Duirinish, Inverness-shire, Scotland Genealogy

Parish #110

History
Duirinish, or more properly Durinish, is by some resolved into two words of Scandinavian origin, signifying the promontory of Deer; but more probably, the name is derived from the Gaelic Dur, which like the Latin Durus, signifies hard or rocky, and Innis, a very common Celtic term, signifying indifferently promontory or island. This parish is, both in conversation and in writing, sometimes designated Kilmuir, a corruption of Cill-Mhuire, namely a place consecrated to the Virgin Mary; but Durinish is the name by which it is generally known.

This parish is bounded on the west by what is called the Minch, the channel which separates Skye from the Outer Hebrides; on the north and north-east, by Loch Grieshernish, or Arnizort, a branch of Loch Snizort (except that a small strip of land to the east of this loch belongs to it); on the south and south-east by Loch Bracadale, and one of its branches called Loch Carroy, and on the east partly by the parish of Snizort, an partly by that of Bracadale.

Tradition speaks of some sanguinary battles fought between the Macleods and the Clann Roannuill or Macdonalds of Uist, who made repeated attempts either to possess themselves of the country, or at least to plunder and ragage it. The fiercest and bloodiest of these balltes was fought at a place called Ardmore.

It is well known that the great bag-pipe, the instrument on which the national music of Scotland was chiefly played for so long a time, and which has still so striking an effect in rousing the martial spirit of the Highlanders, was cultivated with greater success by the Macrimmons, the hereditary pipers of the Macleods, than by any others in the Highlands.

Almost the whole population is engaged more or less in agriculture. There are 1900 acres now n cultivation, and upwards of 3000 which were once cultivated, but are now in pasture Thus there are about 40,000 acres which have always remained waste. There are still some of the caoirich bheaga, or little sheep, that is, the breed of sheep indigenous to the Highlands, kept by the poor people; but they are very worthless compared with the larger kinds introduced from the south. Their wool is fine quality; and their mutton possesses a delicacy of flavor which far surpasses that belonging to the best fed of the larger kinds.

The parochial registers have been very much neglected; there being none extending farther than thirty years back; and sessions-records, it may be mentioned, were not kept with any degree of fullness before the commencement of the year 1840.

This account was written February 1841.

Source: The New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2 vol 14.

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 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:Births were kept in sections with marriages, each district of the parish having a separate register. Marriages: kept in sections with births, each district of the parish having a separate register. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1836–1878 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/877.

Hallin-In-Waternish

Kirk Session Minutes 1849–1900 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/1496.

Duirinish Skye Free Church
History— In December 1843 a catechist was appointed to care for the adherents of the Free Church in this parish. The charge was sanctioned in 1850, and a minister was settled in 1852. Church and manse were erected shortly after the Disruption and were later, altered and renovated. Membership: 1855; 800. 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 list of ministers.

Records— The extent of records is unknown.

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