Lochs, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Lochs # 87  Insular

History
The parish of Lochs gets its name from the numerous arms of the sea, by which it is intersected, and the many fresh water lakes that intersperse its surface. The parish of Lochs is bounded on the south by an arm of the sea called Loch Seaforth, which separates it from Harris; on the south-west and west, by the hills of Harris and the parish of Uig, in a line which runs along the interior of the island, a distance of ten miles, over a very moorish tract of ground; and on the north, by the parish of Stornoway and the river Creed, which falls into Stornoway; and on the east, by the channel which separates the island of Lewis from the mainland of Ross-shire.

There is no post or market-town in the parish of Lochs; the nearest to it is Stornoway, which is eleven miles from the church of Lochs. The inhabitants of the parish of Lochs reside in detached villages, having a population varying from 40 families downwards. Most of these villages or farms are lotted in different divisions, each tenant having his house on his own lots, and contracting with his landlord separately for his yearly rent.

The sole land-owner of this parish, and all the Island of Lewis, is James Alexander Stewart M;Kenzie, Esq. M.P., who succeeded to the estate, on his marriage to the Honourable Lady Hood M’Kenzie, widow of the late Admiral Sir Samuel Hood, and eldest daughter of the late Lord Seaforth.

There are no lands in the parish of Lochs that can properly be called arable. The plough is not used at all. The people rear their crops on small detached spots, and cultivate the ground with spades. The notorious implement of Scottish Highland husbandry, “the crooked spade,” is used in this parish. There is not a sufficient food produced in the parish to support its inhabitants. The soil, but more especially the climate, is not favorable for agriculture.

The population of this parish in 1801 was 1875 persons, and by 1831 count, it was 3067.

No parish registers were kept in this parish at any time, as far as is known, until July 1831. The parish church is situated on a small peninsula, on the farm of Keose. Its situation is in the center; but the arms of the sea, by which the parish is intersected, render a regular attendance on divine service impracticable during the winter. Public worship is well attended, excepting when the violence of the weather detains such of the parishioners as must have recourse to boating, in coming to church. There is a part of the parish situated on the north-west side of the island, between the parishes of Uig and Barvas, a distance of eighteen miles from the parish church of Lochs, where the minister of Lochs in bound to preach once every three months. There is not a Government church, nor any place of public worship in the parish of Lochs, excepting the parish church. There is not a single dissenter from the Established Church in any part of the Lewis Islands.

This account was written in 1833.

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: No records were kept prior to 1831. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
The extent of records is unknown.

Lochs Free Church
History— Robert Finlayson, minister of the parish "came out" in 1843, with his congregation following him. The church and manse were soon erected. The situation was unsuitable for many of the parishioners because the moors and arms of the sea made access difficult for them. Later a new church was erected at a more convenient site. The majority of the congregation declined to enter the Union in 1900. Membership: 1855, 700; 1900, 643. 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— The extent of records is unknown.

Carloway Free Church
History— With few exceptions, the people on the north side of the Isle of Lewis adhered to the Free Church in 1843. Before the Disruption, Carloway formed part of the congregation of Lochs, 30 miles away. In 1844, on petition from the residents, the charge of Carloway and Callernish was sanctioned. It continued, however, in charge of a catechist until 1858. The population of Carloway, Callernish, and Shawbost, numbered about 3000. In 1846 a church was erected on a central site at Knock, Carloway, the people contributing sand and stones for the building. A manse was built in 1859. In 1884 a new church was built on the old site, with the people again contributing sand and stones. Some families at Breasclet joined the Free Presbyterians in 1892. The majority of the congregation did not enter the Union in 1900. Membership: 1859, 550; 1900, 860. 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, including ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.