OS1/10/6/2
| List of names as written | Various modes of spelling | Authorities for spelling | Situation | Description remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLOSEBURN | [Continued from page 1] From the uplands. Scar Water a large stream traces a small portion of the Wn. [Western] boundary. The Linn Burn in the Nn. [Northern] district is remarKable for the striKing scenery along its course. Not far from its Source it forms a very beautiful cascade by falling over a precipice about 80 feet high which is almost perpendicular. About half a mile below this the Water has in the course of ages hollowed out to itself a straight passage through a hill of red freestone, forming what is called Chrichope Linn, - peculiarly romantic. This linn from top to bottom is upwards of 100 feet, the channel of the Stream in some parts is so narrow that one might easily leap across it, were it not for the tremendous prospect below and the noise of the Water running its darK course. – The Parish is watered by numerous mountain streams. There is also a small sheet of water near the centre of Parish called Loch EttricK. – Limestone is extensively worKed in the Wn. [Western] district which is used principally for agricultural purposes, no other mineral is known to exist. The Glasgow and Carlisle TurnpiKe road traverses the Wn. [Western] district from which another line diverges in connection with the TurnpiKe road from Dumfries to LocKerbie. – There are three villages Closeburn, Kirkpatrick and Cample which are unimportant. – There is one Parish Church. The Schools of this Parish of which Wallacehall School is the principal are upheld by bequests and voluntary contributions of heritors. The chief Mansion is Closeburn Hall. Population of the Parish 1600, - There is also a Free Church. The Old embanKment noticed by Dr. [Doctor] Simpson in his History of Sanquhar has liKewise been traced in this Parish. It presents Similar features to those described by that Author and which, from its peculiar features and route attributed by various Antiquaries, has been characterised as the Celtic or Deil’s Dike. – Two Camps or Forts in the Wn. [Western] District have been characterised as Ancient British Strengths which present the usual features assigned to such Antiquities. – The sites of Ancient Cairns which appear on Estate Plans of this Parish have also been shewn, of which Cairns however no information can be gleaned in locale. – A few Stones lying in a field towards the Southern district are supposed by the people of locality to have formed or had some connection with an Ancient structure or monument, but sufficient information cannot be obtained whereby to judge of their origin. - Dr. [Doctor] Grierson of Thornhill who personally examined these Stones is of opinion, that they might have belonged to a Druidical Cairn, Altar or Circle, but he is not prepared in the absence of any Authority thereon and the fact of these Stones having been removed from their original Site - definitely to attach to them their real character. The principal Antiquity is Closeburn Castle, a Square building about 50 feet high consisting of a ground floor and three series of vaulted apartments, still inhabited. Its walls are from 8 to 12 feet thicK, it measures 33 1/2 feet long and 45 1/2 feet broad, and was originally surrounded by a fosse. As it bears no Date or inscription its Date cannot be correctly ascertained. From the plan of the building and the style of the mouldings of the Doors, it cannot be less than 800 years old. The present Parish comprehends those of Kilosbern and Dalgarno which were united in the 17th Century. The Site of an Ancient Church as shewn a little to the North of Closeburn village may have been that of the original Church of Kilosbern, which was granted to the MonKs of Kelso by the Lord of the Manor of Kilosbern. The ruins of the old Church of Dalgarnock were extant a few Years since, the Site however is all that can now be shewn. This Church stood on East bank of the Nith near the most westerly point of the present Parish of Closeburn, It was granted to the Monks of Holyroodhouse by Edgar, son of Duvenald of Stranith, which grant was confirmed by William the Lion. – Around this Church was formally a considerable village the burgh of the barony. The Site of an Ancient chapel dedicated to St Patrick is pointed out on a farm called KirKpatricK in the Sn. [Southern] district from which the Ancient family Kirkpatrick of Closeburn who figure conspicuously in the Scotch history doubtlessly also Derived Name. – The Nithsdale Roman Road is said to have passed through this Parish no vestige nor trace of which can be found. May 1857 |
Continued entries/extra info
[page] 2Parish of Closeburn -- Co [County] Dumfries
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Moira L- Moderator, Lockside
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