LUCE-NEW, a village and parish, in the county of
Wigtown; containing 652 inhabitants, of whom 278 are
in the village, 9 miles (li. N. E.) from Stranraer. This
place formed part of the ancient parish of Glenluce, but
was separated from it in the year 1646, since which time
the original parish has in contradistinction been generally
designated Did Luce. New Luce, the northern portion,
is bounded on the east by the river Tart, which divides
it from the parish of Kirkowan, and on the west by the
river Luce, which separates it from the parish of Inch.
It is about ten miles in length, and varies from five to
six miles in breadth; but from the great irregularity of
the ground, the number of acres cannot be ascertained
with any degree of accuracy. The surface, for some
breadth along the banks of the Luce, is tolerably level,
but rises abruptly towards the east into highlands, interspersed
with rocks, or covered with heath and moss.
The principal rivers are the Luce, the Tarf, and the Crosswater.
Of these, the Luce has its source in the hills on
the confines of Ayrshire, and running southward along
the borders of the parish, and through Glen Luce, falls
into the bay of Luce. The Tarf rises in the hills at the
northern extremity of the parish, and after flowing in a
winding manner along the boundary of the parish, bends
to the east, and joins the river Bladenoch. The Crosswater
has its source on the confines of Ayrshire, and passing
southward with a very devious current through the
northern portion of the parish, changes its course to the
west, and flows into the Luce near the church. Salmon,
par, and fresh-water trout are found in the Luce and
the Crosswater in tolerable plenty; the fishery on the
former river produces a considerable rental to the proprietor,
but that on the latter is not appropriated.
Along the banks of the rivers the soil is pretty fertile,
and the arable lands are chiefly to be found there.
These however bear a very small proportion to the other
lands in the parish, scarcely producing grain in sufficient
quantity for the supply of the inhabitants; and the
farmers place their chief dependence on the rearing of
black-cattle and sheep, for which the hills afford pasture.
The system of husbandry has, nevertheless, been much
improved within the last few years; many of the farms
have been iuclosed; and buildings of more substantial
character, and better adapted for the comfort of the
tenants, have been erected. The black-cattle, though
generally small, are of a good description, and, when
removed to richer pastures, soon fatten; considerable
numbers are sent for sale to the Glenluce and Stranraer
cattle-markets. The sheep are chiefly purchased by
dealers for Glasgow and Liverpool. There are but a few
small patches of land under plantation; though the soil
is well adapted for the purpose, and such trees as have
been planted are all in a thriving condition. The rocks
in the parish are of the transition class: lead-ore was
many years since wrought; and it is in contemplation to
renew the search under the auspices of the Earl of Stair,
the principal landed proprietor. The annual value of real
Yl/X pi'operty in New Luce is £3050. The village is pleasantly
situated near the influx of the Crosswater into the
Luce; it is neatly built, and contains three good inns,
\ and several shops well stored with various kinds of wares
for the supply of the neighbourhood. The inhabitants
of the village are chiefly employed in handicraft trades.
Facility of communication is afforded by the road leading
from Glenluce to Curloch in the parish of Ballantrae,
by other good roads which intersect the parish, and by
bridges over the streams. Ecclesiastically this place is
within the limits of the presbytery of Stranraer and synod
of Galloway. The minister's stipend, including an allow-
ance for communion elements, is £1.58. 6. h., of which
£88 are paid from the exchequer; with a manse and
glebe valued together at £40 per annum: patron, the
Crown. New Luce church, which is situated in the
village, is a neat plain structure erected in 1816, and
containing 400 sittings, without galleries. The parochial
school is attended by about fifty children: the master
has a salary of £^5. 13. 4., with a small dwelling-house,
and the fees average £5 per annum; he also receives the
interest of a becjuest of £50 for the gratuitous instruction
of poor children. A late Earl of Stair bequeathed £.300,
the interest of which is annually divided among the poor.
There are several cairns in the parish, in the removal of
some of which sepulchral urns were found; and on a
small eminence near its north-eastern extremity are two
upright stones, upon one of which is the figure of a cross,
rudely sculptured.