STEWARTRY

district, Dumfries and Galloway region, southwestern Scotland. Formed by the reorganization of 1975, it is the central part of the former county of Kirkcudbright. The district's steep but rounded hills, which exceed 2,500 feet (750 m) in the north and have a heavy rainfall, are drained south to the Solway Firth; and the lower ground is mantled with glacial soils on which pastoral farming prevails, the mild, damp climate favouring grass growth. Large quantities of milk are sent to urban markets, both in central Scotland and in northern England. There has been extensive forestation, at the expense of rough grazing for sheep, on the northern hills. There is little manufacturing other than that which is directly related to farming, and the district remains rural, with small service centres that benefit also from growing tourism. Kirkcudbright, situated on the River Dee estuary, is the seat of the district authority. Area 645 square miles (1,671 square km). Pop. (1991 prelim.) 23,600.