EASSIE-AND-NEVAY, a parish, in the county of
Forfar, 3 miles distant (E.) from Meigle; containing
732 inhabitants. These two districts, formerly separate
parishes, are together about four miles in length and
three in average breadth, comprising an area of 5000
acres, of which, with the exception of a small proportion
of pasture and woodland, the whole is arable. The surface
is varied; in Eassie it is partly level, but the greater
portion is included in the Sidlaw hills, whose northern
declivity occupies nearly one-half of the parish. The
river Dean is the northern boundary of the district of
Eassie, where it winds along with a scarcely perceptible
current, though, from the great depth of its channel,
and the numerous and sudden changes in its course,
it frequently overflows its banks, and inundates the
adjacent lands. In the lower grounds the soil is a fine
black mould, but towards the hills becomes less fertile,
and near the summits affords only tolerable pasturage;
in Nevay it is partly marshy, with moss, and in Eassie
is a tract of strong rich clay, well adapted for grain.
The arable lands are in the highest state of cultivation,
producing oats and barley, of which, from the great
attention paid to them, considerable quantities are sent
to various parts of the country for seed. Much care
has been bestowed on the improvement of live stock;
the cattle are principally the Angus and the shorthorned;
numerous flocks of sheep, chiefly of a mixed
breed between the Highland and the Leicestershire, are
fed on the pastures, and in autumn many are fed on
turnips and fattened for the market. The farms average
about 200 acres in extent, and the farm-buildings
are in general substantially built, on the most improved
plan, and well arranged. The plantations, which are
mostly of recent growth, consist mainly of larch and
Scotch fir, and are in a thriving state. The annual value
of the real property in the parish is £4019-
There are several small scattered hamlets, but no regular
village; the population is chiefly agricultural, and a
small number of persons are employed in the manufacture
of coarse linen, chiefly for domestic use. Freestone
of good quality is quarried to a considerable extent. The
river Dean abounds with trout, and is much frequented
by anglers. The high road from Aberdeen to Edinburgh,
and the Scottish Midland Junction railway, pass through
the parish. Ecclesiastically it is within the bounds of
the presbytery of Meigle, synod of Angus and Mearns:
the minister's stipend is £l6l, with a manse, and a glebe
valued at £15 per annum; patron. Lord Wharncliffe.
The church is a handsome structure, erected in 1833 on
a site convenient for both districts. The parochial school
is well conducted; the master has a salary of £34, with
a house and garden, and the fees average about £18 per
annum. There is a parochial library containing a good
collection of works, chiefly on religious subjects. The
poor are partly supported by the proceeds of a fund
of £120: a bequest of £100 by Miss Ogilvie, of West
Hall, for such as are not on the parish list, has been
entirely expended. About a mile from the old church
of Eassie is a large circular mound, on which stands the
farm-house of Castle-Nairn; part of the broad moat
that surrounded it is still remaining. It is supposed to
have been an intrenchment occupied by the army of
Edward of England during his invasion of the country.
There is also a large stone obelisk in the parish, curiously
sculptured with hieroglyphic characters.