OS1/10/29/1

List of names as written Various modes of spelling Authorities for spelling Situation Description remarks
KEIR Keir
Keir
Keir
Keir
Keir
Keir
Kire
Chalmers' Caledonia
The Stat: Acc: [Statistical Account] of Dumfries
Fullerton's Gazetteer
Dr. [Doctor] Singer's Survey
Johnstone's Co. [County] Map
Valuation Roll of Parish
Pennant's Tour
030; 031; 040 [Situation] In the centre of Nithsdale.
The name of this Parish is supposed to be derived from the old British word "Caer "a Fort," and in support of which, a Spot near Nether Keir can still be pointed as Site of an Ancient Tower or Fort. The appellation Caer has assumed the form of Keir in many of the names of places in Scotland. Another - and somewhat fanciful conjecture is, that the name is derived from the particular colour of the Soil - "Keir signifying "black or brown".
Keir Parish is situated in the centre of the district called Nithsdale, forming a slender oblong, stretching from Northwest to Southwest. Bounded on the North by Penpont North-East by Closeburn and Kirkmahoe, South by Dunscore, South-West by Glencairn, And North West by Tynron - its greatest length is 6 1/2 Miles and its greatest breadth 2 1/2 Miles; but as its average breadth is scarcely 2 Miles, its superficial
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CorrieBuidhe- Moderator, georgelaidlaw

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