Laurencekirk (formerly Conveth), a parish in Kincardineshire, in Howe of the Mearns, is about 4 miles in length and 3 in breadth, having an area of 5617 acres, of which 5 are water. Pop. (1755) 757, (1801) 1215, (1841) 1904, (1871) 2174, (1881) 2046. Boundaries-N and NE, Fordoun; SE and S, Garvock; SW and W, Marykirk. The SE division forms a gentle slope, intersected by several rivulets falling into the Luther Water, which, entering from Fordoun, flows 3 miles SSW through the middle of the parish, and finds its way into the North Esk after a course of 5 miles through Marykirk. The other streams are Gauger's Burn, dividing from Marykirk; Burn of Leppie, on the E, separating from Fordoun; and Ducat Burn, in the N, falling into the Luther.
Soil, Climate, etc.-The height above sea-level varies from 150 to 400 feet, the maximum being attained at the SW boundary, and the village standing at 250 feet. Until nearly the close of the 18th century a part on both sides of the Luther formed a morass. Through the skill and enterprise of the agriculturist the marshy grounds were by degrees converted into arable land, the process being completed towards the middle of the 19th century by the deepening and straightening of the channel of the Luther. A happy result of the improvement is the absence of any trace in the district of ague, to which the inhabitants were subject for centuries. The ancient bog is now soil of a mossy description, and the rest of the land is mostly a clayey loam on red clay subsoil resting on Old Red sandstone. The reputation of the parish for advancement in agriculture stands high. There are several large farms skilfully cultivated, of which Bent of Haulkerton, by Mr W. Alexander, may be specially noted. The first covered court, with loose feeding-boxes for cattle, introduced into Scotland was on Spurriehillock, by Mr D. Dickson, who tenanted that farm from 1838, and soon after entering set the example which has since been universally followed.
Trade, etc. -During the larger part of the 18th century the people were dependent upon agricultural labour. Towards the close various attempts were made to procure other means of subsistence, chiefly at the instance of Lord Gardenstone. A starch work was in operation for a time; quarries were opened, but found unremunerative; and stocking-weavers were induced to settle, who had soon to have recourse to other occupations. The craft earliest developed and taking firmest hold was handloom weaving. Referring to this period, a statistical account records that `there was carried on an extensive domestic manufacture of linen, which was commonly known in the markets by the name of Mearns linen; and the spinning of the yarn and manufacturing of the cloth afforded employment to many hands in the families both of tenants and of crofters.' By and by weaving at home was practically discontinued, and public weaving shops became the rule, one or two agencies for distant weaving companies being established. About the beginning of the century a flax-spinning mill was erected at Haulkerton, where there is evidence of a waulk-mill having existed for at least a century before. It employed from 16 to 20 people until the spring of 1835, when it was accidentally destroyed by fire. At Blackiemuir there was a bleach-field until 1813, when it was converted into a spinning-mill, to give employment to about a score of people upon an average until its discontinuance in 1842. Since then the only occupation in the rural part has been connected with agriculture.
Original Constitution.-The whole lands of the parish, now called Laurencekirk, were separated in the 12th century longitudinally into three nearly equal parts. The district of Conveth (lands conveyed), which gave its name to the parochial combination, formed the central division. That including the lands N of Luther Water was named Luthra, while the remaining division consisted of lands included in the barony of Garuocis or Garvock, and now composing the farms which adjoin the parish of that name. A small portion, Blackiemuir and Haddo, belonged at an early date to the priory of St Andrews; various grants of the lands were made to the abbey of Arbroath; and the rest was composed chiefly of royal lands. The western boundary is within 1 mile of the ancient castle of Kincardine, once a favourite residence of the Scottish kings; and old charters show that the early destination of many of the lands was the result of this proximity to the abode of royalty.
Distinguished Families.-The proprietors have included some of the most distinguished Scottish families; and it is remarkable that, with the exception of a few acres, the whole lands are presently owned by representatives of the families which held them in the 12th and 13th centuries. The first whose name is found in connection with the parish is a branch of the family of Berkeley, whose name was changed to Barclay, and the most famous of whom in more recent times are the apologist for the Quakers and his descendants the Barclays of Urie. The Berkeleys are still represented in the families of two of the heritors. Next in order of time were the Falconers, whose name is first associated with Luthra, and afterwards with the same lands under the name of Haulkerton, which, as well as their family name, indicates their early services to have been those of falconers or hawkers to the king. The family was ennobled by Charles I. in 1647, the first Lord Falconer being a lord of session and a devoted adherent of the unfortunate monarch. The fifth Lord Falconer married a daughter of the second Earl of Kintore. His grandson succeeded to the title and estates of Kintore on the death of the last Earl Marischal. A union was thus formed of two families who had been long connected with the parish, the Keiths-Marischal having in the main line and in one of the branches been numbered for several generations among its proprietors. The Earl of Kintore is still the largest heritor. The Middletons were landowners from a very early period-first of Middleton of Conveth, from which the family name was derived, and afterwards of Kilnhill, which was disposed of m 1606 by the uncle of the famous Earl Middleton. Among other families having landed interest in the parish may be mentioned the Wisharts of Pittarrow (from whom the martyr sprang), the Frasers (Thanes of Cowie), the Lords Gray, Strachan of Thornton, Allardice of that Iik, Irvine of Drum, Stuart of Inchbreck, Livingstone of Dunipace, Carnegie of Pittarrow, etc. The present proprietors are the Earl of Kintore, Mrs Pearson of Johnston, Dr Johnston of Redmyre, and Mr Crombie of Thornton, who is owner of Mill of Conveth.
Distinguished Natives, etc.-James Beattie, the author of The Minstrel, was a native, having been born at Borrowmuirhills in 1735. Many of the most beautiful periods in his great work were due to impressions on his mind when he was a boy at the parish school. Thence he passed as a student to the University and Marischal College, which he afterwards for many years adorned as a professor. Catherine Falconer, the mother of Beattie's distinguished opponent, Hume the historian, was a sister of the fifth Lord Falconer. Thomas Ruddiman, the celebrated grammarian and philologist, had been five years teacher of the parish school when he met Dr Pitcairne, by whose advice he went to Edinburgh. This was in 1700, though his most famous work bears on the title-page, `Rudiments of the Latin Language. By Thomas Ruddiman, Keeper of the Advocates' Library, and sometime Schoolmaster at LaurenceKirk in the Mearns. 1st ed. Edinburgh 1714. 'Fifteen editions of the Rudiments were published in the author's lifetime; and at his death ` he left this saleable treatise as a productive income to his widow.'
Ecelesiastical.-The Church of Conveth was early dedicated to St Lawrence, who suffered martyrdom in 258, being burned to death on a gridiron. At an early date it was a rectory under the Prior of St Andrews, and down to the abolition of patronage the patrons of the parish were the College of St Mary's. The church was dedicated in 1244, and about 1275 the `Kirk of Cuneueth' was rated at 30 marks. The first ordained minister after the Reformation was Patrick Boncle, the stipend being 100 pounds Scots. Of the thirteen parish ministers who have succeeded him there may be noticed: -Robert Douglas, of the house of Douglas, Earls of Angus, who was settled prior to 1657, translated to Hamilton 1665, and was afterwards Dean of Glasgow, Bishop of Brechin 1682-84, and Bishop of Dunblane 1684-89. He was ejected at the Revolution, and died in 1716. He was the ancestor of the Douglases of Brigton, and of Sylvester Douglas, the distinguished lawyer, who in 1800 was created an Irish peer, with the title of Baron Glenbervie of Kincardine. Andrew Thomson, minister, 1727-59, to whom Dr Beattie was greatly indebted in his earlier years. Dr George Cook, 17951829, the distinguished historian of the Church, and one of its leaders for many years prior to the Disruption. He died in 1845. The present church was built in 1804 and enlarged in 1819, but is still insufficient m size. In the churchyard are some interesting old tombstones, several with inscriptions by Dr Beattie. The living is returned at £404, including manse, valued at £30, and glebe, etc., valued at £40. The number of communicants is 738. Episcopacy was very strong in the parish during the whole of the 18th century. The incumbent at the Revolution, William Dunbar, a keen Episcopalian, was superseded in 1693 (a successor being appointed in 1699), but not deposed until 1716. There is notice in 1726 of an Episcopal church, which was burned by the soldiers of the Duke of Cumberland in 1745. The congregation afterwards worshipped under successive ministers, first at Laurencekirk, then at Mill of - Haulkerton, and subsequently at East Redmyre. John Strachan, afterwards Bishop of Brechin, was pastor for many troublous years. Lord Gardenstone, though a Presbyterian, built and endowed a chapel in Laurencekirk, which was opened in 1791. The first incumbent was Jonathan Watson, who the following year was elected Bishop of Dunkeld, and continued in both charges until his death in 1808. The present church, Early English Gothic, was built in 1871. It is constructed for 200 sittings, and has a spire 70 feet high. The stipend is £40 sterling in money and 40 bolls of oatmeal. There is a parsonage, with a glebe. Number of communicants, 81. A small congregation in connection with the Independents has a chapel which was built in 1842, the first incumbent being David Moir, a native. The first Free church was a plain building in the street, now named Farquhar Street. It has been converted into a dwelling-house. The present handsome edifice in High Street was built in 1857. Stipend, £208, with manse in Garvock Street. Number of communicants, 163.
Schools.-The old Parish School was taught by a succession of eminent teachers. The earliest recorded was William Dunbar, afterwards parish minister (vid. sup.). The most distinguished was Ruddiman; a part of the building in which he officiated still remains. James Milne, schoolmaster, 1720-61, was Dr Beattie's teacher, and a good classical scholar. William Pyper, afterwards LL.D. and Professor of Humanity in St Andrews University, was parish teacher, 1815-17. The Public and Infant Schools, erected by the School Board, are commodious buildings, well adapted for their purpose. There is a Ladies' School for boarders and day scholars, and there is a school in connection with the Episcopal congregation. The school-board has a joint interest in Redmyre School, close upon the E border of the parish. The details regarding the various schools may thus be tabulated:-Public and Infant Schools, accommodation 185 and 120, average attendance 202, grant £163, 3s.; Episcopal School, 96, 75, £65, 0s. 2d.; Redmyre School, 120, 76, £67, 17s.
The valuation of the parish (1856) £7512, (1883) £12, 19s. 3d., plus £2071 for railways, etc. The increase, though partly due to the village, indicates a very considerable rise in the agricultural value of the parish.—Ord. Sur., shs. 66, 57, 1871-68.
See W. R. Fraser's History of the Parish and Burgh of Laurencekirk (Edinb. 1880).
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