Friday 26 February 2016

Clyne, Sutherland
























Welcome to our Clyne pages

Information here for those researching their roots or folks who just love Clyne. 

So many kind people helped with these pages I offer a huge thank you to Bill O'Brien, Malcolm Bangor-Jones, Morag Sutherland, Grant Forsyth and numerous others.  

Use the links below to view and also on the side bar you will find a map of Clyne and information on all the different parishes of Sutherland, Scotland.

Enjoy

History of the Village of Brora 

Clyne Burial Grounds are included in Burial Grounds of Sutherland


1849 Tenants in Brora area of Clyne (Stone & Clay)

Clyne Photographs, people and places, sent in by visitors

If you find any links not working please private message me via our Facebook page and it will be corrected.  Thanks.

Sunday 21 February 2016

Clyne Burial Grounds


Clyne parish contains four burial grounds

Ascoile, Clyne Kirkton, Sciberscross & Brora 




All have been photographed by us.  View details on our Burial Grounds of Sutherland page.

Saturday 20 February 2016

Trades people in Brora, Clyne in 1837

Pigot & Co., Trade Directory - All in Brora unless otherwise stated

Academies & Schools

David SUTHERLAND, master, Parochial School, Brora
Thomas ROSS, Doll

Blacksmiths

Alexander GRANT

Boot & Shoe Makers

William GUNN
John MATHESON

Carpenters & Wrights

James ANDERSON
James FORD
George SUTHERLAND

Distillers

Andrew ROSS, Clynelish

Fleshers (Butchers)

Alexander BANNERMAN

Grocers & Drapers

Adam MACKAY
Hugh MATHESON
John MELVILLE
James SUTHERLAND

Saddlers

Robert ROSS

Tailors

Angus SUTHERLAND

Vintners

Alexander GRANT
John MELVILLE
James SUTHERLAND (Sutherland Arms)

Miscellaneous


William BRUCE, ground officer
Robert Henry GRANT, surgeon

Emigration from Clyne


Emigrant lists drawn up by the Sutherland Estate management list emigrants from parishes in the east of Sutherland during a period of intense emigration. Included here are those who emigrated to Canada in 1829, 1830, 1831, 1841, 1842, 1844, 1847. It should not be assumed that these lists provide a complete record of all emigrants from this part of Sutherland in this period. The lists are contained in the Sutherland Papers in the National Library of Scotland and appear by permission of the Countess of Sutherland. Adapted here from the original transcriptions by Malcolm Bangor-Jones.
Some lists indicate that the people left for America but most went to Canada.

As always I have shown all Mc and Mac names as Mac.

The following people left from Clyne parish – under surname each person is shown by Christian name, place of residence, tenant, servant, etc followed by number in party who left and when. 
ANDERSON
Donald, Brora, cabinet maker – only himself, left 1830
John, Carrol, servant – only himself, left 1830

BAILLIE
Donald, Achrimsdale, tenant – only himself, left 1829
John, Brora North Muir, a lotter – five in party, left 1829 – earlier version of this list stated Achrimsdale

BANNERMAN
John, Brora North Muir, resided in his father’s house – seven in party, left 1830
John, Brora, weaver – 8 people in party, left May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £15 for which he signed

BRUCE
Donald, Brora North Muir, resided in his father’s house – two in party, left 1830

FERGUSON
Kirsty, East Clyne, widow of Will Sutherland, said to have left alone in May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £5 but as she did not claim this nor sign for it doubtful if she left
Robert, Brora, servant – only himself, left 1830

FINLAY
See Tailor

FRASER
Jean, Achrimsdale, lived in her father’s house – only herself, left 1829

GILCHRIST
Donald, Achrimsdale, tenant – two in party, left 1829 – although Donald is shown in the tenant column a remark next to it shows the word ‘labourer’

GORDON 
John, age 17, single, Clynelish, travelled alone to Upper Canada aboard the vessel ‘Joseph Green’, received assistance of £1 from Dunrobin Management

GRAHAM
Alexander, Doll, lotter – seven in party, left 1830

GUNN 
Alexander, Brora East Muir, lotter, five in party, left 1830

LESLIE
Colin, age 36, single, son of Widow Leslie of Dalchallum, travelled alone to Upper Canada on the vessel ‘Glasgow’ in 1844

MACDONALD
Alexander, East Brora, quarrier who lodged with his mother – seven in party, left 1831
Robert, Clyne Milton, a servant – only himself in party, left 1829

MACKAY
Alexander, Brora East Muir, a lotter – only himself, left 1829
Robert, Brora North Muir, lotter – four in party, left 1830

MACKENZIE
George, Brora, blacksmith – four in party, left 1829 – an earlier version of this list stated Achrimsdale
William, Brora, blacksmith – only himself, left 1829 – an earlier version of this list stated Doll

MACLEOD
Alexander, Doll, lotter – five in party, left 1830
Alexander, Doll, an orphan, he left alone in May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £1.10shillings for which he signed with his mark
George, Brora, a collier – only himself, left 1829
James, Doll, lotter – six in party, left 1829
John, Clynemilton, labourer, lodged with his mother, two in party, left 1831
William, Doll, resided with his father – only himself, left 1829

MATHESON
John, Brora, four in party, left May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £5 for which he signed

MUNRO
John, Clynelish, servant – nine in party, left 1830

MURRAY
Angus, Brora East Muir, “a blacksmith, too many of them at Brora” – eleven in party, left 1831
Benjamin, Achrimsdale, labourer, lodged with lotters – himself only, left 1831

ROSS
David, Brora, lotter – five in party, left 1830
Margaret, widow, Clynemilton – accompanied by her family, left 1831

STEWART
Alexander, Brora, cabinet maker – only himself, left 1830
Francis, Brora, lotter – two in party, left 1830

SUTHERLAND
Alexander, Achrimsdale, resided in his father’s house – himself only, left 1830
Christy, Lady’s Loch, age 19, travelled alone to Upper Canada aboard the vessel ‘Thos. Harrison’ in 1847 – received assistance of £4 from Dunrobin management
Donald, Clynelish, servant, said to have left May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate but this was marked not claimed so doubtful if he actually left
Donald senior, Clynelish, marked as an orphan and presumably father of Donald above - left May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £2 for which he signed with his mark
Elizabeth, Achrimsdale, an old woman – her friends went out last year – two in party, left 1831
Hector, Achrimsdale, a lotter – six in party, left 1829
Hugh, Doll, lotter – seven in party, left 1830 – his mother took over the lot at Doll
James, Brora North Muir, lotter – five in party, left 1830 – an Alexander Sutherland took over the lot
Janet, Achrimsdale – three in party, left 1831
William, Achrimsdale, lotter – seven in party, left 1830

TAILOR
James Finlay, Brora, a lodger – four in party, left 1830 – although his name is shown as Tailor I feel he may be James Finlay, a tailor! 


CLYNE MILITIA LIST 1826 (SC9/87)

Transcribed by Malcolm Bangor-Jones
Adapted for this page by C Stokes
Published here with his permission

All Mc & Mac names shown here as Mac

This Militia List is certified to be a 'true & correct list of all the males
between the ages of 18 & 45 residing in the Parish of Clyne'
Document is dated 22nd Sept. 1826

Surnames are listed alphabetically followed by Christian name, occupation & residence plus either Ground of Exemption claimed or liable

Google Map of area here

ANDERSON
George, Merchant, Brora, over 30 - sickly & rejected
Hugh, Shopkeeper, Brora, under 30 - liable to serve
James, Shepherd, Carrol, over 30 - served by substitute
Thomas, Slater, Brora, over 30 - 3 lawful children & poor
William, Farm Servant to Mr Robertson, Brora, under 30 - liable 
  
BAILLIE
Alexander, Labourer, North Brora, over 30 - undersize
Alexander, Lotter, Auldririe, over 30 - 3 lawful children
Donald, Dyker, Achrimsdale, under 30 - lame of a finger
John, Lotter, Dromy, over 30 - 3 lawful children
William, Labourer, Dromy, over 30 - under sized, liable 
 
BANNERMAN
Alexander, Collier, Brora, over 30 - served by substitute
John, Shoemaker, North Brora, under 30 - liable
John, Weaver, Brora, over 30 - liable
William, Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable    

BELL
Alexander, Skipper, Brora, over 30 - fisherman
Joseph, Shepherd, Sciberscross, under 30 - liable

BLOOMFIELD
George, Grieve, Inverbrora, over 30 - served by substitute

BROWN
Walter, Distiller, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

BRUCE
Donald, Apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable
Robert, Labourer, Dromy, under 30 - liable

CADGER
John, Farm servant to Mr Scott, Brora, under 30 - liable

CAMPBELL
Alexander, Apprentice to Hector Macdonald, Achrimsdale, under 30 - liable
Alexander, Collier, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable
George, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 lawful children & poor
Hugh,  Gardener, Kilcalmkill, over 30 - blind
John, Labourer, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

CARE?
Alexander, Fisher, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

CUTHBERT
Alexander, kelper, Brora, over 30 - no further information

DEMPSTER
Donald, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman
Hugh, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

DOUGLAS
William, Collier, Brora, under 30 - undersized

DUNCAN
Robert, Mason, Brora, over 30 - liable

ENSINE
Alexander, Apprentice to A. Mackay, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

FERGUSON
William, Apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable

FINLAY
James, Skipper, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman
James, Tailor, Brora, over 30 - liable
John, Sailor, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

FORBES
Kenneth, Lieut., Brora, over 30 - Half Pay Officer

FRASER
Peter, Cabinetmaker, Brora, under 30 - liable

GILCHRIST
Alexander, Labourer, Achrimsdale, under 30 - liable
Alexander, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable
Donald, Labourer, Achrimsdale, under 30 - liable

GILLESPIE
Joseph, Shepherd, Kilbrair, over 30 - liable

GORDON
Alexander, Skipper, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman
James, Labourer, Brora, over 30 - liable
John, Gardener, Clynekirkton, under 30 - liable
John, Labourer, Clynekirkton, under 30 - under size, Contd. as liable
John, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - 3 children & poor

GRAHAM
George, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable
John, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable

GRANT
Alexander, Blacksmith, Brora, over 30 - lame
George, Pensioner, North Brora, over 30 - pensioners
John, Lotter, East Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Robert, Surgeon, Brora, under 30 - liable to serve

GUNN
Alexander, Shoemaker, East Brora Muir, over 30 - undersize
Donald, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable
Robert, Apprentice weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable
William, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - 3 lawful children

HALL
Andrew, shepherd, Sciberscross, under 30 - liable
John, Shepherd, Sciberscross, over 30 - liable

HAMILTON
Robert, Pensioner, East Brora, over 30 - Pensioners

HARPER
James, Tacksman, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

HOOD
Alexander, Mason, Brora, over 30 - 3 lawful children & poor

HUGHES
Mr., Excise Officer, Brora, over 30 - liable

JOHNSTONE
Daniel, Watchmaker, Brora, over 30 - liable

LAIDLER
James, Shepherd, Craignadaroch, over 30 - served by substitute

MACBEATH
Hector, Collier, Brora, under 30 - undersize
John, Collier, Brora, under 30 - undersize

MACDONALD
Alexander, Salter, Brora, over 30 - blind of right eye
Donald, Apprentice, Brora, under 30 - apprentice
Donald, Apprentice to A Hood, Brora, under 30 - liable
George, Road Contractor, East Brora Muir, under 30 - undersize
Hector, Shoemaker, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable
James, Constable, Achrimsdale, under 30 - Constable
John, Drover, Achrimsdale, over 30 - past 45 years of age
John, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman
John, Labourer, North Brora, under 30 - liable
John, Vintner, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Murdoch, Labourer, East Brora Muir, under 30 - sickly
William, Pensioner, North Brora, over 30 - Pensioners

MACGREGOR
Andrew, House Carpenter, Brora, under 30 - liable

MACINTOSH
Angus, Clerk, Clynelish, Liable
James, Engineer, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

MACKAY
Alexander, Cartwright, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable
Alexander, Collier, Brora, under 30 - liable
Alexander, Merchant, Brora, under 30 - liable
Alexander, Flax dresser, East Brora, under 30 - liable
Alexander, Lotter, Achrimsdale, over 30 - lame
Andrew, Lotter, Auldririe, over 30 - Pensioner
Angus, Cartwright, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable
Angus, Pensioner, Clynekirkton, over 30 - Pensioners
Campbell* Lotter, Auldririe, under 30 - liable
David, Brewer, Clynelish, over 30 - liable
Donald, Cattle & Swine feeder, Clynelish, over 30 - exempt
Donald, Labourer, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable
Donald, Lotter, Auldririe, over 30 - liable
Donald, Miller, Clynelish, over 30 - liable
George, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor
George, Merchant, Brora, under 30 - liable
George, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - undersize
Hugh, Farm Servant, Clynelish, under 30 - liable
John, Shoemaker, East Brora, over 30 - undersize
Murdoch, Herd, Knocknachalich, in parish of Kildin [sic]- under 30 -  liable
Norman, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Robert, Cartwright, East Brora, under 30 - liable
Robert, Merchant, Brora, under 30 - liable
Robert, Labourer, Clynemilton, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Robert, Pensioner, Clynekirkton, over 30
William, Labourer, Clynemilton, under 30 - liable
William, Mason, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable
William, Mason, Auldririe, over 30 - liable

MACKENZIE
Alexander, Apprentice to A Hood, under 30 - Brora, apprentice
Alexander, Lotter, East Brora Muir, 3 children & poor
Alexander, Sawyer, Brora, under 30 - liable
Donald, Labourer, North Brora, under 30 - undersize
Duncan, Sawyer, Brora, under 30 - liable
George, Brewer, Clynelish, under 30 - liable
William, Apprentice, Brora, under 30 - Apprentice

MACLEOD
Alexander, House Carpenter, Brora, over 30 - liable
Alexander, Lotter, Doll, under 30 - liable
Finlay, Quarrier, Crofthaugh, under 30 - lame of a finger
George, Collier, Brora, under 30 - 3 children & poor
Grant, Quarrier, Crofthaugh, under 30 - lame of a finger, liable
James, Lotter, Doll, under 30 - liable
John, Labourer, Clynemilton, under 30 - liable
Thomas, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

MACPHERSON
Hector, Lotter, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable
James, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable
Kenneth, Sawyer, Clynekirkton, over 30 - 3 children & poor
William, Merchant, Brora, Lieut., over 30 - Local Militia

MACRAE
James, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - undersize
John, Farm Servant, Clynelish, under 30 - liable
John, Mason, Doll, over 30 - sickly

MATHESON
John junior, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - undersize
John senior, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable

MELVILLE
Evan, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable

MILLER
William, Grieve, Kilcalmkill, over 30 - lame

MORRISON
Gustavus, Malter, Clynelish, over 30 - liable

MUNRO
Angus, Shoemaker, East Brora, over 30 - undersize
Donald, Farm Servant, Clynelish, under 30 - liable
James, Grieve, Clynekirkton, over 30 - past 45 years of age
John, Grieve, Clynelish, over 30 - liable

MURDOCH
Andrew, Shepherd, Brachacky, over 30 - liable

MURRAY
Andrew, Dyker, Rhalan, under 30 - liable
Angus, Blacksmith, East Brora, over 30 - liable
Benjamin, Lotter, Achrimsdale, under 30 - liable
George, tailor, Brora, over 30 - liable
George, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - 3 children & poor
George, Shepherd, Amat, over 30 - liable
Hugh, Labourer, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable
James, Lotter, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable;
John, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Robert, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - past 45 years of age
William, Shoemaker, East Brora, over 30 - liable

PATIENCE
George, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

PHAIR
Mr., Excise Officer, Brora, under 30 - liable

POPE
James, House Carpenter, Doll, under 30 - liable
William, Mason, Doll, under 30 - liable

ROBB
William, Sailor, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

ROBERTSON
William Esq., Manager, Brora, over 30 - J.P.

ROSS
David, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable
Finlay, Farm servant, under 30 - Clynelish, liable
John, Lotter, Doll, under 30 - 3 children
Thomas, Lotter, Doll, under 30 - sickly

RUNCIE
George, Fisher, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman
James, Fisher, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman
John, Fisher, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

SIME
Alexander, Mason, Brora, over 30 - liable

STUART
Francis, Cabinetmaker, Brora, over 30 - liable

SUTHERLAND
Adam, Apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable
Adam, Herd, Clynelish, over 30 - undersize
Alexander, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman
Alexander, Labourer, North Brora, over 30 - liable
Alexander, Shoemaker, East Brora, over 30 - liable
Alexander, Labourer, Dromy, under 30 - undersize, liable
Andrew, apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable
Andrew, Lotter, Clynekirkton, over 30 - liable
Angus, Grass Keeper, Knocknachalich, over 30 - liable
Angus, Miller, Amat, over 30 - undersize
Angus, Tailor, North Brora, under 30 - liable
Angus, Weaver, Cavaick, under 30 - lame of a finger, liable
Donald, Apprentice to John Sutherland, mason, Doll, under 30 - liable
Donald, Apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable
Donald, Brewer, Clynelish, under 30 - liable
Donald, Cooper, North Brora, over 30 - blind of the right eye
Donald, Farm Servant to Mr Scott, Clynelish, over 30 - liable
Donald, Lotter, Auldririe, over 30 - liable
Donald, Salter, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Donald, Shoemaker, Auldsmoral, over 30 - liable
Donald, Weaver, East Brora, under 30 - liable
Donald, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable
Duncan, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman
George, Forester, Amat, over 30 - liable
George, House Carpenter, Doll, under 30 - liable
George* Lotter, East Brora, over 30 - liable
George, Wright? North Brora, under 30 - liable
George, Vintner, Brora, over 30 - lame
Hector, Lotter, Achrimsdale, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Houston, House Carpenter, Doll, under 30 - liable
Hugh, Blacksmith, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Hugh, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman
Hugh, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - undersize
Hugh, Merchant, East Brora, over 30 - liable
James, Carter, Cavaick, over 30 - undersize
John, Collier, Brora, over 30 - undersize
John, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor
John, Dyker, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable
John, Dyker, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable
John, Farm Servant, Inverbrora, under 30 - crooked finger
John, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman
John, House Carpenter, Brora, under 30 - liable
John, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable
John, Lotter, Doll, over 30 - blind of the right eye
John, Mason, Doll, over 30 - liable
John, Quarrier, Cavaick, over 30 - undersize
John, Sawyer, North Brora, under 30 - liable
John, Shoemaker, North Brora, over 30 - undersize
John, Shoemaker, Doll formerly in Sedel? - over 30 - 3 children & poor
John, Weaver, North Brora, under 30 - shortness of breath
John (Gair), Doll, under 30 - liable
John alias Buie, Labourer, Brora, under 30 - liable
Robert, Cooper, Amat, over 30 - undersize
Robert, Labourer, North Brora, under 30 - liable
Robert, Slater, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor
Robert, Sawyer, North Brora, under 30 - liable
Robert, Shepherd, Brachacky, over 30 - liable
William, Dyker, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable
William, Labourer, Clynekirkton, under 30 - liable – the word deaf scored out
William, Labourer, Doll, formerly in Sedel? - under 30 -  Liable
William, Labourer, Cavaick, under 30 - liable
William, Lotter, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable
William, Lotter, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable
William, Weaver, North Brora, over 30 - sore breast
William, Labourer, Dromy, under 30 - deaf

THOMSON
Alexander, Shepherd, Balnakyle, over 30 - liable

TULLOCH
Mr George, teacher, Kilcalmkill, under 30 - Schoolmaster

URQUHART
Ross, Shoemaker, Brora, under 30 - liable

WAUGH
Henry, Shepherd, Craignadaroch, under 30 - liable


History of the Village of Brora, Clyne


Adapted from an article printed in the “Northern Times” 1967. 
   Fountain Square, Brora
The Parish of Clyne extends from the shore of the Moray Firth in a north-westerly direction for 24 miles. Its width on the coast is four miles, and at the inland end it is about twice as wide. A range of foothills divides it into two parts – the small coastal area, containing almost all the arable ground, and the inland district, consisting of pasture, moorland and hill. The name Clyne comes from a Gaelic word Cluain meaning a meadow. The River Brora, the principal stream, rises in the parish of Rogart and has one main tributary, the Blackwater. Less than two miles below the junction, the river flows into the narrow four-mile long Loch Brora, whence it issues to complete its final course of three miles through the coastal district to the sea.
Brora is the only village in the parish. Bruar-a or Brora is a Danish name meaning bridgewater. Originally merely a small community on the south side of the river mouth, it began to extend in the early part of the 19th century and today occupies both sides of the river, is served by the main road and the railway, and has left the old Brora in a quiet backwater.
The upheaval known as the Clearances brought change to Clyne. Close on 1000 people in the parish had to leave their homes, their pastures, and their small arable patches in order that a handful of farmers could put their south country sheep on these greens and moorlands. Many of the evicted went abroad, but later census figures indicated that the greater number found new homes in the “lowland track,” the few square miles of machair between the foothills and the sea. The population figure of 1643 in 1801 jumped to 1874 in 1821 and went back to 1711 in 1831.
While with one hand the House of Sutherland had harshly evicted a multitude, the other hand busied itself in planting industries that might, to some extent, absorb the evicted. At the mouth of the River Brora a harbour was made from which sea-fishing could be prosecuted. Within walking distance of the village were founded a distillery and a brickworks, the coal pit was put in operation again and a salt-making industry revived. The large increase in 1821 - the major Clearances took place a few years earlier – may in part be accounted for by skilled men and their families being brought in from the south to manage those industries and to instruct the local people; also, in part, to some influx from other cleared areas in the county.
Constantly during the last 100 years or so the flourishing industries have been bringing in workers from elsewhere to replace wastage due to emigration overseas and also to the South. The Wool Mills, which were put on a sound footing in 1902 and very much enlarged since then, have taken in, from time to time, a considerable number of skilled operatives from the Border Mills. A wireless station, built over 25 years ago, played a major part in maintaining the figure. Among Highland landward parishes, Clyne is unique in thus keeping up its population, and the loss of many natives has been adequately offset by the number of incomers.

Coal was discovered in the Doll in 1529. In 1573, at Lower Brora, salt production from sea water was started, the fuel being the nearby outcrop of coal. Farther inland the first mine shaft was sunk, in 1598. Credit for this is given to Lady Jean Gordon, widow of Earl Alexander of Sutherland. In 1601 her son, Earl John, impressed by the possibilities of Brora, was instrumental in having it elevated to the status of a burgh of Regality. Although power was given to create bailies, councillors and the like, and also to erect a tollbooth and market cross with a weekly market, also four fairs on feast days, there is no evidence of any of these things having been done, with the exception of holding markets, which is recalled in the name of Market Street, Lower Brora.
Up until 1820 the only road north and south was a mere track by the seashore. By 1840 there were 30 miles of road and 15 bridges in the parish of Clyne. There was a sub-post office with a receiving house built by subscriptions from the inhabitants. The mail coach, drawn by two horses, passed and re-passed daily. The building which housed the post office is still in good condition. In its time it became a shoemaker’s shop and a toy shop, then a dwelling-house, and it is now the Unionist Party’s offices. Whereas, in 1800, there were practically no carts and ploughs, there were 258 carts and 240 ploughs in 1840, all made by native tradesmen. Indeed, skilled tradesmen abounded. There were 5 stone-masons, 9 house carpenters, 12 dyke builders, 3 blacksmiths, 9 tailors, 12 shoemakers and 3 cartwrights, besides journeymen and apprentices.
A market, the last of the season, was held in Brora in October, and was always well attended by the neighbouring parishes. Shopkeepers came from a distance and erected tents to display their goods. A great many cattle and horses were sold. Brora at this time had five inns which used to be crowded for the occasion, as were the tents in the market which sold whisky. Some little time before 1840 a total abstinence society was formed and the innkeepers complained that they sold only a third of the former quantities of whisky. It was, however, a rare occurrence to meet anyone the worse of liquor, except occasionally at markets. Whereas formerly coarse homespun cloth was worn by the girls, they now had dresses of the latest imported fashion, as well as straw bonnets or handsome caps, and their hair was neatly plaited.

The Highland Railway came to Brora in 1871. The results were far reaching. The colliery and brick and tile works, which had been closed, were reopened in 1872 by the Duke of Sutherland. Using Brora bricks, he built an engineering shop where repair work in connection with the railway could be undertaken. On the same site he had a grain store, a weaving shed, a sawmill and an office where colliery business was transacted. He drove his own railway engine on a branch line which crossed the main road, then called Pig Street (now Victoria Road).

Among articles made in the carpentry shop were writing desks and the counters to be used in the Town and County Bank, which was opened in 1874 in Rosslyn Street. In the engineering shop a small engine called “The Florence” was constructed to carry, on the miniature railway, bogies of coal and brick to the railway station and the harbour.

Two freestone quarries, one at Spouty and the other at Brambury Hill, near Clynelish, gave steady work to a considerable number of men, the stone being used for domestic purposes and export. The colliery was eventually leased to Mr Melville, manager of the grain store, and it was worked by him and his son until 1914. Mr R. Mackay, who had been the Duke of Sutherland’s clerk to the colliery, opened a high-class grocery business in Bridgend and afterwards at Bridge House, where he also ha a draper’s shop. The oldest established draper’s shop at this time, opened in 1850, was owned by Mr W. Sutherland, the postmaster. Another long established business was the Sutherland Arms Hotel, built in 1818 by Mr Gordon, of Embo. Towards the end of the 19th century a wool mill was built on the site of the sawmill. It was bought in 1901 by Mr T. M. Hunter senior. 

Friday 19 February 2016

Misc. Townships

Stone & Clay 1849

Remaining Townships 

Unfortunately from here on there is only the names of the tenants with no further information.  It is possible there is another book to be found!
  AULT CRAGGIE
  December 1849
  JOHN ROSS widow
  ANDREW SUTHERLAND

CLYNELISH MUIR
December 1849
HUGH MACKAY
DONALD SUTHERLAND (Adam)
WILLIAM SUTHERLAND senior
WILLIAM SUTHERLAND
JOHN GORDON
ROBERT ROSS
JOHN SUTHERLAND (McOmish?)
MARGARET SUTHERLAND

WEST CLYNE KIRKTON
December 1849
JAMES GORDON
DONALD SUTHERLAND widow
DONALD MACDONALD widow
JOHN MURRAY
ROBERT MACKAY
CAMPBELL MACKAY widow
JANET MACKAY
GEORGE MACKAY
ALEXANDER BAILLIE
ANDREW MACKAY
DONALD MACKAY widow

ROCK
December 1849
DONALD SUTHERLAND
DONALD MACKAY widow
MARGARET MACKAY
JOHN MATHESON

ISLANDGRAUGH
December 1849
ANGUS MURRAY

BRORA NORTH MUIR
December 1849
ANDREW MURRAY
DONALD GRANT

KILBRORA
December 1849
DONALD MUNRO, pensioner

BRORA NORTH MUIR
MARY SUTHERLAND, pauper
JANET MACDONALD
GEORGE SUTHERLAND (McOmish)
DONALD DOUGLAS widow
BETTY MACDONALD
ANGUS MACLEOD
ROBERT SUTHERLAND widow
JOHN MACDONALD widow
WILLIAM ALLAN pauper
ANGUS BAILLIE widow, rent free
ROBERT SUTHERLAND (Bain) widow
ELIZABETH SUTHERLAND
JOHN SUTHERLAND dyker
ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND (Bain)
WILLIAM SUTHERLAND widow
ELIZABETH SUTHERLAND
DONALD SUTHERLAND widow
JOHN SUTHERLAND (Buie)
WALTER SUTHERLAND
GEORGE GRANT widow
ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND (Buie)
JOHN BAILLIE
JANET MACKAY
JANE SUTHERLAND
JOHN SUTHERLAND (McOmish)
ALEXANDER MACLEOD pensioner
WILLIAM MACDONALD
WILLIAM MACLEOD
JOHN SUTHERLAND (Gow)
GEORGE SUTHERLAND (casfr--?)
WILLIAM SUTHERLAND piper
JOHN MACKAY
JOHN SUTHERLAND
PAUPERS HOUSES
JOHN MACLENNAN widow
GRANT MURRAY
ROBERT MACDONALD
WILLIAM SUTHERLAND
ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND, cooper
MARY & JANET SUTHERLAND – lot uncultivated
ADAM SUTHERLAND
ANN SUTHERLAND
DUNCAN MACKENZIE widow
ALEXANDER BRUCE
ALEXANDER MACLEOD
ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND widow
ALEXANDER BANNERMAN widow
MARION DEMPSTER pauper
JOHN SUTHERLAND (Gow)
CHRISTIAN MUNRO
WILLIAM MURRAY widow
Pen ? houses
CHRISTIAN GUNN
ROBERT SUTHERLAND
DONALD SUTHERLAND widow

BRUACHROBIE (Brochrobbie) 
December 1849
BENJAMIN MURRAY
DONALD MACKAY


 CARACH-NA-BOAN
December 1849
DONALD SUTHERLAND
JOHN SUTHERLAND

CAVEACH (Cavaik) 
December 1849
ANGUS SUTHERLAND
FINLAY MACLEOD widow

CROFTHAUGH
December 1849
WILLIAM MURRAY
GRANT MACLEOD

BADNELLAN
December 1849
JOHN ANDERSON
WILLIAM ANDERSON

ARDACHY
December 1849
DONALD GORDON
ROBERT ANDERSON widow
HUGH MURRAY widow

BRORA EAST
December 1849
HECTOR SUTHERLAND widow
MARGARET SUTHERLAND
DONALD MACLEOD widow
JOHN MACKAY
ROBERT MACKAY
GEORGE SUTHERLAND 2nd tenant ANN MURRAY
JANE MURRAY
WILLIAM MURRAY
ROBERT HAMILTON
ANGUS MUNRO
CATHERINE SUTHERLAND
JOHN SUTHERLAND (Roy)
JOHN GRANT
JOHN MURRAY
ANDREW ROSS widow
HUGH SUTHERLAND
Free School House
ROBERT DUNCAN


Click here for Google Map of area