Coigach & Loch Broom – Summary Table

Coigach and Loch Broom

Gordon(ES) = Gordon/Blaeu map of Extima Scotiae

Name	Value	Date	Grid Ref	Map Sources	Other forms, comments etc
Coigach
Coigach	4 davachs	1739			NLS MS 19308 f4 1739.
Davachnahard	1 davach	1573			GD305/1/1/5 See below.
Achnahaird (Brae of), Reiff & Altandubh	¼ davach	1681	NC 0113 NB 9614	RHP 3429 E746/189	See under Davachnahard below.
Badenscallie	⅛ davach		NC 0306	Gordon(ES) E746/189	See under Davachnahard & Badenscallie below.
Achiltibuie	⅛ davach		NC 0208	Gordon(ES) E746/189 RHP 3426	See under Davachnahard below.
Badentarbat	⅛ davach		NC 0110	Gordon(ES) E746/189	See under Davachnahard below. PNRC p 259.
Dornie	⅛ davach	1681	NB 9810/9811	E746/189	See under Davachnahard below.
Inverpolly	⅛ davach	1646	NC 0614/0714	Roy(FC) E746/189	See under Davachnahard below.
Dalpolly	⅛ davach	1646		E746/189	Located in Fig 14.6 of Baldwin. See under Davachnahard below.
Strathcanaird	2 davachs	1573	NC1401/1501	Gordon(14) Gordon(ES)	Strathannort, GD305/1/1/5. It will have included Langwell.
Achendrean			NC 149018	RHP 3428 OS VIII (1875)
Auchmilmore	¼ davach	1683		E746/189	GD305/1/162/297 1683.
Langwell (Lodge)			NC 1702	Gordon(ES) Roy(FC) E746/189	PNRC p 256.
Pollachoire	6 pecks	1651	NC129009	Gordon(14) RHP 3428	GD305/1/144/4 1651 refers to 6 pecks of the lands of Pollocorrie.
Ardmair	¼ davach	1646	NH 1198	Gordon(14)	GD305/1/5/4 1646; GD305/1/144/4 1651; GD305/1/5/7 1681. Ardmery in Gordon(14).
Achall/Achechall	½ davach	1573	c. NH 1994/2094	Gordon(14)	GD305/1/1/5; GD305/1/1/1 & 3 1576. The name survives in Loch and Glen Achall which lie E of Ullapool.
Rhidorroch (House) East Rhidorroch (Lodge)			NH 1795 NH 2393		The ‘grasing, shealling and pasturage of Ridoroch’ is referred to in GD305/1/18/4 1672.
Ullapool	1 davach ½ davach	1606 1654	NH 1294	Gordon(14) Gordon(ES) E746/189 (See below)	RS36/2/94r 1606. (Possibly included Achall & Corry)? GD305/1/145/1 1654. GD305/1/144/4 1651 refers to the Wester ¼ of Ullabile. Ullobill in GD305/1/28/4 & 5 1600. RHP 85395.
Corry/Chorre	½ davach	1573	NH 1492/1493	Gordon(14) Gordon(ES) E746/189 RHP 3442 OS 6″ Sheet XXII	GD305/1/1/5; ¼ lands in GD305/1/145/1 1654. RHP 85395.
Total	4 davachs 8m	1573 1633			GD305/1/1/5 1573. NLS MS 19308 f4 1739. Retours (Ross) (79) 1633.
Loch Broom parish
Lochbroom	10 davachs	1670			RS38/4/13r 1670; RS38/4/15r 1670; RS38/4/15v 1670. See below.
Kirktoun	¼ davach	1594	NH 1784	Gordon(14 & ES) Roy (FC)	Ex bishopric. GD128/23/1/3 1594, RMS VII (298), RS36/2/274v 1607, RMS VIII (410). See below.
Inverlael	1 davach	1370-1	NH 1885	Pont(4) Gordon(14)	Innerlawyr in Lochbrene in GD 93/8 1370-1 (or CWMF (8)). See below.
Auchlunachan	1 davach ½ davach	1671 1548	NH 1783	Gordon(14)	See below. RS37/5/256r 1635.
Auchadaschaild	1 davach ½ davach	1635 1548	c. NH 1979/1980	Gordon(14) E746/189	RS37/5/256r 1635. See below.
Dawacheloch	(1 davach)	1524			Sole reference is GD93/46 which states that it lies in the Strath of Loch Broom. See below.
Auchindrein	½ davach ¼ davach	1669 1548	NH 1980	Gordon(14) E746/189	RS38/3/445v 1669. Retours (Ross) (141) 1682, (154) 1693.
Leckmelm	½ davach ¼ davach	1664 1548	NH 1690	Pont(4) Gordon(14) RHP 3668/1-5	Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572. It was ½ davach in total. RS38/2/148r 1664. Broch. See below.
Loggie Dun Lagaidh	(½ davach) ¼ davach	1548	NH 1490/1590 NH 1491	Gordon(14 & ES)	Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was ½ davach in total.
Auchnadonill	(1 davach) ½ davach	1548	NH 0987	Gordon(14 & ES)	Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was 1 davach in total. = Dundonnell.
Auchtascailt			NH 0987	Gordon(14) RHP 3478	Difficult to distinguish from Auchadaschaild  above.
Brecklach	(1 davach) ½ davach	1548	c. NH 1088	Gordon(14) Roy(FC)	Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was 1 davach in total.
Keppoch	¼ davach	1672	NH 0988	Gordon(14 & ES) Roy(FC)	GD305/1/18/4. Not part of the ‘de Insulis’ estate.
Kildonan	¼ davach	1672	NH 0790	Gordon(14 & ES) Roy(FC)	GD305/1/18/4. Not part of the ‘de Insulis’ estate.
Durnamuck	(¼ davach) ⅛ davach	1548	NH 0192	Pont(4) Gordon(14 & ES)	Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was ¼ davach in total.
Mungasdale	(½ davach) ¼ davach	1548	NG 9693	Pont(4) Gordon(14 & ES)	Combined with Gruinard in a ¼ davach in 1548. Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was ½ davach in total.
Gruinard (House)   Little Gruinard	(1 davach) ¼ davach ¼ davach	1671 1668	NG 9592   NG 9489	Pont(4) Gordon(14 & ES) RHP 2991/1 RHP 3401 E746/189	PNRC p 242. See Mungasdale above. GD1/400/2/3 Section I pp 24-25 1671. GD1/400/2/3 Section I p 1 1668. RS38/3/366v 1669. Grunord in Pont & Gordon, also Grunord-beg in Gordon(14). See below.
Camas Gaineamhaich	(½ davach) ¼ davach	1548	NG 9590	Thomson (1826)	Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was ½ davach in total. Thomson equates Camisganich with Lit. Greinord. The neighbouring house is now called Fisherfield.
Sand/Sanda	(½ davach) ¼ davach ¼ davach	1548 1669	NG 9091	Pont(4) Gordon(ES) Roy(FC)	Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was ½ davach in total.   RS38/3/366v 1669.
Laide			NG 8991/9091		Possibly = Laidgoune of Retours (Ross) (159) 1695. The Extent given (6s 8d of rents) would indicate a low valuation. Possibly linked with Achneigie.
Udrigle	¼ davach	1668	NG 8993		GD1/400/2/3 Section I p 1 1668. RS38/3/366v 1669.
Mellon Charles	¼ davach	c. 1660	NG 8491		See below.
Drumchork	(½ davach) ¼ davach	1548	NG 8788	Pont(4) Gordon(ES) Roy(FC)	Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was ½ davach in total.
Tournaig	(½ davach) ¼ davach	1548	NG 8783	Gordon(ES)	Combined with Kernsary in a ¼ davach in 1548 & 1572. Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was ½ davach in total.
Kernsary			NG 8979		See under Tournaig above and Inverew below. Kernsery (1548), Carnesarie (1572); Carnosare in Retours (Ross) (79) 1633.
Inverew	1 davach ½ davach ¼ davach	1677 1548 1572	NG 8580	Gordon(ES)	RS38/4/478v 1677 – parish of Gairloch. RMS IV (204) 1548. RMS IV (2273) 1574 on original of 1572. See below.
Letterewe	1 davach	1693	NG 9571	Roy(FC)	Retours (Ross) (156). See below.
Daachlatrik	½ davach	1548			RMS IV (204) 1548. See Letterewe above.
Smiorasair	¼ davach	1672	NH 0066/0067	Gordon(ES)	Smersarie in RS38/4/156v 1672. ¼ davach of Taacks (Taag).
(Gleann) Bianasdail		1636	NH 0065/0165	Gordon(ES)	The saw mill of Binastle was linked with the 2 davachs of Keandlochew (Kinlochewe) in RS37/5/309v 1636. Also in GD1/1149/11/1 1700.
Kinlochewe	2 davachs	1636			RS37/5/309v 1636. See below.
Auchlask	4m or 1 davach	1463 1508-9	c. NH 032619	Gordon(ES)	4m from GD46/14/1 & GD305/1/166/7 of 1463. Davach in RMS II (3313) 1508-9, GD305/1/20/6 1561 & Retours (Ross) (79) 1633. See below.
Taagan/Taag	4m 1 davach	1463/ 1508-9	NH 0163	Thomson (1826) OS 6″ LXXI	See below.
Anancaun			NH 0262	Thomson (1826) OS 6″ LXXI	?= Anabean in RS38/4/156v 1672 – ¼ davach of Taacks (Taag). PNRC p 231.
Glasletter	¼ davach	1672			6 pecks of … in Glendochordie (Glen Docherty) in RS38/4/156v 1672. Probably part of one of the 2 davachs of Kinlochewe.
Achnasheen	(½ davach) ¼ davach	1548			Only half the property is being referred to in 1548 & 1572 so it was ½ davach in total.  RS36/2/221r 1607. Possibly the same as Auchnacheigne of Retours (Ross) (159) 1695. I don’t think this can be the Achnasheen at NH 1658.
Achneigie (Achnevie in 1866)	(⅛ davach) ½ bovate	1548	NH 0879	RHP 2991/2	½ bovate Auchnaschew in 1548 (or Auchanewye in 1572) would be 1/16th of a davach. Since only half the property is being referred to the total was 1 bovate (or oxgang) = ⅛ davach). Retours (Ross) (79) 1633. GD305/1/78/5 1749. PNRC p 243.
Strathnasealg	½ davach	1672	c. NH 0680	RHP 978 RHP 3350	Strathnasalge GD305/1/18/5.
Larochinteavoar in Strathnasalge	⅛ davach	1672	NH 0580	RHP 2991/2	GD305/1/18/5 refers to the oxgate of (i.e. ⅛ davach). It may be in addition to the ½ davach of Strathnasalge. Now Larachantivore.
Glenarygolach in Strathnaselg		1672	NG 9889		The ‘grasing, shealling and pasturage of … Glenarygolach in Strathnaselg’ is referred to in GD305/1/18/4 1672.
Craigour	⅛ davach	1672	NH 0088		Craigourd GD305/1/18/5 1672.
Grand Total	16⅜ davachs				16 davachs would be 64m Old Extent (1 davach = 4m).

 

 

Coigach

 

RSS V Pt 1 (1560) 1563-4 has some interesting early versions of place-names in Coigach.

 

Davachnahard

This davach is described in detail in Retours (Ross) (44) 1617 as a “davach of Auchnahard … containing the towns and lands underwritten viz:

Davachnahard, Auchnahard, Dorny, Badintarbat, Akilvy, Badskallay, Stracholdyn, Stranagruen, Reiff and grazing between Lynlovack and Killek”. It is given an old extent of 2m. A similar list appears in GD305/1/5/2 1617 where the last two place-names appear as Loynelovaik & Kirkaig. Most of these names appear in another breakdown given by JR Baldwin in ‘Peoples & Settlement in NW Ross’ pp 355-7 (using information from Bangor-Jones). He claims Badenscallie, Achiltibuie, Badentarbat, Dornie, Inverpolly and Dalpolly were each ⅛ davach whilst Achnahaird, Reiff & Altandubh together made up a ¼. GD305/1/5/7 1681 talks of the ‘oxingang lands of Delpollie & Inverpollie’, the ‘¼ lands of Auchnahard’ and the ‘oxengang lands of Dornie’. GD305/1/5/4 1646, GD305/1/5/5 1654 & GD305/1/5/8 1681 lend further support. PNRC p 261. Essentially this is the davach of the promontory in the north-west part of Coigach.

 

Badenscallie

For pendicles see ‘Peoples & Settlement’ pp 303, 377, 380.

 

Ullapool

GD305/1/162/322 1720 refers to the ‘peck’ of land called ‘Coran of Ullabull’.

For plan of ‘Ullapooll’ by William Morrison, 1775, see ‘Peoples & Settlement’ Fig 12.4 p 252. See also RHP 3400 1757, RHP 1728 1787, RHP 4286 1854.

 

 

 

Loch Broom

Lochbroom

In 1670 we have three references to the 10 davachs of Lochbroom. These are relatively late but may indicate that Lochbroom was once thought of as a 10-davach unit. RS38/4/15v 1670 states that the components included Inverew, Turnaik, Kerinsarie, Drumkork, Sand, Udrigill, Loggie, Kirktoune of Lochbr(oom), Auch(chirichan) + others.

 

Kirktoun

One of the ‘common kirks’ of Ross – RSS V Pt 2 (3173) 1566-7.

 

Inverlael

Inverlael was not part of the ‘de Insulis estate’. Fortunately it is well documented back to 1370 when it was resigned by Elyzabeth de Bercley in favour of Hugh de Monrooch (Munro) in GD93/7. See also GD93/8 & 10 1370-1; GD93/19 1453. GD93/124 1590 (or CWMF (124)) give the parts & pendicles of Innerlaoll as: Ardcharne, Innerlauell, Balliblair, pasture and sheillings of Dacharrie, Ferchesthie & Glendueldie. Ardcharne is Ardcharnich NH 1788; Baliblair is Balblair NH 1885; Glendueldie is marked on Pont(4) and Gordon(14) at c. NH 1985. Retours (Ross) (170) 1589 gives a similar list.

RS36/2/369v 1608.

I don’t think Dacharrie is anything to do with davachs. It is Douchorrie in GD305/1/112/378 1673.

 

Auchlunachan

Auchlunachan is referred to as a davach in GD305/1/37/4 1671. There are references to a ½ davach of Auchlunachan in 1548, 1572, 1635, 1672 & 1673 but I think these refer to only half of the farm. In GD305/1/18/5 1672 one half is called Ballin (probably = Balinloin of Gordon(14) and Balinloyn of Gordon(ES)). (Ballin is also called Ballone or Bellone – e.g. GD1/400/2/3 Section I pp 28-29 1671). References to ½ davach Auchawinichane in GD305/1/37/1 & 2 1637 and Auchauinichane in GD305/1/37/3 1640 probably all mean Auchlunachan. GD93/46 1524 (& CWMF (46)) refer to half of Acheglownachan. CWMF (51) gives a telling example of how difficult it was for an Easter Ross laird to overturn old loyalties in Wester Ross. Achlunachan or Ballone (GD403/54).

 

Auchadaschaild

Auchadaschaild is referred to as a davach in RS37/5/256r 1635, GD305/1/37/1 & 2 1637, GD305/1/37/3 1640 & GD305/1/18/5 1672. In RMS IV (204) 1548 & (2273) 1572 it is only a ½ davach but I believe this only refers to half the property. Achetesklad in GD93/46 1524 (& CWMF (46)). The ½ davach of Auchtaskyldnusk in GD305/1/18/4 1672 probably refers to this farm.

 

Dawacheloch

The first element in the name Dawacheloch implies a davach. GD93/46 (& CWMF (46)) refer to ‘the half lands of Dawacheloch’ which may only mean that, as with Auchlunachan, this property had already been divided in two. It lay in the Strath of Loch Broom and may have included another property such as Auchindrein. The context is so vague that I have not included it in the total

 

Auchindrein

Auchindrein is a ½ davach in RS38/3/445v 1669 & Retours (Ross) (154) 1693. It is a ¼ davach in RMS IV (204) 1548 & (2273) 1572 but I believe this only refers to half the property.

 

Leckmelm

½ davach in RS38/2/148r 1664 & GD1/400/2/3 Section I pp 35-36 1674. The subdivision is supported by Retours (Ross) (79) 1633 and (83) 1635. The former gives Lekmaline as part of the huge Loch Broom estate belonging to George M’Keinzie; the latter gives Leckmayline (40s Old Extent) as belonging to the much more modest estate of Iver M’Iver of Culkenzie. 40s Old Extent sometimes indicates a quarterland which suggests Leckmelm was originally a ½ davach which was then divided into two quarterlands which fell to separate owners.

 

Gruinard

PNRC p 242 claims (1904) that ‘Dabhach Ghruinneard … is still heard’. This probably included Gruinard, Little Gruinard and Gruinard Island.

 

Mellon Charles

GD305/1/108/317 c. 1660-69 refers to the ‘quarter lands of Mellane half lands and fell of Duo’. ‘Fell’ may be for ‘Stell’ (salmon-fishery) and I think this refers to the Stell of Ewe. This would imply Mellon Charles rather than Mellon Udrigle. I fear I am missing some assessments in Rubha Mòr.

 

Inverew

RS38/4/478v 1677 refers to the davach of Innerew – and specifically the quarterland which included Cammis, Inchvard, Dinrigartie and Strondow. (Cammis or Camus was probably the bay by Inverew, Inchvard is Innisabhaird at NG 8979, Dinrigartie [Dirriegartie?] might have been near Loch an Doire Ghairbh at NG 8878, Strondow is Sròn Dubh at NG 8681).

CS229/MC/11/5 1825 refers to ½ davach of Inverew commonly called Kirktown of Inverness (Inverewe?) and Kernsary. On the grounds that the place-name means ‘mouth of the River Ewe’ I have located this at NG 8580 – which is a little south of the present Inverewe House.

Inverew was a davach but I am unsure of the precise subdivisions.

 

Letterewe

In RMS IV (204) 1548 & (2273) 1572 there are references to the ½ davach of Daachlatrik or Dawauchnalitteraucht. As with the other examples given above these references only concern half the property which would mean that the whole was worth a davach. This becomes more likely because the first element in the place-name is Daach or Dawauch for Davach (the davach of the slopes or banks of Loch Ewe). Since the name Daachlatrik disappears it was probably replaced by Letterewe – as in GD128/23/1/3 1594.

 

Kinlochewe

2 davachs of Keandlochew (Kinlochewe) in RS37/5/309v 1636. Also in GD1/1149/11/1 1700. This probably comprised the davach of Auchlask and the davach of Taag so I have not included it in the total.

 

Auchlask

This farm is important because the documents make clear that its value was 4m or a davach. The farm is now lost but is identified in Macfarlane’s Geographical Collections II p 539 as Achalusk which apparently lay on the north side of the River Con near Kinlochewe. It seems that the River Con was an earlier name for the Kinlochewe river and that Achalusk lay a little way up the river from Loch Ewe. 4m of Dawoch of Auchloisk in GD128/23/1/3 1594. This was probably one of the 2 davachs of Kinlochewe.

 

Taag

GD46/14/1 of 1463 gives Taryl as 2m. GD305/1/166/7 of 1463 gives 4m Taag. RMS II (3313) of 1508-9 gives 3m davach of Daache. GD128/23/1/3 1594 gives 2m of the davoch of Daag. Retours (79) 1633 gives 3m davach of Taag. RS38/4/156v 1672 names two quarters of Taacks as Smersarie (Smiorasair) & Anabean (?Anancaun). Watson (PNRC pp lvi & 231) thought that the place-name derived from Old Norse taða/taði (infield). It seems likely that the true valuation was 1 davach or 4m Old Extent. This was probably the other of the 2 davachs of Kinlochewe.

 

 

See Macgill p 91 No 236 for place-names in Loch Broom in 1675.