Lairg, Sutherland, Scotland Genealogy

Parish # 53

History
This parish seems to take its name from the Gaelic word “Loeg,” signifying a “footpath”. It is an inland parish, distant from the sea about twenty miles; it is bounded on the north by the parish of Farr; on the west by Assynth and Eddrachillis; on the south by Criech; and on the east by Rogart.

There is no market-town in the parish, nor any nearer than Dornoch, which is a distance of about twenty miles.

This parish does not appear in remote times to have produced any men of great eminence. In the absence of such, one individual is noteworthy to mention; Rev. John Mackay, a man of superior birth and education, who in 1714 was translated to Lairg from his native parish of Durness on the west coast. The Rev. Mackay had a knowledge of theology, acquired at the Universities of Utrecht and Edinburgh, and an enlightened zeal for the propagation of the gospel, he had a robust bodily frame, and corresponding vigor of mind. Rev. Mackay found this parish in a rude uncivilized state, owing among other causes, to the lingering remains of popish superstition, and ignorance, and to the want of a resident ministry for several years. As the new minister of the parish, Rev. Mackay proceeded vigorously to the work of reforming the people of the parish. He died in 1753, and was succeeded by his son, the Rev. Thomas Mackay, who labored fifty years in the parish with great success.

The land-owners in the parish are the Duchess of Sutherland; Munro of Poyntzfield; and Rose of Achany.

The population is 1801 was 1209 people, and in 1831, it was 1945. The present population in 1834, is about 1100. What the ancient state of the population was it not know, but about thirty years ago, it was far greater that at the present time. A system commenced in this country about 1807, where the proprietors were convinced that these grounds could be more profitably laid out in sheep-walks, than in raising cattle. The interior was let to sheep-farmers, and the tenants were removed either to the coast, or to those parts of the country that was more susceptible for cultivation. Lairg being an inland parish, this circumstance accounts for the great decrease in population.

There is a parochial register regularly kept, but the earliest entry is dated only in 1768.

The parochial church, though distant about twenty miles from the western extremity of the parish, is exceedingly well situated for the convenience of the people, as with few exceptions they all reside in the neighborhood. It accommodates about 500 people, and no seat-rents are paid.

This account was written November 1834.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book b4sa, series 2, vol. 15.

Also available online at http://edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot/. Browse the scanned pages under ‘For non-subscribers,’ then search for the parish report.

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: Registers were regularly kept. Marriages: There are only five entries from 1786–1789 inclusive and no entries 1789–1796 and 1808. Deaths: There are only two entries for 1817–1828 and one page of deaths after 1819. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
No pre–1955 records.

Lairg Free Church
History— The aged minister of Lairg "came out" in 1843, but, owing to the attitude of the Duke of Sutherland, was obliged to leave the district. The Presbytery in this emergency ordained his son as missionary minister. The latter was translated to Nairn in 1845 and a colleague was appointed. A site was ultimately secured and the church and manse erected. Membership: 1855, 300; 1900, 47. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records—  The extent of records is unknown.

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