CLACKM ANNAN, the county town of Clackman nanshire, is situated upon a bold swelling ground on the north side of the river Forth, about 22 miles above Leith. The name signifies the kirk town or village of Annan, from a connexion formed in the 12th century be twixt the families of Bruce, and Annand of Annandale. The town is small and irregular : The buildings are humble, many of them going to decay, and arc chiefly occupied by labourers, there being no manufactories of any kind carried on in it, excepting a few looms con nected with Glasgow. Here the sheriff used to hold his courts, but the. town-house and prison are in ruins, so that the courts are held at Alloa, except on particu lar occasions. At the west end of the town, and upon the brow of the hill, is situated Clackmannan tower, built prior to the year 1315, which was for a long period of years the favourite seat of the chief of the Brutes, who was hereditary sheriff of the county before the jurisi.ic dons were abolished. The tower is rectangular, about 80 feet high ; and from i!.s elevated situation, forms a very picturesque, venerable, and strong feature in the surrounding scenery. Till lately there was a mansion
house of more modern date adjoining, in which a de scendant of the line of Bruce lived, and who kept the sword and casquc of the celebrated King Robert Bruce. These were bequeathed, with the genealogical tree of the family, to the Earl of Elgin, as representatil e of the family, in whose possession they are now to be seen. The view from the tower is esteemed amongst the finest in Scotland ; the leading features of a beautiful land scape being there displayed in the happiest combination. From it the mazy course of the river Forth can be traced to a great distance, flowing through fertile fields, adorned with woods, cottages, towns, and vessels, while the horizon is formed by bold mountainous scenery, which gradually receding from the t, iew, blends with the western sky.
The population of the pat ish is estimated at 2800 souls, of whom 700 live in the town. N. Lat. 56° 15', W. Long. 3° 40'. (R. n.)