Carsphairn

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Carsphairn
Kirkcudbrightshire
Carsphairn Heritage Centre.jpg
Carsphairn Heritage Centre
Location
Grid reference: NX56159323
Location: 55°12’44"N, 4°15’44"W
Data
Postcode: DG7
Local Government
Council: Dumfries and Galloway

Carsphairn is a village and parish in northern Kirkcudbrightshire adjacent to the border with Ayrshire. The village is found about half way between Dalmellington and St John's Town of Dalry, on the A713 road.

Cairnsmore of Carsphairn is to the north east of the village in the Carsphairn Hills. To the west is the ridge of the Rhinns of Kells[1] in the Galloway Hills.

The village has many features ranging from an ancient stone circle[2] to a nuclear listening post[3] (now disused), and includes local amenities such as a shop, tearoom, a primary school and a village hall.

History

Carsphairn was made an independent parish around 1627,[4] prior to which it had been a part of the Parish of Dalry, and was created a Free Burgh in 1672 under a charter requested by Robert Grierson of Lag.[5]

Industry

Disused lead mines, Woodhead, Carsphairn

Industry is mainly rural, but, historically, a significant mining industry existed, particularly of lead, following the discovery of significant quantities in 1837. By the mid 1850s the mine was producing 1000 tons annually.[6] Mining continued in the area, with peak production between 1906-1914. After the end of the First World War, the industry collapsed and by 1928 all lead mining operations had ceased.[7]

Events

Carsphairn annual sheep show.

Outside links

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("Wikimedia Commons" has material
about Carsphairn)

References

  1. map of the Rhinns of Kells with hill walking routes
  2. Holm of Daltallochan stone circle
  3. Royal Observer Corps database of UK monitoring posts
  4. Great Britain. Parliament. House of Lords (1841) "Sessional Papers Printed by Order of the House of Lords, Or Presented by Royal Command, in the Session 40 & 50 Victoriæ (26th January-22d June) and the Session 50 Victoriæ (19th August-7th October) 1841", Volume 7, P190 Retrieved May 2013
  5. Ed. John Nicholson (1855) "Minute book kept by the war committee of the Covenanters in the stewartry of Kircudbright ... 1640 and 1641",[sic, Spelling] P179, Kirkcudbright county. Retrieved May 2013
  6. Royal Scottish Society of Arts (1851) "Transactions of the Royal Scottish Society of Arts", Volume 3, P21., Neill & Company. Retrieved May 2013
  7. Payne, P.L. (1967) "Studies in Scottish business history", P107, Routledge, ISBN 0714613495 Retrieved May 2013