LINTRATHEN, a parish, in the county of Forfar,
7 miles (W.) from Kirriemuir; containing, with the village
of Bridgend and the hamlet of Pitnuidie, 981 inhabitants.
This parish, which derives its name from a
Gaelic term signifying " rapid lynn", on account of a
waterfall near the church, is ten miles in length and five
in extreme breadth, and comprises an area of about
10,000 acres; about 3000 arc cultivated, above 1000
occupied by wood, and the remainder moorland. It is
situated in the district usually called the Braes of Angus,
consisting of that portion oi the county between the
Grampian range and the valley of Strathmorc. The
upper division is formed of part of the inferior Grampian
elevations, and the lower of sloping valleys, separated by
hills of moderate height. On the west the parish is
partly divided from (ilenisla parish by the Isla, a beautifully-
picturesque stream flowing for two miles of its
course between rocky banks, more than 100 feet high.
and of singularly-diversified forms. In its progress the
river displays the two cascades of the Reeky Lynn and
the Slug of Achrannie, and increases the striking impression
of the romantic scenery around by the fury of its action
in the rocky cavities into which it precipitates itself
at the latter fall. Tlie Melguin, rising in the mountains,
flows smoothly till it reaches the village, where its bed
becomes rocky, and whence, for about three miles, to
its confluence with the Isla, it rolls onwards in a series
of waterfalls that constitute some of the most attractive
features in the scenery. The loch of Lintrathen, situated
within a quarter of a mile of the church, is nearly circular
in form, and highly picturesque: the ground on
the north and south sides is several hundred feet high,
and ornamented with plantations; and at the western
extremity is the Knock of Formal, having an elevation
of 1500 feet, and covered with wood to the summit.
Trout are abundant in this water, as well as in the
rivers; and perch also are taken, with a few pike.
The prevailing soil is a deep black loam, lying chiefly
on granite and trap. The lands are under the best system
of cultivation, and produce all the usual kinds of
grain, of good quality, though but little wheat is grown,
on account of the severity of the winters. Turnips,
also, and potatoes are raised to a considerable extent,
and the whole of the produce of the parish averages
annually in value £1'2,4S0. The six-shift course is
mostly followed; wedge-draining has been successfully
practised, and, with the liberal application of lime and
bone-dust manure, has greatly increased the worth of
the land. Most of the farms are inclosed with stone
fences, and the buildings are of a superior character.
The cattle are very numerous; they are of the Angusshire
polled breed, with a few of the Teeswater. In
this parish the only natural wood is on the banks of the
rivers; but 1*200 acres of plantations, consisting of
larch and Scotch fir, with sprinklings of oak, ash, beech,
and plane, have been formed within the last forty or
fifty years. The annual value of real property in the
parish is £3838. The village, situated near the church,
is in a ruinous state; but the houses are e.vpected shortly
to be rebuilt. The fuel generally in use is peat, obtained
from the mosses, which however are nearly exhausted:
coal is sometimes procured from Dundee, whither, as
well as to Forfar and Kirriemuir, the produce of the
district is for the most part sent for sale. Ecclesiastically
the parish is in the presbytery of Meigle, synod of
Angus and Mearns, and in the patronage of the Earl of
Airlie. The minister's stipend is £159, of which more
than a third is received from the exchequer; with a
manse, and a glebe valued at £12 a year. Lintrathen
church is a plain structure that will hold 400 persons:
it was built in 1802, and repaired in 1829; but is inconveniently
situated near the southern boundary of the
parish, eight miles and a half from the opposite extremity.
The parochial school affords instruction in
the usual branches; the master has a salary of £30,
with a house, and £26 fees.