NEWBURN, a parish, in the district of St-Andrew's,
county of Fife, 2 miles (E. S. E.) from Largo;
containing, with the village of Drumeldrie-Muir, 419
inhabitants. This place, originally called Drumeldrie,
obtained its present name from a stream which, deviating
from its ancient course, now intersects the greater
portion of the parish. According to tradition, the Culdees
had an establishment here in the earliest periods
of Christianity; and Malcolm I. is said to have given to
the brethren the lands of Balchrystie, where they erected
a church, the foundations of which are supposed to have
been discovered about the close of the last century, when
the stones of a very ancient building were dug up on
these lands. The parish is about three miles and a half
in length and nearly two miles in breadth, and is bounded
on the north by the parishes of Kilconquhar and Largo;
on the south by the sea; on the east by Kilconquhar
and on the west by Largo. Its surface is pleasingly
diversified with hills and valleys, and enlivened with the
windings of the burn from which the parish derives its
modern name; the scenery is generally interesting, and
in some parts beautifully picturesque. The soil is fertile,
producing abundant crops; and the pasture and
meadow lands along the sea-shore, form a level tract of
luxuriant verdure.
In this parish the number of acres is 2880, whereof
about 2400 are arable, 350 in pasture, and 130 in plantations;
the cro[)s are oats, barley, wheat, potatoes, peas,
and turnips, which last are extremely favourable. The
most imi)roved system of husbandry is prevalent, and
the farm buildings and offices are substantial and well
arranged; the lands are well drained and inclosed, and "
the fences, chiefly of thorn, are kept in excellent order.
The j)rincipal seats are, Lahill, the lands of which have
been highly improved; Wester Lathallan, or Gilston,
a handsome mansion-house in grounds finely planted;
West Coates, also a genteel residence; and Balchrystie,
a well-situated house surrounded with grounds tastefully
embellished. The inhabitants are chiefly employed
in agricidture; and for some years a salmon- fishery has
been carried on, but with no great profit. The annual
value of real property in the parish is £4849.
Ecclcsiastically it is within the bounds of the presbytery of St.
Andrew's and the synod of Fife. The stipend of the
incumbent is £'200; the manse, built in 1819, is a commodious
residence, and the glebe comprises about twentytwo
acres, valued at £30 per annum. Newburn church,
which is well situated, was built in 1815; it is a substantial
and neat edifice, affording ample accommodation
for the parishioners. The parochial school appears to
have originated in an appropriation of lands in 1659 by
John Wood, Esq., of Orkie, for the erection of a free
grammar-school in this parish, and the maintenance of
several poor scholars. The " poor scholars " are instructed
and maintained by the parochial schoolmaster,
to whom the trustees of Mr. Wood pay a liberal allowance.
His salary as parochial schoolmaster is £29. 18. 10.
per annum, with a house and garden, and the fees average
about £14.