Urquhart & Glenmoriston, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #107

History
Urquhart and Glenmoriston are united parishes and have had but one minister since the suppression of Popery. The parish church is situated at Kilmore. Castle Urquhart is the only indicator of ancient times and was one of a chain of fortresses from Inverness to Inverlochy. It is noted that a siege of Urquhart Castle was in 1303. The castle was a royal fort or garrison through the fourteenth century. In 1509 King James IV granted three charters of Lordship of Urquhart and Glenmoriston to John Grant of Freuchie and his two sons.

There are no towns in the district but several hamlets in Glen Urquhart. The principal hamlet being Milntown with about 150 inhabitants, all the other hamlets had in all about 115 inhabitants.

The parish is described as exquisitely beautiful, more varied in mountain, hill, dale, lake and stream than any other in the highlands.

The heritors of the lands of the parish are, Sir Lewis Alexander Grant of Grant; James Murray Grant, of Glenmoriston; Patrick Grant, of Lakefield; and Thomas Ogilvie of Corrymony; All of whom have residences on their estates.

The parish is more varied in terrain than any other in the highlands, being about 30 miles long and in general from eight to twelve miles broad along the northern bank of Loch Ness. The farming effort in the parish produced crops of wheat, grasses, barley, oats, potatoes, and turnips. Also, meadow hay in natural wet pastures. Cattle are maintained in the low grounds and 20,000 to 21,000 sheep are supported in the hills of the parish.

The population in the parish of Urquhart in 1811 was 1, 944 and Glenmoriston 689. The population of Urquhart in 1831 was 2,383 and Glenmoriston 559.

There is no reference as to registers for the parish.

The parish church was built in 1630 and by 1835 was in a state of dilapidation, there is a second meeting house six miles up the glen and other missionary stations in the parish. There are no Dissenting or Seceding chapels in the parish. There were 55 individuals of the Roman Catholic persuasion in Glenmoriston. It was noted that the people are regular in their attendance on divine ordinances with 108 individuals on the roll.

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

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 on the International Genealogica Index. Births: Urquhart: there are no entries September 1757–August 1771; one entry for May 1774–October 1777; one for December 1780–October 1783; two 1823 and 1841, recorded at September 1817. Nine entries, 1831–1849, recorded on flyleaf of register of marriages. Record prior to 1771 is a copy. At January 1791 in the original record are irregular entries 1795–1834, one of them being a marriage for 1823. Glenmoriston is a separate record and there are only three entries prior to January 1788. Marriages: Urquhart: there are no entries September 1758–September 1771; June 1774–October 1783 and August 1791–December 1799. Record is a copy however the original is extant September 1771–June 1774, October 1784–August 1791, and from December 1799 downwards. Pages 53-58 of the original are mutilated. Glenmoriston has no notations. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1812–1925 Accounts 1827–1841 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/434.

Glenurquhart Free Church
History— The congregation here came out in 1843. The Church and manse were built in 1844–1846. The first minister was settled in December 1844. The resident population steadily decreased but in later years the number of summer visitors greatly increased. Membership: 1855, 1000; 1900, 83. 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 list of ministers.

Records— Minutes 1845–1900 Deacons Court Minutes and Accounts 1845–1900 Note: Available at Free Church Offices, Edinburgh.

Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston Free Church
History— To Mr. Lauder of Glengarry the only missionary in the extensive district of Glenmoriston who adhered to the Free Church in 1843, was entrusted the work of organising the Free Church congregation. A site was granted at Fort Augustus by the proprietor of Albertarn where church and manse were erected. The charge was sanctioned in 1844. Services were held alternately at Fort Augustus and Glenmoriston. 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.

Records— No known pre-1855 records.

Glenmoriston Catholic Church
History— In 1783 this area was being served jointly with Kintail, Dornie and Abertarff, but there are no early records. A congregation was formed here in 1841 but the priest moved to Stratherrick in 1861. See also Laggan parish.

Records— Baptisms 1854–1930 Marriages 1856–1931 Confirmations 1855–1966 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record RH21/32.

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