Kilmallie place names

[Br1gau]

Can anyone please help?

John Boyd and his family were enumerated at Inchrie, District 506 Inverness shire in 1851.  His wife, who came from Blarmachfoldach, died in 1855 and the Registrar noted that she had lived at Loch Arkaig-side for the past 18 years.  So Inchrie is north of Loch Eil and south of Loch Arkaig, but where exactly?

Other family members lived at Craoitacharra by Blarmachfoldach, District 520 Kilmallie, (Argyll) sometimes spelt Craoitachara, with one reference to Craoitacharra House, but I cannot find any other information apart from the census and BMD certs. 

brigau

[Istrice]

Hi Br1gau,

Blarmachfoldach lies on one of General Wade's military roads approx 3 miles south of Fort William, and inland from the coast.  I would therefore hazard a guess that the Inchree you are looking for is the one approx 1/2mile east of the Corran Ferry at Loch Linnhe, and 1mile due north of Onich.

Like yourself, I have not managed to find "Craoitacharra" on a map, but the 1902 6" OS sheet shows a "Croit a Chaoruinn" to the west of Blarmachfoldach School, adjacent to the River Kiachnish.

Could the Loch Arkaig reference be a red herring?

Regards
Istrice

[Br1gau]

Thank you so much lstrice, I think you’re absolutely right about the herring!

Checking the 1851 census again I found I had mistakenly typed RD 506 instead of RD 520, thus creating extra problems for myself anyway.  Also, the spelling in that particular record is Inchree, although Inchrie in all other cases.

Looking at Croit a Chaoruinn I find “A small thatched dwelling house occupied by the herd on the farm of Blar nan Cleireach. The property of Lochiel, English Meaning: Rowan Croft” which exactly fits the location and occupation for the family I’m looking at
http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/digital-volumes/ordnance-survey-name-books/inverness-shire-os-name-books-1876-1878/inverness-shire-mainland-volume-38/50

 

[Br1gau]

I’m getting confused with this.  Searching for Blarmachfoldach on Scotland’’s Places brings up a 1767 map with the spelling ‘Blermackfuldack’ located to the north of Banavie!
http://www.scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/record/nrs/RHP2494%255/plan-blarmachfoldach-township-inverness-shire/nrs

[Istrice]

Hi Br1gau,

Having looked again at maps (held in the NLS) of both locations, I am convinced that the transcriber has added the wrong Grid Ref for the 1767 township map for whatever reason, and that the location of Blarmachfoldach is south of Fort William.

This would appear to be borne out by work carried out in April this year by the Scottish Land Assessment group ref. (http://las.denisrixson.com/2016/04/mamore-glen-nevis/[/u]]http://las.denisrixson.com/2016/04/mamore-glen-nevis/) which refers to Blarmachfoldach by name, confirms the OS Grid Ref as NN0969, and ownership of the area as being the Duke of Gordon. (The footnote on the site is interesting)

"RHP2494/5" is a catalogue reference for the National Records of Scotland, and if you Google it it will take you directly to the record that relates to the Blarmachfoldach township.  Apparently the estate plan has been digitised, but is not available to view on line.

The road through the glen is on streetview, and can be seen to advantage using the site "Wheresthepath", which gives simultaneous map and satellite views with cursors working in conjunction.

Happy viewing
Istrice

[Br1gau]

What wonderful resources, that's an amazingly thorough blog.  Ouncelands, Davachs, Merklands, I'm on uncharted territory here!  And masses of info available at the NRS.

Had to shorten your URL to http://las.denisrixson.com/2016/04/mamore-glen-nevis/

Thanks again lstrice