or KINCARDINSHIRE, a county of Scotland, bounded on the north by Aberdeenshire, on the east by the British Ocean, and on the south-west by Angusshire. In form it resembles a harp, having the lower point towards the south. Its length along the coast is scarce 30 miles; its greatest breadth about 20. Some derive the first name from Mearns a valiant nobleman, who, subduing the country, received it in reward from his prince Kenneth II. Camden, with much probability, supposes it to retain part of the name of the old inhabitants, the Vernicones of Ptolemy, it being common for the Britons in discourse to change the V into M. The other name is taken from its ancient capital Kincardine, now an inconsiderable village. The tract of country through which the Dee passes, and the plain along the sea-coast, are well cultivated, and produce much corn and flax. The fields are in many places screened by woods; and the heaths afford sheep-walks and much good pasture for cattle. Near Stonehaven, to the south, are the ruins of Dunnottar castle, the ancient seat of the earls Marischal of Scotland, situated on a high perpendicular rock, almost surrounded by the sea. In this neighbourhood is a precipitous cliff over-hanging the sea, called Fow'rs Cleugh; noted as the resort of kittiwakes, the young of which are much sought after in the hatching season, being esteemed a great delicacy.—At a little distance from Stonehaven, up the river, stands Urie, the birth-place of Barclay the famous apologist for the Quakers. The Quakers have here a burying ground; and in the vicinity are seen the traces of a Roman station. The great valley called Strathmore commences here, and extends in a south-west direction nearly as far as Benlomond in Stirlingshire, bounded all along to the north-west by the Grampian mountains.—The village of Fordun, a little south from the centre of the country, is supposed to be the birth-place of the celebrated author of the Scotichronicon. St Pady's church, or Paddy kirk in this neighbourhood, is famous for being the burial-place and residence of St Palladius; whose chapel is still to be seen on the south side of it, 40 feet by 18, now the burial-place of the Halkerton-family. Near the village, and along the river Bervie, the country is flat and well cultivated. The small town of INVERBERVIE was made a royal borough by David Bruce, who landed there with his queen at Craig David after his long retreat into France. Near the village of Fettercairn was Den Finnel, the residence of Finella, daughter of a nobleman of large possessions in this country, or, as Major calls her, countess of Angus, who was accessory to the murder of Kenneth II. About two miles from this place, on the road-side, is a cairn of a stupendous size and uncommon form, which probably might give name to the parish. About six miles west from Bervie, is situated Lawrence-kirk, which some years back was only an insignificant village of six or seven houses; but by the judicious and liberal exertions of its proprietor Lord Gardenstone, has