KIRKCUDBRIGHT

KIRKCUDBRIGHT, county or stewardship of, makes a considerable part of Galloway, and of which the earls of Nithsdale were hereditary stewards. It is 45 miles long and 30 broad, and with Wigtonshire formed the ancient province of Galloway. The face of the country exhibits the appearance of one continued heath, producing nothing but pasture for sheep and small black cattle, which are generally sold in England; yet these dusky moors are intersected with pleasant valleys, and adorned with a great number of castles belonging to private gentlemen, every house being surrounded with an agreeable plantation. It is watered by the river Dee; which, taking its rise from the mountains near Carrick, runs through a tract of land about 70 miles in length, and, entering the Irish sea, forms the harbour of Kirkcudbright, a borough town, well situated for the fishery and other branches of commerce. There is no other town of any consequence in this stewardship. Kirkcudbright gives title of baron to the Maclellans, formerly a powerful family in the county. The population of this county, according to its parishes, is the following.