Places
The early Parish of Killin boundaries were established following the Reformation in the 1500's. It includes Glenlochay to the north. The later boundaries were established following 1889-92.
The parish boundaries of 1840 (red) incorporated portions of the parish of 1930 (black) in Kenmore and Weem parishes.
The regions of Killin:
The area around Killin lies on the west side of Loch Tay and includes the village proper as well as Finlarig and it's castle.
Fionn Làirig - "Fair pass". A large farm with a castle.
1769 Tenants: John Roberston.
TO the west of Tirarthur is the ten-merk land of Finlarig, which has been in the hands of the Glenorchy Campbells for nearly four hundred years. It is bounded on the west by the lands of Craig.
Sir John Drummond, of Stobhall, ancestor of the Earls of Perth, which family acquired other estates in the neighbourhood, held Finlarig at the beginning of the fifteenth century. He was Justiciar of Scotland, and died in 1428. His son, Sir Walter, succeeded him in his possessions. We find sasines of Finlarig and other lands in favour of Sir Malcolm Drummond in 1443, and of Sir John Drummond, his eldest son, in 1464. This Sir John was created Lord Drummond in 1487, by James III. He built Drummond Castle, which became the seat of the family. Sir Duncan Campbell, second laird of Glenorchy, got a charter of the lands of Finlarig, dated 22nd April, 1503. The Drummonds had erected a castle in their time, and it was a desirable stronghold to have. Finlarig henceforth became one of the principal seats of the Campbells, and here they struck terror into the minds of their enemies, and with their heading-stone and gallows tree, administered the last penalty of their law. Several of the persecuted Clan Gregor, among them Duncan Ladassoch and his sons, Gregor and Malcolm Roy, were executed here. Sir Duncan Campbell, who succeeded as seventh laird, in 1583, distinguished himself in many ways. He built seven castles, and one of them was at Finlarig, on the site of the former structure. It cost him ^10,000. In the building he did not neglect to provide dungeons for delinquents, and close by the castle a pit was made, with a heading-block, having a cavity for the reception of the head. Only those of gentle birth suffered death by decapitation. On a neighbouring tree, still flourishing, the common people were hung. It is an oak tree, one of two standing to the north-east of the castle. The branch from which the culprits were suspended was cut down some years ago, and shewed a deep groove caused by the friction of the rope. It is not to be wondered at, that gruesome stories are told in the countryside concerning the doings at Finlarig in the “ good old days,” but in the course of so many generations, through the inventive imagination of the narrators, these have come to be almost as far remote from the truth as the times.
The ruins of the Castle of Finlarig stand on a prominence to the east of a larger one called Dunlochay, and to all appearance had at one time been partly surrounded by a moat. The building is rectangular in shape, having a square tower on the south-west. The main portion runs east and west, and is 55 feet long by 31 feet broad, but the extreme length of the building is 62 feet. On the east, south, and west sides, the walls, now covered with ivy, are standing in fair preservation, and show that the castle was of four storeys. The whole is roofless, and no portion of the woodwork has been preserved. The walls vary in thickness from 3 to 6 feet, which latter is the measurement at the window of one of the dungeons. The kitchen was at the east end of the main building. The fireplace, where the spring of the arch commences, is almost 14 feet in width. At each side are ingle-nook recesses. At the north-east corner of the building there had been a spiral stair, and also one on the west side. Next the kitchen is a small apartment, from which a narrow stair had led to the second storey, where the banqueting-hall had been. The only entrance to the castle left intact is on the south, and above the doorway there is a stone bearing the Royal Arms, and —the initials of James VI. and his Queen. Portions of carved stones have from time to time been turned up around the castle, including rude representations of Sir Duncan Campbell, the founder, and his second wife, Elizabeth, daughter of Henry, Lord Sinclair. There is a tradition in the district that the lime used in the erection of the castle, was brought from somewhere near the Ochill Hills, the immense deposits on Loch Tayside being then unknown. The gardens lay betwixt the castle and Dunlochay, and the pleasure grounds extended to the river Lochay. There are many fine trees at Finlarig, including chestnut, oak, sycamore, and elm, some of them of huge dimensions. The avenue of the last, called, from its straightness, the Cathedral Aisle, is particularly fine. There is a holly tree of great size beside the castle, believed to be several hundred years old.
It was at Finlarig, in the middle of the seventeenth century, that the festivities in connection with the marriage of James Menzies, afterwards of Culdares, to a daughter of Sir Robert Campbell, were being celebrated, when the wedding guests heard of the approach of a party of the Keppoch Macdonalds, headed by Angus Macdonald, the chief of the clan. The latter were returning home after a harrying expedition to the South, and having crossed the Dochart at Ballechroisk, with the cattle they had captured, were proceeding northward along the slope of Stronclachan. One story has it, that they refused to pay the usual tax exacted from such a band when passing through the lands of another chief, but the probability is that they had rendered themselves obnoxious to the Campbells by their repeated inroads on Breadalbane. At 1 The initial “ I ” is now defaced.
At all events, the wedding party sallied forth from Finlarig accompanied by Menzies, who, having served under Gustavus Adolphus, was skilled in fighting tactics. He endeavoured to prevail upon them to take a circuitous route, and come down on the Macdonalds from the top of Stronclachan, but the Campbells, fresh from the festive board, crossed the Lochay and rushed hot-headed up the hill, and encountered the Macdonalds above Margowan. The conflict was fierce and bloody. Of the Macdonalds, the Chief and Mclan of Glencoe both fell, the head of the former being literally severed from his body by Menzies with one blow; while the Campbells had to bewail the loss of eighteen cadets of the house. The second in command of the Macdonalds fled, and lay in hiding for some time at the Black Shealing of Corrycharmaig, ill of his wounds, where he was tended by the wife of one of the tenants of that holding, a Lochaber woman. Her hushand, becoming suspicious of her movements, followed her one day, and, coming on the place of concealment, hastily despatched the Macdonald, who was unable to defend himself. Some years ago the hilt of a sword was turned up at Margowan, doubtlesss a relic of the fatal day.
During troublous times Finlarig Castle was on more than one occasion occupied as a military garrison. Its position made it a coign of vantage, holding, as it did, the pass at that end of Loch Tay, betwixt north and south. In 1689, after the Highlanders were repulsed at Dunkeld by the Cameronians, General Mackay made it one of his military posts, and during the ’45, it was occupied for the last time by the Royal troops, among others, by the Argyllshire Militia, a detachment of which, in the course of their sojourn there, burned the house of Corrycheroch, on the north side of the Forest of Benmore.
The Forest of Benmore had, up to 1744, when it was disposed in feu to John Stewart, been in the hands of James Drummond, Duke of Perth, who took such a leading part in the Rebellion as an adherent of Prince Charlie. He commanded on the left of the front line at Culloden, and after the battle suffered the loss of seven men, who were all shot by Macnab, the tenant of Innishewan farm, who had watched their movements from a hidden place.
Close by the ruins of the castle, on the east side, is the Chapel of Finlarig, the mausoleum of the Breadalbane family. The present edifice was built in 1828 by the first Marquis of Breadalbane on the site of the former and possibly original building, called the Chapel of the Blessed Virgin, which Sir Colin, the third laird of Glenorchy, who died in 1523, built to be “ane burial for himself and his posteritie.” The Black Knight of Rhodes, the founder of the family, is buried at Kilmartin, and Kilmun is the resting place of Sir Duncan, the second laird, who was buried there with the Earl of Argyll, because both were slain at Flodden. In addition to numbers of cadets of the family, of the houses of Lawers, Glenlyon, and Carwhin, fourteen chiefs are buried at Finlarig—four Knights, four Baronets, four Earls, and two Marquises. Above the entrance to the mausoleum, there is a stone bearing in relief the Glenorchy coat-of-arms, and “ D. C. 1588,” probably taken from the castle.
The lands of Finlarig were formerly divided into three portions, namely, the Upper Town, in which was the mill on Allt na Bailc; the Lower Town or Mains of Finlarig; and Ballecruine. There is a portion of the haugh, bordering on the Lochay, and near the junction of that river with the Dochart, which is still called Islandran. On it there is an eminence or plateau several feet above the surrounding ground, which appears to have been encircled by a moat, now almost filled up. We believe that this “ island ” originally formed part of the Kinnell estate, and that it was here the Macnabs of that Ilk had their stronghold for ages escaped, but died on board ship while on his way to France. The third Earl of Breadalbane acquired Benmore in 1754 from John Stewart. The Perth Estates and superiorities were forfeited ; but in 1784 they were restored to the representative of the family, whose descendant, Lord Willoughby de Eresby, is superior of Benmore. The feu-duty payable is £5 11s. 10d. per annum. until the time of the Commonwealth, when we are told their castle of “Eilan Rowan” was burned to the ground. The Chronicle of Fothergill records the death of “ Finlay McNab of Bowayne at Illarayin, and he was buried at Killin, 13 April, 1525.” lslandran has been long under cultivation, and on it there is no vestige of a building to be seen, but there is a number of stones, apparently hewn, on the bank of the Lochay close by, which have been carried thither when the land was tilled, and these are in all probability, the only remains of the ancient fortalice. The small island in Loch Tay, near the east march of Finlarig is called Eilean Puttychan.
Although the lands of Finlarig are wholly in Killin parish, the minister of Kenmore derives stipend from them, as is also the case from Botuarnibeg in Glenlochay, and Sleoch in Macnab Lands. ~Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
Cill Fhinn - "The church of the pool". A large village on the west end of Loch Tay.
TO the south of Easter Kenknock, which is here bounded by Allt Fuileach, are the lands of Killin and Barna-carry, the former of which gave name to the parish. These include the one-merk land of Margowan, the two-and-a-half-merk land of Reinrune and Marginluig, and the two-and-a-half-merk land of Stix and Barnacarry, latterly known as Ballechroisk and Monomore. Reinrune and Marginluig extend from Margowan to Allt Torraidh, and embrace, we believe, what may properly be called Killin, a name now applied to the whole village, although in the Valuation Roll of the County the old names of Ballechroisk and Monomore still appear. The stance of the Killin fairs1 is at Reinrune, beside the parish church. The latter was erected in 1744, and a stone in the north gable bears the following inscription :—
Tho. Clark
THE BUILDER OF THIS Church 1744*
The following is a list of the Killin markets :—
Feille Faolain (St. Fillan’s market), third Tuesday of January.
Feille Seorais (St. George’s market), 5th May.
An Fhaithir bheag (the Little market), 12th May.
Feille bheag na samhna (Hallow little market), Friday before first Wednesday of November.
Feille Martain Chillin (Killin St. Martin’s market), Tuesday before nth November.
The site of the former church is pointed out a little to the westward, near to Tom-na-croich (the hanging hill), and beside a stone under which the Ossianic hero, Fingal, is said to be buried. Close by there is a mound called Tomnangill, where, from time to time, Courts of the Bailiary of Discher and Toyer were held on delinquents at this end of Loch Tay. An inn has existed where Streethouse stands for a long period, and in 1748, when Heritable Jurisdiction in Scotland was abolished, it became the seat of Justice. In that year a Sheriff Court was instituted, and Duncan Campbell, of Glenure, was appointed first Sheriff-Substitute at Killin. The act for disarming the Highlands and restraining the use of the Highland garb, had undoubtedly much to do with this step. In 1764, J. Campbell, of Lochdochart, became Sheriff, and continued till 1770, when the office was discontinued. The prison of Killin was also at Streethouse, and during recent improvements there, one of the dungeons was discovered, and converted into a cellar.
The manse and glebe of Killin lie at the foot of Stronclachan, facing the river Lochay. The old Parochial school and schoolmaster’s house, a substantial building erected in 1797, stands by itself on the Ballechroisk crofts. Killin at one time had three mills—a wauk mill, a lint mill, and a corn mill. This last was in addition to Millmore, which belonged to the lairds of Macnab, who also owned, on the north side of the Dochart, several houses, and a small portion of land east of Monomore, besides two crofts marching with Craignavie. In Monomore, where there was a change-house, the croft-lands were divided into four possessions, called Croftnamaish, Croftintobair, Croftcroy, and the Officer’s Croft. We are inclined to believe that the first-named is the holding which was originally called Dewar-na-mais croft, and which had been in the possession of a family of Dewars, the keepers of a relic of St. Fillan or his Church, in the shape of a vessel of some kind. The crofts in Ballechroisk had also distinctive names, mostly betokening the crafts of the possessors.
The lands of Killin had been granted to the Carthusian Monastery or Charterhouse, which was founded at Perth in 1429, by James I. and his Queen, being the first of the order in Scotland. Besides Killin, the Carthusians owned other lands in Glendochart, and also a part of Ardtalnaig. In 1488, we find the Prior granting to Donald McCause (McTavish)1 a croft of land in Killin, “with the houses and garden, and pasturage of four cows and two horses, with power to bake, brew, and sell flesh, and to buy and sell within the Lordship of Glendochart, according to the assize of the country, paying yearly to the Parish Church of Killin, three pounds of wax in honour of the blessed Virgin and St. Fillan, and all Saints, and for the increase of St. Fillan’s lights before his image, one pound whereof at the Feast of St. Fillan in summer, and another at the Feast of St. Fillan in winter.” In 1506, a croft was granted by charter, in similar terms, to Finlay Macnab. In 1561, a contract was signed at Islandran, between Sir Colin Campbell, of Glenorchy, and Duncan Campbell, of Lix, and Ewen, son of the latter, wherein Sir Colin bound himself to defend them in possession of the lands they held of the Charterhouse. In 1573, Duncan Campbell, of Lix, infefted Sir Colin in liferent, and his son, Duncan in fee, in the one-merk land of the Clachan of Killin,2 lying at the Port of Islandran. ~Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
"Large moss". A farm and cottages adjacent and part of Killin village.
"The end of the rock". A farm east of Killin village.
Acha Mór - "The large field". A farm and lodge east of Killin village.
THE ten-merk land of Auchmore lies on the south side (plfs) of Loch Tay, to the east of Macnab Lands. It was acquired by the Glenorchy Campbells first in tack and afterwards in feu from the Menzieses of Weem. The Earls of Athole held it prior to the latter family.
The greater part of the property formed until recently a detached part of the parish of Weem. It is now in Kenmore parish, and is divided from Killin parish by the burn of Auchmore. The small strip of land, which lies between this burn and Macnab Lands, was formerly called Wester Auchmore. At the northern end of Wester Auchmore close to the ford at the junction of the rivers Dochart and Lochay, was Reindow, which gave name to the fishings at this end of Loch Tay.
Auchmore, including Auch and the mill of the property, was wadsetted early in the last century to John Campbell of Achallader, Chamberlain of Breadalbane. The house of Auchmore, which was occupied by him, was at that time a dwelling of meagre dimensions. In 1806, considerable additions were made to it, and it was subsequently occupied by the son of the fourth Earl of Breadalbane. The handsome structure, which occupies the site of the old house, was built by the present Marquis of Breadalbane in 1872. It is in the Italian style of architecture, and was erected at a cost of £70,000.
At Firbush Point there are traces of an intrenchment, the remains of an ancient castramentation, regarding which there is nothing known. ~Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
Craig neamhaidh - "Sacred or heavenly rock". A farm on the northide of the River Dochart.
TO the west of Killin is the twenty-shilling land of Craignavie, which, in 1573, Ewen Campbell, of Lix, was infefted in by Sir Colin Campbell, of Glenorchy. In 1643, It belonged to another Ewen or Hew Campbell, but it afterwards passed into the hands of the Drummonds, of Perth. James Drummond, Duke of Perth, granted it in feu, 17th August, 1745, to John Macnabj of that Ilk. It remained in the possession of the Macnabs till early in this century, when it was sold to Dr. Daniel Dewar. It changed hands two or three times before it was added to the Breadalbane property. ~Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
"Pointed Island". A farm south of Killin village.
The glen runs east from Badamhaim at it's head to the Bridge of Lochay.
A farm at the crossing of River Lochay west of Finlarig.
Cean a knoc - "End of the knoll". Farms on the south bank of River Lochay west of Finlarig.
IN the west side of the river Lochay is the two-merk land of Easter Kenknock, formerly in a detached portion of the parish of Weem, and now in Killin Parish. It extends to 196 acres, and belonged to the Menzieses of Weem, before the Glenorchy Campbells purchased it. The Campbells of Edramucky held it for some time in feu and afterwards in wadset. ~Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
Mhor lag - "Big yard or enclosure or hollow". A farm on the northside of the River Lochay.
Mor lanachd - "Plain of the west land or big yards". A farm on the southside of the River Lochay.
A farm on the southside of the River Lochay west of Moirlanich.
Mor lagan - "Big hollow". A farm on the southside of the River Lochay.
"Big little hollow". A farm on the southside of the River Lochay.
Dub crosg - "The hill of the crossing". Farms on the northside of River Lochay.
Coire charmaig - "St. Cormac's or Carmac's corrie". A farm on the southside of River Lochay.
Teray - "A man's name?". A farm on the northside of River Lochay just west of Duncroisk.
Tulach - "Hillock". A farm on the northside of River Lochay.
Dail Ghaordaidh - "Haugh of the smithy". A farm on the northside of River Lochay.
"Lofty meadow". A farm on the southside of River Lochay west of Dalgirdy.
A farm on the northside of River Lochay across from Innischoarach.
Cean a knoc - "End of the knoll". A farm on the northside of River Lochay.
"Bracken meadow". A farm on the northside of River Lochay.
A farm on the southside of River Lochay.
"Hangman's hillock". A farm on the northside of River Lochay.
A farm on the southside of River Lochay.
A farm on the northside of River Lochay west of Tomochrocher.
The glen stretches northeast from Loch Dochart at it's head right up to the village of Killin proper.
Ard na gall - "Abode of strangers". A farm west of Acharn on the north side of River Dochart.
Ach a chairn - "Field of the cairn". A farm on the southside of the River Dochart.
Leachd - "Flaggy lands". Farms on the southside of River Dochart southwest of Acharn.
THE neighbouring estate of Lix, a nine-merk land, lying on the south side of the Dochart, and comprising Wester, Middle, and Easter Lix, was owned by the same lairds, who had Craignavie in 1573 and 1643. Like the latter, it was acquired by the Drummonds, and in 1745, it belonged to Lord John Drummond, the only brother of the Duke of Perth. He fought at Culloden, where he was slightly wounded. He escaped to France, and died there in 1747. Lix—which was forfeited and annexed to the Crown—was afterwards acquired by John, third Earl of Breadalbane, from the Commissioners of the annexed estates, in excambion for certain lands in Strathearn. ~Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
Leachd - "Flaggy lands". Farms on the southside of River Dochart southwest of Acharn.
Leachd - "Flaggy lands". Farms on the southside of River Dochart southwest of Acharn.
Both Mheadhain - "The mid town". Farms on the northside of River Dochart across from Lix.
TO the west of Lix lies a portion of the old patrimony of the Macnabs, of Macnab.
It is now over seventy years since Archibald Macnab, the last undoubted chief and laird of that Ilk, quitted Glendochart, with a number of his clan, to seek his fortune in another land. His inheritance consisted mostly of his uncle’s debts; and having been offered a considerable tract of country in Canada, on condition of his peopling it within a given period, he was induced to sever his connection with the glen where his ancestors had held sway for so many generations.
His predecessor, Francis Macnab, the well-known laird, had impoverished the estates beyond hope of recovery. A list of his debts made up in 1812, four years previous to his death, shewed his liabilities at nearly thirty-five thousand pounds—an enormous sum considering the times. There was scarcely a farmer on Loch Tayside to whom he was not indebted, and one of his largest creditors was John, fourth Earl of Breadalbane. He died on 25th May, 1816, in his 82nd year.
Archibald Macnab emigrated in 1821, but it was not till seven years later that the remnant of the family patrimony was disposed of by decree of the Court of Session. The estates then consisted of Macnab Lands, Bovain, and Wester Ardnagaul, and were acquired by the Earl of Breadalbane, who entered on possession at Whitsunday, 1828. There were also disposed of at the same time Macnab’s superiorities over Ewer (including Auchessan), Suie, Craignavie and Arrifinlay. The lands of Ewer had previously been sold to Mr. Edward Place, of Loch-dochart, Suie to Mr. Colin Macnab, and Craignavie to Dr. Daniel Dewar, and all were held under Macnab, the first at a blench duty of one penny Scots, and the second and third at one shilling and four shillings respectively per annum. Bovain (including Craitchur), Ewer, and Auchessan, were originally ward lands, but were latterly held blench of the Crown by Macnab for the payment of a pair of gloves.
The Macnabs traditionally claimed descent from an Abbot of Glendochart, the name itself signifying son of the Abbot, but so far as we are aware there is no trace of a monastic establishment there. As early as the time of David I., mention is made of the Macnabs, but nothing much is known of them till about two centuries later, when they joined Macdougall, of Lorn, and fought against Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Dalree in Strathfillan, in 1306, and afterwards at Bannockburn. For this they were deprived of most of their lands, and their homes were swept with fire and sword. A considerable portion of Glendochart is said to have belonged to them, but they were left with little more than the lands of Bovain.
Gilbert Macnab, the founder of the family of that Ilk, got a charter of his lands under the Great Seal in 1336. He was succeeded by his son, Finlay. Patrick, the third laird, was in 1464, confirmed in the “ Ferbaloschip ” of Auchlyne, by the Prior of the Charterhouse at Perth—an office which he and some of his predecessors seem to have enjoyed, and ten years later we find the Prior readily granting him a new charter of the lands of Auchlyne upon the representation that he had lost his old titles. One of the witnesses to this document—which was dated at Perth, ist October, 1474—was a Mr. Patrick Scott, Rector of Ardewnan, i.e., Ardeonaig, on Loch Tayside. Patrick died at Auchlyne in 1488, having the year previous granted to his son, Finlay, his lands in Glendochart, by charter signed at Killin, and witnessed, among others, by Sir Duncan Campbell, of Glenorchy, and Sir John Murray, Prior of Strathfillan. This was afterwards confirmed by James III. at Edinburgh, on 21st March, 1487. Finlay, the fourth laird, also got from James IV. the lands of Ewer and Leiragan in 1503; and from the Prior of the Charterhouse, he got the grant of a croft in Killin. Finlay seems to have been the favourite Christian name of the family, for we find the next three lairds so named. Mariot Campbell, widow of Finlay Macnab, fifth laird, got the liferent of the lands of Ewer and Leiragan, which at her death, in 1526, went to her second son, John, in terms of a charter in his favour. It was during the time of the sixth laird that Sir Colin Campbell, of Glenorchy is said to have “conquessit the superioritie of McNab his haill landis.” He also acquired the properties of Auchlyne—afterwards given to a younger son of the house, from whom descended the Campbells, of Auchlyne—Easter Ardchyle and Downich, as well as Bovain, as appears from a charter by Finlay Macnab, dated 24th November, 1552, and confirmed by Mary Queen of Scots, 27th June, 1553. The seventh laird had twelve sons, at whose hands is laid the almost utter extermination of the Neishes at Loch Earn, an incident commemorated on the coat-of-arms of the house. Their motto, Timor omnis abesto, is said to have originated then. John, the eldest of the sons—“smooth John,” as he was called—succeeded as eighth laird, and married a daughter of Campbell, of Glenlyon. He attached himself to the cause of Charles the Martyr, and in 1645 he joined Montrose, along with his followers, and took part in the Battle of Kilsyth.
He held the Castle of Kincardine against General Lesley, until provisions failing, he endeavoured to escape under cover of night, but had the misfortune to be captured along with one of his men. The rest of the garrison, numbering about 300, got clear away. He was brought to Edinburgh, and there condemned to death, but on the eve of the day of execution, he contrived to escape. He fell fighting at the Battle of Worcester in 1651. During the Commonwealth his lands were pillaged and his Castle of Islandran destroyed by fire. The former were seized by Campbell, of Glenorchy, to recompense himself for the ravages which he represented were made upon his property by Macnab. The lands were, however, restored to the family in 1661, on the supplication of the widow and Alexander, the ninth laird then a youth of fourteen years; and in all probability Bovain was redeemed at that time. Alexander married Elizabeth, sister of Sir Alexander Menzies, Baronet of Weem, by whom he had a son, Robert, the tenth laird.1 Robert married Anne, sister of the first Earl of Breadalbane, and had several children. He was survived by his wife, who died at Lochdochart, 6th September, 1765, and by two sons, John and Archibald. Both served in the Black Watch. John was taken prisoner at Prestonpans, on 21st September, 1745, and was confined in Doune Castle till the Rebellion was over. Most of the clan, however, took the field for Prince Charlie, and fought at Culloden with the Duke of Perth’s men. Archibald became a Lieutenant-General, and died at Edinburgh in 1791. John married Jean, the only sister of Francis Buchanan, of Arnprior, by whom he had Francis, the twelfth laird, and Robert. Mrs. Macnab died at Kinnell, on 20th April, 1789, and at her death the forfeited estate of Arnprior, restored but a short time previously, came into the family. Francis Macnab was Lieutenant-Colonel of the Royal Breadal-bane Volunteers, and there was one alive till within a few years ago who had a vivid recollection of seeing him riding up and down in front of that regiment, when it was paraded in Kenmore Park, and exhorting the men to fight for their king and country if need be, in Gaelic of anything but a choice description. He was an extraordinary character, and kept up the feudal customs of a Highland chief. He was never married, and was succeeded by Archibald, his nephew, the son of Dr. Robert Macnab in Bovain.
[The following incident in connection with this laird is mentioned in the MS. of Breadalbane traditions, before referred to:—“A robber from the north having brought a creach from Strathearn was met with at the south end of the bridge of Dochart, by the then laird of McNab, who was married to one of the seven daughters of Sir John Campbell, of Glenurchay, and who was grandfather to the late Francis McNab, of McNab, and he having refused the robber and his party access thro’ his land, the robber drew his sword and attacked McNab, who, tho’ very stout, was obliged to retire, whereupon Donul Mandach McNab, then in Sleich of Kinnell, stood in his chiefs place, and obliged the robber to deliver up his sword. The people of that neighbourhood having convened, the robber and his strong party were obliged to give up the creach, which was returned to the owners.]
After remaining in Canada a number of years, Archibald returned to Scotland in 1853, and on 12th August, i860, at the age of 83 years, he died at Lannion, Cotes du Nord, France, where he was buried. He left a widow, who died at Florence in 1868, and one daughter, the sole survivor of a family of eight children.
The six-merk land of Kinauldzie, Kinald, or Kinnell, and the two-merk land of Acharn, are known as Macnab Lands. The former includes, on the south side of the river Dochart, in addition to the land attached to Kinnell House—the old seat of the chiefs—the farm and grazings of Sleoch, and the possessions at Clachaig House and Gray Street. On the north side of the Dochart, the Macnabs had also possessions, comprehending the houses and ground beside the present Post-Office, Millmore, houses and land there, and the “ Miller’s and Baker’s ” crofts, marching with Craignavie, with rights on the commonty of Monomore. The islands in the Dochart, Garbh Innis, and Innis Bhuidhe, also formed part of their lands. In the latter is the old burying-ground of the Macnabs. A walled enclosure keeps sacred the spot where the chiefs and their kinsfolk lie, outside of which the retainers and clansmen were buried.1 There is a belief in the district that Innis Bhuidhe still belongs to the clan, but such is not the case; neither have they even a right of burial there, for the island, with its dead, was sold without any reservation of the kind whatever. Although the whole of the lands lie in the parish of Killin, a small teind duty is exigible from Sleoch to the minister of Kenmore.
Within the two-merk land of Acharn there is a triangular piece of land of about eighty acres in extent which does not form part of Macnab Lands, but which has been merged in the farm of Acharn. This is the separate and distinct property of Croitendeor, or Dewar’s Croft, which, prior to 1755, belonged to a family of that name, who had the hereditary keeping of the crozier of St. Fillan. They also possessed Euich and Craigwokin, near Killin. Sir Colin Campbell, sixth laird of Glenorchy, purchased these lands in 1575, but the Dewars still remained as tenants in Glendochart down to the last century. A fifth part of Acharn hill grazing belonged to Croitendeor. Amidst other lands which belonged to the Macnabs, there were crofts of the Dewars. Within the ten-merk land of Auchlyne, which includes Wester Ardchyle, now called Liangarstan, there was Dewarnafergus croft, and in the twenty-shilling land of Suie was Dewarvernans croft.
‘At the west end of Innis Bhuidhe, to which access is got from the bridge of Dochart, are two pillars of masonry standing apart, parallel to which a structure, having three archways, extends the breadth of the island. Close to the burying-ground, on the west side is an entrenchment, also extending across the island, having the remains of a stone and lime wall on the east side. Within the walled enclosure there are four gravestones, three flat and one upright. On one of the former there is a recumbent figure in armour rudely cut, and beneath this stone many of the chiefs are said to be buried. On the left, another stone has round the margin (t)his bvriel (appertai)nes to fin(l)ay MAKNAB OF BAVAIN. The letters here given within parentheses are not now decipherable. The third is supposed to mark the grave of Elizabeth Menzies, wife of Alexander, ninth laird of Macnab. The upright stone bears the following inscription :—“ Sacred to the memory of Colin Macnab, Esq., late of Suie, who died 6th April, 1832, aged 69 years. This humble tribute of affection is erected by his brother, Allan Macnab, Ardeonaig.” On the back of the stone are his coat-of-arms, helmet, crest, and motto, with the date 1834. On the outside of the west wall is a memorial tablet:—“ In Memory of a man, an honour to his name, Lieut. Allan McNab, 92nd Regt., who, after serving his country in Holland, Portugal, and Spain, at last on the Field of Almeida, gloriously fell; 5 May, 1811. This stone has been erected by his affectionate cousin, Archibald McNab.” Of the stones in the general place of interment only two bear inscriptions. ~Lairds and Lands of Loch Tayside
Aird Choille - "High Wood". Farms and mill on the southside of River Dochart.
"The flax enclosure". Farm on the southside of River Dochart southwest of Ardchyle.
Farm and crofts on the northside of River Dochart across from Ardchyle.
Auch na linni - "Field of meadows". Farms and crofts on the northside of River Dochart across from Ardchyle.
Farm on the northside of River Dochart across from Auchteangan.
Farms on the southside of River Dochart southwest of Ardchyle.
Leathad charrie - "Slope of paved ford". Farms on the southside of River Dochart adjacent to Auchteangan.
Leathad charrie - "Upper Slope of paved ford". Farm southeast above Ledchary.
Eadar da - "Between two fields". Farm south above Auchteangan.
"St. Eonan's island or holm". A farm on the northside of River Dochart.
Suidh - "Seat". Farm and sheepfold on the southside of River Dochart across from Innishewan.
Train Station and Hotel on either side of Suie.
Farm on the southside of River Dochart west of Innishewan.
Farm on the northside of River Dochart west of Innishewan.
Farm on the southside of River Dochart southwest of Creagriarein.
"Field of the little waterfall". Farm on the northside of River Dochart east of Loch Dochart.
"Loch of the rough water". Lodge on the east side of Loch Lubhair.
Ben mhor - "Big mountain". Farms immediately east of Loch Dochart.
Port an eilein - "Port of the island". Farms and croft adjavent to Benmore.
Farms north across the River Dochart from Benmore.
Farms north across the River Dochart from Benmore.
In the parish of Killin - the strath stretches west from Inverardan to Clifton. Originally a distinct parish, it was united with Killin at the time of the Reformation.
Inbhir ard t-sroin - "Confluence of the high point". Farms southwest of Loch Dochart.
Crìochan Laraich - Farms with hotel and station northwest of Inverardran.
"Confluence of the murmoring stream". Farms on the northside of River Fillan northwest of Inverardran.
Farms on the southside of River Fillan across from Inverhaggernie.
Eigheach - "Shouting". Farms on the southside of River Fillan northwest of Inverhaggernie.
Farms on the southside of River Fillan northwest of Euich.
Na Sraithibh - Farms/Village on the northside of River Fillan.
Auch an riabhach - "Speckled field". Farms on the southside of River Fillan across from the Kirkton.
Uachdar tir - "Upper land". Farms/Village on the northwest of the Kirkton.
Taigh an Druim - "House on ridge". Farms/Village on the northwest of Auchtertyre.
Village north of Tyndrum.
The glen proper stretches southwest from Coiletter not far from Inverardan to Inverarnan at Glenfalloch House.
Caol leth tir - "Narrow half land". Farm at the head of Glen Falloch.
Caol leth tir beg - "Little Narrow half land". Farm southwest of Coiletter.
Doire darach - "Oak grove". Farm southwest of Coiletterbeg.
Croit Eonan - "Croft of Eonian". Farm adjacent to Derrydaroch.
Farm southwest and adjacent to Derrydaroch.
Croit dhubh - "Black croft". Farm southwest of Derrydaroch.
Farm southwest of Derrydaroch.
Dail Fionn gleann - "Haugh of the fair glen". Farm southwest of Derrydaroch.
Gleann Falaich - Farms on the westside of the River Falloch.
Farm on the eastside of the River Falloch across from Glenfalloch.
Farms/estate on the westside of the River Falloch.
Farm on the eastside of the River Falloch across from Glenfalloch House.
Farms and hotel on the eastside of the River Falloch south of Glenfalloch House.