Uig, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Uig, Ross &amp; Cromarty, Scotland (# 89) (Insular)

History
The word Uig is applied to many situations in the Highlands, and signifies a solitary place. It is applicable to this parish because it is situated on the west coast of the Island of Lewis. It is bounded by the Harris mountains on the south; by the Atlantic Ocean on the west; and on the north by a district of the parish of Lochs, which runs across the island from east to west. The bay of Uig is the only notable bay in the parish; it is one English mile in width. Gallan-head is the most prominent point on the coast. There are twelve islands within the bounds of the parish, exclusive of the Flannel Isles, of which there are seven, four are inhabited; the other islands are peculiarly adapted for pasturing sheep and black-cattle. The Flannel Islands are about fifteen miles from the mainland of the parish and are supposed to have been the residence of ecclesiastics in the time of the Druids.

Stornoway is the market-town of the Lewis, and is thirty miles from the manse of Uig. It is also the only place of a post-office in the whole island. All the people dwell in little farm villages, and in several of them are from 40 to 50 families.

James Alexander Stewart M’Kenzie, Esq. of Seaforth, is the sole land-owner of this parish.

Black cattle, sheep and horses, all of the small Highland breed, have been the kinds reared in this parish, from time immemorial; but recently Cheviot and black-faced sheep have been introduced into the parish with success.

Parochial registers have been kept in this parish only since 1826, and they are marriage and birth records.

The parish church is situated in the most convenient and center part of the parish, but those living north and north-east coasts of Loch Roag, are thirteen miles from the church. The church was built in 1829, and affords accommodations from 1000 sitters. There is one catechist in the parish, appointed and principally supported by the Society for Propagating Christian Knowledge, the communicants is 60. There is not a mission or a Government church in the parish, and there are no dissenters of any description with the bounds of the parish.

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 before 1824. 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.

Uig Free Church
History— The minister of the parish, and his congregation, "came out" at the Disruption. The church and manse were built in 1844–1845. Membership: 1855, 700; 1900, 693. 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.