Kiltearn, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Kiltearn # 70

HIstory
Kiltearn derives its name from two Gaelic words, Kiell Tighearn, the burying ground of the laird, and the principle family in the district, the Munroes of Fowlis, had their burying-ground at Chanonry, until 1588. The parish is situated about in the middle of the county, on the north shore of the Cromarty Firth.

There are no market towns in the parish; and the nearest is Dingwall, six miles away. There is one village, called Evantown, containing about 100 houses, and a population of about 500 people.

Tradition relates, that when Malcolm II., divided out the lands of the country to those families who had assisted him in extirpating the Danes, the country between the burgh of Dingwall and the waters of Alness was assigned to Donald Munro, and from that circumstance received the name of Feridonuil, or Donald’s land. From Donald Munro is lineally descended the present Sir Hugh Munro, Bart., who is the twenty-ninth baron of Fowlis, and proprietor of about two-thirds of the lands of the parish. Besides the Fowlis family, there have been several individuals, of considerable eminence in various departments, connected with the parish. One Donald Munro, minister of Kiltearn, was a contemporary with Buchanan. The ministers of the parish, as far back as is known, were Messrs T. Hogg, J. Gordon, Hugh Campbell, William Stuart, Andrew Robertson, George Watson, Harry Robertson, D. D.

The land-owners of the parish are these five; Sir Hugh Munro of Fowlis; H. A. J. Munro of Novar; Captain E. B. Fraser of Balcony; Simon Mackenzie of Mountgerald; and Duncan Davidson of Tullock; all of them, except Captain Fraser, do not have residence in the parish.

The population of the parish did not vary too much; 1791 shows 1616 people; 1811 there were 1552; and in 1831 there were 1605 people living in the parish.

The number of acres in the parish, which are either cultivated or occasionally in tillage, is estimated to be about 3000. The most common crops raised are, wheat, barley, oats, and some peas. The common breed of sheep in the parish is the black-faced or aboriginal sheep of the country, and sometimes crosses from them.

The church is situated on the coast, near the south-east end of the parish, and is about twenty miles from the north-west boundaries. This situation is particularly inconvenient for the attendance of the people. The present church was built in 1791, and is a neat and very commodious building, quite sufficient for the accommodation of the people. It contains 78 pews, 786 feet in length, which, at the rate of eighteen inches for each sitter, would give room for 524. More than 700, however, can find room with comfort, is necessary. There are no rents for the seats, and there are some exclusively devoted to the use of the poor. There is one chapel connected with the United Secession in the village of Evantown. The chapel can contain 400; but about 10 attend regularly; and of these only two or three families are really Seceders.

This account was written August 1839.

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: There are no entries September 1704–November 1723, June 1727–June 1744, except one in 1729, August 1749–April 1750, February–June 1751, and April–August 1756. Records are incomplete 1770–1783. Marriages: There are no entries March 1717–June 1721, December 1727–November 1744, May 1751–December 1752, and February 1760–March 1762. There are only two entries for 1780. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Records— FHL Film Number Extracts from the Session Book 1697–1705 0477621 item 3 Other: Minutes 1697–1713, 1717, 1722–1728, 1770–1797, 1817–1846 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/569.

Kiltearn Free Church
History— The minister of the parish, with almost his entire congregation "came out" at the Disruption. The church and manse were thereafter erected. Membership: 1848, 40; 1900, 89. 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.