Description
CLACKMANNANSHIRE is a county not the size of many parishes. It is bounded on the south by the Forth, on the north and west by Perthshire, and on the east by Fifeshire: its length from east to west is about ten miles, and from north to south eight miles, containing nearly 22,000 acres cultivated, 5000 uncultivated, and 3720 unprofitable. It is divided into five parishes. The surface adjacent to the Forth consists of fertile alluvial tracts, but towards the northern extremity the land rises gradually to the Ochils, which traverse the county, and furnish ample pasturage. Agriculture is in a continual state of improvement, and thrashing-machines are on every farm. The minerals are valuable, particularly coal, of which nearly 200,000 tons are produced annually. There are several fine seats, among which may be mentioned Shaw Park (Earl of Mansfield), Alloa House (Earl of Mar), Tulliebody (Lord Abercromby), and Kennet House (Bruce, Esq.). This county is politically annexed with the little shire of Kinross, and the two parishes of Tulliallan and Culross belonging to Perthshire, in returning a member to Parliament. Its constituency in 1839 amounted to 812; in 1831, the population was 14,729. The Sheriff Court and other Courts for the county are held at Alloa—the town of Clackmannan being long minus of accommodation, and too poor to procure it; but Quarter Sessions are occasionally held in the latter place. The county has an Agricultural and Horticultural Society.