The ouncelands of Cowal
Parish | Merklands
(actual) |
Merklands
(notional) |
Ouncelands
(at 1d : 4m) |
Ouncelands
(at 1d : 6m) |
Kilfinan | 183½ | 200 | 2½ | |
Kilmodan | 79½ | 80 | 1 | |
Inverchaolain | 109½ | 120 | 1½ | |
Strathlachlan | 40 | 40 | ½ | |
Strachur | 101m 5s* | 100 | 1¼ | |
Kilmorich | 72½ | 80 | 1 | |
Lochgoilhead | 87 | 90 | ¾ | |
Kilmun | 60½ | 60 | ½ | |
Dunoon | 134 | 120 | 1 | |
Column Totals | 867 ⅞ | 890 | 7¾ | 2¼ |
Total Cowal | 10 | |||
Glen Shira | 38½ | 40 | ½ | |
Glen Aray | 85 | 80 | 1 | |
Total | 123½ | 120 | 1½ |
If the above table is correct in its assumptions then Cowal was 10 ouncelands. This would mean that Kilfinan (at 2½ oz) is accurately described as the ‘Kerry’ (ceathramh or quarter) of Cowal. If each pennyland is the same as a Dalriadic ‘house’ then Cowal was 200 ‘houses’.
There are neither Norse farm-names nor pennylands in Kilmorich and Glen Shira. However both districts centre on Loch Fyne and there are numerous examples of both Norse farm-names and pennylands by other parts of the loch. It seems reasonable to assume that Norse political and fiscal control extended to the head of the loch even if that overlay was shallow and temporary in nature.
* Equivalent to 101⅜m
Leave a Reply