Arran Table

 

Name	Value	Date	Grid Ref	Map Sources	Other forms, comments etc
Kilbride parish
The 10d lands	£40/60m				See below.
Dippin	3m 4s 8d (1d)	1637	NS 046224	OS(1864)	Including ‘Thorling’ in 1637.
‘Thorling’	¼d?				Probably ‘Feorlin’, probably beside Dippin, with Dippin (1637)
Allt Dhepin	1d?		NS 0224		This may well be another ‘black pennyland’ in Glenashdale
Largymore	(5m)	1637	NS 0424	Blaeu	I think the 3 Largies made a 5m land at just over 22s each.
Largymeanach		1637	NS 0424
Largybeg	22s	1637	NS 0423	Blaeu
‘Meikle’ Kiscadale	4m	1637	NS 0425/0426	Blaeu
‘Litil’ Kiscadale	(c. 22s)	1637	NS 0425/0426	Blaeu
Glenashdale		1637	NS 0325
Clachan					Possibly refers to the burial-ground in Glenashdale?
Lamlash/Holy Island	1m	1637	NS 0530/0629	Blaeu
Knockenkelly	2m	1437	NS 0427	Blaeu	2m Knokinkellie(1637)
Auchencairn	4m	1437	NS 0427	Blaeu	3m Auchinherne(1637)
‘Ardlavenys’	3m	1437	NS 0528?	Blaeu?	= Aird Lamlash?, = Aird(Blaeu)?
Monamore	3m	1437	NS 0029	Blaeu
Benlister	22s	1632	NS 0130	Blaeu?	=Benlashrach(Blaeu)? Penlaster(1632).=Peighinn a’ Fhleisdeir(1d of the Fletcher)? – Fraser p 70
Cordon	10s	1632	NS 0230	Blaeu	With Penlaster in 1632, Cordan in 1676 (Bk of Arran I p 223)
Kingscross	3m	1637	NS 0428		3½m Penycroce(1437), Forbes: Place-names of Skye p 277 says that King’s Cross is ‘peighinn na croise’ in Gaelic
Letter	3m	1437	NS 0231	Blaeu	=Letternagannach(1437), 3m(1637)
Glenkiln		1637	NS 016304	Blaeu	With Muinemoir & Lickibilie as 6¾m in 1637, Fraser p 80Blaeu marks Glen Kil at watershed at NR 9829. Glenkill(1864).
Lagavellie		1637	NS 016291	OS(1864)	Lickibilie with Muinemoir & Glenkill as 6¾m in 1637. Blaeu marks ‘Lekaneilzie’ on S side of river between Monimore & Glen Kil. Currie (p 86) gives Lagavillie – hollow of the (sacred) tree.
Blairbeg	1½m	1437	NS 0231	Blaeu	1½m(1637)
Blairmore	2½m	1437	NS 0232	Blaeu	4½m(1637 – probably included Downbrowach)
‘Downbrowach’	2m	1437	NS 0232/0233		Now Dunan Beag, Dunan Mor?
Kilbride	1d	c. 1353	NS 0332	Blaeu	See Clauchlands below
Margnaheglish	1m	1437	NS 0332	Blaeu	1m(1637), this ‘merkland of the church’ refers to nearby Kilbride.
Clauchlands	5m1d	1637c. 1353	NS 0433	Blaeu	5m W & E Clachland(1637), although only 2½m in 1437 there seem to have been two such units, separately owned (cf CRA pp 88-9) – for 1d see quotation below table
Corrygills	5m	1549	NS 0334/0335	Blaeu	5m(Bk of Arran II p 356 of 1549), 5m(1637), N & S in Blaeu,5½m(1615, 1663)
Strathwhillan or’Terquhillane’	2½m	1437	NS 0235	Blaeu	Terquhillane(1437), Tyrwhillen(Blaeu), Straquhillen(1637)=2m(OE) Erqwhonnyne(1391 OPS II, I, p248)?
‘Scalvadil’	2m	1437	c. NS 0135?	Blaeu	E of Strathwhillan according to Blaeu, (2m 1637), Fraser p 48
Knowe	(1m)		NS 0035/0135		=Knovach?
Mayish	(1½m)		NS 0135		3m with Brodick in 1590 & 1637(1½m each). East, Mid & West in OS(1864)
‘Mace & Knovach’	2½m	1437
Glen Cloy	(½m)	1472	NS 0035	Blaeu	2½m with Kilmichell in 14722½m with ‘Crow’ =Knowach? in 1637, so possibly 1½m?
Kilmichael	2m	1511	NS 003350	OS(1864)	2½m with’Glenklowy’ in 1472, 2m(1511, 1526, 1563 – OPS II, I p 248), 2m(1621). With Whitefarland in 1511, 1523, 1563, 1621.
Glen Ormidale	2m	1437	NR 9934		2m(1590)
Brodick	1½m	1437	NS 0136	Blaeu	Brathewik(1437), castle enclosure shown in Blaeu. With Mayish in 1590 & 1637.
Glen Shurig	3m	1437	NS 001371	RHP 6605OS(1864)	Glenservaig(1437), Glensherwik(1590), Glenscharicke(1637).Now Glenrosa Farm.
Glenshant	2½m	1437	NS 0037	Blaeu, RHP 6605	Crainschaunt(1437), 2 x 1¼m (Ovir & Nether) in 1637,early spellings and absence of a glen endorse S Taylor’s suggestion of crann seunta (sacred tree).
Glenrosie	3m	1437	NS 002375	Blaeu, RHP 6605OS(1864)	3m(1637). Now Glenrosa.
Knockan	2m	1637	NS 0137/0038	Blaeu, RHP 6605
‘Penycastel’	3½m	1437			With ‘Knokan, Rounygry & Corriknokdou’ as 7½m(1437).With Rounygry as 3½m after deducting 2m Knockan & 2m Corriknokdou.
‘Rounygry’		1437			Rawnegarre(1444-5), Rawnager(1448-9). With ‘Penycastel’ above.
‘Corriknokdou’	2m	1637	NS 0243	Blaeu	=Corrie
Merkland	(1m)		NS 0239
Sannox	c. 10m		NS 0046/0145	Blaeu	See below.
Lochranza & Sannox	32m	1607			32m estate – see below
Glen Chalmadale			NR 9550	Blaeu	Glenchalladel(Blaeu), now = Glen
North & South Newton			NR 9351	Blaeu	Balnow(Blaeu)
Total Kilbride parish	91m 5s 4d
Kilmory Parish
Lochede/Kinlochranza	6m1d	1437/c. 1353	NR 9350	Blaeu	For 1d see under Clauchlands below.
Margnaheglish	(1m)		NR 9349		Fraser p 89.
Catacol	3m	1437	NR 9149	Blaeu	Cathaydill(1452)
Thundergay	3m	1437	c. NR 8846	Blaeu	Duarum Tonregethis(1444-5), duas Trurregeys(1452)
Penrioch	4m(1d)	1437	NR 8744	Blaeu	Includes ‘peighinn’ or penny.
Alltgobhlach	1m	1437	NR 8743	Blaeu
Whitefarland	2m	1511	NR 8642		2m(OE) Quhitforland linked with Kilmechell in 1563 (OPS II, I p 248). 2m (1621, 1637).
Imachar	1m	1437	NR 8640	Blaeu	Tymocheer(1437)
Balliekine	1½m	1437	NR 8739		Baynleeka(1437), Banlikan(1637)
Dougarie	1m	1437	NR 8837	Blaeu	Dougare(1437)
Auchencar	22s	1437	NR 8936	Blaeu	=20s(Auchingarro 1637)?
Auchagallon & Machermor	3m	1437	NR 8934	Blaeu	Probably 1½m each
Machrie (Farm)	3m	1637	NR 9033	Blaeu	1½m each of Beg & Mor?
Machrie Beg	1½m	1437
Glaister	1¼m	1437	NR 9334		1m(1637)
Dereneneach	1m	1637	NR 9333	Blaeu	Torrenaiche(1637).
Monyquil	3m	1437	NR 9335	Blaeu	3m(1637)
‘Belliemichell’, nowBallymichael	1m	1637	NR 9231	Blaeu	On West side of Arran, Blaeu marks this as Kilmichel with a church symbol
Tormore	1½m	1637	NR 8932	Blaeu
Torbeg	1m	1637	NR 9029	Blaeu
Drumadoon	1m	1637	NR 8929
Shedog	1m	1637	NR 9130	Blaeu
Balgowan	1m	1637	NR 9129
North & South Feorline	2m	1637	NR 9028	Blaeu	< feoirling (¼d)
Kilpatrick	3m 8d	1563	NR 9027	Blaeu	With Drimiginar in 1563 & 1637, 3m in 1637, part of Shiskine
Drimiginar		1563	NR 9127		With Kilpatrick in 1563 & 1637, part of Shiskine
Bailemargaidh	(1m)?		NR 9027		Fraser p 69
Shiskine	(20m)		NR 9129		See below.
Clachan	¼m	1637	NR 92163034		Fraser pp 24 & 73. See below under Saint Molaise’s Chapel & BG.What was Clauchan Farm in OS(1864) is now Balnacoole at NR 916306.
Pien	4½m(1d)	1637	NR 9230	Blaeu	= peighinn or penny, Pein(1637 & Blaeu)
Corriecravie	3m	1637	NR 9223	Blaeu
Sliddery	4m	1637	NR 9222/9322	Blaeu
Glenscorrodale	2m	1637	NR 9627	Blaeu
‘Margreul/dacan’	(1m)			Blaeu	Only reference is Blaeu
Bennecarrigan	4m(1d)	1637	NR 9423/9424	BlaeuOS(1864)	Penniecargan(1637). First element < peighinn or penny. In OS(1864) this is marked about 1km NNE of where it is today.
‘Lourie’	1½m	1637			Fraser p 88, part of Bennecarrigan?
Margareoch	3m	1637	NR 943244	BlaeuOS(1864)	Fraser p 89
Glenrie			NR 954247	OS(1864)	= Blaeu’s ‘Leanry’?
Burican	1m	1637	NR 946252	OS(1864)	Birlican(1637). In OS(1864) this is marked at what is now called Glenree.
Clauchog	4m	1637	NR 9522	BlaeuOS(1864)	Divided into E & W in 1637 – each worth 2m. In OS(1864) Clauchog is at what is now Bourtree Bank in NR 9522, Clauchog Farm is now Clachaig at NR 949215 and Laigh Clauchog is now just Clauchog in NR 9522.
Torrylin	3¼m	1637	NR 9521/9621	Blaeu
Shannochie	1m	1637	NR 9721	Blaeu
Bennan	6m	1637	NR 9821/9921	Blaeu	3m Leichebennan, 3m wester Bennan in 1637
Cloined	3m	1637	NR 9622	Blaeu?	=Cleynack(Blaeu)? Cluinzeat(1637)
Kilmory	1¾m(½d)	1637	NR 9621	Blaeu	Leffin Kilmorie(1637).Leffin < leth-pheighinn or half-penny.
Strathgyall	3m	1637	NR 9923		Stragall(1637), Fraser p 93
Auchareoch	1m	1637	NR 9924	Blaeu	With Aucheleffan as 1m in 1637
Aucheleffan	(½d)	1637	NR 9724/9824		With Auchareoch as 1m in 1637. ‘-leffan’ < leth-pheighinn or ½d.
Levencorroch	1½m/(½d)	1637	NS 0021	Blaeu	First element < leth-pheighinn or ½d.
Marganish	1m	1637	NS 0222	Blaeu	By Eas Mor (big waterfall) so last element represents that.
‘Margielachland’	1m	1637	c. NS 0121		1637 list gives this between Marganish & Auchenhew
Auchenhew	1½m	1637	NS 0121	Blaeu	Ahew(Blaeu), Part of ‘Knychtisland’?
Ballymeanoch	2m	1637	NS 0221	Blaeu	Part of ‘Knychtisland’?
Drimlabarra	2m	1637	NS 0221	Blaeu	Part of ‘Knychtisland’?
Kildonan	3m	1597	NS 0321	Blaeu	Bute Retours (97)
‘Knychtisland’ or’Tonrydder’	9m	1516			Book of Arran II pp 354-5. 9m(1538, 1541, 1548, 1549, 1582).Dumruden(1516), Drumrudin(1538), Drumridan(1541), Tonrydder(1549). See below.
Pladda		1549	NS 0219		Included with ‘Knychtisland’, Pladow(1549). In 1662 went with Kildonan. See below.
Total Kilmory Parish	103m 8s 8d
Total Arran	195m 0s 8d

 

The 10d lands

We have numerous references to a unit known as the ‘ten pennylands’. They appear in the Acts of the Lords of Council in Civil Causes (1839) p 339, for June 1494. We have listings in RMS II (2702) 1502-3, RMS IV (361) 1549 and RMS V (410) 1582. The lands are consistently described as being 10 pennylands and worth £40 (60m) Old Extent. They included Kildonan, the two ‘Furlingis’ (farthing-lands), ‘Dupennylandis’ (the black pennyland), the three Largies, the two Kiscadales, Glenashdale and Clachan. With the exception of the farthing-lands and Clachan these farms are all readily identifiable but the problem is that their total valuations do not come to anything like 60 merks (nor does it seem likely that they were once 10 pennylands). This is an important issue since we depend upon the evidence of the 10 pennylands to project a ratio between ouncelands and merklands in Arran, Bute and Cumbrae. What little other evidence we have does support a ratio of 1d : 6 merks so I think it probable that the lands described as being the 10 pennylands are an fact just a portion of a former estate which had that value. Since the farms form a compact group in the south-east corner of Arran I wonder if we have here an early parish based on Kildonan.

 

Clauchlands

The Inventory of Lamont Papers pp 9-10, No 15, quotes the Argyll Charters for the following which occurs in a notarial transumpt made in 1433 from an original dated c. 1353:

 

Johannem de Menteth dominum de Knapdaill et de Arran dedisse … Gilleaspyke Cambell domino de Lochawe … denariatam terre de Clachelan denariatam terre de Kylbryde … de Kenlochorednesay cum castro situato infra predictam denariatam.

 

To confuse the issue there is a second Kilbride by Loch Ranza but I think we should read the above as ‘1d Clauchlands, 1d Kilbride (and 1d of) Kinlochranza with the castle sited on the aforesaid pennyland (of Kinlochranza)’.

 

(See also OPS II, I, p 249; Historical Manuscripts Commission IV No 41 & below under Kilbride parish).

 

Lochranza and Sannox

Lochranza and Sannox was a 32m estate held by the Montgomery family of Skelmorlie. Although there are many references to the total old extent being 32m there are also several others which give either 22m or £21 (which is half a mark short at 31½m).

References to £21-6s-8d or 32m are found in RMS VI (1827) of 1607, AS II (132) of 1622, (778, 810 & 811) of 1652, Bute Retours (86) of 1685, (92) of 1696 and in the 1637 rental.

Reference to £21 only occurs in ER XVIII p 434 of 1548. This is probably a simple error

References to 22m occur in RMS IV (1674) of 1565, VII (591) of 1611 and Bute Retours (62) of 1661.

 

In 1452, lands to the south of Lochranza were granted to the Montgomery family and are listed in RMS II (563). Although no values are given we can work these out retrospectively and the farms come to about 20½m. A slightly different listing is given in the Book of Arran II p 43 (from Exchequer Rolls Vol V p 252 for 1445-6) which comes to a total of 21½m. (This figure is repeated several times in the Exchequer Rolls accounts for the 1440s). We also have references in RMS III (708 & 732) of 1528 to the £20 (30m) Old Extent of Lochranza. The likely solution is that the Lochranza and Sannox portions together came to 32m and that the former name is sometimes used rather loosely to cover the whole estate. Since the Lochranza portion came to about 22m we could expect the Sannox section to be worth about 10m.

 

Shiskine

Calendar of Papal letters to Scotland of Clement VII of Avignon p 193 (1393) confirms a grant by Reginald, son of Somerled, to Saddell Abbey which included 5d Stesthayn in Hareyn. (Also printed in Highland Papers IV pp 146-9). At the Arran conversion rate of 1d : 6m this would be 30m.

RH6/614B is a precept of 1498 which also gives the grant of 20m Seskan by Reginald. (Cf Monro ALI p 72).

RMS II (3170) of 1507-8 refers to a grant of 20m Ceskene by Reginald, son of Somerled, to Saddell Abbey. (Cf Monro ALI p 72).

Bute Retours (15) of 1607 refers to the 18m (OE) of Sascan in Arran.

RMS VII (760) of 1612 confirms a charter of 1556 for Caskane.

RMS VII (1243) of 1615 refers to 20m OE of Ceskane.

It is difficult to make sense of so much contradictory data and we do not know precisely which farms composed the Shiskine estate. Accordingly I have not included the nominal 20m of Shiskine in the Arran total. Instead I have used the valuations of the individual farms where we know them. Pennant (p 179, Birlinn edition) claims that ‘Shiskin, Kilmore, Torelin, and Benans’ belonged to Saddell. Book of Arran II p 87 and the 1637 rental imply that the Shiskine estate may have included Kilpatrick and Drimiginar.

 

‘Knychtisland’ or ‘Tonrydder’.

This was a 9m (Old Extent) unit referred to in Book of Arran II pp 354-5 (Retour in 1515 & Sasine in 1516), Macfarlane’s Genealogical Collections II p 342 (sasine of 1538), RMS III (2510) 1541, RMS IV (361) 1549, RSS VI (1321) 1571 & RMS V (410) 1582. It included the island of Pladda. The Book of Arran II p 55 says it applied to the lands between Kildonan and Levencorroch inclusive. (However see above where Kildonan was part of the ‘Ten pennylands’ which was a separate estate). Fraser (p 49) suggests the estate may have included the farms of Drimlabarra, Ballymeanoch and Auchenhew.

 

Pladda

There are various references to Saint Blaise of Pladda which I think is a mistake deriving from ‘Insula Sancti Blasii de Plada’ in Bower Bk I Ch 6. The island of St Blaise is Lamlash or Holy Island. That and Pladda (‘Bladay’) are listed separately in Bower Book II Ch 10. I suspect that Bk I Ch 6 should read ‘Insula Sancti Blasii. Insula de Plada’. Fraser p 18. See also Book of Arran II p 77 fn 2.

 

 

 

Kilbrannan (as in Kilbrannan Sound) may not actually be a kil-name despite St Brendan’s traditional association with Arran and Bute. The first element may be cul or caol instead (cf Culbrennan in the Garvellachs). There is a Kilbrannan at NR 9223 but it is not named in OS 6″ 1st Series Sheet CCLIII of 1864 and I have no early records.

 

 

Arran contains two parishes – Kilbride on the east, Kilmory on the west. At the watershed in NR 9731 there are Cnoc na Croise and Lag na Croise which may well mark an early boundary between the parishes.

 

 

Kilwinning lands?

Pennant (p 179, Birlinn edition) claims that ‘Lamlash and the lands round the bay; and those from Corry to Loch Ranza, were annexed to the abbey of Kilwhinnin’. Chalmers (‘Caledonia’ – in chapter on Buteshire) claims that ‘The monastery of Kilwinning … obtained a grant of the lands between Corrie and Loch Ranza’. But, as the Book of Arran II p 87 fn 3 complains, ‘no reference is ever given, and the statement cannot be verified’.