Tiree
I have found no trace of pennylands in Tiree, either in valuations or place-names, although the 1662 rental recognises that there were 20d in a tirung. There are three sources I have used for mail-land valuations. They are given in the 1751 Argyll Valuation Roll; in the map printed in Argyll Estate Instructions where the data is taken from Turnbull’s report of 1768-9, and in the table printed on pp 35-9 of Argyll Estate Instructions taken from a report dated c. November 1794. Where the figures are agreed I have only entered one number, otherwise I have shown alternatives. The valuation in merklands is not always consistent with the value in mail-lands but this is because the ratings usually date from different periods. (The date column only refers to merkland valuations). We have merkland valuations from the early sixteenth century but our mail-land valuations are mid-eighteenth century. Originally they would have corresponded.
Name | Value
(m) |
Mail-lands | Date
(m) |
Grid Ref | Map Sources | Other forms, comments etc |
Kirkapoll parish | ||||||
Caoles | 6 | 48 | 1509 | NM 0848 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Keulis(Blaeu), belonged to Bishopric of the Isles |
Ruaig | 7 | 44 | 1509 | NM 0647 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Rowag(Blaeu), with Vuill in 1674 rental(HP I p 291) |
Salum | 1½ | 12 | 1674 | NM 0648 | Blaeu
Langlands(1801) RHP 6795 |
Salem 24s (AS II 235 & 236 of 1628), Saalum(Langlands).
‘Quarter’ 1663. |
Vaul | 6 | 48 | 1509 | NM 0448 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Valdarorich(1509), Wall(1541 & Blaeu),
Vaule(AS II 235, 236) |
Kirkapol | 6 | 24 | 1509 | NM 0447 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Iona monastery, Kirkapost(CRA pp 3-4 of 1561), Kirkabol(Blaeu) |
Gott | 2 | 1509 | NM 0346 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
God(1509, 1541, Blaeu), Priory of Ardchattan’s. | |
Vuill | 1 | 1509 | c. NM 0446 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Iona monastery, Thewill(1509), Will(1541),Woyll(1587-8), Weill(Blaeu), Derry monastery in Retours 67(1662). | |
Gott & Vuill | 12 | 1751 | ||||
Scarinish | 3 | 18 | 1509 | NM 0444 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 RHP 8826 |
Iona nunnery, Skervinch(1509), Sckareness(Blaeu), “Copper ore here”(RHP 8826) |
Bal-Ayg | 1 | 1509 | NM 0046/0147 | RHP 6795 | 1m Ballowhag(1509), Baluaig(RHP 6795), Balwag(1674). See below. | |
Balephetrish | 3 | 32 | 1628 | NM 0046/0147 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 RHP 8826 |
4m Ballepeteris(1541), 3m(AS II(235 & 236)1628), Balfedre(Blaeu), 4m with Balwag(1674).
See below. |
Kenovay | 6 | 48 | 1509 | NL 9946 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Kannavaye(1509), Kenbay(Blaeu) |
Cornaigbeg | 3 | 40½ | 1509 | NL 9846 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
|
Cornaigmore | 7½ | 40½ | 1541 | NL 9746 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
9m with Bassapole(1509) |
(Loch) Bhasapol | (1½) | 1509 | NL 9746 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Bassapole(1509), Baspol(Blaeu), Bassobull(1663), Bassepoill(1674) | |
(Rubha Port) Bhiosd | 3 | 24 | 1509 | NL 9648 | Blaeu
Langlands(1801) RHP 6795 RHP 8826 OS(1878) |
Bastawe(1509), Bister(1541), Bistie(Blaeu), Byst(RHP 6795), Beist(RHP 8826), Biest(Langlands), Port Bhiosd(1878), 24 mail land (1663), 3m with Ballenairagainich in HP I p 290 1674. |
Kilmoluag | 6 | 51/57 | 1509 | NL9646/9746 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Kilmolowaig(Blaeu) |
Balevullin | 6 | 48 | 1509 | NL 9546 | RHP 6795 | Ballimulin(1509) |
Kirkapoll parish total | (69½) | |||||
Soroby parish | ||||||
Heanish | 3 | 24 | 1509 | NM 0343 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Hanys(1509), Haynis(1541), Heaness(Blaeu) |
Baugh | 3 | 24 | 1509 | NM 0243 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
=Bayech?(1509), Baw(1541), Baigh(Blaeu), Baiglie(1674) |
Cu’ Dheis | 30s | 1509 | NL 9841 | Langlands(1801)
RHP 6795 RHP 8826 |
Cuheish(RHP 6795), Quiyeish(RHP 8826), 18 mail-land in 1663, 2¼m(30s) Cowzeife (HP I p 289 1674), Quinish(Langlands).
See below. |
|
Balinoe | 20s | 1509 | NL 9742 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Balnow(Blaeu), Baleno(RHP 6795).
20s would be equivalent to 12 mail-lands. |
|
Balinoe & Cu’ Dheis | 30 | 1751 | 30 mail-lands would be equivalent to 50s or 3¾m. | |||
Hynish | 6m | 1509 | NL 9839 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
£4(=6m), Teirunge(1663), Annahynisch(1509), Hynis(1541), Heanes(Blaeu), Tayneish(HP I p289 1674), Heynish(RHP 6795). | |
Middleton/Ballimeanach | 3m | 24 | 1509 | NL 9443 | Blaeu
Langlands(1801) RHP 6795 |
Balliemanach(1509) but other spellings suggest ‘mid’ |
Barrapol | 6m | 1509 | NL 9542 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Barapole(1509), Bairrepoill(1541), Barrabol(Blaeu),
Barbull(1663) |
|
Kilkenneth | 6m | 1509 | NL 9444 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
£4(=6m) Kilquhynich(1509), Killyne/Kilkyne(1541), Kilchainie(Blaeu), Killhenish(RHP 6795) | |
Kilchenichbeg | 3m |
12 |
1726
1751 |
|||
Kilchenichmore | 12 | 1751 | ||||
(Beinn) Mhurstat | 6m | 1509 | NL 9445 | RHP 6795
RHP 8826 |
Murtod(1509), Murtost/Murtoft(1541), Murdat(1663), Murdoll(HP I p290 1674), Muirdat(RHP 8826), Muirdale or Murstal in Argyll Estate Instructions p 57. See below. | |
Hough | 6m | 48 | 1509 | NL 9545 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Howe(1509), Howfe(1541), How(Blaeu) |
Balephuil | 6m | 32 | 1509 | NL 9641 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Iona monastery, Ballefulye(1509), Baillephuille(CRA p2 1561), Balefuil(Blaeu) |
Heylipoll | (3m) | 40 | 1390 | NL 9742/9743 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
½oz(3m) Hindebollis 1390, 6m Tillipole(with Crossipole) 1509, 4m Hynnepols(1541), 5m(1674), Hyrbol/Hylebol(Blaeu) |
Crossapol | (3m) | 8 | 1509 | NL 9942/9943/9944 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
6m with Heylipoll in 1509, 2m(1541), 1m(1674), Krosbol(Blaeu) |
Soroby | 1¼ | 1674 | NL 9841/9842 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
1¼m(1674) but perhaps part of Crossapol above | |
Mannal | 6m | 1390 | NL 9840 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
1oz Mannawallis(1390), Mandalon(1496) Manwell(1509), Manvall/Manwell(1541), Mannol(Blaeu) | |
Mannal & Hynish | 72 | 1751 | ||||
Nyerin | 1½ | 1509 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Herne(1496), Nyerin(1509), Iryne/Heryne(1541), Hyring(Blaeu), Harinnine(1663), Eyrme(1674), Yrine(RHP 6795), (=Aorinn?). See below. | ||
Ceann a Mhara | 3½ | 1541 | NL 9340 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
=46s 8d(3½m)Valdonovodanach(1509)? Kenmarre(1541), Keanddauar(Blaeu), Kennavar(1674) | |
Gortendonel | Consisted of Barrapol & Kenovar (AEI pp 18, 23, 49) | |||||
Barapoll & Kenovar | 64 | 1751 | ||||
Kerrefergus | 1½ | 1674 | c. NL 9445 | Kereferguss 11 mail-land in 1663. Former name for Keravintrianvoir? See below. | ||
Keravintrianvoir | (1½) | 12 | 1751 | c. NL 9445 | Keratrianvoir with Kerameanoch in 1794 | |
Kerremeanach | 1½ | 12 | 1674 | c. NL 9445 | ||
Kerahusagar | (1½) | 12 | 1751 | c. NL 9445 | RHP 8826 | Ballehusiger(1663), Kerachusagar(1743) |
Kerachrosegar | 1½ | 12 | 1674 | c. NL 9444 | Blaeu
Langlands(1801) RHP 8826 |
Krosgairth(Blaeu), Krossiegers(1674), Kerachrosegar(RHP 8826), Kerachrasgar(Langlands) |
Keranokile | 1½ | 12 | 1674 | c. NL 9444 | Langlands(1801)
RHP 8826 |
Kerrienakill(1663), Reranakeill(1674) |
(Traigh) Ghrianal | 1½ | 12 | 1674 | NL 9344 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
‘Quarterland'(1663), Grinok(Blaeu), Griyenll(RHP 6795) |
Sandaig | 1½ | 12 | 1674 | NL 9443 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 Langlands(1801) |
‘Quarterland'(1663) |
Balemartine | 1½ | 22 | 1674 | NL 9741/9841 | Blaeu
RHP 6795, Langlands(1801) |
|
The Reef | 12 | 1541 | NM 0045 | Blaeu
RHP 6795 |
Reiff(ER XVII pp532-3, 1541), Ryfmoir(Blaeu), this became common ground but I do not know if it was always so | |
(Traigh) Bhi | 3 | 1541 | NL 9440/9540 | Bee(ER XVII pp532-3, 1541) | ||
Soroby parish total | 80¾ | |||||
Tiree total | 150¼m | |||||
Bal-Ayg and Balephetrish
Bal-Ayg (Baluaig) and Balphetrish are sometimes treated as the same unit but, on the basis of the evidence in ER XIII & XVII, RHP 6795 and the 1674 rental, I think they may have once been distinct farms worth 1m and 3m respectively.
Cu’ Dheis
The situation with Cu’ Dheis is complex. In 1509 two farms are specified: 30s Ownglesch(1509) and 20s Ballino making a total of 50s or 3¾m. In 1541 Cowelche is mentioned at 3m(40s) along with another 10s which is listed separately and may have been part of Heryne. Since Balinoe does not appear in 1541 it seems likely that Cowelche was originally worth 50s but in the early sixteenth century was splitting into two farms of Cowelche(30s) and Balinoe(20s). They appeared individually in 1509 but for some reason were not listed separately in 1541.
Units of 10s are each one-eighth of a tirung which was 6m (80s). Similarly 10s equals 6 mail-lands so the 18 mail-land of Cuish in 1663 equals 30s or 2¼m or ⅜ tirung.
Mhurstat
Murdat was 22 mail-land (2¾m) in 1663; 3½m waste in 1674.
Nyerin
In RHP 6795 Yrine is shown between Balephuil & Hynish.
Kerrefergus
I only have two references for Kerrefergus; one as 11 mail-land (=1m 5s) in ABA FH233 which is a rental for 1663, the other as 1½m (=12 mail-lands) in a rental for 1674. Other names occurring in the 1663 rental prove that Kerrefergus was not the same as Kerahusagar, Kerachrosegar, Keranokile or Kerremeanach. The only other name which begins with Ker- is Keravintrianvoir so they may be the same.
Quarterlands
There are six quarterland units (worth 1½m each) which I have not included in the total. These begin with the element Kerr- which is a version of ceathramh or quarter. They do not appear in the earliest assessments but by the time of Turnbull’s survey (1768-9) two of the older ounceland farms (Murtod and Kilkenneth) had been broken up. His map (RHP 8826) shows the following farms in the north-western corner of Tiree (reading N to S):
Muirdat
Kerahusagar
Kerachrosegar
Keranokile
Kilchenichmore
Kilchenichbeg
Grianal
Sandaig
I suspect that Muirdat, Kerahusagar and Kerachrosegar were subdivisions of the old Murtod ounceland and that Keranokile, Kilchenichmore and Kilchenichbeg were fractions of the ounceland of Kilkenneth. This accounts for three of the six Kerr- names. Kerahusagar is given as 36 mail-lands in Turnbull’s report but I think this was because it contained two other quarterlands of 12 mail-lands each – Kerremeanach and Keravintrianvoir. They do not appear in 1768-9 but are found before (1751) and after (1794). The final quarterland is Kerrefergus which I think is an earlier name for Keravintrianvoir. Kerrefergus is documented in 1663 and 1674 but not thereafter. Keravintrianvoir does not appear until 1751. I presume Kerremeanach and Keravintrianvoir were by Kerahusagar.
In a section entitled ‘Names from Kenavara’ Brownlie (p 154) refers to a feature called ‘Na Dabhaichean’ (The Vats). I do not know if this refers to a natural feature reminiscent of vats or tubs or whether it has to do with land-assessment. Otherwise I have found no reference to davachs.
It is striking how valuable the farms of Tiree were relative to other parts of the Highlands & Islands. Elsewhere there were few farms worth a whole davach or ounceland. In Tiree there were still 16 intact in 1509.
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