Farr Table

Farr

For Strath Halladale names see Reay parish.

Under ‘Map Sources’ entries such as ‘Dep.313/3583’ or ‘Acc.10225/135’ refer to maps in the National Library of Scotland which appear in their online Digital Map Library. See accompanying text file for fuller descriptions.

The properties are listed in rough geographical order – going south up the west side of R. Naver, round Loch Naver, and then north down the east side of R.Naver.

Name	Value	Date	Grid Ref	Map Sources	Other forms, comments etc
Alannye		1530			OPS II, II p 710 quoting RSS Vol VIII ff 168-9 = RSS II (624) 1530. Allaniny in RSS IV (1375) 1551. See below.
Regeboll (Tongue)					Ex bishopric of Caithness lands. See below.
Loch Dionach-caraidh Dionachoire		1726	NC 5540 NC 5541	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Dinach Cory in Blaeu. Dinachcorie in MGC I p 189. MGC I p 191 locates another of the same name on the other side of the burn in Tongue parish.
Invernaver	3 davachs 20d 2 davachs	1401 1556-8 1626 1640	NC 7060	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	See below. ER XIX p 54 1556-8. Inner Nawir in Blaeu. RS37/3/290v 1626. RS37/6/268r 1640.
Akynboll		1378			See below.
Achnabourin		1726	NC 7158	Dep.313/3590/3 Dep.313/3590/4	Achunaburin in MGC I p 188.
Apigill		1726	NC 7157	Dep.313/3590/3 Dep.313/3590/4	Apagil in MGC I p 188.
Dalhorrisgle		1726	NC 7156	Dep.313/3590/4	Dallhariskill in MGC I p 188. Dalhorisdale in Dep.313/3613 (1855).
Dalveghouse		1726	NC 7155	Roy(FC) Dep.313/3590/4	Dalvighuss in Dep.313/3613 (1855). Cf Bighouse in Strath Halladale. Dallvigaibe in MGC I p 188.
Achargary			NC 7254	Pont(2)	Pont – ‘woode of Stronchergary’.
Carnachy	3 davachs	1556-8	NC 7251	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Kerenacht in ER XIX p 54 1556-8 – Carnach on p 55. Broch
Skail	1½ davachs	1556-8	NC 7146	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/5	Pont – ‘wood of Skell/heir yrons made’. ER XIX p 54 1556-8. Skell in Blaeu. Broch opposite at Inshlampie. Ex bishopric of Caithness lands. See below.
Langdale	2 davachs	1556-8	NC 6944	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Roy(FC) Dep.313/3590/6	Langoill in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. Broch. Langoll in Pont & Blaeu. 2 davachs Longwall in RS37/3/25v 1624. Ex church lands. Langdale in MGC I p 188. See below.
Rhedonel			NC 6944	Dep.313/3590/6	Between Syre & Langdale in Dep.313/3590/6.
Syre	1 davach	1556-8	NC 6943	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/6 Dep.313/3590/20	Tsyirr in Pont. Isyirr in Blaeu. ? Seyzer in Earldom (Gordon) p 309. Saoghar in MGC I p 188.
Grumbeg   Grummore   ‘Twa Gnowbeis’ Grubmoir & Grubeg	½ davach?   ½ davach   1 davach 1 davach	1618   1619   1556-8 1634	NC 6338   NC 6036	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Growb Beg in Blaeu (Strathnaver), Groub Beg in Blaeu (Sutherland). See below under Achadh an Eas. RS37/1/103v 1619. Growb Moir in Blaeu (Strathnaver), Groub Moir in Blaeu (Sutherland). + broch. See below. ER XIX p 54 1556-8. RS37/5/205v 1634 with detailed bounds.
Mudale	1 davach	1556-8	NC 5335	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/11 Dep.313/3590/21	Modell in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. ½ davach ‘of the big side of Mudeal’, ¼ (davach) ‘of the little side of Mudeal’ – GD84/1/32/5 1714. See also GD84/1/33/11 1736. RS37/6/86v 1637 & RS37/7/125r 1651 give bounds. See below.
Vagastie			NC 5328		See RS37/5/190r 1634 & RS38/3/347v 1668. MGC I p 188.
Lochnaver	1 davach	1499			RMS II (2506) 1499. Daache-Lochnavare in RSS IV (1371) 1551. 1 davach ER XIX p 53 1556-8, ER XXI p 466 1581-2. I think this is separate to Kerrownaschein but am not sure of precise location. See below.
Kerrownaschein	4 davachs	1286			See accompanying text file.
Klibreck	½ davach?	1618	NC 5834	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Chlybrick in Blaeu. Ex church lands. See below under Achadh an Eas. MGC I p 188.
Achadh an Eas	½ davach?	1618	NC 6637	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/20	Achanisk in Blaeu (Sutherland & Strathnaver). Ex church lands. MGC I p 188. See below.
(Loch) Coire nam Feuran		1726	NC 6634/6635		Corifuren in MGC I p 189.
Coire na Feàrna			NC 6225
Loch Choire			From NC 6127 to NC 6430	Pont(2) Blaeu(Sutherland) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	L. Coryna-fairn L. Corynafairn Loch Corinafairn
Loch a’ Bhealaich			NC 5926 NC 6026/6027	Pont(2) Blaeu(Sutherland) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	L: Hinshony. L. Hinshonie. Loch Hinshony. See below.
Truderscaig		1726	NC 7034	Dep.313/3590/20	Trudarscaig in MGC I p 189.
Rosal	1 davach	1556-8	NC 6841	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/20	Rossell in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. Rossoll in Pont & Blaeu. Ex church lands. RS37/1/76r 1618.
(Coille) Reidh Loisgte		1726	NC 6944	Roy(FC) Dep.313/3590/6 Dep.313/3590/20	Riloise in MGC I p 188. Rylosk in Roy. Rheloisk in Dep.313/3590/6.
Inshlampie			NC 7146	Dep.313/3590/5	Broch.
Rhifail		1726	NC 7249	Roy(FC) Dep.313/3590/5	Riphail in MGC I p 188. Rhiphail in P. Sellar Report 1811. See below under Ravigill.
Ravigill	1 davach	1556-8	NC 7248	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/5	Rayegill in ER XIX p 54 1556-8. Rawegill in Pont. Rawenill in Blaeu. Ravigill in P. Sellar Report 1811. See below.
Dunviden			NC 7251		Broch.
Skelpick	2 davachs	1556-8	NC 7156/7256	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/4	Skelpyk in ER XIX p 54 1556-8. Skelpig in Blaeu. Broch. 2 davachs in RS37/3/290r 1626. Skelpick 2 davachs 1637 in GD84/1/28/2B. See also Book of Mackay Appendix No 38 pp 428-9.
Rhinovie	1 davach	1556-8	NC 7157	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/3 Dep.313/3590/4	Ronnaldy in ER XIX p 52 1556-8. ‘Rẽ newy’ in Blaeu. 1 davach in RS37/3/290r 1626. Reynavie 1 davach 1637 in GD84/1/28/2B. 1 davach in RS37/6/270v 1640. See also Book of Mackay Appendix No 38 pp 428-9.
Achanlochy			NC 7158	Dep.313/3590/3 Dep.313/3590/4
Achcoillenaborgie		1726	NC 7159	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/3	See J Stone p 20 for Pont’s reference. Achcaillnaborgin in MGC I p 188. Broch.
Achina		1726	NC 7060	Dep.313/3590/2 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3590/3	Achunah in MGC I p 188.
Dalcharn			NC 7061	Dep.313/3590/2 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3590/3
Bettyhill			NC 7061	Dep.313/3590/2 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1
Ardniskaig			NC 7062	Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1
Achneiskich		1726	NC 7062	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1	Achanieskye in Pont. Achaiesky in Blaeu. Achuneiscich in MGC I p 188.
Crask			NC 7262	Dep.313/3590/2 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1	Gunn & Mackay, p 151: “Crask, G. cross-way. All the Crasks in Sutherland agree in this respect that they denote a short pass leading from one village to another, or from one parish into another”.
Clerkhill	1d		NC 7162	Dep.313/3624/21 Dep.313/3590/2 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1	‘Pennyland’ – Adam I p 223.
Clachan			NC 7162	Dep.313/3590/2 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1
Ard Beag	1d	1718	NC 7163	Dep.313/3624/21	Ardbeg – GD84/1/32/13.
Farr	3 davachs	1556-8	NC 7263	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/2 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1	ER XIX p 54 1556-8. Broch.
Swordly	2d	1668	NC 7363	Pont(2) Dep.313/3590/2 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3612/1	Sorard(a)l in Pont. Suordallie – GD84/1/23/1B – (see alsoBook of Mackay p 318). Broch.
Fastly			NC 7359	Pont(2)	Fastaly in Pont.
Achamore			NC 7457
Kirtomy	4d	1668	NC 7463	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/26	Kertami in Blaeu. Kirtomie – GD84/1/23/1B – (see also Book of Mackay p 318).
Poulouriscaig			NC 7665
Port Mor			NC 7765	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/19
Armadale	1½ davachs	1556-8	NC 7864	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/19 Dep.313/3622/50 Dep.313/3622/3 Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3622/26	Armydale in ER XIX p 52 1556-8. Broch. Armidaill in Blaeu.
Brawl		1726	NC 8066	Dep.313/3622/3 Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3622/26	Boraal in MGC I p 187.
Totegan		1726	NC 8268	Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3622/26	Toutigan in MGC I p 187.
Dallangwell		1726	NC 8259	Dep.313/3622/3	Dallanqual in MGC I p 187. Dallangdale in NLS Dep.313/3622/3.
Bowside		1726	NC 8360	Dep.313/3622/3	Bocsaid in MGC I p 187.
Strathy	2½ davachs	1556-8	NC 8364	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/19 Dep.313/3622/1 Acc.10225/286 Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3622/26	Strathe in ER XIX p 52 1556-8. Strathy in Blaeu. 3 davachs in RS37/1/158r 1619, RS37/1/159r 1619.
Baligill		1726	NC 8565	Dep.313/3622/3 Acc.10225/286 Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3622/26	Bailigill in MGC I p 187.
Total	Min 25½ davachs				+7d (possibly = 1 davach + 1d)

 

 

Alannye

I have scant references to this name. Is the first element ‘eilean’ (island)? Apart from Neave or Coomb Island there are no obvious candidates. There is an Eilean Uan in the River Naver, just south of Invernaver but I am not sure it would have been regarded as important enough to appear in the documents.

 

Regeboll (see also Ribigill under Tongue parish)

Book of Mackay p 89 (quoting Reay Inventory for 1540), and OPS II, II p 717 (quoting Sutherland Charters in 1559), show that Skail and Rigaboll were ex-bishopric lands. See also RSS IV (1372) 1551. Regeboll is listed between Scrabster and Cunside (both Tongue parish) in 1530 (OPS II, II p 710) and 1542 (OPS II, II p 711). However, in 1570 (OPS II, II p 713) it is listed after Skail and before Sandwood. Ribigill in Tongue parish does lie between Scrabster and Cunside so did the name Regeboll became Ribigill by metathesis? There are references to Ribigill in 1702 & 1723 (GD84/1/26/1&2) but neither indicate a church connection. However Angus Mackay, author of the Book of Mackay states (p 89) that ‘The reserved lands of Ribigill and Skail continued afterwards, for some centuries, the respective glebes of the incumbents at Farr and Kintail’. (Kintail is another name for Tongue parish). Since Mr Mackay was not only steeped in the history of the area but was himself a minister I accept his word.

 

Invernaver (See also Akynboll following)

Illustrations of the Topography and Antiquities of the Shires of Aberdeen and Banff, Vol IV, Spalding Club, Aberdeen, 1862, p 376, gives Carnach, Inernauyr & Akynboll being granted by King Robert II to Alexander Stewart of Badenoch in 1378. The lands had apparently been resigned by Alexander de Ard. However a different complexion is put upon this resignation by a document of 1401 given on pp 377-8. (See also Lib. Insule Missarum pp L-LI). This takes the form of a marriage arrangement between Margaret, daughter of Lady Margaret of Ard, and Angus of the Isles. Part of the agreement addresses the recovery of Brebach, Carynnes & Innvyrnavyr. Given the family ‘de Ard’ are involved in both documents it appears likely that Carnach, Inernauyr & Akynboll are the same as Brebach, Carynnes & Innvyrnavyr – and that they wanted the properties back. The 1401 document gives ‘dauacham Brebach’ which suggests Brebach/Carnach itself was a davach. For more on members of the ‘de Ard’ family and their connection with Caithness see History of the Chisholms pp 29-38. See also under Garty in Loth parish, Sutherland.

 

RS37/3/290v 1626 refers to the 20d (Old Extent) of In(ner)naver including Dalbeghous and Ap(?)igile. On the west coast a reference to 20d would imply an ounceland which – in the north-west – usually equated to a davach. However we have ER evidence that Invernaver was 3 davachs so the likeliest explanation here is 3 davachs at an exchange rate of 6d per davach – with an extra 2d attached. Dalbeghous is now represented by Allt and Cnoc Dalveghouse in NC 7155. Apigill is in NC 7157. On this basis it is clear that the 3 davachs of Invernaver stretched over some 5-6 kilometres of the west bank of the River Naver.

RS37/6/267r 1640 refers to the davach closest to the sea. RS37/6/268r 1640 refers to the davach nearest the sea which was the northern half of the two davachs of Invernaver which were presently possessed ‘in maynseing’ by the Master of Reay. This implies that of the 3 davachs of Invernaver the Master of Reay retained 2 davachs as his ‘Mains’ or ‘Home farm’.

 

Carnach (now Carnachy in NC 7251) is south of Dalveghouse so possibly the 14th-century ‘de Ard’ estate stretched several miles on the west bank of the River Naver from the mouth to Carnachy. It probably comprised 3 davachs Invernaver, 1 davach Carnachy and possibly at least one more davach called Akynboll or Carynnes. ER XIX p 54 1556-8 gives 3 davachs at Invernaver and 3 davachs at Carnachy.

 

Akynboll

GD52/1034 1378 lists Carnach (Carnachy), Inuernauyr (Invernaver) and Akynboll. This last is presumably a now-lost Norse farm-name. In the farm-lists printed in SHS Sutherland Estate Management Vol 1 we find Accoboll (1815) and Accobul (1802-1815) – which may be the same.

 

Skail

RSS IV (1372) 1551. OPS II, II p 717, quoting Sutherland Charters in 1559, states that Skaile and Regeboile (Tongue parish) were ex-bishopric lands. RMS IV (1669) 1565.

 

Langdale

This seems to have changed its name from Langoll (ON lang + vollr = long field) to Langdale (ON lang + dalr = long dale) between c. 1681 & c. 1719. (Although still Langwell in Roy). In the former year it was still Langwall in Book of Mackay p160 fn 1. In the 1678 Rental (Book of Mackay No 63 pp 471-5) it is Langwell. Alternatively both Langdale and Langoll are Norse and ancient – but with the former subsuming the latter.

 

Lochnaver

Daach-Lochnavar in RSS IV (3060) 1555. Dawach-Lochnave(r)t in RMS IV (1635) 1565. See Records of the Parliaments of Scotland (online), 19/4/1567 – NAS PA2/10, II, ff 22v-23r. The commas in the online version are misleading. It is clear from other contemporary documents that this should read ‘Davach Lochnaver’.

 

Grummore

RS37/1/103v 1619 is ambiguous but implies Groubmoir may have been a davach. RS37/5/169r 1634 states it is a ½ davach.

 

Mudale

RS37/5/190r 1634 & RS38/3/347v 1668 describe the lands of Kerranashinach as a quarter davach – once part of the davach of Mowadill. The bounds are given in detail.

 

Achadh an Eas, Grumbeg, Klibreck

RS37/1/77r 1618 gives Auchnist, Growbeg & Clibrick as 1½ davachs (possibly 3 x ½ davach units)?

 

Loch a’ Bhealaich

Cf ‘Bellach, Unshean’ in Retours (Sutherland) (6) 1656. From uinnseann (ash-tree)? This loch has changed its name since the sixteenth century.

 

Ravigill

Allt Rivigill enters River Naver in NC 7248. It is difficult to be certain but I think this is Rewigill in 1530 (RSS II (624) 1530, OPS II, II p 710), Revegill in 1542 (OPS II, II p 711), Rebegill in 1551 (OPS II, II p 712), Rayegill in 1556-8 (ER XIX p 54), Ravigill in 1570 (OPS II, II p 713), Rebegall in 1613 (OPS II, II p 714). It is not the same as Rhifail (nearby in this parish) or Ribigill in Tongue parish. (However, the latter is the same as Regeboll which was a bishopric property and is listed separately in 1530, 1542 & 1570).

It is possible that these names of Ravigill and Rhifail have moved over time. NLS Dep.313/3590/5 Plan of the Farms of Ravigill, Skeal and Rhifele, 1810, shows Ravigill as north of Rhifele with the farm of Girfe between them. Girfe is likely to be by Eilean Garbh in NC 7147. I would prefer the evidence of an 1810 estate map over that of the OS sixty-three years later. There is a burial-ground marked on OS Explorer 448 immediately west of what is now named Rhifail in NC 7249. In OS 6″ Sutherland Sheet XXXVI 1873 this is named ‘Cladh Rivigill’. This suggests to me that the 1810 map more accurately depicts the relative positions of the two settlements.

Macfarlane’s Geographical Collections Vol I, p 188 of 1726, gives the geographical order of the settlements, (from south to north), as Rossall, Riloise, Riphail, Skelpig, Rynavy.