Description
KINCARDINE, or the MEARNS, is a maritime county, bounded on the east by the German Ocean ; on the north and north-west by Aberdeen-shire ; and on the south and south-west by Forfarshire. It extends along the sea-shore from Mount Battock to Dunnotar Castle twenty miles, and inland twenty-two miles, having an area of 317 square miles, or 202,870 acres, of which about 110,000 are cultivated, 50,000 uncultivated, and 42,870 unprofitable. To the south of the Grampian range, which occupies the western, central, and more northern parts, and the extremity forming the Girdleness, the county descends into the termination of the valley of Strathmore, locally designated the Howe of the Mearns. In 1810, it contained 19 parishes, and portions of two others. The mineralogy of the county is not of great importance. The principal rivers are the Dee on the north, and the North Esk on the south, but there are several minor streams, such as the Bervie, Carron, Cowie, Dye, and the Luther, some of which contain valuable fisheries. The county returns one member to Parliament; constituency in 1839, 914. Population in 1831, 31,431.