Keith in historic gazetteers

Gazetteer of the British Isles (Edinburgh: Bartholomew, 1887). John Bartholomew

Keith.-- town, Banffshire, and par., partly also in Elginshire - par., 18,195 ac., pop. 6396; town, on river Isla, 12½ miles NW. of Huntly, 53½ NW. of Aberdeen, and 574 NW. of London by rail, pop. 4339; P.O., T.O.; 3 Banks. Market-day, Friday. The town consists of Keith, comprising Old Keith (12th century) and New Keith (1750), on the right bank of the river, and of Fife-Keith (1817) on the left bank. The river is crossed by two bridges, of 1609 and 1770, the former now disused. Keith is the centre of business for middle Banffshire, and has a 1arge trade in cattle and in dead meat. Among its industrial establishments are a tweed manufactory, a blanket manufactory, an agricultural implement manufactory, manure works, and grain and flour mills; there is also a distillery (Milton-Keith). Among the public buildings are the Longmore Hall (1873), used as a public hall, the Turner Memorial Hospital (1880), and the Roman Catholic Church (1831), an elaborately ornamented building with a fine altar-piece, the "Incredulity of St Thomas," presented by Charles X. of France.