Dunnet, Caithness, Scotland Genealogy

Dunnet # 36

History
The name Dunnet is apparently derived from the Gaelic Dun, signifying hill. The names of many places in the parish are, however, of Danish extraction, as Ratter, Syster, Reaster, Sunnigoe, Ashigoe, Getterigoe, etc. It is bounded on the north and north-east, by the Pentland Firth; on the east and south-east, by the parishes of Canisbay and Bower; on the south, by Bower and Olrig; and on the south-west and west, by Olrig and Dunnet bay.

Thurso and Wick are the market-towns. There is nothing that can be called a village in the parish.

An interesting note of history concerning this parish, is the following inscription that occurs on a grave-stone in the church yard that states: “Here lies Margaret Wallace, daughter of William Wallace, who was murdered by Alexander Calder, son of Alexander Calder, in Dunnet, because he could not have her in marriage; August 29, in the year of God 1635.” There is still a tradition that the murder was committed on a Sunday morning, and that the murderer, by fleeing to Orkney, escaped punishment.

The land-owners of the parish are; James Traill, Esq. of Ratter; William Sinclair, Esq. of Freswick; and the Kirk-session.

The population of the parish in 1801 was counted as having 1366 persons, and by 1831, the count was 1906 persons. The great disproportion of males and females in the beginning of this century was caused by the number of young men who had gone to the army and navy, or some other seafaring line; and the great increase of population in 1821, (1862 people) was produced chiefly by about 300 Highlanders from Assynth and Strathnaver, who had been removed from their possessions by the introduction of sheep farming, and they came to this parish.

The agriculture produce in the parish consists of oats and bear, hay, turnips, and potatoes.

The parish church is inconveniently situated being nearly at the western extremity of the parish, and a distance of seven miles from the most easterly point. The great bulk of the population are within four miles of the church. The building is an ancient one, and was repaired in 1837, and capable of containing 700 sitters. There are a few Dissenters in the parish, Burghers, Anabaptists, and Methodists, not exceeding 40 of all these persuasions.

There has not been a register of deaths or burials kept in the parish. Many of those whose forefathers resided in the neighboring parishes have been buried with them, and many from the neighboring parishes have, for a similar reason, been buried here.

This account was written October 1840.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 15.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There is only one entry October 1784-August 1785. The entries are irregular at the period between 1768 and 1852; there is a page of irregular entries for 1774-1803 at March 1800. Marriages: The regular record commences September 1806, but there is a page containing nine irregular entries from 1797-1814. No entries exist between 1807-December 1814. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
There are no known pre-1855 records.

Dunnet Free Church
History— Services for followers of the Free Church were provided soon after the Disruption in 1843, and the charge was sanctioned in August 1843. Many families who were seafarers later moved to larger seaports with the advent of steam power, and the population in Dunnet began to decline. Membership: 1855, 330 including adherents; 1900, 90. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843-1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details are given in the source.

Records— Baptisms 1843-1897 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH3/913.

Scarfskerry Baptist Church
History— Although a congregation was not formed until about 1816, Baptists had been in this area since the 17th century. They first met on the estate of the 12th Earl of Caithness but later were forced to meet at various locations until 1868 when a pastor was installed and a small stone chapel was built. Source: History of the Baptists in Scotland, by Rev. George Yuille, pub. 1926; FHL book 941 K2hi. Source includes lists of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown. For information write to: The Baptist Union of Scotland 12 Aytoun Road Glasgow G41 5RT Scotland

Return to Caithness parish list.