Halfdavoch, Avoch

[wulliam]

Hi All,

I wonder whether anyone knows where Halfdavoch is or was? I have tried all the modern maps I can find and there is no mention of it. Googling turns up a few references but no indications of where it was.

I have a family of Frasers from there and would like to know more!
Kind regards,
William

[hume]

Not sure if this is the same place but:

http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/310055

[wulliam]

Many thanks for your reply - but I'm afraid it's too far east to be in the parish of Avoch.

Thanks again!
Kind regards,
William

[hume]

Many thanks for your reply - but I'm afraid it's too far east to be in the parish of Avoch.

I thought so.  Sorry.

[Chortlegirl]

Hi William

I've got a book called "The placenames of Ross and Cromarty" by WJ Watson. He doesn't list a Halfdavoch in Avoch parish, but there is an entry for a place called LETTOCH in the neighbouring parish of Killearnan.

Watson says that Lettoch was originally called the Gaelic name Leith-dabhach (meaning the Half Davach - a Davach was a measure of land), but the name evolved several times over the centuries (in 1527 it was Westir and Estir Haldach, in 1580 lands of Haldacht, in 1611 Haddoch etc).

I've looked at an old map and Lettoch is just to west of North Kessock - could this be the place you're looking for?

Best wishes
Lynn

[wulliam]

I've got a book called "The placenames of Ross and Cromarty" by WJ Watson. He doesn't list a Halfdavoch in Avoch parish, but there is an entry for a place called LETTOCH in the neighbouring parish of Killearnan.

Watson says that Lettoch was originally called the Gaelic name Leith-dabhach (meaning the Half Davach - a Davach was a measure of land), but the name evolved several times over the centuries (in 1527 it was Westir and Estir Haldach, in 1580 lands of Haldacht, in 1611 Haddoch etc).

I've looked at an old map and Lettoch is just to west of North Kessock - could this be the place you're looking for?

Hi Lynn,

this looks very promising indeed - I have also seen a place called Wester Davoch. Thankyou for your time - I shall investigate further and may well get back to you!

Thanks again!
Kind regards,
William

[orangelugs]

Hello William

What a coincidence. I was asking the same question of a lady in Avoch yesterday, as I'd seen this "location" mentioned in some records.  She's pretty well-up on local history, but was not aware of any such place near Avoch.  She thought it probably referrred to a holding (land measure) in Avoch parish.  She believed there were many such holdings or 'crofts' around Crosshill Farm for example, just west of the village.

I'd be interested to know if you find out anything further.

Roddie

[wulliam]

Hi Roddie,
thanks for your interest! Crosshill is the very farm where many of my ancestors lived in the late 1700s and early 1800s. But Halfdavoch does seem to be used as a specific placename....

20 Jan 1776, Collin More in Crosshill had a child baptised and named John
Feb 1777, Colin More in Crosshill had a child baptised and named Alexander.
17 May 1779, Colin More in Crosshill had a child baptised and named Christian
25 Jul 1781, Colin More in Crosshill had a child baptised and named Colin

27 Aug 1791, Margaret Fraser was baptised to parents Donald Fraser (tenant at Halfdavoch) and Isabel Mackenzie

5 Jan 1816, Colin More (tenant) married Margaret Fraser daur of late Donald Fraser, tenant, Halfdavoch. Future residence: Crosshill

Kind regards,
William

[rjmbell]

I have just found out that there were actually two places called Lettoch. Both are on the Beauly Firth the same distance away from Redcastle, Killearnan, but on either side of it (east and west). The western one is (or was) a farm just outside Beauly, Kilmorack, but close to Windhill, Urray, whereas the eastern one is near North Kessock. It seems we have to be very careful of this type of place name duplication in that part of the world. The western Lettoch (Halfdavoch) can be seen on the Lovat Estate map on the right-hand side of the page called 'A Plan of that Part of the Annexed Estate of Lovat lying in the Parish of Kilmorack' at https://maps.nls.uk/view/188105992. The western place called Lettoch can be seen on the map at https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/4040307. I hope this helps a little with the search.