Kingussie & Insh, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy

Kingussie &amp; Insh, #102

History
Kingussie is derived from a Celtic term meaning, “Head of the Fir Wood” which in turn was descriptive of the site of the parish church. The parish is among the highest in elevation and most inland parish in Scotland. Kingussie is the central parish in the district of Badenoch.

The nearest market town for the parish is Inverness, at a distance of 46 miles. There are two villages in the parish, Kingussie and Ruthven.

The author and a celebrated translator, James Macpherson was a native of this parish. Lt/General John MacIntyre and Sir John McLean distinguished themselves in the service of their country are also of this parish.

The original landowners of the whole Badenoch District was the Comyns, an influential family that came from England.

The parish has very limited agricultural activity and is mostly pastoral with sheep being the prominent livestock venture.

The earliest census referenced in the volume notes that in 1811 the populations count was 1,981. The census in 1833 resulted in a count of 1,633 individuals. It should be noted that the District of Insh was separated from Kingussie for the 1833 census and resulted in a drop in the count.

The parochial registers prior to 1724 were burnt, but the existing records are noted as voluminous and regularly preserved. No other records for the parish were noted in the details for this parish.

The parish church was built in 1792 and accommodates 600 to 700 persons with an average attendance upwards of 200. There were no dissenting chapels in the parish, except for a Baptist Meeting House. A few Baptists live in the parish and one Roman Catholic family.

This account was written February 1835.

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 available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: There are no entries September 1728–March 1730, October 1737–June 1746, February 1756–April 1757, and December 1769–May 1771. Three pages of irregular entries for 1798–1807 are entered after October 1807. The next regular entry is dated January 1808, after which the record is kept with more care. Marriages: There are no entries December 1737–August 1746; one entry for 1757 and from December 1769–March 1776 there are four entries. There are only two entries September 1799–July 1802. Deaths: There are no entries June 1784–February 1808 and May 1809–October 1846. Total number of entries for 1783–1854 is 25. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b. Note:The New Statistical Account of Scotland for Kingussie for 1835 states that the earlier parochial registers prior to 1724 were burnt.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes and Accounts 1782–1810 Minutes 1838–1844 Accounts 1812–1845 Discipline Matters 1825–1842 Male Heads of Families 1834–1836 Poors Rolls 1811–1844 Poors Fund Donations and Minutes 1834–1839 Ordination of Elders 1829–1836 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1419.

Kingussie and Newtonmore Free Church
History— The minister of Kingussie, and a considerable congregation "came out" in 1843. A church was built in 1844. A manse was purchased in 1850. A new church was erected in 1877. In 1884 a new manse was gifted. The influx of summer visitors in later years to Kingussie and Newtonmore greatly helped the congregation. Membership: 1848, 108; 1900, 89. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 Vols. pub. 1914 Film #918572 Source may contain additional information including a list of ministers.

Records— Extent of records is unknown.

Return to Inverness-shire parish list.