WIGTONSHIRE

WIGTONSHIRE, sometimes denominated Upper or West Galloway, is about 30 miles long, and 12 broad. It is bounded on the south-east by the bay of Wigton, by which it is separated from Kirkcudbright; on the south and west by the ocean; on the north by Ayrshire; and on the east by Kirkcudbright. The coast is tolerably fertile, but improvements in agriculture are still in their infancy. The interior and northern parts are hilly and barren, fit only for sheep and black cattle. It contains three royal boroughs, viz. Wigton, Stranraer, and Whithorn, with a number of seats belonging to noblemen and gentlemen. It is divided into 17 parishes; and, according to a census taken since the passing of the population act in 1801, the population amounted to 22,918, being an increase of 6452 since the return to Dr Webster in 1755. The valued rent is 67,646l. Scots, while the real rent is computed at 53,892l. Sterling.

The following is the population according to the parishes at two different periods*: