Tongue Table

Tongue (or Kintail)

Under ‘Map Sources’ entries such as ‘Dep.313/3622/13’ or ‘Acc.10225/286’ refer to maps in the National Library of Scotland which appear in their online Digital Map Library. See accompanying text file for fuller descriptions.

Name	Value	Date	Grid Ref	Map Sources	Other forms, comments etc
Strath Melness	4d	1663	NC 5664	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Strahenn-Melness in Pont(2). Strahen Melness in Blaeu. See below. Broch.
Melness	1 davach (18d?) or 3 davachs	1556-8 1676	NC 5863	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Mellynes in ER XIX pp 52-3 1556-8. See below. Another broch by Melness House.
Skinnet	½ davach or 3d?	1660	NC 5861	Dep.313/3622/13 Dep.313/3622/14	See below. Included Rabbit Islands.
Rabbit Islands or Eilean nan Gaill			NC 6063	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Island Ghaill in MGC I p 190. See below.
Awenagild = Iylandguyle?	1 davach	1556-8			Awenagild in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. Conceivably the first element is a corruption of ‘Eilean’ – see Rabbit Islands above.
Portvasgo			NC 5864	Pont(2)	Baes-Gho in Pont(2).Baes Gho in Blaeu(Strathnaver.
Cunside	1 davach 2d	1556-8 1702	NC 5851	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Kennesoid in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. Kunissett in Pont, Kunisset in Blaeu. See below.
Ribigill  (=Regeboll)	5½d	1657	NC 5854	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/17	Ribbegi(?)l in Pont(2). Ex bishopric of Caithness lands. Ribbegall in Blaeu. See below.
Regeboll  (=Ribigill)	1 davach	1556-8			Regeboll in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. See below under Ribigill.
Diriemadie		1726	c. NC 5446		Dirumeadie in MGC I p 191. See below.
Ardachaidh	part of 3½d	1657	NC 5755		Ardachie in GD84/1/20/1 1657. See below under Ribigill.
Ardnochoue	part of 3½d	1657			GD84/1/20/1 1657. See below under Ribigill.
Ardchranick	part of 3½d	1657			GD84/1/20/1 1657. See below under Ribigill.
Reynes [Rayne] & Dounarich	½d	1657			GD84/1/20/1 1657. =Dun Varrich or Caisteal Bharraich. See below under Ribigill.
Caisteal Bharraich	part of ½d	1657	NC 5856	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Doun Vorrich in Pont & Blaeu. GD84/1/20/1 1657. See below under Ribigill.
Rhian (Cottage)	part of ½d?		NC 5855		= Reynes [Rayne]? See Rhianbreck in Dep.313/3623/10? See below under Ribigill.
Scrabster	½ davach	1556-8	NC 5954	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Scrabuster in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. Skrabist(?)l in Pont(2). Skrabistall in Blaeu.
Tongue	1½ davachs	1556-8	NC 5858/5958	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Acc.10225/161 Acc.10225/162	Tonge in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. Tung in Pont & Blaeu.
Strathtongue	2d	1696	NC 6259	Dep.313/3622/18, 19, 20	Strahanhungue in 1696. Strathtongue and Dallcharn in Dep.313/3622/18, 19, 20. MGC I p 190.
Dallcharn			NC 6258		See also Strathtongue. Broch.
Rhitongue		1726	NC 6059		Rihung in MGC I p 190. Broch.
Kirkiboll	4 davachs >=2d	1556-8 1740	NC 5956	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/38 Dep.313/3622/15 Dep.313/3622/52	Kirkboll in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. See below.
Inchverry			NC 5956	Dep.313/3622/52
Coldbackie		1726	NC 6159	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/8 Dep.313/3622/9	Caltabacky in Pont & Blaeu. Coldibackie/Caldibacky in MGC I p 190.
Blandy			NC 6159	Dep.313/3622/16 Dep.313/3622/17
Scullomie		1726	NC 6161	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/22 Dep.313/3622/23 Dep.313/3591/20	Skulramy in Pont(2). Scalramy in Blaeu. Skurlimy in MGC I p 190. Broch.
Borgie Borgge Mekle Borgg Litill	1 davach ½ davach	1556-8 1556-8	NC 6759	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/43 Acc.10225/163	Borgymoir & Borgybeg in Pont(2). Borgy Moir & Borgy Beg in Blaeu. Broch. ER XIX p 54 1556-8. In Farr according to MGC I p 189.
Torrisdale	1 davach	1556-8	NC 6761	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/6 Dep.313/3622/7 Dep.313/3622/43	Thorsdale in ER XIX p 54 1556-8. Broch. Also in NLS Acc.10225/286 & 287.
Aird of Torrisdale	1½d	1801			NLS Dep.313/3326.
Modsary			NC 6561	Pont(2)
Skerray	½ davach 1 davach	1556-8 1644	NC 6463/6663	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/13 Dep.313/3622/43	Skerre in ER XIX pp 53-4 1556-8. GD84/1/20/1B. Portskerry in Pont(2). Port Skerry in Blaeu.
Neave or Coomb Island			NC 6664	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Elanenyofo in 1386 (Caithness and Sutherland Records Vol I, Part VII, No 132, pp 173-4, London, 1913). Ylen Coim in Pont with cross symbol. Ylen Coim in Blaeu with settlement symbol. MGC I p 190.
Eilean nan Ron			NC 6365/6465		Island Roan, 4 families in 1726 – MGC I p 190.
Kinloch (Head of Kyle of Tongue)	1 davach 7d	1556-8 1712	NC 5552	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Kandloch in ER XIX p 53 1556-8. Broch. Keanloch M. & Keanloch B. in Blaeu. See below.
Letter Loyal	1 davach	1644		Pont(2)	Letterlaghoill in MGC I p 191. See below.
Torridarrow	¼ davach	1624			Part of Letter Loyal according to RS37/3/25v 1624.
Torr an Tairbh	½ davach	1644	NC 6047/6147		Torrantarve in MGC I p 191. See below.
Allt an Lagh-Aird		1726		Roy(FC)	Aldnalouchart in MGC I p 191. See below under Torr an Tairbh.
Ruighe Leadain		1726	NC 6149	Roy(FC)	Rheanleadain in 1678 rental (Book of Mackay No 63). Rianleadan in MGC I p 191.
(Loch) Coulside		1726	NC 5743/5843	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	L: Cuilsait in Pont. Loch Cuilsait in Blaeu (Sutherland & Strathnaver). Cullisaid in MGC I p 191.
Polrouskarny			c. NC 6353/6453	Pont(2) Dep.313/3613	Arable & grazing. Book of Mackay p 319.
Total	15½ davachs				14 davachs given in 1556-8.

 

 

RS36/2/143v 1607 describes an area of land on the east side of Ben Loyal. A number of the place-names are still identifiable: Ben Loyal, Loch Craggie, Glas-choire. There is reference to Avon Lurgaine which appears on some of the later versions of the Burnett & Scott map as Alt-na-lurgin (e.g. 1853, 1855 1868 revisions of a map based on surveys of 1831-2). This burn became Allt Dubh in the OS 6″ map of 1874 (Sutherland, Sheet XXXV). There is also mention of the islands off the coast north of Skerray: Eilean nan Ron, Eilean Iosal & Meall Thailm.

 

 

Strath Melness

In GD84/1/25/1 1663 Strathmelnes is described as in the parish of Duirnes. Likewise in RS38/4/27r 1670, RS38/4/27v 1670.

In GD84/1/25/5 1726 Strathmellness is 4d.

 

Melness

In GD84/1/27/8 1676 there is mention of the wester 9½d of Melness. This is repeated in GD84/1/27/7 1726. Melness might therefore have been 18d or 3 davachs or 1 ounceland in total. See also Book of Mackay Appendix No 2 pp 370-1, No 9 pp 381-4.

 

Skinnet

GD84/1/21/1B refers to the ½ davach of Skinatt with the isle called Iylandguyle. This is Rabbit Isle. Also RS38/3/90r 1666.

However GD84/1/21/4B 1656 suggests that Skinet was part of 9d Melness.

 

Rabbit Islands or Eilean nan Gaill

Elaneegelye in 1386 (Caithness and Sutherland Records Vol I, Part VII, No 132, pp 173-4, London, 1913).

‘Ylen na-Gaild or Lowlandmens yle’ in Pont(2). Ylen na Gald in Blaeu. (= Eilean nan Gall [or Strangers’ Isle]).

MGC I pp 190-1 1726 gives “Island Ghaill which is a grassing of the farm of Skiriad [read Skinnet] whether [whither] their cows go in at low water with a stream tide. It abounds with rabbits. … bay of Tongue, wherein is good anchorage for ships of burden particularly at Island Ghaill. This last clause gives context for Pont’s description.

 

Cunside

GD84/1/24/1B of 1702. Probably also 2d Rinnisit of GD84/1/20/1 1657 where ‘K’ is misread as ‘R’.

 

Ribigill  (=Regeboll below)

Ribigill is 5½d in GD84/1/20/1 of 1657, GD84/1/26/1 of 1702 and GD84/1/26/2 of 1723. In 1657 it is listed with 3½d Ardachie, Ardnochoue & Ardchranick as well as ½d Reynes [Rayne] & Dounarich apparently making a total of 9d (although the figures add to 9½d). Since 6d would be a davach I am inclined to think that Ribigill was originally a davach and that the half-pennyland of Reynes & Dounarich (=Dun Varrich or Caisteal Bharraich) were formerly part of it. It looks as if the farms were all adjacent to each other and made a compact 1½ davach unit. They were said to be adjacent to the lands of Cunside. GD84/1/20/1B 1644 implies that Ardachie, the Rhyanes, Auchestell & Kelcheraskall were associated with Ribigill but gives no valuations. The 1678 rental in the Book of Mackay No 63, pp 471-5, includes Ardachie, Achastell and Scrabuster. GD84/1/26/1 of 1702 associates Ribigill with the town and land of Diriemadie.

 

Regeboll  (=Ribigill above)

Book of Mackay p 89 (quoting Reay Inventory for 1540), and OPS II, II p 717 (quoting Sutherland Charters in 1559), show that Skail (Farr parish) and Rigaboll were ex-bishopric lands. See also RSS IV (1371-2) 1551 and RMS IV (1669) 1565. Regeboll is listed between Scrabster and Cunside (both Tongue parish) in 1530 (OPS II, II p 710) and 1542 (OPS II, II p 711). It is given between Kandloch (Kinloch) and Scrabuster (Scrabster) in 1556-8 (ER XIX p 53). 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 1644 (GD84/1/20/1B), 1702 & 1723 (GD84/1/26/1&2) but none 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 statement entirely. The change in the spelling of the name must have taken place between about 1570 (when it was Rigibald) and 1654 (the date of Blaeu’s map when it was Ribbegall).

 

Diriemadie

See under Ribigill above. This name has disappeared from the map but Roy(GM) marks Tyromedy at SE corner of Loch Ullabal. Burnett and Scott’s Map of the County of Sutherland (1831, 1832 & 1853) marks Diru Meadie at the south-eastern corner of what is now Loch an Dithreibh. (In Pont(2) Loch an Dithreibh is Loch Ullodill). On OS Explorer 447 the settlement is simply Dithreibh.

 

Kirkiboll

Kirkiboll is given as 4 davachs in 1556-8 which made it by far the largest farm in the area. It likely included some of the neighbouring settlements.

GD84/1/30/1 of 1740 refers to two of the pennylands of Kirkiboll. Since these were adjacent to each other it sounds as if each pennyland was a distinct territorial unit and not a collection of strips scattered through the runrig. However the description of the glebe pennyland in my acompanying text file suggests precisely the opposite!

 

Kinloch

7d Kain Lochs in GD84/1/26/1B of 1712.

 

Letter Loyal

Although this does not exist as a settlement today it must have had meaning in 1644 when GD 84/1/28/4B refers to the davoch of Letterlyell (i.e the slopes of Loch Loyal). It probably included Litir Mhor at NC 6145 on the West bank of Loch Loyal. The burn called Allt Liath which enters Loch Loyal at NC 618461 was called Allt na Leitire Mòire in OS 6″ 1st Series Sutherland Sheet XXXV 1874. (The name Lettermore seems to have migrated northwards and now occupies the site formerly known as Torr an Tairbh). The davach may also have included Leitir Bheag on the East bank of Loch Loyal (Dep.313/3622/49). It did not include Torr an Tairbh which is listed separately in 1644. However it did include the ¼ land of Torridarrow which is said to be a part of Letterlyvall (Letter Loyal) in RS37/3/25v 1624. (But there is a caveat that Torr an Tairbh and Torridarrow might be the same).

 

Torr an Tairbh

The settlement here is now called Lettermore. GD84/1/28/4B 1644 refers to the ½ davoch of Torintareff & Oldinloichart. The latter is probably for Allt an Lagh-Aird which enters the west side of Loch Loyal at NC 615489. (Allt an Laoigh-Aird in OS 6″ 1st Series Sutherland Sheet XXXV 1874). I wonder if this name is actually for ‘lunkart’ which refers to a hunting-spot. It is Achowlogart in 1678 (Book of Mackay No 63), Oldlongart in 1681 (Book of Mackay p 160 fn 1).

MGC I p 191 of 1726 lists the settlements (from south to north) as Letterlaghoill, Torrantarve, Aldnalouchart, Rianleadan and Riannyan.