
PARISH OF DAIRSIE.
THIS PARISH is situated in the north-east of the County, and is bounded on the west by Cupar, on the north by Logie and Kilmany, on the east by Leuchars, and on the south by Kemback. It is about two and a half miles in length, and nearly as much in breadth. The surface slopes gently upwards, terminating in the hills of Foodie and Craigfoodie, which are situated near the centre of the Parish, and which are capable of bearing heavy crops nearly up to their summits. The soil in general is very fertile, and is in many places rich and deep, and is also in a high state of cultivation. Freestone and whinstone abound in the Parish. The mansion-houses are Craigfoodie and Pittormie. The old castle of Dairsie is in the immediate vicinity of the Parish Church, but it is now in a very dilapidated condition. It was rebuilt by Archbishop Spottiswoode, in which it is said he compiled his Church History. It was at one time a place of considerable importance and strength, and is said to have been for some time the residence of Archbishop Sharp; in 1355 it had the honour of having a Parliament convened within its walls. The Parish Church was erected by Archbishop Spottiswoode. It is beautifully situated, and its fine massive Gothic windows and polygonal tower renders it an object of interest and admiration to visitors. There is also a Free Church in the Parish. The Parish School is near Middlefoodie, and there is a Free Church School at Dairsie village, and a Female School at Foodieash.
There is a spinning-mill at Lydox Mill, and three corn and flour mills, the machinery of which is propelled by water power obtained from the Eden, which skirts the southern boundary of the Parish, and is spanned by a bridge of three arches, built by Archbishop Spottiswoode to facilitate his communication with St Andrews. The inhabitants are partly engaged in agricultural operations, and a few in hand-loom linen weaving. The road from Kirkcaldy to Newport passes through the Parish, and it is also traversed by the Dundee fork of the E. P. & D. Railway, which has a station near Dairsie.
The POST TOWN is Cupar, with a Sub-Post Office at Dairsie, William Brodie, Sub-Post Master.- A postman arrives from Cupar at about 9.45 A.M., and leaves at 1.45 P.M., reaching Cupar in time for despatch by the earliest afternoon mails.
BLACKSMITHS.
Bonella, John, Foodieash
Henderson, James, Dairsie Muir
Kidd, George, Pittormie
Marshall, George, Dairsie Muir
BOOT & SHOEMAKERS.
Clark, Andrew, Dairsie Muir
Ferguson, John, do
Simmers, Thomas, Foodieash
CLERGY.
McGillivary, Angus M., Free Church, Dairsie Muir
Wright, Robert, Parish Church, Dairsie
CORN PROOFERS.
Duncan, Thomas, Dairsie Muir
Stewart, William, do
FARMERS.
Annan, John, Lydox Mill
Bell, David, Todhall
Bogie, Alexander, Esq., Newmill
Braid, John, Fingask
Davidson, Robert, Foodieash
Fortune, George, Esq., Wester Craigfoodie
Gibb, Mrs John, Dairsie
Mitchell, James, Damside
Meldrum, D., Esq., Home Farm, Easter Craigfoodie
Meldrum, Robert, Esq., Pittormie
Pryde, James, Dairsie Mill
Small, Lindesay, Esq., Foodie
Storrar, Alexander, Easter Craigfoodie
Strachan, David, Newmill
GENTRY & PEOPLE OF INDEPENDENT MEANS.
Bogie, Alexander, Esq., Newmill
Fortune, Geo., Esq., of Wester Craigfoodie
Meldrum, Mrs, Pittormie
Meldrum, D., Esq., of Easter Craigfoodie
Small, Lindesay, Esq., Foodie
Thomson, Misses, Woodville, Dairsie Muir
GROCERS.
Henderson, Jean, Dairsie Muir
Inglis, John, do
Laing, William, do
Robb, Mrs Alexander, do
JOINERS & WRIGHTS.
Brodie, William, Dairsie Muir
Gibson, James, Foodieash
MILLERS.
Annan, John, (Corn & Barley) Lydox Mill
Braid, John, (Corn) Dron Mill
Pryde, James, (Corn & Barley) Dairsie Mill
Strachan, David, (Flour) Newmill
TEACHERS & SCHOOLS.
Hutchison, Alexander, Parish School, (&. Registrar) Middlefoodie
Stewart, A., Free Church School, Dairsie Muir
Todd, Miss C. O., Lady Foulis' School, Foodieash
MISCELLANEOUS.
Annan, David, Flax Spinner, Lydox Mill
Fleming, Thomas, Land Surveyor, and Inspector of Poor, Middlefoodie
Henderson, James, Carter, Dairsie Muir
McIntosh, Alex., Vintner do
Page, James, Builder & Sculptor, do
Rodger, Jane, Dressmaker, do
Smith, Alexander, Tailor, do
ERRATA
For Fleming, Thomas, Inspector of Poor, read A. Stewart.
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