TEALING, a parish, in the county of Forfar, 5§
miles (N.) from Dundee; containing, -with the hamlets
of Balgray, Balkillo, Kirkton, Newbigging, and Todhills,
854 inhabitants, of whom 517 are in the rural districts.
This place derives its name, signifying in the
Gaehc language " a country of brooks or waters ", from
the small streams with which the district abounds. It
is chiefly the property of Mr. Scrymseour, and Lord
Douglas. The parish is situated on the southern brow
of the Sidlaw hills, and is bounded on the south by the
Fithie burn, which separates it from the parish of Mains
and Strathmartine. It is about four miles in length,
and rather more than two miles in average breadth,
comprising 5400 acres, whereof 4630 are arable, 450
woodland and plantations, and the remainder moorland
pasture and waste. The surface is hilly, forming part
of the Sidlaw range, whose highest point within the parish
is the Craig-Owl, which has an elevation of 1600
feet above the level of the sea, and from which the lands
slope gradually towards the southern boundary. The
scenery is pleasingly varied, and enriched with thriving
plantations. From the higher grounds are obtained
extensive and interesting prospects over the adjacent
country. The burn of Fithie is the principal stream
connected with the parish; it abounds with trout of
large size, and is much frequented by anglers.
In the higher lands the soil is light and gravelly, and
rather adapted for pasture than for tillage; on the arable
lands, a rich black loam of great depth, in some
parts alternated with clay; and in the southern districts,
of a marshy quality, and chiefly in meadow and natural
pasture. The principal crops are oats and barley, potatoes,
turnips, and the usual grasses. Wheat was
formerly raised to a great e.xtent, and towards the close
of the last century the cultivation of it was revived; but
after a fair trial, its growth was abandoned as unprofitable.
Husbandry has been much improved: the lands
have been rendered more productive by judicious draining,
and the use of manure, of which a plentiful supply
is obtained from Dundee; and a due regard is paid to
the rotation of crops. The farms are of moderate size,
and the farm-buildings substantial and well arranged;
the lands have been inclosed, and the fences are kept in
good order. Threshing-mills, driven by water, of which
there is an abundant supply from the numerous brooks
that intersect the parish, are in almost common use.
Considerable attention is paid to the management of
the dairy, the produce of which is sent to Dundee; and
the hills afford good pasturage for black-cattle, usually
of the Angus or native breed. No more horses are
reared than are required for purposes of husbandry,
and there are but very few sheep. The annual value of
real property in the parish is £5263. The plantations
consist of larch and Scotch fir, interspersed with ash,
elm, beech, and other trees, for which the soil appears
adapted; they are regularly thinned, and mostly in a
thriving state. In this parish are strata of freestone, of
good quality for building, and of whinstone, for the repair
of the roads: there are several freestone-quarries
in operation, from which, also, considerable quantities
arc raised for pavements, and sent to Dundee. Tcaling
House, the property and residence of the Scrymseour
family, situated in the eastern part of the parish, is the
only house deserving of mention. There are several
small villages, or rather hamlets, which are noticed un-
der their own heads. Facility of communication is maintained
by the turnpike-road from Dundee to Aberdeen,
which passes through the eastern extremity of the parish;
by the Dundee and Newtyle railroad, which intersects
its south-western boundary; and by cross roads,
kept in repair by statute labour, and which have been
much improved.
For ECCLESIASTICAL purposes this place is within the
bounds of the presbytery of Dundee, synod of Angus
and Mearns: the minister's stipend is £162. 8., with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £14 per annum; patron,
the Crown. Tealing church, erected in 1806, is a neat
substantial structure, situated nearly in the centre of
the parish, and contains 700 sittings. The members of
the Free Church have a place of worship. The parochial
school affords instruction to about thirty children;
the master has a salary of £34. 4. 4., with a house and
garden, and the fees. A parochial library, supported
by subscription, is in a very flourishing state. The late
Mrs. Scrymseour, of Tealing House, bequeathed £100 to
the poor. On the farm of Priestown has been discovered
a subterraneous structure of large flat stones
without any cement, and containing several apartments,
in which were wood ashes, fragments of earthen vessels,
and a quern. Near Tealing House is a passage under
ground, formed of loose stones, and extending for a considerable
length. In it were found an instrument resembling
an adze, and a broad earthen vessel. It is
still in its original state, but the entrance has been
closed up. On the farm of Balekembeck are some remains
of Druidical circles; and on two sandy hillocks
have been discovered stone coffins containing a skull
and several human bones, with urns of earthenware
filled with ashes.