TERREGLES, a parish, in the stewartry of Kirkcudbright,
2 miles (W.) from Dumfries; containing,
with the village of Newbridge, 564 inhabitants. It derives
its name, which is a corruption of French words
signifying "the lands of the church", from its having
anciently belonged to the abbey of Lincluden, founded
about the year 1150, by Uthred, father of Roland, Lord
of Galloway, and who endowed it for nuns of the Benedictine
order. This establishment, which was subsequently
changed by the Earl of Douglas, Lord of Galloway,
and made collegiate for a provost and brethren, subsisted
till the Reformation, when its lands were erected into a
temporal barony in favour of the Earls of Nithsdale,
whose descendant, Marmaduke Constable Ma.\well, Esq.,
i.s the ])rescnt proprietor. Some vestiges of the ancient
castle of the earls are still remaining; and the foundations
of an extensive village, which is said to have contained
.'500 inhabitants, may be traced upon tlie farm of
Terrcgles-town. There is also an eminence called the
Gallows Mill. The parish, which is bounded on the
north by the river Cairn, and on the cast by the Nith,
is about five miles in length and nearly tliree miles in
average breadth, comprising an area of almost 5000
acres, of which 200 are woodland and plantations, about
300 hill pasture, and the remainder arable. Its surface
is diversified with hill and dale, and the scenery is generally
of pleasing character, at manjr points beautifully
picturesque. Towards the west is a- fine range of hills
of moderate height, partly covered with wood, and partly
affording pasture for sheep and cattle. From the summit
of these hills is an extensive view, embracing the town
of Dumfries, the valley of Nithsdale with the windings
of the river, a portion of the Solway Firth, and the
Cumberland hills in the distance. The lower grounds
are watered by the small river Cargen, which affords excellent
fishing for salmon and trout, and which, flowing
through the parish in a south-eastern course, falls into
the Nith below the town of Dumfries.
The SOIL is mostly a light loam alternated with sand;
but it is fertile and produces abundant crops of all kinds
of grain, with turnips and potatoes. Agriculture is in a
highly-improved state; and the rotation of crops, according
to the quality of the land, is carefully observed
on all the farms. The plantations are well kept, and
thriving. Terregles House, the seat of Mr. Maxwell,
and Lincluden, that of the Honourable Mrs. Young, are
both handsome modern mansions finely situated in
grounds tastefully laid out, and embellished with plantations.
There is no village of any importance. Facility
of communication is afforded by the turnpike-road from
Dumfries to Portpatrick, which passes through the parish,
and by statute roads in good repair. The annual
value of real property in Terregles is £4303. Ecclesiastically
this place is within the bounds of the presbytery
and synod of Dumfries: the minister's stipend is
£158. 6. 8., of which one-fourth is paid from the exchequer;
with a manse, and a glebe valued at £20 per
annum: patron, the Duke of Buccleuch. Terregles
church, situated nearly in the centre of the parish, was
built in 1S06: the churchyard, which contains numerous
handsome monuments, is inclosed by a stone wall.
The parochial school, for which an appropriate building
was lately erected, is well attended j the master has a
salary of £34. 4. 4., with a house and garden, also the
interest of £22. 4. 6., and the fees average about £16
per annum. The poor receive the interest of £410
vested in the Kirk Session. The remains of the abbey
of Lincluden stand on the bank of the river Cairn, a
little above its influx into the Nith, and consist of the
chancel, in which is a monument of Margaret, daughter
of Robert III., and wife of Archibald, Earl of Douglas,
and Lord of Galloway; with some other portions of the
buildings, in a very dilapidated state.