Saddell and Skipness, Argyl, Scotland

Parish #531

History
Saddell disjoined from the parish of Killean and Skipness from Kilcalmonell, and were erected into a United Parish in 1753. Somerled was buried here after his defeat against Malcolm IV in 1158. The major land owners were: Captain Walter Campbell of Skipness; Mr. Lauchlain Macniel Campbell of Kinlarbert; and Mr. Richard Campbell of Achnabeck. The land was primarily used for Salmon Fisheries and potatoes. The population in 1792 was 1431. The population in 1841 was 1798. Of late years the registers were kept with great accuracy but formerly were much neglected. There are two church buildings in the parich. This account was written in 1843.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland (FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol.7) 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 Records—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index on computer at the Family History Library and family history centers. Some records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index. Births: Saddell South Division: no entries exist for 1761, and the record is incomplete 1772–1773. Mothers' names are not recorded. Skipness: three irregular entries occur 1771–1780 and 1783 on flyleaf. Ten similar entries appear 1808–1828, one family, after July 1800. Mothers' names are recorded. Marriages: Skipness South Division: proclamations are recorded and appear to be regularly kept. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Skipness Minutes and Accounts 1783–1833 Note: Available at the Scottish National Archives, Edinburgh, record CH2/632.

Carradale and Skipness Free Church
History— Several families in the parish of Saddell and Skipness formed the nucleus of a congregation in 1843. A year later a minister was appointed to preach at Skipness and Kilberry. After Kilberry was sanctioned, separate services were begun for Skipness and Carradale in 1863. Church and manse were built at Carradale in 1887 and the church at Skipness in 1892. Comparative failure of the fishing industry worked against the development of the congregation. Membership: 1891, 71; 1900, 104. 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— No known pre-1855 records exist.

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