Contin, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Contin # 60

History
The name of this parish is not easily determined, and there are various opinions concerning it. It is supposed to be derived from the Gaelic words Con-tuinn meaning the meeting of the waves or waters, with reference to the branches of the river Rasay. It is bounded on the west by Gairloch and Lochcarron; on the south by Kilmorack and Urray; on the east by Urray and Fodderty; and on the north by Lochbroom.

Dingwall, which is seven miles away, is the nearest market town, none of the villages in the parish are large enough to support a market.

A man of importance who has resided in the parish is Enaes (Angus) Morison, the last Episcopal minister of Contin. Many interesting anecdotes are still related about him illustrative of his wit and benevolence. This excellent man suffered very harsh treatment for refusing to conform to presbytery. He was rudely rejected from his own church and forced to flee.

The number of landowners is 11, only one of whom a Sir George Mackenzie now resides in the parish. Several farms are stocked both with Cheviot and black-faced sheep; and those reared on some grazings fetch the highest prices at the market place.

The population at the time of the 1755 census was 1949. According to the last Statistical Account in 1792, the population stood at 2000, and by the 1831 census it was 2023.

With the exception of an old mutilated fragment, and one very imperfect register, there is no public record of any kind earlier than 1805. Marriages and births were not regularly entered until 1826, but have since been kept regularly.

The church of Contin has always stood where it is now, on the minister’s glebe, within two miles of the eastern extremity of the parish. At what point the church was erected is not known; but the ancient appearance of the fabric, several niches in the wall, and the immense number of human bones found strewed within, afford a strong presumption that it was built in Popish times. There can be not doubt that it was used for divine service while Episcopacy flourished in Scotland. For nearly thirty years, there has been an itinerating catechist on the establishment of the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge. The people being warmly attached to the Established Church, there is no chapel, or dissenting meeting-house of any kind in the parish.

This account was written in September 1837.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 14.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library under “Databases on the Network.” Births:In duplicate up to 1816. The records are very irregular and incomplete prior to 1812. Marriages: There is only one entry 1805 between January 1798–July 1809. There are no entries November 1811–January 1814. Source:Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1826–1827, 1874–1955 Minutes and Accounts 1793–1873 List of Poor 1828–1845 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/658.

Contin and Fodderty Free Church
History— The minister of Fodderty "came out" at the Disruption; the minister of Contin did not, but the bulk of his congregation united with that of Fodderty under Mr. Noble as Contin and Fodderty Free Church congregation. A site was granted on the Seaforth estate, at the point where the parishes of Contin, Fodderty, and Urray meet, convenient for the combined congregation. The church and manse were erected here. In 1861, the church was replaced by a more modern structure. A schoolhouse was attached to the original church. The Fodderty section of the congregation was disjoined in 1889 on the erection of a new charge at Streathpeffer. Membership: 1855, 700; 1900, 79. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Strathconan and Garve Free Church
History— The minister of Strathconan Parliamentary Church "came out" in 1843. The charge was maintained as a preaching station until in 1873 it was sanctioned as part of the united charge of Strathconan and Strathgarve. When separated the following year from Strathgarve, it retained its full status. In 1875 Mr. Arthur Balfour, late Prime Minister, who was proprietor of Strathconan, built the manse. There is no record of when the first church was built; the second being erected in 1892. The population of the district decreased greatly. Membership: 1876, 96; 1900, 8. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

Strathgarve or Garve Free Church
History— The minister of Kinlochluichart Parliamentary Church "came out" in 1843. The charge was maintained as a preaching station until 1873 when it was sanctioned as part of the united charge of Strathconan and Strathgarve. The following year it was separated and resumed its status as a station. The Assembly sanctioned the charge in 1877. The original meeting house was erected about 1843. One end was partitioned off and used as a school. A new church was built in 1899. Membership: 1881, 240; 900, 18. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 vols. pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.