CLUNIE - Extract from National Gazetteer, 1868

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer (1868)]

"CLUNIE, a parish in the district of Stormont, and county of Perth, Scotland. It extends southward 9 miles, with a breadth of 4 miles. The surface is very uneven, including part of the Grampians and of Strathmore. About one-third of the parish is arable, and a considerable part of the waste land has recently been planted. The most remarkable natural features are the Craig of Clunie, a mass of trap 600 feet in height; Benachally mountain, 1,800 feet high; and Loch Clunie, 4 miles S.E. of Benachally, 2½ miles in circumference, with an extreme depth of 84 feet. A beautiful little wooded island, 200 yards from the western shore of the loch, has the ruined remains of a castle built in the 16th century, and in which the Admirable Crichton is said to have been born. The island has been formed at some unknown ancient period on a heap of stones thrown into the loch. On the western shore, opposite the island, and on a ridge or mound, are the remains of another very ancient castle, which probably was connected with the island. The principal streams are the Droothy, the Buckney, the Lornty, and the Lunan, which, like the loch, abound in excellent fish. Many cairns are found, and are said to mark the locality of the great battle between Agricola and the Caledonians, mentioned by Tacitus. This parish is in the presbytery of Dunkeld, and in the patronage of the Duke of Atholl and the Earl of Airlie. The minister's stipend is £173. There are also a Free church and a Free Church school. Amongst the hills are found some rare plants and several mineral springs."

[Description(s) from The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland (1868)
Transcribed by Colin Hinson ©2003]