Dumbartonshire

Dumbartonshire, anciently Lennox or Levenaux, is in the W. of Scotland, between the Clyde Estuary S., Perthshire N., Stirlingshire and Lanarkshire E., Loch Long and Argyllshire W. It is cut in two by a part of Lanarkshire, the north portion being twice as large as the other. The total area is 154,542 acres, of which the lower districts along the Clyde and Leven are remarkably fertile whilst the upper tracts to the north contain Ben Voirlich, Ben Vane, and some of the finest scenery in Scotland, besides yielding building stone, slate, iron ore, and coal. Large numbers of cattle and sheep are pastured on the hills. The coast line extends for 35 miles on the west side, and Loch Lomond stretches for 20 miles to the east, so that the county has always enjoyed facilities for water-carriage. These were augmented in 1775 by the opening of the Forth and Clyde Canal, and since 1850 several railways have been constructed. Calico-prjnting, bleaching, and dyeing, are carried on in the valley of the Leven, and factories for spinning and weaving exist at Duntocker, Milton, and elsewhere. Among the chief towns and villages are Datmuir, Renton, Bonhill, Cardross, and Kirkintilloch, the port of Bowling, and the watering-places of Helensburgh, Kilcreggan, and Roseneath. Rob Roy's country lies in the north, and legends of Wallace and Bruce abound in other quarters.