Reay Table

Reay

First I have listed the Sutherland part of Reay – i.e. Strath Halladale. This was originally Farr parish but part of Reay from early in the 13th century. The list is in geographical order going upriver along the west bank, then downriver along the east bank.

Under ‘Map Sources’ entries such as ‘Dep.313/3622/26’ or ‘Acc.10225/141a’ 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
Sutherland
Portskerra			NC 8765	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/9 Dep.313/3622/33 Acc.10225/286 (6) Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3622/26 Dep.313/3590/19 Dep.313/3622/3	Portskarye – 1m rent in ER XIX p 52 1556-8. Port Skerry in Blaeu.
Melvich			NC 8864	Pont(2) Blaeu(Caithness) Dep.313/3590/12 Acc.10225/286 (6) Dep.313/3612/1 Dep.313/3622/26	Mealloch in Pont. Mealoch in Blaeu.
Achridigill			NC 8862	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Blaeu(Caithness) Dep.313/3590/15	Acharrydigill
Kirkton/Balnaheglis	2 davachs	1556-8	NC 8861/8862 NC 8961/8962	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/28 Dep.313/3622/29 Dep.313/3622/30 Dep.313/3622/32 Dep.313/3590/15	Balehegliss in RMS II (148) 1429-30 Balnahaglis in ER XIX p 52 1556-8. Balna Haglise in Blaeu. Ex churchlands. See below.
(Upper) Bighouse			NC 8857	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3622/47	Begos in Pont and Blaeu. See below under Bighouse. Broch (possible) Upper Bighouse NC 889575.
Nhare			NC 8954
Chilsey			NC 8955	Acc.10225/286 (7)	Kealsey in Acc.10225/286 (7).
Trantlemore			NC 8953	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Trontir Mor in Blaeu. West side Strath Halladale. See below under Bighouse. Gunn, A. & Mackay, J. p 147. Broch (possible) Trantlemore NC 891533.
Craggy			NC 8951	Roy(FC) Acc.10225/141a
Forsinard			NC 8943	Pont(2) Roy(FC)	See below under Bighouse. Gunn, A. & Mackay, J. p 147.
Forsinain Farm			NC 9148	Pont(2) Roy(FC)	See below under Bighouse. Gunn, A. & Mackay, J. p 147.
Breacrie			NC 8951	Roy(FC)
The Borg			NC 9050		East of River. Broch (possible) – The Borg, NC 8950.
Trantlebeg			NC 8953	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Trontir B. in Blaeu. East side Strath Halladale. Laing Charters (682) 1557. See below under Bighouse.
Davachmore	(1 davach)	1651			RS37/7/124r 1651. See below.
Davachbeg	(1 davach)	1651			RS37/7/124r 1651. See below.
Croick			NC 8954	Roy(FC)
Dalhalvaig			NC 8954	Roy(FC) Acc.10225/286 (7)
Smigel			NC 8957	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver)	Smigill in Pont.
Achiemore			NC 8958
Havaig			NC 8960	Roy(FC) Dep.313/3622/28 Dep.313/3622/29 Dep.313/3622/30 Dep.313/3590/14
Cnoc Chorkael			NC 8961	Roy(FC) Dep.313/3590/14 Dep.313/3590/15	Corkal in Dep.313/3590/14 & 15.
Golval	2 davachs 9d	1556-8 1663	NC 8962	Pont(2) Blaeu(Strathnaver) Dep.313/3590/14 Dep.313/3590/15	Galvale in RMS II (148) 1429-30. Galdwall in ER XIX p 52 1556-8. 2 davachs = 12d. Gauldwell in Blaeu. Galdwall in Retours (Sutherland) (10) 1663. Ex churchlands. –vollr name. See below.
Pennyland of the Strath	1d	1663			Retours (Sutherland) (10).
Bighouse			NC 8964	Roy(FC) Thomson (1823) Dep.313/3590/24	This was Torr in Roy. In Thomson (NLS EMS.s.712(26)) it is given as Torr or Bighouse. See below.
Beghus, two Trontalis and two Forsis	2¼ davachs	1588			RMS II (149) 1429-30. RMS III (477) 1527. Beghus, the two Trontalis and the two Forsis were 2¼ davachs according to Laing Charters (1158) 1588.
Sub-total (Strath Halladale)	8¼+ davachs				We only have 10d in pennyland assessments (less than 2 davachs).
Caithness
Drum Hollistan   Loch Ouliston			NC 9263/9264	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Thomson(1822)	Drumhellesten in Blaeu.
Fresgoe			NC 9565/9566	Roy(FC)	Fresko in Roy.
Sandside	19d	1626	NC 9564/9565	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	RMS VIII (1855) 1631 on original of 1626. Sandset (Blaeu).
Helshetter			NC 9662
Rae (Reay) & Dachow	12d	1626			RS37/3/289r 1626. 12d would be 2 davachs.
Reay	(1 davach or 6d)		NC 9664	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	ALI No’s 29-30 (pp 45-7) 1439. See also NLS Dep.313/428/2/3.
(Cnoc) Dachow	(1 davach or 6d)		NC 9664	Roy(FC)	Davachow in Book of Mackay Appendix No 33, pp 418-9, 1628. Dachow in Roy. Name implies 1 davach or 6d.
Borlum (House)	4d 9¼d	1606 1626	NC 9764	Roy(FC) Thomson(1822)	4d of Borlinn in RS36/2/114v 1606. Separate to following?: Borlinne 9¼d old extent in RS37/3/293r 1626 & RMS VIII (1855) 1631 on original of 1626. Borlum is for Bordland i.e. castle tableland.
Loanscorribest			NC 9863/9864
Isauld	5½d	1641	NC 9765	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	RS37/6/379v 1641. See below.
Craigton			NC 9866		Laing Charters (3196) 1753 – by Dounreay.
Dounreay Lower Dounreay Upper Dounreay	24d	1562	NC 9866 NC 9965	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9)	GD96/93 ’16d of the 24d of Downra’; GD96/165 1577; RS37/3/24r 1624; RS37/3/292r 1626 & RS37/3/294r 1626. Ex Bishop of Orkney. For constituent farms in Reay estate see Summary text file. RSS VII (988) 1577. See below.
Achrasker			NC 9963	Thomson(1822)
Achvarasdal House Achvarasdal			NC 9864 NC 9962	Thomson(1822)	Broch (possible) Achvarasdal NC 983646.
Brawlbin			NC 0657/0757	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) RHP1217 RHP1218/1 & 2	RMS IV (745) 1552-3. RHP4418/1/26.
Achforsiescye	4½d 11¾d 5d	1538 1661 1661	ND 0256	Thomson(1822)	RMS XI (53) 1661. See below.
Lybster (Smallholdings) Tulloch of Lybster	(9d)	1607	ND 0268 ND 0269	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	RS36/2/149r 1607 gives half = 4½d. Retours (Caithness) (12) 1624 claims 4½d was half Lybuster. See also Retours (Caithness) (18) 1630. Broch (possible) – Tulloch of Lybster, ND 026694.
Borrowston (Mains)	4½d	1624	ND 0168/0169	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	Retours (Caithness) (12) 1624. See below. Broch (possible) – Green Tullochs, ND 013696.
Stemster (Smallholdings)	(8d)	1557	ND 0365/0465	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC) RHP 2787-9	Stambuster in OPS II, II p 746. Ex bishopric of Caithness. See text file ‘Inferring pennylands from rentals’. RMS VII (1508) 1616. RHP2787, 2788, 2789. Broch (possible) – Tulloch of Stemster, ND 039654. Broch (possible) – Stemster Hill, ND 040664.
Hallam Holme	7d	1630	ND 0367		See under Skiall below. Holme in Retours (Caithness) (18) 1630.
Dalclagie Dallachlaggie	2d	1630	ND 035682		OS 6″ 1st Series Caithness Sheet IV 1872. Dallachlaggie in Retours (Caithness) (18) 1630. See under Skiall below.
Skiall	32d	1587	ND 0267	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	RMS V (1341) & Retours (Caithness) (22) 1644. 31½d in RMS III (1798) 1538. 32d in RMS VIII (2207) 1633 & RMS XI (53) 1661. Skel in Blaeu. See below.
Shurrery	3d	1663	ND 0458	Blaeu(Caithness) Roy(FC)	Shewrarie in RS20/1/pp 173-4 1663. Shureri in Blaeu.
Broubster			ND 0359	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC)	Broubuster in Blaeu. See below.
Shebster			ND 0163/0164	Blaeu(Caithness) Gordon(9) Roy(FC) RHP1226	Broch (possible) – East Shebster, ND 025633. CS231/T/2/1/5 1667. Laing Charters (3196) 1753.
Tubeg	3d	1659			See below. Ex-bishopric of Orkney. Associated in documents with field of Achamyrland.
Achamyrland					Location unknown? Near Shebster? May be Aichamerland of RMS VII (2008) 1619, Achamurlane of Book of Mackay Appendix No 33, pp 418-9, 1628.
Achunabust			NC 9964		Broch (possible) – Achunabust, NC 9964.
Baillie	(4d)	1557	ND 0465	Roy(FC) RHP1224/1-4	Bayley in Roy. OPS II, II p 746. Ex bishopric of Caithness. See below.
Braibster				Roy(FC)	Roy marks separately to Broubster. = Brabster of GD139/62/1 1608 & GD139/65 1628?
Lambsdale			ND 0554	RHP1218/1 & 2 RHP1679 Thomson(1822)	RHP4418/1/26. OS 6″ 1st Series Caithness Sheet XVI 1872.
Sub-total (Caithness)	163d				=27+ davachs
Total (Sutherland) dav. Total (Caithness) dav. Total (Reay) dav.	8¼+ 27+ 35+				OSA gives 271d (45 davachs @ 6d per davach = 270d)

 

Sutherland portion

 

Kirkton/Balnaheglis

Bellmaglis in RSS II (624) 1530. Bellonaglis in RSS IV (1375) 1551. Balnahegeis in RSS IV (3060) 1555. Balnahacles in Records of the Parliaments of Scotland (online), 19/4/1567 – NAS PA2/10, II, ff 22v-23r.

 

Bighouse

NB Two different places in Strath Halladale caled Bighouse. Upper Bighouse is at NC 8857 (West bank). Bighouse is at NC 8964 (East bank). Upper Bighouse is the original as made clear in the Pont and Blaeu maps. Byghosse in RMS II (149) 1429-30.

Laing Charters (1158) 1588 refers to the lands of “Beghus, the two Trontalis and the two Forsis [indorsed ‘Forsinaird and Forsinain’] … extending to two davachs and one-quarter davach”. Unfortunately I cannot apportion the total value between the five farms.

 

Davachmore & Davachbeg

I do not know which properties these two davachs included – only those they did not include. RS37/7/124r 1651 also refers to Forsinard, Forsinane, Trontlemore, Trontlebeg, Kencraig, Galvell, Balnaheglish, Bighous and Melvich.

 

Golval

Galvell in RSS II (624) 1530. Gawell in RSS IV (1375) 1551. Galdwell in RSS IV (3060) 1555. Gauldwall in Records of the Parliaments of Scotland (online), 19/4/1567 – NAS PA2/10, II, ff 22v-23r.

 

Broch – Carn Liath, NC 8952

Broch (possible) – Loch Mor, NC 8863.

 

Caithness portion

 

RMS VII (2008) 1619 lists some of the properties within the Reay estate as Sandsyde, Rae, Dachow, Borlum, Mylnetoun + mill, Easeald, Achafrescar, Aichamerland, Schourari. All but Rae and Dachow are repeated in the three sections of RMS VIII (1855) 1631 on originals of 1626.

This list also occurs in Book of Mackay Appendix No 33, pp 418-9, 1628.

 

Isauld

RS37/6/379v 1641 is complex. It refers to 5½d Isald, 4d of which was called Dunbeath’s davach. There is also reference to 5d called B(eliglas?) and the remaining ½d called Croft Ffarla. (The sense implies that B(eliglas?) was the fifth pennyland but the document definitely says ‘five’ not ‘fifth’).

There was also a quarter of the 3d (i.e. ¾d) lying nearest the shore and the ¼ of the field called Auchgillane.

It is difficult to make full sense of this. Isauld was probably originally a davach or 6d. 4d of this belonged to Dunbeath. Another pennyland was called ‘Beliglas’ – although this reading is highly speculative. Another ½d was a croft. Quite how the ¾d land lying nearest the shore relates to this is ambiguous.

 

Dounreay

M Bangor-Jones (1987), p 15, has discovered a reference to skatlands in Dounreay. For other examples see under Reiss (Wick), Stangergill (Olrig) and Skiall (Reay). Broch (possible) Cnoc Urray NC 983663. Broch (possible) Achbuiligan Tulloch NC 989657.

 

Achforsiescye

Achforsiescye is another Caithness example of the late addition of a Gaelic prefix to a Norse place-name. Forsyfur was 4½d in RMS III (1798) 1538, Forsequeir was 5d in RMS V (1341) 1587, Fasequhair was 5d in Retours (Caithness) (22) 1644. It appears twice in RMS XI (53) 1661 – firstly as 11¾d Forskiver and then as 5d Forsikiver. It was Forsesay in Thomson’s map.

 

Borrowston (Mains)

Borroustoune appears in GD93/59 (or CWMF No 59) 1547-8 when it belonged to the family of Monro of Fowlis. It is there linked with Lurare (Lieurary, Halkirk parish) and they were valued at 20m ‘in time of peace’ (i.e. Old Extent). They were held of the laird of Inneruge (Inverugie). Borrowston was probably at least 1 davach.

 

Stemster

OPS II, II p 746 (quoting Sutherland Charters) gives the rent of Stambuster in 1557 which implies an extent of 4d.

 

Skiall

GD112/58/200 No 3 1528 refers to 5½ scatlands of Skaill. So far as I am aware this is one of only four references to scatlands on the north mainland of Scotland. Given Skaill’s high value it is tempting to equate them to 5½ davachs @ 6d or 33d. If, however, a scatland was 4½d then the total would be 22½d. (For the other examples see Dounreay in this parish, Reiss in Wick parish and Stangergill in Olrig parish). There are a number of references to the pennylands in Skiall and it is difficult to marry them up. We have 31½d in RMS III (1798) 1538; 32d in RMS V (1341) 1587, RMS VII (766) 1612, Retours (Caithness) (22) 1644 and RMS XI (53) 1661; 16d in RMS VII (1508) 1616 and RMS VIII (1917) 1632; and 1⅛d in RS36/2/149r 1607. The most logical total would be 36d (i.e. 2 ouncelands of 18d, or 6 davachs of 6d).

RS20/1/p 148 1659 and RS20/1/p 149 1659 are two sasines with matching lists of properties in Reay. Some of these farms have valuations but others do not. It is likely that those without values were regarded as parts of other properties. The writing is not easy to read and the spellings vary so what follows is a provisional listing drawn from both documents. I have put modern names and locations in brackets:

 

8d Skaill                                   (Skiall ND 0267)

7d Hollme                                (Hallam ND 0367)

2d Dalnachlaggy                     (Dalclagie ND 0368)

Whytfield

Knock Mulinach

Achaorly                                   (? = a now lost Achcomhairle or Assembly field?)

Achabraeskill                          (Achiebraeskiall ND 0165)

Acharemny                              (? Achreamie ND 0166/0167)

Bulmore                                   (? Balmore ND 0167)

 

Broubster

Retours (Caithness) (11) 1620 refers to Brouster, Toftmichie and Tofthorso, with mill, and an Extent of £4 (6 merks or 80 shillings).

Butler (1987) suggests locations for Toftmichie at ND 046611 and Tofthorsa at ND 047597. OPS II, II p 747.

 

Tubeg

Laing Charters (2537) 1659, (2603) 1666, (2815-17) 1683, (2851) 1687, all deal with Tubeg (or Tubeig, or Tubegg) which belonged to the bishopric of Orkney. With it was associated a field called Achamyrland or Achamyre. I cannot locate this although the documents clearly indicate Reay. On the basis of these and CS231/T/2/1/5 1667 I suspect it lay by Shebster. There are other places called Tubeg by Skerray (Tongue parish) and Mudale (Farr parish).

 

Baillie

OPS II, II p 746 (quoting Sutherland Charters) gives the rent of Ballze in 1557 which implies an extent of 4d. See text file ‘Inferring pennylands from rentals’.

 

Broch (possible) – Tota an Dranndain ND 0357.

Broch – Crosskirk ND 024701.