Farmstead locations in Kilcalmonell and Killean, Argyll

[shelloid]

Hello,

I am coming to Scotland this year to explore my roots.  Looking at census records, death indices and cemetery records, I have ancestors who farmed at Auchnafad, Kilcalmonell (Duncan McMillan and Ann Ferguson) and at Laigh Gortanafaull, which I assume is Killean (Donald McKinnon and Mary Stewart).

The McKinnon headstone at Killean Cemetery reads:

Erected in memory of Donald McKinnon, late farmer at Laigh Gortanafaull who departed this life on the 23rd September 1810 aged 79 years by Margaret Stewart his widow and William.

The McMillan headstone, also at Killean Cemetery reads:

Gravestone states: Duncan McMillan late farmer Auchnafad, died 9th Nov 1882 aged 86 years. Ann Ferguson his wife died 6th Oct 1879

I'd really like to do a drive-by when I come, but the locations of the farmsteads evade me.  Would anyone have a suggestion as to where to look for them?  Simply googleing isn't cutting it.  But I don't know where else to start looking.

Thanks heaps,

Shelley

[shelloid]

Hello again,

I should note that I have come across this link, to do with an arson case at Auchnafad:

http://catalogue.nrscotland.gov.uk/nrsonlinecatalogue/details.aspx?reference=RHP140525&

So police records may be an avenue.

Thanks.

[Forfarian]

These places may no longer exist, or their names may have been changed or even spelled differently. Google maps are not much use for individual houses or crofts, and no use at all for lost or ruined ones.

Have you tried the historic maps at https://maps.nls.uk/?

Or https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/about ?

I am slightly confused by your mention of Kilcalmonell - if both gravestones are in Killean kirkyard, how does Kilcalmonell come into it?

[Forfarian]

I've got Achnafad - spelled Auchinafaud on the first edition of the Ordnance Survey map.

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=17&lat=55.7021&lon=-5.6203&layers=5&right=BingHyb

See also http://www.geograph.org.uk/gridref/nr725513

[shelloid]

These places may no longer exist, or their names may have been changed or even spelled differently. Google maps are not much use for individual houses or crofts, and no use at all for lost or ruined ones.

Have you tried the historic maps at https://maps.nls.uk/?

Or https://scotlandsplaces.gov.uk/about ?

I am slightly confused by your mention of Kilcalmonell - if both gravestones are in Killean kirkyard, how does Kilcalmonell come into it?

Hi there,  Thanks for your speedy reply.  Duncan McMillan was at Auchinafaud which in the parish of Kilcalmonell if I refer to my ancestor's results in the 1861 census.  But yes, he was buried at Killean, not Kilcalmonell.

Thanks for the ordinance map!  I see there are ordinance books in Scotlands Places.  I'll take a look there too.

[Forfarian]

It's Ordnance, not Ordinance, if you need to look for it online. This is because the Ordnance Survey was originally set up for military purposes.

[Istrice]

Gortanufauls is shown on the George Langlands 1801 map of Argyllshire (https://maps.nls.uk/joins/581.html), and also on the Roy map of the Highlands 1747-1752 (https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=15&lat=55.6698&lon=-5.6460&layers=3&right=BingHyb)

The site is approx 2miles N. of Tayinloan, and to the east of the main road north.

Three buildings are shown at the location on this plan.  Gortinane still exists and can be seen on Google maps.  A second house, just to the south and west of Gortinane, also exists, and this may, due to the lie of the land, be the Laigh Gortanafaull you refer to.  No trace of a third building now remains.

The attached section of map may be of assistance.  Good Luck, and enjoy your stay in Scotland.

Istrice

[goldie61]

"due to the lie of the land" in IStrice's post - as in 'Laigh' meaning 'low' -
Need meaning 3 on here
https://dsl.ac.uk/entry/snd/laich_adj_adv_n1_v1

(as I see you don't live in Scotland    )

[shelloid]

Gortanufauls is shown on the George Langlands 1801 map of Argyllshire (https://maps.nls.uk/joins/581.html), and also on the Roy map of the Highlands 1747-1752 (https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=15&lat=55.6698&lon=-5.6460&layers=3&right=BingHyb)

The site is approx 2miles N. of Tayinloan, and to the east of the main road north.

Three buildings are shown at the location on this plan.  Gortinane still exists and can be seen on Google maps.  A second house, just to the south and west of Gortinane, also exists, and this may, due to the lie of the land, be the Laigh Gortanafaull you refer to.  No trace of a third building now remains.

The attached section of map may be of assistance.  Good Luck, and enjoy your stay in Scotland.

Istrice

Thanks, so much, Istrice, this has knocked this one one the head!  Appreciate it greatly.