HAGGS, a quoad sacra parish (for a time), in the parish
of Denny, county of Stirling, 2 miles (S. S. W.)
from Denny; containing 1905 inhabitants, of whom 431
are in the village. It occupied the southern portion of
the parish of Denny, from which it was separated for
ecclesiastical purposes under act of the General Assembly,
in 1840. The pillage, which is situated on the road to
Glasgow, consists of several houses of two stories, roofed
with slate, some detached and pleasing cottages, and a
neat row of small houses near the coal-works, at the
eastern extremity of which is a large building appropriated
as a storehouse. The inhabitants are chiefly employed
in the collieries in this part of Denny, and in the
various manuFactures in the neighbourhood. Facility
for the conveyance of the produce of the mines is afifordcd
by the Forth and Clyde canal, and by railways. The
district is not remarkable for any beauty, or in an agricultural
point of view: the surface is destitute of timber,
and the scenery consequently of dreary aspect; the soil
is generally thin and cold, and the system of husbandry
in a very imperfect state. Haggs is ecclesiastically in
the presbytery of Stirling, synod of Perth and Stirling.
The church, which was opened in 1840, was erected
chiefly through the instrumentality and exertions of the
Rev. John Dempster, minister of Denny, and the cooperation
and assistance of William Forbes, Esq., of
Callendar, M. P. for the county; it is a handsome and
substantial structure, containing 700 sittings. The minister,
who is chosen by the male communicants, derives
his stipend from seat-rents and contributions of the congregation,
no permanent endowment having been established.
A school in the village is supported by the
General Assembly.