Lairg People in the period 1812 - 1818

This view of the village of Lairg was taken before the dam from Builnatobrach.

The following people are those named in the Day Book of William Macdonald, Merchant of Lairg. 

This is a very useful list insofar as it gives many of the place names of Lairg parish. It does not contain every person who lived in Lairg parish but is still a useful list. As there were few stores to purchase goods in I imagine most families used it.

Further information is available on the original list which has been copied on microfilm by the Scottish Records Office and can also be seen at the Archives Department of the Public Library, Inverness. Lairg History Society have published a useful booklet also. 

The same view of the village today.  Both photographs courtesy of Paul Gray, Glasgow.

The following list shows only the surname, name, residence and where appropriate a family note and occupation. Place names are shown exactly as on original document. There are a few names on this list from Rogart, Eddrachillis, Durness and Farr parishes.

ANDERSON
Anderson James Midpenny shepherd

BAIN
Bain Widow Claggin

BRANDER
Brander James Shinness

BROKE
Broke James Moudel shepherd

BUCHAN
Buchan Robert Achany Wright

CAMERON
Cameron Archibald
Cameron Donald Holmetary shepherd

CAMPBELL
Campbell Alexander Milnclaren
Campbell David Achfrish
Campbell Finlay Saval Mor wife Margaret
Campbell John Torroble wife Elspet
Campbell Robert Glen Shin

CHRISTY
Christy Alexander Near Inveran road contractor

CORBET
Corbet Donald Shinness smith

DAVIDSON
Davidson Mr Crask bridge builder & driver

DOUGLAS 
Douglas Hugh Shinness weaver

ENNIS
Ennis Christian Gruids sister to Wm.
Ennis George Gruids brother to Wm.
Ennis William Gruids

FRASER
Fraser Alexander Arscaig shepherd
Fraser Alexander Badielclargan
Fraser Donald Milnclaren miller, wife Margaret
Fraser Isobel Nr Lairg servant
Fraser Simon Milnclaren miller, son of Donald
Fraser Thomas Gruids miller

GILLESPIE
Gillespie George Clibrec shepherd

GORDON
Gordon Elspeth Balone, Kinvonvie
Gordon Isobel Achfrish
Gordon Jane Rhinamain husband Angus Mackay
Gordon Jean Achenduich husband Angus Mackay
Gordon Miss Balnain, Shin
Gordon William Shinness Merchant

GRAHAM
Graham Alexander Milnclaren ex-miller, father of Margaret Fraser
Graham Donald Gruids tailor
Graham John Craggie, Fleet
Graham Margaret Milnclaren wife of Simon Fraser

GRANT 
Grant Adam Clinol son Alexander
Grant Barbara Achenduich, Aultern
Grant Donald Torroble
Grant John Kinvonvie

GRAY
Gray George Colabol wife Mary?
Gray James Kinvonvie wife Margaret Gunn
Gray Katherine Lairg
Gray Merran Lairg

GREG
Greg Archibald Milnclaren woodcutter

GUNN
Gunn Elspeth Rhean (Mackay)
Gunn George Kinvonvie
Gunn John Kinvonvie Pensioner
Gunn Margaret Kinvonvie husband James Gray

JOHNSTON
Johnston William Achenduich shepherd

KENNEDY
Kennedy Angus Creanich
Kennedy Angus Lairg Minister

LOUGAN
Lougan James Clibrec shepherd
Lougan Katherine Braemore

MACCULLOCH
MacCulloch Christian Rhean servant

MACDONALD
Macdonald Alexander Arscaig shepherd
Macdonald Alexander Lairg
Macdonald Alexander Shinness Wright
Macdonald Ann Caolishie
Macdonald Donald Dahidell, Shin soldier
Macdonald Duncan Balnain, Shin shepherd
Macdonald Duncan Cean na coille mason
Macdonald Duncan Colabol tenant
Macdonald Duncan Rerevach, Shin
Macdonald Duncan Rhine shepherd
Macdonald Finlay Craighousie shepherd
Macdonald Finlay Dalnessie shepherd
Macdonald Finlay Milnclaren
Macdonald George Kinvonvie
Macdonald Hector Culbuie
Macdonald Hugh Saval Mor, Kinvonvie
Macdonald Isabella Midpenny husband Paul Macinnish
Macdonald John Achnara, Shin weaver
Macdonald John Dola fiddler
Macdonald Merran Achenduich
Macdonald Neil Achnara, Shin brother to John
Macdonald Neil Badell, Shin tailor?
Macdonald Paulina Torroble
Macdonald Robert Kinvonvie
Macdonald William Torroble

MACGILLIVRAY
Macgillivray Miss Lairg

MACGREGOR
Macgregor Alexander Gruids
Macgregor Bel Gruids
Macgregor Donald Gruids
Macgregor James Duchilly shepherd
Macgregor John Badielargie shepherd
Macgregor William Gruids

MACINNISH
Macinnish Malcolm Midpenny shepherd
Macinnish Paul Midpenny shepherd

MACINTOSH
Macintosh Alexander Kinvonvie
Macintosh John Shinness foxhunter

MACKAY
Mackay Adam Saval Beg son of John
Mackay Alexander Lairg servant ot minister
Mackay Alexander Lairg
Mackay Alexander Waster Lairg
Mackay Alex. jnr Rheanbreck & Rhean
Mackay Angus Achenduich wife Jean Gordon
Mackay Angus Achnara, Shin pensioner
Mackay Angus Rhinamain
Mackay Angus junior Rheanbreck
Mackay Barbara Lairg husband Duncan Matheson
Mackay Donald Achnara, Shin
Mackay Donald Mudel
Mackay Donald Rhinacoup shepherd
Mackay Donald Rhinamain shepherd
Mackay Emery Lairg son of Alex.
Mackay George Schaschie, Gruids
Mackay Gilbert Invershin
Mackay Hugh Dolay
Mackay Hugh nr Dalouchie
Mackay James Creag Saval
Mackay James Dolay
Mackay James Kinvonvie, Tomich
Mackay James Shinness tailor
Mackay Jean Cean na coille
Mackay John road man
Mackay John Achfrish
Mackay John Achnara
Mackay John Balnain, Shin
Mackay John Clinol
Mackay John Creag Saval
Mackay John lately Carfrose
Mackay John Mudle soldier
Mackay John Rhiavach, Shin post
Mackay John Rhinavach, Shin weaver
Mackay John Saval Beg
Mackay John Saval Mor tenant
Mackay John Shiness Laird
Mackay John Torroble wright
Mackay Katherine Gruids servant
Mackay Kenneth Kinvonvie
Mackay Kenneth Pitarksie, Gruids
Mackay Margaret Colabol servant
Mackay Margaret Dolay
Mackay Margaret Kinvonvie husband George Macdonald
Mackay Mary Torroble
Mackay Murdoch Cean na coille servant
Mackay Murdoch Torroble weaver
Mackay Neil Colabol
Mackay Neil Pitarksie, Gruids
Mackay Peter Rhiadach, Shin
Mackay Robert Torroble pensioner
Mackay Thomas Rhinshean, Shin
Mackay William Clinol, Gruids
Mackay William Shinness schoolmaster
Mackay William Tomich

MACKENZIE
Mackenzie Angus Rhinamain pensioner
Mackenzie Donald near Inveran mason
Mackenzie Gilbert Invershin
Mackenzie John Daledell, Shin
Mackenzie John Kinvonvie & Rhimastag wife, Merran
Mackenzie Kenneth Kinvonvie herd
Mackenzie Neil Lairg?

MACLEOD
Macleod Angus Achfrish
Macleod Christina Dolay widow
Macleod Donald Balnain, Shin
Macleod Donald Invercharkie wife, Elspeth
Macleod Donald Kinvonvie
Macleod George Clinol weaver
Macleod George Dalchork shepherd
Macleod John Clinol deceased
Macleod Margaret Balnain, Shin servant
Macleod Mary Pitarskie, Gruids
Macleod William Ceannaoille

MACNAB
Macnab John Caerfrose shepherd

MACULA
Macula Angus Kinvonvie tailor

MACCULLOCH
Maculloch Christian Rhean servant

MATHESON
Matheson Angus Dolay
Matheson Betsy Dolay wife of Alex. Ross
Matheson Catherine Shinagar daughter of Widow Bain, wife of Wm.
Matheson Christian Achnara, Shin daughter of Hugh
Matheson Donald Ceannacoille mason
Matheson Donald Creaghouse pensioner
Matheson Duncan Achnara, Shin
Matheson Duncan Lairg
Matheson Hugh Achfrish, Shin tenant
Matheson John Achnara, Shin weaver
Matheson John Achnara, Shin & Ceannacoille
Matheson John Torroble
Matheson Katherine Milnclaren
Matheson Katherine Shinagar, Shin widow Bain's daughter
Matheson Margaret Bacadlering, Shin widow
Matheson Mary Claggin widow Bain's daughter
Matheson Mary Shiness
Matheson Neil Achfrish
Matheson Robert Achfrish
Matheson William Lairg

MUNRO
Munro Alexander Clibrec
Munro Donald Corriskinloch Shin
Munro Donald Glencuel
Munro Duncan Glencuel
Munro Finlay Corriekinloch son of Donald
Munro Finlay Glencuel son of Donald
Munro Finlay Kinvonvie son of Donald
Munro George Gruids mason, son of George
Munro George Gruids servant
Munro Janet Creag Saval husband James Mackay
Munro John Corriekinloch
Munro Robert Clinol
Munro widow Shiness was at Tallich
Munro William Achany Laird
Munro William Shinness smith

MURDY
Murdy Andrew Clibrec shepherd
Murdy Hall Corrynafearn shepherd

MURRAY
Murray Adam Tomich son of John
Murray Donald Gruids schoolmaster
Murray Donald Torbreach
Murray Donald Torrable
Murray Duncan Saval Mor wife Isobel
Murray John Colabol, Achfrish
Murray John Kinvonvie
Murray John Lairg
Murray John Tomich son Robert

OLIVER
Oliver George Achenduich shepherd
Oliver John Corrinafearn shepherd
Oliver Robert Dalnessie & Aultnalouart shepherd

PATERSON
Paterson Andrew Achness, Farr son of Anthony
Paterson Andrew Aultnalouart shepherd, son of Anthony
Paterson Anthony Rhean, Terryside shepherd
Paterson Thomas Gruids woodcutter

PEACOCK
Peacock Thomas Crask road contractor

RAMSAY
Ramsay William Shinness

REDPATH
Redpath James Lairg wright
Redpath William Cnocan shepherd

REED
Reed Ralph Achenduich manager

ROBERTSON
Robertson James Glasscheol shepherd
Robertson Peter Lone of Pircy shepherd

ROBSON
Robeson William Holmbury shepherd

ROSS
Ross Alexander Dolay wife Betsy
Ross Alexander Gruids smith
Ross Alexander Tomich pensioner
Ross Angus Dolay brother to Hugh & Thomas
Ross Angus Tomich shoemaker
Ross Christian Clinol widow of John Macleod
Ross Christian Craggie widow of Robert Sutherland
Ross David Achtumlinie
Ross Donald Garvault servant
Ross Finlay Achfrish
Ross George Lower Lairg servant
Ross Hugh Dolay brother to Angus & Thomas
Ross Hugh Dolay
Ross Hugh Milnclaren
Ross James Lairg smith
Ross James Lairg tailor
Ross Jean Torroble widow
Ross John Gruids lately in Braemore
Ross John Lairg road contractor
Ross John Shinness piper
Ross John Tomich
Ross Mary Achfrish servant
Ross Robert Ceanacoille servant
Ross Robert Rheanbrech shepherd
Ross Thomas Dolay brother to Angus & Hugh
Ross Walter Garvault
Ross William Balnain, Shin servant
Ross William Clinol maybe two, same name, same place
Ross William Milnclaren
Ross William Shinness shepherd

SCOTT
Scott Adam Achenduich manager servant

SHORT
Short Mathew Rhean shepherd

STEWARD
Steward John Milnclaren

STEWART
Stewart George Achinduich shepherd

SUTHERLAND
Sutherland Alexander Parish of Rogart roadman
Sutherland Alexander Scourie schoolmaster
Sutherland Alexander Torroble friend of Neil Mackay
Sutherland Andrew Creaggie
Sutherland Ann Cnocan servant
Sutherland Christina Milnclaren servant
Sutherland Donald Clinol
Sutherland Donald Craggie deceased
Sutherland Isobel Rhinamain wife to Donald Mackay
Sutherland Isobel Rhinamain sister to Donald
Sutherland James Lairg
Sutherland Janet Kinvonvie wife of Finlay Munro
Sutherland John Kinvonvie farmer, wife Janet
Sutherland John Lairg schoolmaster
Sutherland Margaret Caoloshie sister of John
Sutherland Merran Lairg (Gray)
Sutherland Robert Craggie deceased
Sutherland Robert Craggie son of Donald
Sutherland Robert Craggie wife Christian Ross
Sutherland Robert Kinvonvie son of John
Sutherland William Kinvonvie son of John

TARREL
Tarrel Alexander Dolay wife Isobel

THOMSON
Thomson Miss Lairg

TURNBULL
Turnbull William Rhean & Clibrec shepherd

URQUHART
Urquhard Miss Rogart sister Nelly

WAUGH
Waugh Henry Rhine, Tomich son of William
Waugh William Rhine, Tomich shepherd

WILSON
Wilson James Altbreach shepherd's boy

WOOD

Wood William Dalmichie shepherd

updated 28/02/2016

Lairg 1811

This list transcribed from the Sutherland Estate Papers (Dep 313/1573 - Report of Patrick Sellars on the Duke of Sutherland Estate 1811) by Elizabeth Bell.

Old post card view of Lairg from the north, courtesy of Sheila Mackay

Lairg

1. Milne & Claren - 8 and one half farthings of land - Alexander GRAHAM miller, Mrs McKAY, John McLEOD, Murdoch McKAY, Robert McKAY, John McINTOSH, Finlay McDONALD, Alexander CAMPBELL, Alexander McKAY, James McKAY Craigahavell?.

2. Lower Lairg -14 farthings of land - Mrs KENNEDY, Sergt. Duncan MATTHIESON, George ROSS, Alexander ROSS's Widow, Alexander SUTHERLAND's Widow, James ROSS smith, James ROSS taylor.

3. Shiness Sheep Tenement - Duncan MATTHIESON Esquire.

4. Sundries lately held in Wadset by Robert GORDON. Mr Young to say how to be possessed - Grass Crop 1811, Corn Crop 1812 - the present tenants having been warned. 

• a.-Torrobol -14 farthings - presently possessed by -David GRAHAM, John MATTHIESON, John CAMPBELL, Murdoch McKAY, John McKAY, Murdoch McDONALD, Donald MURRAY, Hugh MURRAY, John ROSS, William McDONALD, Robert MURRAY, James GRAY, Donald McKAY Senior, Alexander McKAY, Donald McKAY junior, Widow BRUCE.

• b.- Kinvonavie-14 farthings - presently possessed by - Widow Barbra McKAY, Widow Elspet GORDON, Robert McDONALD, Hugh MUNRO, Wm McINTOSH, John McINTOSH, Kenneth McKAY, Alexander ROSS, Angus GUNN, Hector McDONALD, Widow McDONALD, Robert SUTHERLAND, John SUTHERLAND, Alexander McKAY, Alexander FORBES, Donald MATTHIESON, Thomas McKAY, Andrew SUTHERLAND, Thomas ROSS, Robert SUTHERLAND, John SUTHERLAND, William McKAY, Angus McKENZIE, Widow McDONALD, Hector McDONALD, John GRANT, Widow Margaret McKAY.

• c. - Tomich -14 farthings - presently possessed by three tenants, two of them not known , one of them John MURRAY.

5. - Few Duties
Achany - William MUNRO Esquire.
Water of Shin - Murdoch McKENZIE of Ardross.
Gruids - Colonel MUNRO Pointsfield.

6. - Dry Mullures? of Milnchlaren – Sundries - William MUNRO Esq of Achany, Duncan MATTHEISON Esq. for Clunas.
The Miller being paid only for his labour - Alexander GRAHAM Miller has the Mill, Rent free.

updated 28/02/2016

Emigration from Lairg

Emigrant lists drawn up by the Sutherland Estate management list emigrants from parishes in the east of Sutherland during a period of intense emigration. There are very few on these lists from Lairg. It should not be assumed that these lists provide a complete record of all emigrants from this part of Sutherland in this period. The lists are contained in the Sutherland Papers in the National Library of Scotland and appear by permission of the Countess of Sutherland. Adapted here from the original transcriptions by Malcolm Bangor-Jones. 

Some lists indicate that the people left for America but most went to Canada. As always I have shown all Mc and Mac names as Mac.

The following people left from Lairg parish – under surname each person is shown by Christian name, place of residence, tenant, servant, etc followed by number in party who left and when. 

BROWN 

Thomas, Auldibreak, servant, left in party of four in 1830

GUNN 

John, Balcharn, lived with his mother, left with his brother Thomas in 1831

Thomas, Balcharn, lived with his mother, left with his brother John in 1831

MACDONALD 

Murdo, Rheanbreck, left in 1831 in party of seven

MACKAY 

Donald, Auldebreak, servant, left in party of five in 1830

Donald, Rhimarscaig, grass keeper to Major Gilchrist, left in 1831 in party of eight

James, Tomich, left in party of four in 1831 – this is followed by remark “turned away for bad neighbourhood"

John, Savel, subtenant to Messrs Atkinson & Marshall, left in party of seven in 1831

MACLEOD 

Hugh, Milnclaren, lived in his brother’s house, left alone in 1831

James, Shiness, tailor, subtenant to Major Gilchrist, left in party of three in 1831

MATHESON 

Angus, Torroboll, labourer, lived in his father’s house, left in party of two in 1831

MUNRO 

Hugh, Savel, lodged with his mother, left in a party of three in 1831

MURRAY 

Hugh, Balnadielson, single, aged 30, left alone for the United States in 1844 aboard the vessel ‘Joseph Hutcheson’

William, Balnadielson, labourer, left alone in 1829

ROSS 

Dolina, age 20, single, travelling with sister Catherine, age 19, daughters of Widow John Ross, left 1844 for Canada from Glasgow

SUTHERLAND 

Mary, Upper Lairg, lived in her brother’s house, left alone in 1831

William, Tomich, labourer, left in party of two in 1830

updated 28/02/2016