebe; patron, the Crown. There are places of
worship for members of the Free Church and others, a
female school under the patronage of the Orde family,
and other schools. See Ardrissaig.