You guys are so good at this!! It is taking me forever to even replicate what you've found online - let alone research further. I did find the record of a Murdoch Morrison's marriage to a Christian MacKay in Sandwood in 1781. I did not, however, find any of their children's records. How did you do that? (I'm sorry, I'm trying to learn!!)
So *if* Murdoch Morrison is "my" Murdoch Morrison, and he has all/most of his children in Eilean Choraidh (one of which would have to be Norman, born in 1790) it would mean that by the time that Norman was 23 he had made it to the Gairloch/Applecross area and married Isabella. It doesn't seem impossible. He was a 'merchant' so maybe economically it made more sense as a young man?
Ultimately, I'd need to find record of Murdoch and Christian having a son named Norman born in the range of 1790. Any advice on how to do this would be much appreciated. Another way in, would be to find the marriage record of Isabella and Norman because most seem to list the bride and groom's parents' names. Haven't had any luck in this myself.
Side note: I find this "naming" interesting because William (grandson to potential "Murdoch") names HIS eldest son "Murdo" rather than his father's name, Norman. Murdo was my Nana's grandfather whom she has early memories of - born in Gairloch but he became a very popular kilt maker in Edinburgh, after service for the army, and did most of the officer's uniforms stationed there. Never thought anything of the name but now wonder if it's connected.