INNERKIP, a parish, in the Lower ward of the
county of Renfrew; including the village of Gourock,
and containing 3420 inhabitants, of whom 431 are in
the village of Innerkip, 6 miles (S. W. by \V.) from
Greenock. This parish, the name of which, originally
Inverkip, is derived from its situation at the mouth of
the river Kip, formerly included the parish of Greenock,
which was separated from it by charter, obtained by Sir
John Shaw of Wester Greenock in 1 589, and ratified by
parliament in 1594. The parish is about seven miles in
length and si.\ in breadth, and is bounded on the north
and west by the Firth of Clyde, on the east by the parish
of Greenock, and on the south by the parish of Largs
in the county of Ayr. Its coast is indented with several
bays, the principal of which are Gourock on the north,
and Lunderston, Innerkip, and Wemyss, on the west.
The surface has a gradual ascent from the shore towards
the south-east, and is beautifully diversified with level
plains and gentle undulations, and intersected by small
rivulets, flowing in some parts through verdant meadows,
and in others disappearing in thickly-wooded glens. The
principal rivers are the Kip and the DafF, which latter
forms a confluence with the Kip near its influx into the
bay of Innerkip. Along the shore the soil is light and
sandy, in the higher grounds of heavier quality, but
much intermixed with gravel. The whole number of
acres has not been ascertained: more than half the parish
is moorland, of which a considerable part is undivided
common; there is a large extent of natural meadow
and pasture, and but a small proportion is arable. The
farmers rely more upon the produce of the dairy, for
which they find profitable markets, than on the cultivation
of the soil. Considerable improvement has, notwithstanding,
been made in the system of agriculture;
furrow-draining has been adopted with success, and
some small portions of waste land have been reclaimed.
The rocks are principally of the old red sandstone formation,
and towards Wemyss bay are intersected with
trap: in the upper part of the parish, sandstone of fine
quality has been extensively quarried for building. The
annual value of real property in Innerkip is £14,205.
The scenery throughout is pleasingly diversified; and
the higher grounds embrace extensive and interesting
prospects. Ardgowan House, the seat of Sir Michael
Robert Shaw Stewart, is an elegant mansion, beautifully
situated on the shore near Innerkip bay, embosomed in
thriving plantations, and commanding a fine view over
the Firth of Clyde. Kelly, the seat of the family of
Wallace, is also a handsome mansion, on the shore of
Wemyss bay, and embellished with plantations. There
are several other good houses belonging to different
proprietors. The village is pleasantly situated on the
banks of the river Kip, near its influx into the Clyde; it
is chiefly inhabited by fishermen, and is much frequented
during the season for sea-bathing. There are some
well-furnished houses for the accommodation of visiters;
and a post-office, subordinate to that of Greenock, has
been established here. Facility of communication is
afforded by an excellent turnpike-road from Greenock.
Ecclesiastically the parish is within the bounds of the
presbytery of Greenock, synod of Glasgow and Ayr.
The minister's stipend is £278. 14. 6., with a manse,
and a glebe of four acres; patron, Sir Michael Robert
Shaw Stewart. Innerkip parish church is a neat modern
structure, containing sufficient accommodation for the
population. A church has been erected in the district
of Gourock, of which an account will be found under
the head of Gourock. The parochial school is well attended;
the master has a salary of £30. 15., but no
house, and the fees average £26 per annum. On the
lands of Ardgowan are some remains of the ancient
mansion-house, consisting of a venerable tower; and
over the Dunrod rivulet is a very antique bridge. Nearly
opposite to the Cloch lighthouse, the Comet steam-boat
was run down by the Ayr steam-packet, about five and
twenty years ago, in the night, when upwards of fifty
persons found a watery grave.