KILMARONOCK, a parish, in the county of DumBARTON, 1 mile (W. by S.) from Drymcn; containing 9M itihubitantN. The name of this place signifies "the cell, chapel, or burial-place of St. Marnoch '. The parish is beautifully situated on the southern bank of the river Endrick, and on Loch Lomond, and is about five miles in length and three in mean breadth. In some places the surface rises to an elevation of 500, and in others to 1000, feet above the level of the sea: the highest parts are, the range of hills on the west, commonly called Mount Misery; Duncruin, in the centre; and the elevation towards Dumbarton moor, on the south. The lands are, however, mostly in tillage, the quantity of hill or moorland being very inconsiderable. Plantations, hedgerows, and natural wood enrich the scenery; and the parish is watered by several springs and rivulets, and by the river Endrick, along which commodities are conveyed in flat-bottomed craft, as far as from Drymen bridge to Loch Lomond, a distance of nearly eight miles. The river contains pike, perch, eels, trout, and other fish. The best land in the parish lies along the banks of the river, the soil being deep and rich, and producing excellent crops, though exposed in rainy seasons to injury from sudden and violent floods. In the higher parts the soil is damp and tilly, and at length degenerates into a sterile moss. Several impediments peculiar to the locality have retarded the advance of the improved system of husbandry, which has been some time introduced. In spite, however, of every obstacle, a spirit of industry and enterprise prevails, which is leading to many considerable changes. Above 660 acres are occupied by wood. On the moorland grounds about 500 sheep are reared, of the black-faced or Highland breed; and a few Cheviots and Leicesters are kept on the lower grounds. The cattle are of the Argyllshire and the Ayrshire breeds, to the improvement of which considerable attention is paid. In general the fences are thorn hedges or stone dykes, which in many parts are in very bad condition. The rocks in the parish principally consist of red or grey sandstone; and limestone of good quality is also found. The annual value of real property in Kilmaronock is £7444. The chief seat is Baturrich Castle, which is built on part of the ruin of the ancient castle of the same name, upon rising ground about half a mile from Loch Lomond; it commands a very fine view of the lake, studded with its numerous wooded islands, and also of the whole vale of Leven to the river Clyde. Ross Priory, which is situated on the south-east bank of Loch Lomond, is about two miles from Baturrich; it is beautified with some very handsome trees. Catter House is an old mansion, seated on an eminence near Drymen bridge, on the river Endrick, and occu|)ied by the factor of the Duke of Montrose, who is the principal heritor in the parish. There are two annual fairs, one for horses, at Craftammie, on the second Tuesday in February; and the other chiefly for milch-cows, at the farm of Ardoch, on the last Thursday in April. The roads from Dumbarton and from Glasgow, to Drymen, pass through the parish. There is a bridge across the Endrick, an old structure of four arches, situated at the boundary of the parish, on the road to Drymen. Ecclesiastically Kilmaronock is within the bounds of the presbytery of Dumbarton, synod of Glasgow and Ayr; patron, the Duke of Montrose. The stipend of the minister amounts on an average to nearly £200, with a manse, and a glebe of seven acres, valued at £11 per annum. The church was built in lH13,atRl is in good repair; it contains 400 sittings, l)ut on account of its situation near the northern extremity of the parish, it is found inconvenient for a great part of the population. There is a meeting-house in connexion with the United Presbyterian Church. The parochial schoolmaster has a salary of £31 per annum, with a house, and about £26 fees. A parochial library was instituted in 1838, and is under the management of the Kirk Session.