or MEARNS-SHIRE, a county of Scotland, bounded on the north by Aberdeenshire, on the east by the German ocean, and on the south-west by Angus or Fife. In form it resembles a harp, having the lower point towards the south. Its length along the coast is about 30 miles; its greatest breadth about 20. Various opinions have been held concerning the derivation of the word Mearns; but the other name is taken from its ancient capital, Kincairdie, 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. But the most extensive tract under cultivation, is what is called the low or hollow of the Mearns. This tract forms part of Strathmore, or the great vale which runs from Stonehaven in the north east to Argyllshire in the south-west, nearly across the kingdom. Near Stonehaven, to the south, are the ruins of Dunnotar 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 overhanging the sea, called Foul's 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 birthplace 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. There are other fine mansion houses in this county, as Burn, the seat of the late Lord Adam Gordon; Arbuthnot; Craggie, Benholm Castle, &c.—The village of Fordun, a little south from the centre of the county, is supposed to be the birthplace of the celebrated author of the Scotichronicon. In the churchyard of Fordun is shewn what is said to be the tomb of St Palladius, a small plain building, which from its appearance is comparatively of a modern date. 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 with his queen at Craig David near this after his long retreat into France. Near the village of Fettercairn are still seen some vestiges of a castle said to have been the residence of Finella, daughter of a nobleman of large possessions in this county, 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 Laurencekirk, which, formerly an insignificant village, by the judicious and liberal exertions of Lord Gardenstone, has become a handsome little town, with a right to elect magistrates, and to hold an annual fair and a weekly market. He established here manufactures of lawn, cambric, linen, and various other articles. He has also freely renounced all the oppressive services due by his tenants; services which have been so long and so justly complained of as a check to agriculture in many parts of Scotland.—The northern part of the shire, being mountainous, is more employed in pasture than in cultivation. The principal mountains are Montbattock, and Cloch-na-bean: the former is the highest in the county; the latter is remarkable, as the name imports, for a huge detached rock near its summit. The population of this county, according to its parishes, is the following:

| Parish | Population in 1755 | Population in 1792-1798 | |-----------------|--------------------|------------------------| | Arbuthnot | 997 | 1,041 | | Banchory Devenich | 149 | 1,700 | | Banchory Ternan | 1,730 | 1,340 | | Benholm | 1,367 | 1,557 | | Bervie | 655 | 1,200 | | Conveth | 757 | 1,200 | | Dunnotar | 1,570 | 1,962 | | Durris | 889 | 631 | | Fettercairn | 1,950 | 2,000 | | Fetterfoss | 3,082 | 3,370 | | Fordun | 1,890 | 2,258 | | Garvock | 755 | 460 | | Glenbervie | 958 | 1,307 | | Kinneff | 858 | 1,000 | | Maryculter | 746 | 719 | | Marykirk | 1,285 | 1,481 | | Nigg | 1,289 | 1,090 | | St Cyrus | 1,271 | 1,763 | | Strachan | 796 | 700 |

Increase, 24,346