MARYKIRK, a parish, in the county of Kincardine; including the village of Luthermuir, and containing 2387 inhabitants, of whom 147 are in the village of Marykirk, 6 miles (N. N. W.) from Montrose. This parish, of which the ancient name, Abcrlullinott , or as in some documents Ahcrliithnfl, was in use till the beginning of the last century, is about seven miles in extreiric length from east to west, and varies greatly ia breadth. It is bounded on the south by the river North Esk, which separates it from the county of Forfar; and compri.ses 9320 acres, whereof nearly 7000 are arable, 570 meadow and pasture, 1530 woodland and plantations, and the remainder water and waste. The surface, which slopes gently to the borders of the North Esk, is tolerably level; and the oidy hills are the almost parallel ridges of Kirkton hill and Balmaleedie, which extend for nearly two miles in a north-eastern direction, but attain no considerable degree of elevation. The river Lutlier, rising in the Grampian hills, intersects the parish for about five miles; and there are numerous excellent springs affording an ample supply of water. In some parts the soil is light and sandy; along the banks of the Luther, a deep rich mould; and in other places, a wet and retentive clay, which has been greatly improved by good management, and rendered fertile. The crops are oats, barley, turnips, and potatoes, with a few acres of wheat. The rotation system of husbandry is prevalent; and the lands have been drained, and inclosed partly with hedges of thorn and partly with stone fences: the farm-buildings, erected of stone and roofed with slate, are substantial and commodious; and on most of the farms are threshing-mills. Considerable attention is paid to the improvement of the live stock, consisting mainly of cattle of the polled or Angus breed, of which several hundred head are annually reared. From 300 to 400 pigs, also, are generally fattened every year. The woods comprise the usual kinds of timber, but there are few trees of ancient growth except on the lands of Inglisraaldie, where are some more than a century old; in general the wood is not above seventy years of age: the trees are in a thriving condition. Salmon, grilse, sea- trout, common trout, and eels are contained in the streams, but not in any great quantity; the salmon and grilse are found chiefly in the North Esk. The substratum is mostly sandstone of the old red formation; a bed of limestone of coarse quality traverses the parish from east to west, and on the higher grounds are trap and conglomerate rocks. The quarries are not extensive, the expense of working, and of draining off the water, rendering them scarcely of any advantage to the owners. The annual value of real property in the parish is £7988. Kirkton Hill is a handsome house, built on the site of the former ancient structure; it is finely situated, commanding some interesting views, and the grounds are embellished with flourishing plantations. Balmakewan, which has also been rebuilt, is a good mansion on rising ground near the North Esk, of which it has a pleasing prospect; and is surrounded with a well-planted demesne. Inglismaldie is an ancient mansion at present unoccupied, but in good repair; the lands attached to it are embellished with some timber of thriving growth. Thornton Castle is a castellated building, part of which was erected in 1,530; it fell into a state of dilapidation, but has been restored with a strict regard to the original design. Hatton, the property of the Honourable General Arbuthnott, is now a farm-house. The prevailing scenery and general aspect of the parish are of pleasing character. There are two handsome bridges over the North Esk; one of them of great antiquity, on the road from Aberdeen to Edinburgh, and which has been repaired and beautified; and the other near the village, of four circular arches of equal span, erected in 1813. The village of Marykirk is neatly built and pleasantly situated: a post-office is established, which has a daily delivery. At Caldhara, on the river Luther, is a mill for the spinning of flax, in which about 100 persons are employed; and the weaving of linen is carried on upon a large scale in the village of Luthermuir, about four miles distant, which is described under its own head. There are also several corn-mills, and mills for sawing timber for agricultural uses. Salmon-fishing is pursued to a small extent, employing five or six men, and the aggregate rent is £40 per annum. An annual fair for cattle, horses, sheep, and wool is held on Balmakelly moor, on the last Friday in July. Facility of communication is afforded by the Aberdeen railway, and by roads kept in good repair. For ecclesiastical purposes the parish is within the bounds of the presbytery of Fordoun and synod of Angus and Mearns; the minister's stipend is £231. 13., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £8 per annum.; patron, Alexander Crombie, Esq. Marykirk church, situated in the village, is a neat structure erected in 1806, and containing 638 sittings. There are places of worship for dissenters. The parochial school is generally attended by about fifty children; the master has a salary of £30, with a house and garden, and nearly four acres of land, and the fees average £20 per annum. There is also a school at Luthermuir. The parochial library, consisting of about 200 volumes, chiefly on religious subjects, was presented by Patrick Taylor, Esq.