NITHSDALE, or Niddisdale, a district of Dumfriesshire in Scotland, lying to the westward of Annandale. It is a large and mountainous tract, deriving its name from the river Nid, or Nith, which rises on the borders of Ayrshire, and running by Sanquhar and Dumfries, discharges itself into the Solway frith. This country was formerly fringed with noble forests, which are now almost destroyed; so that at present, nothing can be more naked, wild, and savage. Yet the bowels of the earth yield lead, and, as is said, silver and gold: the mountains are covered with sheep and black cattle; and here are still some considerable remains of the ancient woods, particularly that of Holywood, three miles from Dumfries, noted for a handsome church, built out of the ruins of an ancient abbey; and also for being the birthplace of the famous astrologer, hence called Jounes de Sacro Busto. Mr Pennant calls it a beautiful vale, improved in appearance by the bold curvatures of the meandering stream, and for some space, he says, it is adorned with groves and gentlemen's seats.