MAP OF SCOTLAND: 1641-1892
THE CLANS OF THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND
SCOTLAND
MAP OF SCOTLAND: 1641-1892 |
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THE CLANS OF THE HIGHLANDS OF SCOTLAND |
The above map shows The Clans of the Highlands of Scotland in the mid-1700s. It also shows The Clan MacKenzie lands.
The Clan Mackenzie held the largest single area of land of all the clans.
Right in the middle of the map is the word MACKENZIE.
At the last "E" in MACKENZIE is the Black Isle.
SCOTLAND COUNTY MAP
THE BLACK ISLE:
MACKENZIE COUNTRY
Black Isle is not an island. It is a peninsula. On its south side is the Moray Firth, which washes in from the North Sea. Inward of this is the Beauly Firth, which is classed as a sea loch, and, as its name implies, it runs westwards as far as Beauly. The two firths are split by the Kessock Bridge which carries the A9 road northwards from Inverness.
The Cromarty Firth runs along the north side of the Black Isle and runs from Conon Bridge to the sea beyond Cromarty. The land between Beauly and Conon Bridge forms the neck of the Black Isle. The A9 road crosses the Cromarty Firth at the Cromarty Bridge, a flat causeway.
The Black Isle? There are various suggestions as to its origin. The exact origin of its name is unknown. There are many explanations of why it became the "Black" Isle, ranging from the most intriguing: its association with witchcraft and the black arts in mediaeval times, to the more prosaic: the soil here is very black, or that it has so many trees that it looks black when viewed from surrounding areas in Winter. Another suggestion is that the name is a translation from the Gaelic Eilean Dubh, which perhaps is a shortening of Eilean Dubhtaich meaning St. Duthus Isle. St Duthus died in 1065.
The character of the Black Isle is distinct from that of the surrounding areas. The inhabitants definitely feel it is a unique area, and there is a feeling of a shared, common background. Becasue of its isolation, historical events have progressed at a different rate, and often in a different direction, than in other areas. As a consequence, its villages have remained relatively unspoiled, and each has retained its own individual character. Every village has its distinctive architectural style, its own history and has different and distinct folklore and tradition. To some extent each village has its own dialect.
In any event, this is where the story of my MACKENZIEs begins.
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
TOWNLANDS, PARISHES AND COUNTIES
The story of my branch of the MACKENZIE FAMILY begins with JOHN MACKENZIE of Kilcoy, Killearnan Parish, Ross-shire.
He is the first documented MACKENZIE I have been able to find in the extant records of Scotland. He was, most likely, born in or near Kilcoy, Killearnan Parish, Ross-shire, Scotland ±1745. I make the assumption that John Mackezie was born in or near Kilcoy based on the birth records of two of his three known children, Donald and William. They were born in 1769 and 1770 respectively in Balnain, Urray Parish, Ross-shire to "John Mackenzie, butcher of Kilcoy".
Scotland has been divided into parishes since early medieval times, but there have been many boundary changes, amalgamations, changes of name and abolitions. It is important to distinguish between civil parishes and ecclesiastical parishes. Initially parishes were areas of land, whose inhabitants were compelled to pay a proportion of their produce or income (in Scotland called teinds) to support the Church. These were ecclesiastical parishes. In the seventeenth century the crown divided the country into burghs and sheriffdoms (or counties) and into parishes for the purposes of taxation. In the nineteenth century, between 1845 and 1860 elected parochial boards were formed in most parishes. These were known as civil parishes. The boundaries of many civil parishes and ecclesiastical parishes diverged after 1845. The civil parish was a unit of local government between 1845 and 1975. Many classes of historical record are arranged by parish, including valuation rolls, tax records, church records, poor relief records and education records. It is important, therefore, to know which parish(es) a place was in and which county (or counties) a parish was in. Boundary changes can explain why a place might appear in the records in one parish for a while, and then, apparently, disappear or be assimilated into another parish altogether.
Kilcoy, Parkton and Balnain were hamlets or small settlements in the late 1700s. They were smaller than villages. Kilcoy (Map Grid: NH576512) and Parkton (Map Grid: NH594506) were in the parish of Killearnan (Map Grid: NH576495) in Ross-shire. Balnain (Map Grid: NH521541) was in the parish of Urray in Ross-shire. They were all very close together. Kilcoy was 6km or 3.7 miles south-east of Balnain and
Parkton was 2km or 1.24 miles south-east of Kilcoy. Click to locate them on a Grid Map.
In the late 1700s Ross-Shire & Cromarty-Shire included the following parishes: Dingwall, Fodderty, Contin, Urray, Killearnan, Kilmuir Wester, Urquhart, Avoch, Rosemarkie, Cromarty, Kirkmichael & Cullecuddern, Nigg, Fearn, Tarbat, Kilmuir Easter, Roskeen, Alness, Kiltearn, Logie Easter, Tain, Edderton, Kincardine, Lochbroom, Gairloch, Applecross, Lochcarron, Lochalsh, Kintail, and Glenshiel.
The extant records regarding William, one of John Mackenzie's sons, are associated with the parishes of Urray (parish of his baptism), Killearnan (parish of his children’s baptisms), and Urquhart (the place of his last residence in Scotland found on the manifest of the ship, Sarah).
Killearnan dates from roughly 1450 and was a parish in South-East Ross-shire when John Mackenzie lived and worked there as a butcher in Kilcoy. Its church or kirk, in Scot-Gaelic, stood on the northern shore of the Beauly Firth, an estuary or narrow inlet of the sea. It was about 3 3/8 miles east by south of Muir of Ord and 6 ¾ miles west-north-west of Inverness. It was bounded South by the Beauly Firth, West by Urray, North-West by Urquhart, and North-East and East by Knockbain. Its greatest length, from East to West, was 5 miles; its breadth varied between 2 1/8 and 4 ¼ miles; and its area was 8019 ½ acres, of which 740 ½ were foreshore and 9 ¾ water. Nearly one-fourth of the entire area was pasture, and the rest was almost equally divided between woodland and land in tillage. Kilcoy Castle and Redcastle were the chief estates. Killearnan was in the presbytery of Chanonry and synod of Ross. The parish church is to this day a cruciform structure of the 18th century, containing 570 seats. In 1843 the minister, Rev Donald Kennedy, took almost the whole congregation into the Free Church. A booklet "Killearnan: the story of the parish" was written by Margaret Oag in 1966 and has recently (1998) been reprinted with additions by her daughter. The Free Church is now located at Fettes crossroads on the main road from Muir of Ord to Tore.
Kilcoy is spelled Cúil Challaidh and in Scot-Gaelic means "Secluded spot at the hazel place".
MAP OF KILCOY, KILLEARNAN PARISH, ROSS-SHIRE
Kilcoy (IV6 7SF) was a stronghold of the MACKENZIES on the western end of the Black Isle.
Kilcoy was a hamlet on the Muir of Ord in Killearnan parish located in south-east Ross-shire called Easter Ross, about 8 miles north-west of Inverness and north of Beauly and Redcastle. The lands of Kilcoy, surrounding the hamlet and along the Beauly Firth, were acquired in 1618 by Alexander Mackenzie, fourth son of the eleventh Baron of Kintail. Kilcoy Castle, now a ruin, was the birthplace of the distinguished Lieutenant-General Alexander Mackenzie Fraser of Inverallochy, who died in 1809. A cairn, to the north of the ruined mansion, is encompassed with circles of standing stones, and is one of the largest cairns in the north of Scotland. A cairn is a mound of rough stones, built as a memorial or landmark, typically found on a hilltop. Here are the places associated with Kilcoy on the 1881 Census of Scotland. They are all in Killearnan Parish, Ross-shire.
Kilcoy Arms Inn
Kilcoy Cottage
Kilcoy Farm Cottage
Kilcoy Farm House
Kilcoy Grieve House
Kilcoy Main Farm House
Kilcoy Mains Barracks
Kilcoy Mains Bothy
Braes Of Kilcoy
Braes Of Kilcoy Cottage
Braes Of Kilcoy Farmhouse
KILCOY AND REDCASTLE MAP
KILCOY AND REDCASTLE ROAD MAP
Parkton was also a hamlet near Redcastle in Killearnan parish and only 1.24 miles from Kilcoy. It was also centered on Muir of Ord at the west of the Black Isle in Ross-shire. William MacKenzie, son of John MacKenzie worked at Kilcoy Castle as a stableman.
Here is the place associated with Parkton on the 1881 Census of Scotland:
Parkton House, Killearnan, Ross & Cromarty
Urray was a parish in Ross-shire which consisted of Easter, Old and Wester Urray. It was 2 miles (3km) northwest of Muir of Ord. Urray (Urrath in Scot-Gaelic), means "prominent fort".
URRAY WEST PARISH CHURCH
Balnain was a hamlet in Urray parish. In Gaelic, Balnain is written as "Baile 'n fhàin", from 'fàn,' a low-lying place or gentle slope, not uncommon in place names; cf. na fàna, the Fendom (Tain); am fàin Braonach (Aultbea), Forsinain (Sutherland). Balnain was 1/2 mile from Seaforth Castle which was the seat of the Seaforth MacKenzies. Seaforth Castle is most likely the acursed Brahan Castle of folk lore. It is now demolished.
There is some confusion about the location of Balnain. There is another Balnain in Glen Urquhart to the west of Drumnadrochit on Loch Ness in Inverness-shire, but this Balnain is 30 miles away from Kilcoy and Parkton. We now know there was a Balnain in Urray Parish, Ross-shire near Kilcoy Castle. There are references to people being born there, including Donald, Colin and William Mackenzie. Today there is a Balnain Farm House (IV7 8EE) between Brahan and Maryburgh, about 5 miles from Kilcoy. This is the most likely location of the home and workplace of John MacKenzie and the home and birthplace of his known children, Donald, Colin and William.
These photos were taken by my Internet friend, Kyle McAllister, who lives in the area.
BALNAIN, URRAY PARISH, ROSS-SHIRE
BALNAIN, URRAY PARISH, ROSS-SHIRE: FACING SOUTH
BALNAIN HOUSE
BALNAIN BARNS
BALNAIN COTTAGES
BALNAIN COTTAGES
The places associated with Balnain on the 1881 Census of Scotland are:
Servants Houses, Balnain, Urray, Ross & Cromarty
Balnain Farmhouse, Urray, Ross & Cromarty
BALNAIN, KILLEARNAN PARISH, ROSS-SHIRE
John Mackenzie married Isobel Stewart ±1765. She was born perhaps not too far from Kilcoy, Ross-shire, Scotland. There is no known record of John's and Isobel's exact birthplaces and their baptisms are not recorded in the known Old Parish Registers (OPRs). They lived in or near Balnain, Urray Parish, Ross-shire at the time of their marriage and the baptism of their children. We know this because the baptism record of their son William states: "born to John McKenzie and Isobel Stewart in Balnain". William's gravestone in Nova Scotia reads he was "a native of Ross-shire", not Inverness-shire; and his baptism record comes from Urray parish, also in Ross-shire.
THE HISTORICAL BACKGROUND:
CASTLES AND CHURCHES
REDCASTLE AND KILCOY CASTLE, ROSS-SHIRE, SCOTLAND
John MacKenzie was probably associated with Redcastle before moving to work for the Laird of Kilcoy, Colin Mackenzie, at Kilcoy Castle. Kilcoy Castle belonged to the MacKenzies for nearly 300 years until 1813. John MacKenzie is listed as a butcher in Kilcoy, Killearnan Parish, Ross-shire. This may be the origin of the “Tusker” nickname given to his son William in Nova Scotia. “Tusker” was a synonym for butcher.
Rev. Mr. John Kennedy, who succeeded Rev. Mr. David Denoon (who baptized his grandchildren, John and Isobel, the children of his son, William) as minister of Killearnan Church obviously approved of the Laird of Kilcoy, Colin Mackenzie, one of the few landowners who showed compassion for their tenants during the terrible years of the Clearances.
Writing in the New Statistical Account of Parishes he relates that the population of the parish of Killearnan increased: “This increase arises from the accommodation given by Colin Mackenzie of Kilcoy, on his properties in this parish, to tenants removed from the estate of Redcastle; and also, in a more especial manner, from the encouragement which the same gentleman gives to strangers expelled from various parts of the Highlands...”
John MacKenzie was probably expelled from the Redcastle estate, along with other Highlanders, during the time of the first Clearances (1782-1820). Apparently the clearances upon this 3795-acre estate were peaceful. In spite of the depopulation of his Redcastle estate in the Parish of Killearnan, Colin Mackenzie made an effort to resettle many families on his Kilcoy estate and some properties in the neighbouring Parish of Knockbain. Indeed, he had most generously encouraged strangers, who had been expelled from various parts of the Highlands, to settle on his portion of the late Mill-Bui commonty and on other woodlands on his property of Tore. He generously offered five pounds Stirling for every Scots acre improved and a very liberal rent-free grant of such lands during the balance of the leases covering nineteen to twenty-one years. Cleared lands were rented at up to two pounds per acre.
THE LAIRDS OF KILCOY DURING THE TIMES OF OUR MACKENZIES
1687 - 1700: RODERICK MACKENZIE, fourth of Kilcoy married in 1689: Annabella, daughter of Sir Donald Bayne of Tulloch
1700 - 1742: DONALD MACKENZIE, fifth of Kilcoy married in 1716: Elizabeth, daughter of John Mackenzie, II. of Highfield
1742 - 1781: COLIN MACKENZIE, sixth of Kilcoy married in 1747: Martha, eldest daughter of Charles Fraser of Inverallochy, by Anne, daughter of Udney of Udney
1781 - 1813: CHARLES MACKENZIE, seventh of Kilcoy married in 1781: Jane Gordon, third daughter of Patrick Grant of Glenmoriston
1813 - 1845: SIR COLIN MACKENZIE, eighth of Kilcoy and first Baronet of Kilcoy: 1813 - 1845 married in 1805: Isabella, second daughter of Ewen Cameron of Glen Nevis
1845 - 1883: SIR EVAN MACKENZIE, second Baronet of Kilcoy married in 1844: Sarah Ann Philomena, daughter of James Parkes, County of Londonderry. Sir Evan Mackenzie died in 1883, and on the death of his brother, Charles Mackenzie of Kilcoy, in 1887, the estates and representation of the family of Kilcoy devolved on Sir Evan's eldest daughter:
1883 - ISABELLA JANE, who on the 30th of March, 1869, married Colonel John Edward Burton (now Burton-Mackenzie), late 91st Highlanders, second son of the late John Standfast Burton, by Mary Anna, daughter of David Morgan and niece and heiress of Richard Toulmin North of Newton Hall and Thurland Castle, Lancashire. On succeeding to the estates of Kilcoy, Colonel and Mrs Burton assumed the name and arms of Mackenzie of Kilcoy, in addition to those of Burton (recorded in 1633), by Letters Patent from the Lyon King at Arms on the 7th of December, 1887.
Colin Mackenzie
Because of these mid-eighteenth century Clearances, whole communities left the Highlands to re-establish themselves in Canada and the United States. This movement, interrupted by occasional wars and sometimes opposed by chiefs, was caused by "Pull factors": e.g. better opportunities. Whole Highland communities were cleared to make way for sheep. Sheep were the main "Push factor". After 1785, chiefs began creating profitable sheep runs by clearing Highlanders from fertile areas and forcing them to survive on small plots of poor, coastal land. Many emigrated from Ross-shire after 1792 when they realized they could not resist these changes. William MacKenzie, son of John Mackenzie, was one of these immigrants who left Scotland for Nova Scotia in 1801 with his wife, Flora MacMillan, and their five children.
REDCASTLE, 1950
Redcastle, once home of the Mackenzies of Redcastle, has suffered serious neglect. To avoid taxes an owner, not a Mackenzie, took the roof off, and within forty years Redcastle became derelict. The places associated with Redcastle on the 1881 Census of Scotland are all in Killearnan Parish, Ross-shire:
Redcastle Castle
Redcastle, Chas Logans
Redcastle, Greenhill House
Redcastle Porters Lodge
Redcastle Stable Yard
REDCASTLE, 1995
KILCOY CASTLE
In 1557 Kilcoy was spelt "Culcowy" and also "Culcolly" from the Gaelic "Cu coille" meaning "Nook of the Wood" or , as given by one or two authorities, "Nook of the Hazel wood". Early references to Kilcoy may be found in the Kilravock Papers, particularly in the charter of 26th March 1294, and the "Davach (= 416 acres) of Culcolli" is mentioned in charters concerning Edradouer (i.e. Redcastle) during the period 1299 to 1311, in grants to the Earl of Ross.
Also in 1511, there was a charter of Culcowy to Henry Stewart; and later, in 1554, to John Stewart, son and heir apparent of Robert Stewart of Muren.
However, actual ownership of the property does not really become clear until the year 1605, since that was when there was a marriage settlement pertaining to Kilcoy: this was granted to Sir James Stewart (of Newton and Muren) and Jean Fraser (of Lovat). Records show the marriage of James Stewart with Jean Fraser took place on 1 August 1603.
On 15th August 1611, the now widowed Jean Fraser married Alexander Mackenzie, third son of Colin Mackenzie (11th Baron of Kintail); furthermore, six and a half years later, on 29th January 1618, Kilcoy was granted in marriage settlement to Alexander Mackenzie and Jean Fraser - with Robert Stewart having resigned his interest - thus making Alexander the 1st Mackenzie of Kilcoy. The fate of Kilcoy Castle was reputed to have been included in one of the Brahan Seer's prophecies that apparently came true.
By 1846 the Castle had fallen into a "Ruinous condition" because the roof had been removed to avoid taxes, as was usual in those days. Fortunately by the end of the 19th century, the Burton-Mackenzies inherited Kilcoy, taking possession of what was then a near total ruin in 1890. They called in an architect: Alexander Ross also known as "The Christopher Wren of the North" and his superb restoration and extension of the castle saved Kilcoy for posterity.
By 1968 the Robinson family owned the castle and although they opened the gardens to the public, the only alterations they did to he castle was to fit two new windows on the north side of the new wing and have plumbing and electrical wiring fitted throughout.
The present owners of Kilcoy Castle, Mr and Mrs Nick McAndrew, have made some changes in the content and lay-out of the grounds and, like the Robinsons before them, they too open the gardens periodically to the public.
KILLEARNAN PARISH CHURCH, ROSS-SHIRE, SCOTLAND
"THE CHURCH (KIRK) WHICH KEPT ITS “POPISH FORM”
John MacKenzie was present at the baptisms of his granddaughter, Isobel MacKenzie (October 22, 1795) and his grandson, John MacKenzie (October 23, 1797). Both grandchildren were baptized in Killearnan Parish. They were the children of John MacKenzie’s third child, William MacKenzie and his wife, Flora MacMillan. I have copies of their baptismal records taken from the Old Parish Register of Killearnan Parish.
With regard to the baptism of his granddaughter, Isobel, the OPR (Old Parish Registers) state that on “22 October 1795, Mr. David Denoon, baptized Isobel, daughter of William McKenzie, servant in Parktown, and his spouse, Flora McMillan, in the presence of John McKenzie, butcher in Kilcoy and the Kirk Officers.” William may have been a stableman at Kilcoy Castle Estate.
With regard to the baptism of his grandson, John, the OPR (Old Parish Registers) states that "on 23 October 1797, the Rev. David Denoon baptized John, son of William McKenzie, servant to Walter Ross, tenant in Kilcoy and his spouse, Florence Cameron, in the presence of John McKenzie, his father and the Kirk Officers. The child was born 22 October 1797."
Notice that the spouse of William MacKenzie was Florence Cameron, not McMillan, on John MacKenzie’s baptismal record! This was probably a mistake recorded by the Session Clerk, an error repeated quite often in the records of the time, but more than likely it was an example of using the Clan's name rather than the Surname. In this case, the Clan's name was Cameron.
Killearnan Church was rebuilt after 1800 but it includes parts of a much earlier building dating from medieval times. The blocked arched doorway in the south wall and a recumbent medieval effigy inside the church suggest a medieval structure. There is also a 14th-century Calvary cross with ornamental head immediately to the south of the church.In addition, a silver groat from the reign of Edward III (1351-77) was found in builder's spoil close to the church. The old church bell dates back to the reign of Charles II (1660-85).The site is not far from the ruins of Redcastle, (originally Ederdour) erected by William the Lion in the 12th century. There was once a chapel dedicated to St Andrew at or near Redcastle and it may be that Killearnan Parish Church sits on that site.
KILLEARNAN PARISH CHURCH GRAVEYARD
The first impression of this church is that it is not a small country church. The parish comprises two ancient fortresses/estates of the Black Isle: Redcastle and Kilcoy. It was well-sited for the more powerful of the land barons, the Laird of Redcastle. The window in the east gable is large and out of character with other Highland rural churches. But then this building, although added to and restored, goes back to the fifteenth century. Its particular Gothic-style architecture is unusual in Scotland and was influenced, perhaps, by the nearby fortress of Redcastle which had, at that time, reverted to the Crown.
Notice this church is in the form of a cross. It was once thatched with heather. One contemporary commented in 1750 that it was “raised in the walls, slated, and seated; but in opposition to the then minister's wishes, the heritors continued its former Popish form. The present heritors seem not less attached to this relic of Popery than their predecessors.”
Although Ministers and Lairds of Killearnan did not always see eye to eye in the early days of Presbyterianism, death acknowledges no differences as they lie back to back in the old Kirk yard. Look for the parapet enclosure of the MacKenzies of Kilcoy, former Lairds of restored Kilcoy Castle, situated two miles north of Killearnan. There are 286 documented headstones in the Killearnan Churchyard Cemetery, 56 are MacKenzies.
Killearnan Parish Churchyard is the burial place of John MacKenzie and Isobel Stewart. Their marker is a flat stone with the inscription:
"In memory of JOHN McKENZIE farmer in Wellhouse of Kilcoy who died 2nd Jan. 1800 aged 70years
and of Isobel McKENZIE, his spouse who died 4th March 1783 aged 55 years.
also in memory of Kenneth McKENZIE, son of Colin McKENZIE, farmer in Redcastle who died 19th March 1818 aged 21 yrs
and of Duncan his son who died 10th August aged 36 yrs.
This stone is erected by Colin McKENZIE & Barbra McLENNAN".
This is a description of "Killiernan" that appeared in the 1846 "A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland" by Samuel Lewis:
KILLIERNAN, a parish, in the county of Ross and Cromarty, 4 miles (N. E. by E.) from Beauly; containing 1643 inhabitants. This place is said to have derived its name from the circumstance of its having been the burial-ground of Irenan, a Danish prince, the prefix Kill, signifying a chapel, church, or cemetery. On the northern boundary of the parish, a sepulchral monument called Cairn-Irenan still exists; and it is probable that the Danes had a settlement here, or were often engaged in conflicts with the original inhabitants. Tradition states that two religious houses formerly existed in Killearnan; but nothing certain is known about them, though the names of two hamlets, Chapeltown and Spital, give some authority to the assertion. More recently, the family of the Mackenzies, so well known in Scottish history, resided at Redcastle and Kilcoy. The three parishes of Killiernan, Kilmuir Wester, and Suddy were formed into two, in 1756, and the ecclesiastical stipends equally apportioned. The parish of Killiernan is between five and six miles long, and between two and three broad. It is bounded on the north by the parish of Urquhart; on the south by the Frith of Beauly; on the east by Kilmuir Wester and Suddy; and on the west by the parish of Urray. The ground rises gently from the southern boundary to the top of Mulbuy on the north, where it has its greatest elevation. Along the shore it is smooth and level, and unbroken by bays or headlands. The water of the Frith is of a dark hue, from the large quantities of moss and mud brought into it by the river of Beauly.
The soil varies considerably; and very frequently, on the same farm, light loam, red and blue clay, and gravel succeed each other. Deep clay is common on the shore, and is here used as compost, and often for mortar in buildings. Many of the lands are covered with small stones, which require clearing every year; and throughout the larger part of the parish, broom grows spontaneously, and, if left to itself, would shortly overspread the fields. The whole of the parish is the property of two families, whose estates are called Redcastle, and Kilcoy and Drumnamarg. The former comprises 3796 acres, of which 1566 are arable, 577 pasture, and 1653 wood; the latter contains 3041 acres, of which 977 are arable, 882 wood, and 1182 pasture. The crops consist of wheat, barley, oats, rye, clover, turnips, and potatoes; and the rateable annual value of the parish amounts to £4275. Many agricultural improvements have been made; and the lands, within the last twenty years, have assumed an entirely different appearance. The native heath and broom are gradually yielding to valuable crops of grain; and the gratuity of £5 allowed for the improvement of every Scottish acre, and the permission to enjoy it rent-free during the remainder of the current lease, have given an impulse to the energies of the cultivator, the effects of which are conspicuous in every direction. The union of several small farms, and the building of good houses and offices, with inclosures, especially on the Redcastle property, have introduced superior tenants, and, with them, better means of cultivation; and the encouragement afforded by the spirited proprietors in the parish bids fair to raise it, in a few years, to a level with the best cultivated districts in the country. The farmers generally breed only the cattle necessary for ploughing, &c., on their own ground; but at the close of harvest, they purchase young cattle, in considerable quantities, to consume their straw, and others for the purpose of fattening them upon turnips, with the sheep, in the winter, by which they make a considerable profit at the markets in the summer time. The substratum of the parish is one continued bed of red freestone, which is easily prepared, and well suited to buildings of every description. A quarry of this stone has been wrought for some centuries, from which Inverness has been freely supplied, and from which the stones used in the locks of the Caledonian canal were taken.
Formerly, each of the estates had a castle in which the proprietor resided. That on the Kilcoy estate is now in ruins; but the mansion on the property of Redcastle, so named from the colour of the stone of which it is built, and formerly used as a place of defence, is in good and habitable condition. It is a large pile, surrounded with beautiful plantations, which occupy many hundreds of acres, and consist of oak, ash, birch, Scotch fir, and larch. In many other parts, also, the same trees are to be seen. There are two villages: Miltown, a name common to many other villages in this district, is chiefly remarkable for its delightful situation, and its miniature likeness to a town; and Quarry, deriving its name from the rock immediately behind it, consists of a line of neat cottages, extending along the base of a sandstone rock, which rises to the height of a hundred feet above the village, giving it a very singular appearance. There is a corn-mill on each of the two estates, for the use of the parish. Two fairs, the staple horse-markets of the country, are held, the one in February, and the other in July. Facility of communication is afforded by a good road from the ferry at Kessock to Dingwall, Invergordon, and Fortrose, the repairs of which are supported by a regular toll; and there are two small vessels belonging to the parish, employed in carrying timber and coal between Killiernan and Newcastle, in England. Ships, also, touch here, and land their cargoes on the shore at the eastern extremity of the parish, as there is no harbour.
The ecclesiastical affairs are directed by the presbytery of Chanonry and synod of Ross; and the patronage is vested in the Hon. Mrs. Hay Mackenzie. The stipend of the minister is £200, with a manse, built about a century ago, and repaired and enlarged a few years since. The glebe consists of about six acres of arable land; and one-half, also, of the glebe of Kilmuir Wester has belonged to Killiernan since 1756. The church, which is built in the form of a cross, is very ancient, and of considerable dimensions. It was thatched with heather until about fifty years ago, when it was roofed with slate, and supplied with fresh seats; it has been just again repaired, and is now a very comfortable building. The members of the Free Church have a place of worship. There is a parochial school, in which Greek, Latin, English grammar, geography, and practical mathematics are taught: the salary of the master is £30, with a house, an allowance in lieu of garden, and about £8 fees. Another school is endowed by the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge; English, Gaelic, writing, and arithmetic are taught, and the master has £15 per annum, and a small house. There is also a female school supported by the same society. The chief relics of antiquity are, the ruins of Redcastle, and the cairn already referred to, supposed to have been raised to commemorate the murder of a Danish prince; and in the vicinity of the cairn are remains of a Druidical temple.
This is a description of "Urray" that appeared in the 1846 "A Topographical Dictionary of Scotland" by Samuel Lewis:
URRAY, a parish, partly in the county of Inverness, but chiefly in the Mainland district of the county of Ross and Cromarty, 5 miles (S. S. W.) from Dingwall; containing, with portions of the two late quoad sacra parishes of Carnoch or Strathconon, and Kinloch-Luichart, 2716 inhabitants, of whom 23 are in the county of Inverness. This place, which consists of the ancient parishes of Urray and Kilchrist, derives its name from the river Orrin, on whose banks its church is situated, near the confluence of that water with the Conon, or Conan. The parish is partly bounded on the north by the Conon, and is about seven miles in length and from three to six miles in breadth. The surface is varied with rising grounds, in no part, however, attaining any considerable elevation; and the scenery, enriched with wood, and including some fine views of the Friths of Beauly and Dingwall, is pleasingly picturesque. The river Conon, after forming its boundary for some distance, intersects the parish; and the Orrin, a very rapid stream, which flows into the Conon near Brahan Castle, waters the south-western portion of the parish, which is also intersected by the Garve, the Meig, and the Luichart. The Conon abounds with salmon and pike, and sea-trout are also found in it during the months of July and August: on its bank is a sulphureous spring, powerfully impregnated, and resembling in its properties the water of Strathpeffer.
The soil in the lower lands is generally heathy and unproductive, but on the rising grounds fertile, and of good quality, producing favourable crops of oats, barley, and potatoes. The system of agriculture is improving; the rotation of crops is duly observed, and the lands have been mostly inclosed. The plantations, especially around the mansion-houses of the landed proprietors, are extensive and in a thriving condition, consisting of firs, oak, ash, and the other usual forest-trees; and on the banks of the several rivers are considerable remains of ancient timber, chiefly alder, ash, and willow, with a few oak and birch trees. The rateable annual value of the parish is £7012. The principal seats are, Brahan Castle, on the north bank of the Conon, pleasantly situated in a well-planted demesne; Highfield House, on the east bank; and Ord House, situated on an acclivity near the south bank of the Orrin. Fairburn Tower, on the opposite bank of the river, is now in ruins. There are no villages. A distillery of whisky has been recently established, which consumes a considerable quantity of the barley grown in the parish. Facility of communication is maintained by the great north road to Sutherland and Caithness, which passes through the parish; by the road leading to the Western Highlands; and by good cross roads, and bridges over the rivers. The ecclesiastical affairs are under the superintendence of the presbytery of Dingwall and synod of Ross. The minister's stipend is £249. 9. 6., with a manse, and a glebe valued at £15 per annum; patrons, the Mc Kenzies, of Cromertie. The church is a spacious and handsome structure, well adapted for the accommodation of the parishioners. The members of the Free Church have very lately erected a place of worship. The parochial school is well managed: the master has a salary of £25. 15., with a house, and an allowance of £2. 2. in lieu of a garden; the fees average £20 per annum. In a barrow near Brahan Castle was found, some years since, an urn of burnt clay containing some fragments of human bones.
