CASTLE-DOUGLAS, a
market-town and burgh of
barony, in the parish of Kel-
TON, stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
10 miles (N. N. E.)
from Kirkcudbright, and 89
(S. S. W.) from Edinburgh;
containing 1848 inhabitants.
This place, which is situated
on a gentle acclivity rising
from the margin of Loch
Carlinwark, originally consisted
only of a few cottages Burgh Seal.
called "Causeway End", and subsequently "Carlinwark".
It derives its present name from the ancient
castle of Threave, formerly the baronial seat of the
Douglases, and the last of the numerous fortresses which
held out for that family, about the middle of the fifteenth
century. The rapid increase of the present town, and
its former manufacturing importance, arose from the
introduction of the cotton manufacture by its proprietor,
Sir William Douglas. This source of employment continued
for a time, and added greatly to its population;
but the subsequent introduction of the power-loom
rendered it impracticable to carry on the works with
advantage, in a locality destitute of an adequate supply
either of coal or of water, and the manufacture was consequently
abandoned. The place, notwithstanding, from
its situation in the centre of the county, and its facilities
of intercourse, continued to acquire an increasing degree
of agricultural and commercial importance; and became,
in a very short time, the principal mart of the surrounding
districts.
The TOWN is situated on the great road from Carlisle
to Portpatrick, and consists of several spacious streets,
intersecting each other at right angles, and forming
handsome squares, the internal areas of which are laid
out in gardens. The houses are well built; and there
are several villas in the immediate vicinity, which abounds
with pleasing scenery. Gas was introduced into the town
by a company in February 1844. A public library is
supported, containing about 1200 volumes: and there is
also a circulating library. The shops are remarkably elegant,
and are well stored with various kinds of merchandise;
the post-office is one of the most important in the
south of Scotland, and has fourteen branch offices under
its control, all of which have a daily delivery. There
are three branch banks in the town, namely, of the
British Linen Company, the National Bank, and the
Bank of Scotland. A savings' bank was opened in 184 1,
and has now deposits to a considerable amount. The
market is on Monday, and is abundantly supplied with
grain of all kinds, and other agricultural produce; large
numbers of black-cattle, sheep, and pigs are constantly
exposed to sale. Fairs are held on the 1 1th of February
if on Monday, otherwise on the Monday following, for
horses; on the 23rd of March, for horses and for hiring
servants; the first Monday in April, for hogs; the Monday
before the second Friday in August, for lambs; the
CAST CAST
23rd of September, for horses and for hiring servants;
and the Monday after the 13th of November (O. S.), for
horses. The fairs were formerly held at Kelton Hill,
from which place they were all removed to the town,
with the exception of one still held there, in June.
In 1790 the town was erected into a burgh of barony
by a royal charter, which was confirmed and extended
by a charter dated ISSjg, and under which the government
was vested in a provost, two bailies, and seven
councillors, who are elected triennially, on the first
Wednesday in September. The magistrates, whose
jurisdiction extends over the whole of the burgh, hold
courts for the adjudication of civil causes to any amount
every Tuesday, and for cases of petty delinquency, and
matters connected with the police, as occasion may require;
they are assisted by the town-clerk, who acts as
assessor. The number of burgesses is about ninety, and
their qualification is by a perpetual feu right, or by
having a lease, for a hundred years, of a piece of ground
within the burgh on which a house has been built. The
town-house is a modern building, with a tower and a
clock, and was presented to the burgh by the late Sir
William Douglas. There is a place of worship for Reformed
Presbyterians; and the recent seceders from the
Establishment have erected a Free church here. See
Kelton.