KIRKCUDBRIGHTSHIRE (also known as the STEWARTRY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT and EAST GALLOWAY) , county, Scotland, bounded north and northwest by Ayrshire, west and south-west by Wigtownshire, south and south-east by the Irish sea and Solway firth, and east and north-east by Dumfriesshire. It in cludes the small islands of Hestan and Little Ross, used as light house stations. The north-western part of the shire is rugged and desolate. In this quarter the principal mountains are Merrick (2,764 f t.), the highest in the south of Scotland, and the group of the Rinns of Kells. Towards the south-west the chief hills are Lamachan, Larg and the bold mass of Cairnsmore of Fleet. In the south-east Criffel stands almost isolated. In the north rises the fine hill of Cairnsmuir of Carsphairn, and close to the Ayrshire border is the Windy Standard. Much of the highest ground consists of intrusive granite masses, but the rocks of widest extent are Silurian and Ordovician, folded in a direction north-east–south-west and consisting mainly of shales and grits. The south of the shire is mostly level or undulating, but pictur esque: glacial deposits here cover much of the surface. Large stretches of sand are exposed in the Solway at low water.
The number of "burns" and "waters" is remarkable, but their length seldom exceeds 7 or 8 miles. Among the longer rivers are the Cree, which rises in Loch Moan and reaches the sea near Creetown after a course of about 3o m., during which it forms the boundary, at first of Ayrshire and then of Wigtownshire; the Dee or Black Water of Dee (so named from the peat by which it is coloured), which rises in Loch Dee and after a course mainly south-east and finally south, enters the sea at St. Mary's isle below Kirkcudbright, its length being nearly 36 m. ; the Urr, rising in Loch Urr on the Dumfriesshire border, falls into the sea a few miles south of Dalbeattie 27 m. from its source; the Ken, rising on the confines of Ayrshire, flows mainly southerly and joins the Dee at the southern end of Loch Ken after a course of 24 m. ; and the Deugh which, rising on the northern flank of the Windy Standard, pursues a winding course of 20 m. before reach ing the Ken. The Nith, during the last few miles of its flow, forms the boundary with Dumfriesshire, to which county it almost wholly belongs. Lochs and mountain tarns are many; but except Loch Ken, which is about 6 m. long by I m. wide, none is large. There are several passes in the hill regions, but the only well known glen is Glen Trool, not far from the district of Carrick in Ayrshire, and famous for its wild scenery and its associations with Robert Bruce.
Agriculture.—The major part of the land is either waste or poor pasture, but considerable tracts have recently been reclaimed. More than half the holdings consist of 5o ac. and over. Oats are the predominant grain crop, the acreage of barley and wheat being insignificant. Turnips and potatoes are grown. Sheep and cattle-breeding are followed with success; Ayrshires are gradually ousting the black Galloway breed. Horses are raised, the small Galloway horses having given place to larger breeds. Pig-rearing is important. The honey of the shire is in good repute.
Industries.—The granite quarries near Dalbeattie and Cree town occupy a large number of hands. Sandstone also is quarried. The manufactures, mostly of woollen goods, are unimportant ; tanning, corn-milling and paper-making are carried on, and salmon are caught, Dee fish being notable.
The only railway communication is by the L.M.S. railway, run ning from Dumfries to Castle Douglas, from which there is a branch to Kirkcudbright, and the line beginning at Castle Douglas and leaving the county at Newton Stewart.
The population was 30,341. in 1931, when 83 persons spoke Gaelic and English. The chief towns are Castle Douglas (pop.
in 1931, 3,008), Dalbeattie (3,01i), Kirkcudbright (2,311), Max welltown (6,094, 1921). The shire returns 1 member to parliament. KIRKE, PERCY (c. 1646-1691), English soldier, was the son of George Kirke, a court official to Charles I. and Charles II., entered the army in 1666, was with Monmouth at Maestricht (1673), and was present during two campaigns with Turenne on the Rhine. In 1680 he became lieutenant-colonel, and soon after wards colonel of one of the Tangier regiments (afterwards the King's Own Royal Lancaster Regt.). In 1682 Kirke became governor of Tangier, and colonel of the old Tangier regiment. He was a successful governor, though he gave offence by the roughness of his manners and the wildness of his life. On the evacuation of Tangier "Kirke's Lambs" (so called from their badge) returned to England, and in 1685 their colonel served as a brigadier in Faversham's army. After Sedgemoor the rebels were treated with great severity. Brigadier Kirke took a notable part in the Revolu tion three years later. He commanded at the relief of Derry, and made his last campaign in Flanders in 1691. He died, a lieutenant general, at Brussels in Oct. 1691.