Laggan, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy

Laggan # 104

History
The name is supposed to be derived from the Gaelic word lag, signifying a small round hollow plain or dimple. Laggain or Laggun is the plural of the word Lag; Laggan is also the diminutive of the same term.

A stranger entering the parish from the south or east, would be apt to conclude that he is approaching a wild region of barren and heath-covered mountains, unfitted by nature for the habitation of man. The eye sees nothing, but “Hills peep o’er hills, and Alps o’er Alps arise”.

There are four heritors in the parish namely, James Evan Baillie, Esq. of Kingussie; Ewen Macpherson, Esq. of Cluny Macpherson; Major Macpherson of Glentruim; and John Walker, Esq. of Crawfordtown and Lochtreig. Mr. Baillie is the principle heritor.

There is a tradition that, in ancient times, the Kings of Scotland would often come, upon hunting excursions, to the side of Lochlaggan, and that one, if not more, of the Kings Fergus was buried there. The place is still called Ardveirge, or the Aird (height) of Fergus.

The common breed of sheep in this parish is the black-faced. This kind is supposed to be more hardy, and to stand the winter better, than the Cheviot stock. Black cattle are also reared.

The first entry of baptism in the register is dated 1775; and the first marriage, five years later. The register has not been always very regularly kept; and the burials have not been recorded.

The church is situated in the centre of the population. It is seven miles east from the old church, and about the same distance from the eastern extremity of the parish. It was built in 1785, and is now very much out of repair. The church may hold about 600 sitters, and all the seats are free.

This account was written February 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.” Note: Prefixed to the regular record, which begins in 1775, are five pages containing entries of families recorded together, generally preceded by the entry of the parents' marriage. The dates of these entries range between 1778 and 1854. Marriages: One entry each for 1779 and 1786. There are only four entries December 1808–April 1813. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Poor's Accounts 1775–1827 Minutes 1816–1819, 1834 - one entry Collections 1779–1793, 1836–1840 Uvie Mortification 1783–1797, 1820–1828, 24 July, 1731 Census of Parish Population 1821 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/394.

Laggan Free Church
History— Almost all the people at Laggan adhered to the Free Church in 1843. They were organised as a congregation under the minister of Kingussie–a former minister of Laggan. Church and manse were forthwith erected. The charge was sanctioned in 1845. The school erected was the gift, which also helped considerably in the church and manse scheme. It suffered from the decline of the population. Membership: 1848, 51; 1900, 34. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843-1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 Vols. pub. 1914 Film #918572 Source also contains a list of ministers. Records— Extent of records is unknown.

Laggan Catholic Church
History— This congregation was also known as Badenoch. Until the late 18th century, the area was served from Lochaber and it is thought that most of the Catholics of Badenoch came from that area. For at least the years 1816–1824, the priest here was also responsible for Glengarry, Glenmoriston, and Stratherrick. This congregation was combined with Kingussie from 1932 and the Laggan church was closed in 1950. Source: Catholic Missions and Registers, 1700–1880 Scotland, by Michael Gandy, pub. 1993. FHL book 942 K24gm, vol. 6.

Records— Baptisms from 1828 Marriages from 1845 Confirmations from 1846 Deaths from 1845 Note: Records are in the hands of the Kingussie parish priest. For more information, contact: Catholic Church Diocese of Argyll and the Isles Kingussie PH21 Scotland Tel: 011-44-1540-661322