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AYRSHIRE is bounded on the north by Renfrewshire, on the east by Lanark and Dumfries shires, on the south by Kirkcudbright and Wigton shires, and on the west by the Irish Channel and the Frith of Clyde. Its length and breadth are variously stated, but it is generally estimated at about 60 miles long and from 26 to 30 broad, or extending between 90 and 100 miles along the western coast of Scotland, from the vicinity of Lochryan in Wigtonshire on the south, to Kelly Bridge, which separates it from Renfrewshire on the north. The area of the county is computed at about 1600 square miles, or 1,024,900 acres, of which 292,000 are cultivated, 300,000 uncultivated, and 432,000 unprofitable, the whole being ecclesiastically divided into 46 parishes. In former times the county was locally divided into the three districts of Carrick, Kyle, and Cunningham, and these districts are still retained, though in a political view, and since the abolition of the hereditary jurisdictions, they are all amalgamated. Carrick on the south, containing about 450 square miles, is a wild and mountainous district throughout, comprising nine parishes ; Kyle, or Coil, in the centre, rough and hilly, but having large tracts of fertile land, 400 square miles, divided into 21 parishes; and Cunningham on the north, fertile and comparatively level, 250 square miles, and 16 parishes. The principal mountains are Knockdolian, a conical mountain near the coast in the southern part of the county, nearly 2000 feet above the level of the sea; Carleton Hill, 1520 or 1554 feet; Knockdaw, 1554 feet; and Knocknorman, 1540 feet, all near Knockdolian; Benerard, 1440 feet; Cairn-table, in the eastern part of the county, 1650; Blackside, in the parish of Sorn, 1560 feet; Misty Law, 1240 feet; and Brown Carrick Hill, nearly 950 feet. The only rivers of note are the Ayr, which is the largest; the Garnoch, the Rye Water, the Irvine, the Girvan, the Stinchar, and the Doon, celebrated in Scotish song. The fresh-water lakes are Loch Doon, from which the Doon issues, about six miles in length, Loch Finloch, Loch Breelen, Loch Lure, and Lochnecair in the parish of Straiton; Loch Spaig, Loch Mochrum, Loch Martnaham, Loch Fergus, and Loch Broun, all of which abound with trout.
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