Kilmuir, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy

Kilmuir, Inverness-shire, Scotland (#112)

Kilmuir is the most northern parish in the island of Skye. The name signifies the “Church of Mary”, and is derived from the Gaelic words Cill, a chapel, or burying-ground, and Muire, Mary. The parish originally consisted of a variety of Cills, [chapels] which were dedicated to their respective tutelary saints, such as Kileana, Kilmartin, Kilmorie, Kildorais, Kilmalaugh, Kilvaxter, Kilbride, to each of which was attached a portion or district of the parish. These cills are now in ruins.

The original inhabitants of this and the surrounding isles, were a mixture of the ancient Caledonians or Picts, and the Albanaich, or first settlers, in what is now known as the kingdom of Scotland. The language of the inhabitants is purely Celtic.

The Highland breed of cattle is universally reared, as are some sheep. In 1736 the population of the parish was 1230. In 1791 it was 2060, and in 1837 it was 4011.

In this and other parishes of the Hebrides the names of hamlets, hills, bays, and promontories are of Scandinavian origin, due to the area having been conquered by Vikings in very early times. There are the ruins of several Danish forts within the parish. There is also the ruins of the castle of Duntlum, the ancient residence of the family of Macdonald, the most famous of whom was Flora MacDonald, the young maid who helped to conduct the unfortunate Bonnie Prince Charlie to safety, disguised as a maid-servant.

Kilmuir was formerly famous for its pipers; but they are now extinct. The leading performers and teachers of this ancient and martial music were the MacArthurs. A little green hill in close vicinity to Piengowen, called Cnoc-phail, was the general rendezvous of the MacArthurs and their pupils. To the top of this hill they went daily to practice their tunes. (Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, dated 1840; FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 14.)

Established Church—Old Parochial Registers
Years Covered    FHL Film Number  Births: 1823–1854           0990671 item 2 Marriages: 1823–1854     0990671 item 2 Deaths: No entries

Condition of Original Registers— No entries prior to 1823. If there were any registers previous to that date, they were either lost or destroyed. No further notes. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1851–1923 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/867.

Nonconformist Church Records
Kilmuir and Staffin Free Church

History— The people who formed the Free Church congregation here were the fruit of a revival movement, which began at Kilmuir about 1812. They separated from the Established Church and ultimately in a body joined the Free Church. For about twenty years after the Disruption services were held for them by probationers and catechists. Church and manse were erected, and a minister was settled in Kilmuir 1864. The people of Eastside had to worship on the hillside until 1875, when a church was erected there. The population of this purely crofting parish numbered over 2000, the great body of them adhering to the Free Church. Membership: 1866, 500; 1900, 165. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1943–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., 2 Vols. Pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including a list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.