Lochbroom, Ross and Cromarty, Scotland

Parish # 75

History
The parish of Lochbroom derives its name from a fresh water lake surrounded by high hills, and known by the very characteristic appellation of Lock-a’ Bhraoin, or the Lake of Showers; Braon, or Braom, in Gaelic, signifying a shower, or drizzle of rain. The parish is bounded on the west by the channel called the Minsh, which separates the island of Lewis from the mainland of Scotland. It has the parish of Assint on the north; the parishes of Kincardine and Contin on the east; and the parish of Gairloch on the south.

There is no market-town in the parish, nor any nearer than Dingwall, about forty-five miles from Ullapool.

Of the ancient history of this parish very little is known, there being no printed or manuscript accounts of it in existence, yet there have been men of genius and talents connected with it. Norman M’Leod, (alias Tormaid Ba’n) the author of the well know song of Caberfeidh, was a native of this parish, and father of the late minister of Rogart in Sutherland, and of Professor M’Leod, late Regent of the University of Glasgow. Murdoch M’Leod, (alias Murcha M’Iain ‘Ic Uillam) is another poet of great merit who was a native of this parish. The Rev. James Robertson, from the district of Athole, was born about the year 1701 was also a native of the parish. The landed proprietors of the parish are, the Hon. Mrs. Hay M’Kenzie of Cromertie; Mr. Davidson of Tulloch; Mr. M’Kenzie of Dundonnell; Sir George M’Kenzie of Coul; and Captain Fraser of Balnain.

The population in 1755 was 2211 and at the census of 1831, had increased to 4615.

There are no parochial registers within the parish, further back than 1808. There is one Government church in the parish, situated in the village of Ullapool; but no chapel of ease nor any missionaries. There is no Seceding, nor Episcopalian, nor Roman Catholic, nor dissenting chapel of any denomination, in the parish. All the parishioners are of the Established Presbyterian church, and firmly attached to it doctrines, discipline, and government.

This account was written May 1835.

Source: 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. Note: Records were kept regularly and no records were kept previously. 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.

Lochbroom Free Church
History— The minister of Lochbroom, adhered to the Free Church but died shortly after the Disruption in 1843. The church and manse were built in the village of Ullapool. A church was erected in 1854 for the Coigach section of the congregation, and another at little Lochbroom. In 1893 a number seceded from the congregation to join the Free Presbyterians. A diminishing population made it difficult to maintain the strength of the congregation. Membership:1855, 422; 1900, 126. 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.

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