Strathbeg

Strathbeg / Strathbeag / Strabeg (various spellings crop up) is in Durness parish and runs inland from the head of Loch Eriboll. The house known as Strabeg is now maintained as an open bothy by the Mountain Bothies Association (MBA), who maintain about 100 bothies (mostly in Scotland but also a few in England and Wales) with the permission of the owners. 

Those who lived at Strathbeg were mainly shepherds. Robert Barton, area organiser, Northern Highlands, MBA, has personally taken an interest in the people who lived there. 

He writes: "My interest in the place is that I look after the building on behalf of the MBA. As far as I can tell it was built in 1894 but there is an older (but still post clearance) ruin nearby with another at Poll Leamhain (Polleven) nearby, presumably all built to house shepherds. The bothy is on the Loch Erribol estate. I read somewhere (can’t remember where) that the people from the Strath were cleared to Laide on the shore of Loch Erribol which looks a particularly infertile place".

Robert's document on the residents is of huge interest to all who are researching their family history in this area. Our own Peter Aikman, who willingly helps this organisation, has added very useful family information to the document. You may download a copy if you wish.

I have added a Google Map of the Loch Eriboll area on the right. South of the Loch you see Pollan.  Strathbeg is further down the track from there.  I have marked the spot. 

Huge thanks to Robert and Peter for sharing this interesting information with us.

updated 28/2/2016

Durness Militia List 1809

picture above Saingo Bay

Transcribed by Malcolm Bangor-Jones, adapted for this page by C Stokes, published here with his permission.

All Mc & Mac names shown here as Mac - place names are spelled as on original document

This Militia List is certified to be a 'true & correct list of all the males between the ages of 18 & 45 residing in the Parish of Durness'. Document is dated 30th August 1809

Surnames are shown alphabetically followed by Christian name, occupation & residence plus either Ground of Exemption claimed or liable. It is noticeable on this Durness list the large number of volunteers.

Names with an * were aged over 30, those without were less than 30.

CALDER 

Alexander *, farmer, Labour
Angus *, tailor, Dalnaharve, volunteer;
Donald, labourer, Eriboll, volunteer 

CAMPBELL
Angus *, piper, Balbulichveg, volunteer
Angus *, farmer, Durine, volunteer
Donald, farmer, Aultcoirfraskel, volunteer
Donald *, Eriboll, volunteer
Donald *, shepherd, Mussel, unfit to serve
Donald, farmer, Sangomore, volunteer
William *, farmer, Sangomore, volunteer 

DONE
James *, fisher, Grudie, volunteer 

DUNLOP
Mr. Robert, Balnakeil 

JOHNSTON
William, shepherd, Sarscrim 

MACDONALD
John *, servant, Balnakeil 

MACINTOSH
Angus, labourer, Inverhope
George *, labourer, Balnakeil, volunteer
John, labourer, Rispond, volunteer
William, labourer, Eriboll, volunteer 

MACKAY
Alexander, labourer, Clasnanach
Angus, labourer, Hiliam
Donald, labourer, Achnahunat
Donald *, farmer, Eriboll
Donald, labourer, Filine, volunteer
Donald *, constable, Kinnabin
Donald, foxhunter, Strathbeg, volunteer
George *, shepherd, Aultnacailich, volunteer
George *, labourer, Hiliam, volunteer
Hector, labourer, Eriboll, volunteer
Hector, labourer, Filine, volunteer
Hector Oag *, weaver, Eriboll, volunteer
Hugh, farmer, Badvoir, volunteer
Hugh, labourer, Dalnaharve, volunteer
Hugh *, labourer, Hiliam, volunteer
James, shepherd, Bresgill (Fresgill?), volunteer
James *, post, Sangomore
John, labourer, Arnaboll, volunteer
John, labourer, Badlihavis
John, farmer, Eriboll, volunteer
John *, labourer, Filine, volunteer
John, farmer, Hope, volunteer
John *, labourer, Sangobeg
John, weaver, Sangmore, volunteer
John, cowherd, Strathbeg
John (1), labourer, Hiliam, volunteer
John (2), labourer, Hiliam, volunteer
John (3), labourer, Hiliam, volunteer
Kenneth *, labourer, Hiliam, volunteer
Robert, labourer, Eriboll, volunteer
William *, cowherd, Blaid
William, labourer, Borley
William, labourer, Clasnanach, volunteer 

MACKENZIE
George, labourer, Arnaboll, volunteer
George, labourer, Badvoir
Hugh *, farmer, Arnaboll, volunteer
John *, labourer, Elanarear, volunteer
John, labourer, Eriboll
John, servant, Eriboll, volunteer
John, shepherd, Grudie 

MACLEOD
Alexander, labourer, Durine, volunteer
Angus, weaver, Clasnanach, volunteer
George *, farmer, Balvulichveg, volunteer
Hugh *, fisher, Hope, volunteer
James, labourer, Hope, volunteer
John *, farmer, Lerin, volunteer 

MACMILLAN
Eivar *, foxhunter, Shininish 

MACPHERSON
Hugh, farmer, Durine 

MATHERS
Thomas *, shepherd, Balvluichmore 

MORRISON
Alexander, labourer, Kinnabin
Donald *, tailor, Kinnabin
George, tailor, Kinnabin
James, labourer, Durine
William, shepherd, Dall
William *, carpenter, Kinnabin 

MUNRO
Alexander *, labourer, Eriboll, volunteer
Alexander, tailor, Lochsion, volunteer
Angus, herd, Fraskil, volunteer
Donald, farmer, Eriboll, volunteer
Kenneth, labourer, Durine 

MURRAY
Robert *, farmer, Sangobeg, volunteer 

ROSS
Angus *, farmer, Hope, volunteer
Donald, farmer, Ellanhoan, volunteer
James *, farmer, Ellanhoan, volunteer
Robert *, smith, Balnakeil
William, farmer, Sangomore, volunteer 

SUTHERLAND
Angus, labourer, Hope
Angus, farmer, Sangomore, volunteer
George *, farmer, Clasnanach, volunteer
Kenneth *, farmer, Durine, volunteer
William, labourer, Hope, volunteer 

WILSON
William, shepherd, Achmore 

Durness People 1826

List of the people in the parish of Durness as is fit for Manufacturing the kelp and begin the herring Early fishing 1826 (NAS, Dep. 313/3457) - transcribed by Malcolm Bangor-Jones 2007. Thank you Malcolm. 

List below shows all those on this list. Surname followed by given name and residence followed by numbers of those available in each family. 

I have put this list in alphabetical order. Surnames are shown here as spelled on the original document with the exception of Mc and Mac being shown as Mac.

ABRACH 
George in Porthamil – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females and 0 fishers 

CAMPBELL 
Angus in Durin – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
Angus in Balvolich – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 1 fisher 
Donald in Sangomore – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 1 fisher 
Donald in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 
Hugh in Kennabein – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
Hugh in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
John in Durin - 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
Roderick in Sangobeg – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
William in Sangomore – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 2 fishers 
William Grange in Durin – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 

DINGWALL 
Alexander in Sangobeg - 1male fit for kelp – 2 females – 1 fisher 

MACCASKILL 
John in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 0 fishers 
Widow in Durin – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 

MACCULLOCH 
Thomas in Balvolich – 2 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 

MACDONALD 
John in Sangobeg – 1 male fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 

MACINTOSH 
Hugh in Island Hoan – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
John in Rispond – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 1 fisher 
Neil in Rispond – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 

MACKAY 
Andrew in Lerin – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 female – 0 fishers 
Donald in Kennabein – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 1 fisher 
Eric in Sangomore – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
Hector in Lerin – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 1 fisher 
Hugh in Porthamil – 1 male fit for kelp – 3 females – 1 fisher 
James in Sangomore – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fisher 
John in Sangobeg – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 2 fishers 
John senior in Sangomore – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 
John junior in Sangomore – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
John, old miller in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 2 fishers 
Richard in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 2 fishers 
William in Durin – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 

MACKENZIE 
George Mackay in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 1 fisher 

MACLEOD 
George in Balvolich – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 2 fishers 
John in Lerin – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
Widow in Sangomore – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 

MACNIEL 
Katherine Mackay in Lerin – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 

MACPHERSON 
Hugh in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 

MILLER 
Robert in Lerin – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 

MORRISON (Morison) 
Alexander in Island Hoan – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 2 fishers 
George in Kennabein – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
Hugh in Kennabein – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
Hugh in Balvolich – 1 male fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
James in Island Hoan – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
James in Sangomore – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 female – 1 fisher 
John Imerigan in Rispond – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 2 fishers 
John in Lerin – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 0 fishers 
Murdoch in Culecaig – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 
Murdoch in Lerin – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 1 fisher 
William in Porthamil – 1 male fit for kelp – 3 females – 2 fishers 
William in Sangobeg – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
William in Sangomore – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 

MUNRO 
Alexander in Lochsien – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 3 fishers 
Angus in Sangomore – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 0 fishers 
John in Uaigagy – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
John in Kennabein – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 

MURRAY 
Robert in Sangobeg – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 

POST 
Heirs in Durin – 0 males fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 

ROSS 
Donald in Island Hoan – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
Donald’s widow in Sangomore – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 0 fishers 

SUTHERLAND 
Donald Gould in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
George in Sangomore – 1 male fit for kelp – 0 females – 0 fishers 
Kenneth in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
Robert in Lerin – 0 males fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 
Rory in Durin – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
William Don in Durin – 0 males fit for kelp – 0 females – 1 fisher 
William (McRory) in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 1 female – 1 fisher 

SWANSON 
David in Sangomore – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 

WHITE 
Donald in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 
George in Durin – 1 male fit for kelp – 2 females – 0 fishers 

Free Church Marriages

The Free Church Records of Durness
From 18th May 1843 – end 1855
Transcribed from the Free Church Records of Durness by Angi Lamb, Edinburgh.

MARRIAGES
Register of Births & Marriages in the Free Church, Durness
Commencing at the Disruption of the Church of Scotland May the 18th 1843 Wm. Findlater Minister Free Church
Marriages p 301

1843 Dec 13 At Durin Inn James MacKay Tongue & Ann MacIntosh Durin
1844 Jan 9 At Durin Inn Hector MacIntosh shoemaker Saingomore & Isabella Sutherland daughter of late Angus Sutherland ground officer Durness
1844 May 24 At Durin Inn George Calder servant Balnakiel & Christian MacArthur daughter Duncan MacArthur carpenter glebe Durness
1844 Jun 14 At Durin MacKay Campbell labourer Balnakiel was married to Catherine daughter to Donald MacKay shepherd Cathinbreac
1844 Oct 11 At Durin Inn Niel Gunn Leathad L. Erriboll & Janet MacKay
1844 Nov 1 At Durin Robert Sutherland Saingomore & Hughina Morrison Saingobeg daughter William Morrison late at Saingobeg now in U Canada
1844 Nov 22 At Durin William MacIntosh widower shepherd at Achins to Mary Ross widow of late Donald MacKay carpenter Durin
1844 Dec 12 Robert MacKay alias Donn from Melness & Isabell MacLeod Balmholich
1845 Jan 24 At Durin Inn Angus MacLeod Balmholich to Catherine Morrison there
1845 Feb 5 At Durin John MacKay widower Leathad to Hughina MacKay widow of the late John MacIntosh Leathad
1845 Apr 11 Alexander Swanson widower Saingomore to Elizabeth Campbell Durin
1845 Oct 1 At Keanabirun John Morrison from Achins to Hughina Morrison Portnacoin
1846 Jan 9 in the Free Church Hector MacKay from Kenlochbervie & Marion Campbell Smo
1846 Jan 9 Kenneth Sutherland Saingomore & Isabell MacKay there
1846 Feb - At the Church Donald MacLeod Balvolich & Ann MacKay Saingobeg
1846 Dec 4 In the Free Church George MacKay Melnessside & Margaret Gunn Saingomore
1846 Dec 18 James Campbell Saingomore & Georgina MacKay alias Courdach Achins
1846 Dec 18 Donald MacDonald Saingobeg & Barbara MacKay Saingomore
1847 Jan 1 Alexander Morrison Saingobeg & Janet MacLeod there
1847 Jan 31 at the Free Manse Hugh Munro shepherd Strathnaver to Christian MacKay daughter to James MacKay weaver near Badcal Eddrachilles
1847 Feb 10 Donald MacKay Balvolich to Ann MacKay alias Richard Durin
1847 Feb 26 at Erriboll James MacKay & Catherine Morrison both at Erriboll
1847 Apr 10 Thomas Nicol Brae-Tongue & Margaret MacLeod Balvolich
1847 May 14 William Sutherland house carpenter from Latheron & Ann Sutherland Durin
1848 Jan 12 Donald MacKay widower Saingobeg & Ann Murray there
1848 Feb - at Erriboll James MacIntyre & Johanna MacKenzie Campbell
1848 Nov 24 at Erriboll William MacLeod Midtown Melness & Ann MacKay servant Erriboll
1848 Dec 8 John Matheson Saingomore & Mary MacPherson Durin
1849 Dec 7 Niel Matheson Saingomore & Johan Sutherland
1849 Dec 21 George Morrison Saingobeg & Catherine Sutherland servant Rispond 
1850 Jan 4 at Erriboll Donald MacKay MacHomais Melness & Isabell MacIntosh Strathmore
1850 Feb 7 at Erriboll Farquar MacIvor from Thurso & Catherine MacKay Erriboll
1850 Jun 8 at Erriboll Donald Sutherland & Georgina MacIntosh Erriboll
1850 Dec 27 William Campbell from Achrisgil to Hughina MacKay Saingomore
1851 Mar - John MacKay Lerin to Georgina Campbell widow of late Roderick Morrison Lerin
1851 Nov - John Morrison Saingobeg to Isabell Sutherland servant Scourie
1851 Nov 14 John Gunn widower Leathad & Bessie Gunn Portnacoin
1852 Jan 30 Henry Tully shepherd Rhigholtar & Elizabeth Burnet Strathbeg
1852 Feb 6 George Robison shepherd Caithirbreac & Magdalena Campbell Sartigram
1852 Feb 6 Hugh MacPherson Durin & Catherine MacKay Achnahanait
1853 Feb 12 Angus Morrison Leathad & Willina Campbell Leathad
1853 Feb 12 Richard MacKay Durin & Lena [Angusina] Sutherland Durin
1854 Jan 27 Hugh MacIntosh Lerin & Elizabeth MacKay
1854 Feb 24 Hugh MacKay Saingomore & Barbara MacKay Lerin
1854 Apr 12 John Munro smith Knochbreac & Agnes Fratter Balnakiel
1854 May - Keoldale <blank> Ross carpenter from Lairg & Christian MacKay Keoldale
1854 Jun 16 John MacCallum Kervaig & Mary MacKay Keoldale ferry
1854 Jul 4 Angus MacIntyre shepherd Grant & Barbara White Durin
1854 Jul 5 Duncan MacCallum Kervaig & Marion MacIntosh Grant
1854 Jul 6 <blank> Ross from Tongue & Effie Munro Saingobeg
1854 Jul 14 Alexr Dawson from Boyndie & Hughina Sutherland Saingomore
1854 Jul 17 Walter Frater shepherd Balnakiel to Barbara MacKay Caithirbreac
1854 Sep 12 at Rispond James Hall Esq near Dornoch & Mary Anderson Rispond
1854 Dec 1 Anderson Campbell Leathad to Catherine Campbell Saingomore

Source: NAS CH3/852/2
Last update: 20/03/2009 

Free Church Births

From 18th May 1843 – end 1855

Transcribed by Angi Lamb, Edinburgh.

Register of Births & Baptisms in the Free Church, Durness
Commencing at the Disruption of the Church of Scotland May the 18th 1843 Wm. Findlater Minister Free Church

1843 Jun 30 Anthony Dunlop to William MacLeod shepherd Rhigholtar & Ann MacLeod his wife
1843 Jul 9 Christian to Murdoch Morrison & Johanna - Lerin
1843 Jul 16 Johanna to Andrew Burnet shepherd Strathbeg & Mary MacDonald
1843 Jul 24 William to Robert Campbell shepherd Sartigran & Mary Weir
1843 Aug 8 Dolina to William Sutherland tenant Durin & Christian MacKay
1843 Aug 15 Angus to William Kay cottar Lerin & Robina MacLeod
1843 Sep 16 Christian to John Campbell Saingomore & Dolina White
1843 Sep 18 Boyce John MacKenzie, son of Capt. Boyce MacKenzie Keoldale born 26 Aug Mrs MacKenzie sponsor
1843 Sep 21 Roderick Morrison to John MacKay shoemaker Leathad & Christian MacIntosh
1843 Sep 25 Willina to John Matheson & Hughina MacKay Saingomore, both unmarried, born March 1841
1843 Sep 26 Betty to William MacKay Abrach Durin & Janet Garry
1843 Oct 3 Peggy MacDermad to John Gunn Leathad & Bell Ross
1843 Oct 25 Angus to Charles Campbell Durin & Ann MacKay
1843 Oct 27 Catherine to Norman Morrison Leathad & Janet Campbell
1843 Nov 15 John to William Campbell Durin & Ann White
1843 Nov 27 Johanna to Donald MacKay carpenter Durin & Dolina Morrison
1843 Nov 27 George to James Campbell Smith Durin & Jean Sutherland
1843 Dec 19 George to Donald Murray Saingobeg & Hughina Morrison
1843 Dec 21 Kenneth to Archibald MacDonald foxhunter Polla & Christian MacKenzie

1844 Jan 5 Effie to George Campbell road contractor Saingobeg & Janet MacKay
1844 Jan 5 Murdoch to George MacKay alias Ritchie Leathad & Mary MacKay
1844 Mar 12 Christy Ann to Hugh MacKay Durin & Reginald MacIntosh
1844 Mar 29 John to Edward MacCallum shepherd Dal & Margaret MacKay
1844 May 8 Aina Sutherland to Niel Sutherland master of "Rovers Bride of Lochinver" & Aina Munro who died 15th March, being delivered of twins
1844 May 20 Barbara to Hector Munro miller Balnakiel & Mary MacKenzie
1844 May 27 John to Donald Morrison Lerin & Henny MacKay
1844 May 27 John to Hector White Taylor Durin & Mary MacIntosh
1844 Jul 6 John Scobie to William MacKay Ferryman Keoldale & Elizabeth MacKay
1844 Jul 22 George Campbell to Nathaniel Polson Mason Durin & Johanna Morrison
1844 Aug 12 James to Lachlan Ross Farm servant Erriboll & Hannah Mather
1844 Aug 18 George to Alexander Munro cottar Erriboll & Barbara Sutherland
1844 Aug - Peggie or Margaret to John Campbell servant Balnakiel & Hughina Morrison
1844 Aug 23 Robert to Donald MacKay MacEan Saingobeg & Isabell MacKay
1844 Aug 26 Christy to Donald MacKay MacHuistan Saingobeg & Christy Morrison
1844 Aug 26 Hugh to Roderic Morrison MacAlastair Lerin & Georgina Campbell
1844 Nov 1 Robina Hunter Black to Hector MacIntosh Saingomore & Isabella Sutherland
1844 Nov 4 Barbara to John MacLeod Lerin & Johanna Morrison
1844 Nov 8 Donald to Donald Campbell shoemaker Smo & Isabell MacKay
1844 Dec 16 Mary to Donald Murray Saingobeg & Hughina Morrison
1844 Dec 20 Christina to William Munro shepherd Hope & Mary Ross
1844 Dec 20 Mary to MacKay Campbell Caithirbreac & Catherine MacKay
1844 Dec 21 Niel to Donald MacKay shepherd Portcharnil & Mina MacKay
1844 Dec 21 William to Roderick Sutherland Leathad & Mary MacKay 
1844 Dec 21 Betty to John Morrison Portchamil & Robina Ross

1845 Jan 10 Barbara to Donald MacCulloch Balvolich & Isabell MacKay
1845 Jan 21 Ann to James MacKay Lerin & Mary MacKay
1845 Jan 21 Mary Jean to John Wilson travelling merchant or pedlar & Elizabeth Anderson
1845 Feb 13 William to James Stuart shepherd Grudie & Elspie MacKay
1845 Feb 23 Edward to John MacDonald cottar Lerin & Jean Campbell
1845 Feb 26 Jemima to Murdoch Campbell shepherd Innisodhar Parf & Mary Grant
1845 Feb 26 Jean to Alexander Watt shepherd Erriboll & Georgina Sutherland
1845 Apr 3 Isabell to George Calder servant Balnakiel & Christian MacArthur
1845 Apr 4 Johanna to Alexander Munro cottar Erriboll & Barbara Sutherland
1845 Apr 20 John William to John Paterson shepherd Strathmore & Betsy Douglas
1845 Apr 28 William to Hector Sutherland merchant Durin & Mary White
1845 May 20 Dolina to Donald MacKay carpenter Durin & Dolina Morrison
1845 May 30 Mina to George MacKay Saingobeg & Janet Pope
1845 May 30 Kennethina to Niel Dingwall Saingobeg & Merran MacLeod
1845 Jun 7 Edward to John MacLeod shepherd Ceannabinn & Margaret Mather
1845 Jun 17 Hugh to John White Taylor Durin & Christy MacKay
1845 Jun 29 William to Donald Campbell cottar Achumore & Lena Morrison
1845 Jul 1 Barbara to George MacDonald cottar Solymar & Jean Morrison
1845 Jul 1 Robert to James Mather shepherd Balnakiel & Hughina Campbell
1845 Jul 7 John to Norman Morrison Leathad & Janet Campbell
1845 Jul 7 Hugh to Niel Gunn Leathad & Jessie MacKay
1845 Jul 7 Minie or Merran to John MacKay shoemaker Leathad & Christy MacIntosh
1845 Jul 14 Dolina to John Gunn Leathad & Isabella Ross
1845 Jul 15 George to Hugh MacKay Leathad & Jean MacKay
1845 Jul 15 Mary to Murdoch Morrison Lerin & Johanna Morrison
1845 Jul 27 Thomson MacKay to John MacKay MacRitchie Durin & Jean MacKay
1845 Aug 4 Robert -- William Munro shepherd Hope & Mary Ross
1845 Sep 7 Jean to George Campbell roadmaker Saingomore & Janet MacKay
1845 Sep 9 Angus to Charles Campbell Durin & Ann MacKay
1845 Sep 9 Lenna to MacKay MacKay Durin & Jean MacKay
1845 Sep 9 Mary to Hugh MacKay Durin & Reginald MacIntosh
1845 Sep 15 Roderic Morrison to John Morrison Saingobeg & Isabell MacIntosh
1845 Oct 7 William to Robert MacKay alias Donn Balvolich & Isabell MacLeod
1845 Oct 16 Minnie Manson to John Weir shepherd Huinlearn & Barbara Grant
1845 Oct 18 Hughina to Robert Campbell shepherd Sartigram & Mary Weir
1845 Nov 7 Durin to Archibald MacDonald foxhunter Polla & Christy MacKenzie
1845 Nov 9 Angus George to Angus MacLeod Balvolich & Ketty Morrison
1845 Nov 10 Robert Murray and Neil Sutherland twins to Hugh Murray presently residing at Wick a native of this parish not in lawful wedlock being certified by the Rev. Chas. Thomson, Wick as having satisfied the discipline of the church and Catherine Munro a native of this parish and relapse in fornication
1845 Nov 16 Alexander to Charles Swanson Saingomore & Johanna Munro

1846 Jan 9 <blank> to John Sutherland Durin & Helen Campbell
1846 Jan 25 James to Donald MacKay Saingomore & Minie MacKay
1846 Feb 13 Roderick to Donald Morrison Lerin & Henny MacKay
1846 Feb 22 Donald to William MacIntosh shepherd Achins & Mary Ross
1846 Feb 27 Robert to Hector Munro miller Balnakiel & Mary MacKenzie
1846 Mar 16 Ann to Lachlan Ross & Hannah Mather Erriboll
1846 Apr 19 William Ross to William Campbell Durin & Ann White
1846 Apr 19 Jemima to Donald Munro roadmaker Cassildu & Janet MacKenzie
1846 Jul 4 John to William MacKay Abrach Durin & Janet Garry
1846 Jul 27 William to Donald Campbell cottar Saingomore & Angusina Morrison
1846 Aug 21 William to John Morrison cottar Portchamil & Robina Ross
1846 Aug 23 John MacKenzie to John Pringle shepherd Achins & <blank> MacKenzie
1846 Sep 7 Euphemia to MacKay Campbell drainer Caithir breac & Ketty MacKay
1846 Sep 13 Roderic Morrison to Thomas Campbell Durin & Mary Morrison
1846 Oct 8 Benjamin to Evander MacCallum shepherd Dall & Margaret MacKay 
1846 Oct 27 James to William Munro shepherd Hope & Mary Ross
1846 Oct 27 Hugh MacCulloch to Robert Sutherland Saingomore & Hughina Morrison
1846 Nov 2 David to Donald Campbell Leathad & Margaret Swanson
1846 Nov 8 Angus to John MacLeod Lerin & Barbara Morrison
1846 Nov 14 Ann to James MacKay Erriboll & Catherine Morrison
1846 Nov 14 Ewan to Donald MacLeod Balvolich & Mary MacMillan there but not in lawful wedlock. The mother being sponsor.
1846 Nov 20 Donald to Ann MacKay widow of Donald MacLeod Balvolich
1846 Dec 6 Christy to Kenneth Sutherland cottar Saingomore & Isabell MacKay
1846 Dec 30 Charles to James Campbell smith Durin & Jean Sutherland
1847 Jan 10 Euphemia or Effy to Alexander Ross mason Saingomore & Barbara Campbell
1847 Jan 18 James to Mary MacDonald widow of James Brown Leathad L. Erriboll
1847 Jan 18 Johanna to Alexander Swanson Saingomore & Betty Campbell
1847 Feb 22 Donald to Robert Campbell a young lad at Balnakiel & Isabella Campbell at Saingomore but not in lawful wedlock
1847 Feb 26 Robert to Roderick Sutherland Leathad & Mary MacKay
1847 Feb 26 Elizabeth to Niel Gunn Leathad & Jessie MacKay
1847 Feb 26 Christy to Norman Morrison Leathad & Janet Campbell
1847 Mar 3 George to John White Durin & Christy MacKay
1847 Apr 21 John to Thomas Nicol from Tongue & Margaret MacLeod Balvolich Antinuptial
1847 Apr 21 Kenneth to Donald MacKay Durin & Dolina Morrison
1847 May 5 Roderick Campbell to Hector MacKay Smo & Merran Campbell
1847 May 10 Donald Campbell to Donald MacKay Portchamuil & Robina MacKay
1847 May 16 Donald to Hector Sutherland merchant Durin & Mary White
1847 Jun 6 William James to William MacIntosh shepherd Achins & Mary Ross
1847 Jun 23 Johanna to Murdoch Campbell shepherd Parf & Mary Grant
1847 Jul 15 Angus to George Campbell Saingomore & Janet MacKay
1847 Jul 26 Margaret to James Stewart shepherd Achumore & Elspie MacKay
1847 Aug 8 Niel to William Morrison Saingobeg & Ann Munro
1847 Aug 8 Jean to George MacKay Saingobeg & Janet Pope
1847 Aug 16 Dolina to Donald MacKay Saingobeg & Janet MacKay
1847 Sep 26 Margaret to James MacKay Lerin & Margaret MacKay
1847 Oct 3 Alexander to James Campbell Saingomore & Georgina Courdach
1847 Oct 10 Angusina to John MacLeod shepherd Ceannabinn & Margaret Mather
1847 Nov 1 John to John Gunn Leathad & Isabella Ross
1847 Nov 1 John to Archibald MacDonald shepherd Polla & Christy MacKenzie
1847 Nov 7 Johanna to George MacKay Saingomore & Margaret Gunn
1847 Nov 21 Catherine to Alexander Morrison Saingobeg & Janet MacLeod
1847 Nov 21 Donald to Robert MacKay-Donn Balvolich & Isabell MacLeod
1847 Nov 25 Georgina to Hector White Tailor Durin & Mary MacIntosh
1848 Jan 7 <blank> to John Morrison Saingobeg & Mary MacIntosh
1848 Jan 26 Mary to Angus MacLeod Balvolich & Catherine Morrison
1848 Feb 3 Margaret to James Mather shepherd Balnakiel & Hughina Campbell
1848 Feb 3 Janet to Hugh Sutherland miller there & Lucy MacKay
1848 Feb 15 Barbara to Hugh MacKay Leathad & Jean MacKay
1848 Mar 8 Christy to William MacLeod shepherd Rhigholtan & Ann MacLeod
1848 Mar 19 Margaret to John MacKay Macritchie & Jean MacKay
1848 Mar 19 Hugh to MacKay MacKay Durin & Jean MacKay
1848 Apr 10 Henrietta to Charles Campbell Durin & Ann MacKay
1848 Apr 22 George to William Sutherland House carpenter Durin & Ann Sutherland
1848 May 2 Thomson to Donald MacKay junior Durin & Ann MacKay MacRitchie
1848 May 11 Jean to Robert Campbell shepherd Sarigram & Mary Weir
1848 May 14 Patrick Campbell to Donald MacKay Saingomore & Minie MacDonald
1848 May 19 Hughina to George Sutherland Grieve Balnakiel & Marion Thomson
1848 May 26 William to Alexander Munro Erriboll & Barbara Sutherland
1848 Aug 8 Barbara to Donald Morrison Lerin & Henny MacKay
1848 Aug 9 Alexander to Donald Campbell Leathad & Margaret Swanson 
1848 Aug 9 Donald to John Morrison Portnacoin Leathad & Robina Ross
1848 Sep 8 Flora Forbes to George MacDonald Solymar & Jean Morrison
1848 Oct 3 Hector to John MacKay an unmarried young lad at Lerin & Catherine Campbell widow of Kay MacKay late Tenant Lerin
1848 Oct 3 John to Donald Campbell shoemaker Smo & Isabella MacKay
1848 Oct 13 Flora Forbes to Ross MacKay Campbell Gualin House & Catherine MacKay
1848 Oct 29 Davidina to Kenneth Sutherland Saingomore & Isabell MacKay
1848 Nov 7 John to Niel Dingwall Saingobeg & Merran MacLeod
1848 Nov 7 Robert to Donald MacKay Saingobeg & Ann Murray
1848 Nov 9 George to John Sutherland Durin & Helen Campbell
1848 Nov 19 Flora Julia to John Pringle shepherd Achins & Mary MacKenzie
1848 Dec 3 Barbara to Thomas Campbell Durin & Mary Morrison
1848 Dec 4 Charles to Alexander Swanson Saingomore & Betty Campbell
1848 Dec 15 John to William MacIntosh shepherd Grudie & Mary Ross
1848 Dec 22 Angus to Robert Sutherland merchant Saingomore & Hughina Morrison
1849 Jan 11 Dolina to Donald MacKay Saingomore & Janet MacKay
1849 Jan 23 Mary to James MacKenzie gamekeeper Strathmore & Barbara MacKenzie
1849 Jan 23 Donald to James MacIntyre shepherd Cassildu & Johanna MacKenzie
1849 Feb 1 <blank> to John MacDonald shepherd & cottar Lerin & Jean Campbell
1849 Feb 22 David Sutherland to William Campbell Durin & Ann White
1849 Mar 20 Elrington Reid to John Mather shepherd Kervaic & Dol Dingwall
1849 Apr 1 Donald to Niel Gunn Leathad & Jessie MacKay
1849 Apr 1 Hugh to Norman Morrison Leathad & Janet Campbell
1849 Apr 1 Jean to John MacLeod Ceannabinn & Margaret Mather
1849 Apr 9 Flora to John White Durin & Christy MacKay
1849 Apr 9 Eric Clark [F/M?] to Archibald MacDonald Polla & Christian MacKenzie
1849 Jun 24 David Clark to Donald MacKay Portchamuil & Robina MacKay
1849 Jun 24 Donald to Donald MacKay Wright Durin & Dolina Morrison
1849 Jul 8 Robina to Donald Murray Saingobeg & Hughina Morrison
1849 Jul 12 James to George Campbell Saingomore & Janet MacKay
1849 Jul 20 George to John Cameron Hopeferry & Henrietta MacKay
1849 Aug 10 John to Hector Sutherland merchant Durin & Mary White
1849 Sep 5 Henny to James Campbell Achins & Georgina MacKay or Courdach
1849 Sep 5 Catherine to Murdoch Campbell shepherd Parf & Mary Grant
1849 Oct 1 Angus to Alexander Morrison Boat carpenter Saingobeg & Janet MacLeod
1849 Oct 23 Georgina to Donald Campbell cottar Saingomore & Lenna Morrison
1849 Oct 28 Barbara to James MacKay Lerin & Mary MacKay
1849 Oct 31 Donald to Charles Campbell Durin & Ann MacKay
1849 Nov 3 Margaret to James MacKay cottar Erriboll & Catherine Morrison
1849 Dec 21 William to Maria Munro at Saingobeg who for the last four years uniformly before the Free Church Session gave Alexander Lewis steward of the Sparrow Survey Vessell (Capt.Otter commander) as the father was born in July 1845 affirmed said Alexander Lewis as the father while in child bed at Tanera Lochbroom
1850 Jan 2 Alexander to Hugh Sutherland miller Balnakiel & Lucy MacKay
1850 Jan 2 John Hugh Morrison to Angus MacLeod Balvolich & Ket Morrison
1850 Jan 3 Alexander to George MacKay Saingobeg & Janet Pope
1850 Feb 8 William Ross to Lachlan Ross farm servant Erriboll & Hannah Mather
1850 Mar 10 Angus to John MacKay farm servant Erriboll & Barbara Hendry
1850 Apr 1 Isabella Davina to John Millar ship carpenter Smo & Ann Low
1850 Apr 2 Hugh to Donald Morrison Lerin & Henny MacKay
1850 Apr 10 Neila MacDonald to John Morrison Saingobeg & Isabell MacIntosh
1850 Apr 11 James MacLeod to James Campbell Durin & Jean MacLeod
1850 Apr 16 Kenneth MacKay to Hector MacIntosh Leathad & Isabell Sutherland
1850 May 4 Eric Clark [F/M?] to Archibald MacDonald Polla & Christian MacKay
1850 May 4 Caroline to Hector White Durin & Mary MacIntosh
1850 May 19 Mary to Kenneth Sutherland Saingomore & Isabell MacKay
1850 May 27 Donald Scobie to James Mather Balnakiel & Hughina Campbell
1850 Jun 9 Dolina to Alexander Watt shepherd Erriboll & Georgina Sutherland 
1850 Jun 9 Alexander & John twins to William Morrison Saingobeg & Ann Munro
1850 Jun 28 Christina Bruce to William Sutherland house carpenter Durin & Ann Sutherland
1850 Jul 12 John to William Weir shepherd Achnahanait & Barbara Campbell
1850 Jul 28 Niel to John MacKay MacRitchie Durin & Jean MacKay
1850 Sep 9 Isabella to John Morrison Port-na-coin, Leathad & Isabella Ross
1850 Oct 13 Angus MacPherson to John Matheson Saingobeg & Mary MacPherson
1850 Oct 13 Angus to Niel Matheson Saingomore & Johanna Sutherland
1850 Oct 16 Janet to James MacKenzie Forrester Strathmore & Barbara MacKenzie
1850 Oct 16 Ewan to James MacIntyre shepherd Cassildu Strathmore & Johan MacKenzie
1850 Nov 23 Hugh to Robert Campbell shepherd Sartigram & Mary Weir 
1852 Jan 21 Catherine to Hugh Sutherland miller Balnakiel & Lucy MacKay
1852 Feb 20 Christopher to Niel Matheson Saingomore & Johanna Sutherland
1852 Feb 20 Anthony to Robert Dunlop Durin & Janet Campbell
1852 Feb 20 Andrew to James MacKay Lerin & Mary MacKay
1852 Mar 3 Kennethina Findlater to Kenneth Sutherland Saingomore & Isabell MacKay
1852 Apr 7 William Angus to Farquar MacIvor & Catherine MacKay Erriboll
1852 Apr 7 Alexie Clark to Donald Sutherland Erriboll
1852 Apr 29 James to John MacKay servant Erriboll & Barbara hendry
1852 Apr 29 Donald James to James MacKay Erriboll & Catherine Morrison
1852 Jul 13 Kenneth Findlater to John Campbell Balvolich park & Hughina Morrison
1852 Jul 19 Kenneth Donald to John Morrison Portnacoin Leathad & Robina Ross
1852 Aug 18 Ann to James MacIntyre & Johanna MacKenzie Campbell
1852 Aug 28 Ann to James MacIntyre shepherd Cassil dubh & Johanna MacKenzie 
1852 Sep 3 Catherine to John Morrison carpenter Saingobeg & Isabella Sutherland
1852 Sep 3 Robert to James Campbell Achins gate & Georgina MacKay alias Courdach
1852 Sep 3 Gabriel to George Sutherland Greive Balnakiel & Marion Thomson
1852 Oct 17 Catherine Garry to William MacKay Abrach Durin & Janet Garry
1852 Nov 3 Isabella to John Gunn Leathad & Bessy Gunn (born 15th Jul)
1852 Nov 8 Alexandrina to Alexander Watt shepherd Erriboll & Georgina Sutherland
1852 Nov 10 Thomas to Lachlan Ross servant Erriboll & Hanna Mather
1852 Nov 25 Robert to William Weir shepherd Achins & Barbara Campbell
1852 Dec 7 Willina to Ewan Stewart Leathad & Christian MacKenzie
1852 Dec 7 Hughina to Archibald MacDonald Polla & Christian MacKenzie
1852 Dec 29 George William to Angus MacLeod Balvolich & Catherine Morrison
1852 Dec 29 Angus MacKay to Hugh MacPherson junior Durin & Catherine MacKay
1852 Dec 29 George to Charles Campbell Durin & Ann MacKay
1853 Jan 12 John to John MacLeod Lerin & Barbara Morrison (born Jul 1852)
1853 Feb 10 George to Hector MacIntosh show Leathad & Isabell Sutherland
1853 Mar 7 Donald Hugh to William Morrison Saingobeg & Ann Munro
1853 Mar 7 Effie to George MacKay Saingobeg & Janet Pope
1853 Mar 15 Georgina MacKay to Donald MacKay wright Durin & Dolina Morrison
1853 Mar 21 James to Johanna MacDonald Polla, dilates Mr James Clark Erriboll to Betty the father but nor born in lawful wedlock, child born January last
1853 Mar 31 Janet to John Sutherland Saingomore & Isabell Campbell
1853 Apr 5 Flora to Donald Morrison Lerin & Henny MacKay
1853 Apr 14 Kenneth Findlater to Robert Sutherland merchant Saingomore & Hughina Morrison
1853 Apr 21 Peter to John White tailor Durin & Christian MacKay
1853 Apr 26 Christian Morrison to George Campbell farm servant Balnakiel & Margaret Morrison
1853 Jun 29 Anthony to Robert Campbell shepherd Sartigram & Mary Weir
1853 Jul 11 Roderick to John MacKay Lerin & Georgina Campbell
1853 Aug 22 William John to MacKay MacKay Durin & Jean MacKay
1853 Sep 2 Christy to Murdoch Campbell shepherd Parf & Margaret Grant born 23 Jul
1853 Sep 26 Lilias to John MacKay farm servant Erriboll & Barbara Hendry
1853 Sep 26 Christy Margaret to William MacIntosh shepherd Grudie & Mary Ross
1853 Oct 5 Isabell to George MacKay Saingomore & Margaret Gunn
1853 Oct 14 Thomas John to John MacLeod shepherd Ceannabinn & Margaret Mather
1853 Oct 21 Christy to George Campbell Saingomore & Janet MacKay
1853 Nov 1 Kenneth Thomson to Roderick Sutherland Leathad & Mary MacKay
1853 Nov 1 Robert to Willina Campbell Leathad dilated George Gilchrist carpenter at Watten Caithness as father but not in lawful wedlock born 1 Jul 1851
1853 Nov 4 Johanna to Kenneth Sutherland Saingomore & Isabella MacKay
1853 Dec 23 Diana to William Sutherland carpenter Durin & Ann Sutherland
1854 Jan 8 Isabella to Donald Munro & Janet MacKenzie Cassildubh
1854 Feb 2 Lexie to Donald Campbell & Lena Morrison Saingomore
1854 Mar 16 John to Hugh Sutherland miller Balnakiel & Lucy MacKay
1854 Apr 11 James to Robert Dunlop Durin & Janet Campbell
1854 Jun 29 Janet to Richard MacKay Durin & Lena [Angusina] Sutherland
1854 Jul 4 Georgina to Kennethina Sutherland Saingomore & George Clark Erriboll but not in lawful wedlock born July 1853 & acknowledged by said G Clark
1854 Jul 12 Flora to James Campbell & Georgina Courdach or MacKay Achins
1854 Sep 14 James Anderson to Alexander Morrison & Janet MacLeod Saingobeg
1854 Sep 19 Donald Hugh to William Morrison & Ann Munro Saingobeg
1854 Sep 19 Robina to George Morrison junior & Catherine Sutherland
1854 Sep 27 MacKay George to Hugh MacPherson Durin & Catherine MacKay
1854 Sep 21 Ann to James MacIntyre & Johanna MacKenzie Cassildubh
1854 Sep 21 <blank> to Christian MacKenzie wife of Archibald MacDonald shepherd Polla
1854 Sep 21 George to Hector MacIntosh & Isabell Sutherland Leathad
1854 Oct 29 Farquar to Farquar MacIvor & Catherine MacKay Erriboll
1854 Nov 23 Donald to James MacKay & Catherine Morrison Erriboll
1854 Dec 26 Ann Low to Ann MacIntosh Rispond & Hugh Campbell late at Balnakiel both unmarried child born in July 1851
1855 Jan 11 Hugh to George Campbell Smo an unmarried young man & Maria Munro Saingobeg a relapse in fornication child born Jul 1852
1855 Feb - Patrick to George Campbell farm servant Balnakiel & Margaret Morrison
1855 Mar 9 John to Hugh MacIntosh tenant Lerin & Betsy MacKay
1855 Mar 14 Danac[?Donaldina] Campbell to Thomas Campbell Durin & Mary Morrison
1856 May 16 George to Murdoch Morrison unmarried & Barbara Morrison now wife to George MacKay schoolmaster Culkein Assynt

Source: NAS CH3/852/2
Last updated 20/03/2009 

Snippets from Durness

1801 population: 1,208 - people lived in scattered tiny clachans in huts of turn or dry stone plastered on the inside with clay. They raised black cattle and goats, grew potatoes and inferior oats, used their wooden plough to break the earth, brewed rough beer and distilled raw whisky.

1811 population: 1,155

1815 – thirty to forty families emigrated to America

1821 population: 1,004

In the 1820s and 1830s -- - - the houses were made of stone with thatched roofs tied down with rope weighted with stones. The inside was dark and dreary although quite warm. The walls were often bare stone - - - the windows were often small holes in the wall on the inside, let in very little light, and only very occasionally glazed. The door was a plan of wood sometimes with sacks pulled bac. The floor was hard packed earth, at times covered with sand, cobbles or flagstones.

1831 population: 1,153

1833 the nearest post office was at Bonar Bridge, Creich, about 113 kilometres away until Tongue post office opened. Mail left Durness by runner on a Monday and Thursday where it met the mail coming from Golspie. It arrived back in Durness on a Tuesday and Friday. A runner was someone who walked with the mailbag. Once a month a carrier, probably a horse and cart, went to Tain. At the start of the 19th century roads had started to be made in Durness, prior to this mail came by boat.

The only help the crofter would have was a cotter who in return for labour would receive a very small portion of rough land. He would have to clear and cultivate and erect some living shelter that would be smaller and less elaborate than the crofters.

1834 – Rev. William Findlater: “The principal amusements in Durness are playing at the ball and shinty on the fine sands of Balnakeil - - - - - The natives are generally lively in their dispositions, social in their habits, although it cannot be said they are remarkable for their cleanliness, cattle and people using the same shelters - - - - “

1834 population: 1,180 (206 families)

1841 population: 1,109

1871 population: 1,049

1881 population: 987

1891 population: 960

1901 population: 903

The first permanent medical practitioner - - - the visiting doctor would arrive by boat to Rispond and leave after the necessary treatments. Durness was having difficulty in persuading a doctor to reside permanently. On one such visiting occasion the doctor was deliberately detained from meeting the boat to leave by the application of too many drams. By the time the next boat arrived he had been made so welcome and applied with copious amounts of whisky he would not leave!

1906 Mains water arrived piped only as far as Durine to begin with and cost five shillings for an outside tap and ten shillings for an inside tap.

1912 - Hew Morrison edited a Parish Register of Durness.
The register commenced in 1764, the year in which the settlement of the Rev. John Thomson as parish minister took place, to 1814. Hew Morrison notes that evidently Mr Thomson was not a proficient Gaelic scholar - - - - "he could not master the spelling of popular local surnames but he has preserved in the register a careful and minute phonetic rendering both of names of persons and places".

1914 – it was around this time that the last whisky to be distilled in Durness was made. A local man in his eighties was sent to prison for illegal distillation and tax evasion. The spring at the bottom of a croft in the Durine was used to cool the still.

1921 population: 610

1935 the first automatic telephone exchange was erected at Rockville opposite the school.

1955 there were four telephone kiosks in the parish.

1977 – the last inhabited croft house was fitted with an indoor toilet and bathroom 

1982 – mains electricity finally reached the township of Laid

1986 Television arrived in Durness. The erection of a relay mast at the highest point overlooking Sangomore headland gave a signal to most of the village.

1989 the last button telephone on the British mainland was replaced by an upgraded system. This remote roadside kiosk half way between Tongue and Durness

1997 population: 350 people in 150 households, live in the main in a group of townships strung along the A838

1998 provision was made for mobile phone reception in the area

The policing of Durness is from Rhiconich where the one-man station has the biggest beat in Britain covering crime from Laid to Kylesku.

Sourced from various books on Durness

Photograph above, Achnahanet, Durness, by Gordon Hatton and used here under his common creative licence