AUCHTERDERRAN, a parish, in the district of
Kirkcaldy, county of Fife, 6 miles (N. W. by W.)
from Kirkcaldy; containing 1913 inhabitants, of whom
770 are in the village of Lochgelly. This parish derives
its name from the Gaehc, uachdar darrein signifying
" the height or ridge of oaks". It is about six miles in
length, and varies from one to four in breadth. The
surface is mostly flat, though varying in elevation, the
lands near Lochgelly being more than 100 feet above
the general level. The river Ore, which has its source
in the parish of Ballingry, flows through this parish in
its course to the Leven, and has two bridges, each of
one arch. Viewed from the adjacent heights, the parish
has a very interesting appearance, the scenery being
greatly varied, especially near the lake of Lochgelly, a
large sheet of water about three miles in circumference,
the north side of which, being beautifully covered with
wood, presents a rich and most picturesque scene, and
forms a striking contrast to the south side, which is
bleak and dreary, but might be much improved by
planting. The soil is chiefly clay, interspersed with
sand, and in several places are tracts of black loam,
producing abundant crops: about one-third of the land
is in pasture, about 500 acres wood, and the remainder
arable in good cultivation. Great progress has been
made in agricultural improvement, within the last few
years, by some of the landed proprietors. A considerable
tract of waste land was reclaimed by the late proprietor
of Raith, now forming the farm of New Cardon;
and Col. Ferguson, the present proprietor, has carried
out all the new improvements, on an extensive scale,
on the farm of Dothan. James Aytoun, Esq., of Capeldrae,
has admirably exemplified the effect of thorough
draining, on that part of his property called Harestanes.
These improvements have had a most beneficial influence,
and the enterprising farmers are following the
proprietors' example with great spirit. The crops raised
in the parish are wheat, barley, oats, potatoes, beans,
and peas; the cattle are of the black Fifeshire breed,
and much attention is paid to their improvement. The
farm-buildings are commodious, and the lands are generally
enclosed with stone dykes. The annual value of
real property in the parish is £5018.
There is very little natural wood, and the plantations
are mostly of recent growth; about nineteen acres of
moss have been lately planted with Scotch firs, which
are thriving well. The substratum is mainly whiastone;
limestone of excellent quality is quarried in several
places, and coal is every where abundant. The coalmines
at Clun}', belonging to Col. Ferguson, are very
productive; about 70,000 loads are annually raised for
the supply of the neighbourhood, and more than seventy
persons are employed in the works. The mines on
Lord Miuto's lands of Lochgelly produce 50,000 loads
annually, and aOFord constant occupation to about fifty
persons; while the works at Dundonald, belonging to
R. W. Ramsay, Esq., produce about 7000 loads. Ironworks
have lately been erected, and from the extent and
quality of the mineral field the district promises to
become of still greater mining importance. Facility of
communication is afforded by the Dunfermline branch
of the Edinburgh, Perth, and Dundee railway.
The parish is in the presbytery of Kirkcaldy and synod
of Fife: the minister's stipend is £237. H. 10., with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £30 per annum; patrons,
the Boswell family of Balmuto. Half the barony of
Auchterderran came into the possession of Roger de
Boswell, in consequence of his having married the coheiress
of Sir William Lochore, of Lochore; and thus
the family have continued patrons of the parish, though
they have ceased to be proprietors in it. The church
was built in 1789. There is a place of worship for
dissenters in the village of Lochgelly. The parochial
school is attended by nearly 100 scholars; the master
has a salary of £34. 4. 4., with £25 fees, and a good
house, and £2. 2. 4. in lieu of a garden. The church,
the manse, and school-house are beautifully situated
near the east side of the parish; immediately behind is
the finely-wooded ridge from which the parish derives
its name, and when the broom is in bloom, it is a scene
of beauty.