SALINE PARISH

Name.- The name is supposed to be Gaelic, signifying a hill or mountain, referring to a hill in the parish called Saline Hill.

Extent, &c.- The parish is seven miles long from east to west, and six broad at the centre from south to north. The eastern part, embracing nearly one-half of the surface, is hilly and marshy, the western part level.

Soil &c..- The soil is, in general, thin and of a til1y bottom. There are large tracks of moss which yield excellent peat. The parish abounds with coal, lime, and ironstone.

Parochial Registers.- The records of the kirk-session commence in 1704, and have been regularly kept ever since. The regi!jter of births and baptisms begins in 1696, and seems to have been pretty regularly kept up to this time. There are no registrations of marriages till 1765, since which time they have been regularly kept.

Land-owners.- The principal land-owners, with their respective valuations, are as follows : The Trustees of Sir Robert Preston, L.669 2 8 Mr Beveridge of Inzievar, L.606 0 0 Mr Aytoun of Killerney. L.566 0 0 Mr Erskine of Under Kineddar, 402 0 0 Mr Oliphant of Upper Kineddar, L.394 8 0 Mr Telfer of Balgonar, L.203 0 0 Mr Hogg of Bandrum, L.146 0 0

Mansion-Houses, &c.- These are, Kineddars, Inzievar, Hillside, Bandrum, Balgonar, Kirklands. Rhynds, and Oakley.

Antiquities.- There are still the remains visible in this parish or two old towers, some cairns, and two Roman camps.

Number of inhabitants in the village, 400 in the country, 657 illegitimate children, last three years, 5

Rent.-Average rent of land per acre, L.1, 10s. Real rent of the parish about L.6000.

The more recent agricultural improvements have been in draining, which for some years has been carried on to a great extent.

Valued rent, L.4078, 19s. 4d. Scots.

The village or Saline is beautifully situated. It consists of small feus held of the family of Torrie.

Ecclesiastical State.-All the families in the parish except four belong to the Established Church. The present minister, who enjoys a green old age, and his predecessor, have one after the other filled the cure upwards of 113 years.

The manse was built about forty-nine years ago, and both it and the offices are in a miserable state.

Education.- The number of schools in the parish, exclusive of Sabbath schools, is two. Yearly amount of parochial school-master's salary, L.34, 4s. 5d. ; school-fees, L.40, 10s. ; other emoluments, L.7, 10s.

Poor.-Average number of poor, 16. Average sum given annually to each, L.3, 18s., and a cart-load of coals in winter. Average annual amount of contributions for do. L.68, of which L.36 is from collections at tbe churchdoor, and the remainder from donations, &c. There has never been any legal assessment for the poor.