Clyne, Sutherland

Welcome to our Clyne pages

Information here for those researching their roots or folks who just love Clyne. 

So many kind people helped with these pages I offer a huge thank you to Bill O'Brien, Malcolm Bangor-Jones, Morag Sutherland, Grant Forsyth and numerous others.  

Use the links below to view and also on the side bar you will find a map of Clyne and information on all the different parishes of Sutherland, Scotland.

Enjoy

History of the Village of Brora 

Clyne Burial Grounds are included in Burial Grounds of Sutherland

1826 Clyne Militia List

1829/1847 Emigration from Clyne

1837 Trades People in Brora, Clyne

1849 Tenants in Brora area of Clyne (Stone & Clay)

Clyne Photographs, people and places, sent in by visitors

If you find any links not working please private message me via our Facebook page and it will be corrected.  Thanks.

Clyne Burial Grounds

Clyne parish contains four burial grounds: 

Ascoile, Clyne Kirkton, Sciberscross & Brora 

All have been photographed by us.  View details on our Burial Grounds of Sutherland page.

Trades people in Brora, Clyne in 1837

Pigot & Co., Trade Directory - All in Brora unless otherwise stated

Academies & Schools

David SUTHERLAND, master, Parochial School, Brora
Thomas ROSS, Doll

Blacksmiths

Alexander GRANT

Boot & Shoe Makers

William GUNN
John MATHESON

Carpenters & Wrights

James ANDERSON
James FORD
George SUTHERLAND

Distillers

Andrew ROSS, Clynelish

Fleshers (Butchers)

Alexander BANNERMAN

Grocers & Drapers

Adam MACKAY
Hugh MATHESON
John MELVILLE
James SUTHERLAND

Saddlers

Robert ROSS

Tailors

Angus SUTHERLAND

Vintners

Alexander GRANT
John MELVILLE
James SUTHERLAND (Sutherland Arms)

Miscellaneous

William BRUCE, ground officer
Robert Henry GRANT, surgeon

Emigration from Clyne

Emigrant lists drawn up by the Sutherland Estate management list emigrants from parishes in the east of Sutherland during a period of intense emigration. Included here are those who emigrated to Canada in 1829, 1830, 1831, 1841, 1842, 1844, 1847. It should not be assumed that these lists provide a complete record of all emigrants from this part of Sutherland in this period. The lists are contained in the Sutherland Papers in the National Library of Scotland and appear by permission of the Countess of Sutherland. Adapted here from the original transcriptions by Malcolm Bangor-Jones.

Some lists indicate that the people left for America but most went to Canada.

As always I have shown all Mc and Mac names as Mac.

The following people left from Clyne parish – under surname each person is shown by Christian name, place of residence, tenant, servant, etc followed by number in party who left and when. 

ANDERSON
Donald, Brora, cabinet maker – only himself, left 1830

John, Carrol, servant – only himself, left 1830

BAILLIE
Donald, Achrimsdale, tenant – only himself, left 1829
John, Brora North Muir, a lotter – five in party, left 1829 – earlier version of this list stated Achrimsdale

BANNERMAN
John, Brora North Muir, resided in his father’s house – seven in party, left 1830
John, Brora, weaver – 8 people in party, left May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £15 for which he signed

BRUCE
Donald, Brora North Muir, resided in his father’s house – two in party, left 1830

FERGUSON
Kirsty, East Clyne, widow of Will Sutherland, said to have left alone in May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £5 but as she did not claim this nor sign for it doubtful if she left
Robert, Brora, servant – only himself, left 1830

FINLAY
See Tailor

FRASER
Jean, Achrimsdale, lived in her father’s house – only herself, left 1829

GILCHRIST
Donald, Achrimsdale, tenant – two in party, left 1829 – although Donald is shown in the tenant column a remark next to it shows the word ‘labourer’

GORDON 
John, age 17, single, Clynelish, travelled alone to Upper Canada aboard the vessel ‘Joseph Green’, received assistance of £1 from Dunrobin Management

GRAHAM
Alexander, Doll, lotter – seven in party, left 1830

GUNN 
Alexander, Brora East Muir, lotter, five in party, left 1830

LESLIE
Colin, age 36, single, son of Widow Leslie of Dalchallum, travelled alone to Upper Canada on the vessel ‘Glasgow’ in 1844

MACDONALD
Alexander, East Brora, quarrier who lodged with his mother – seven in party, left 1831
Robert, Clyne Milton, a servant – only himself in party, left 1829

MACKAY
Alexander, Brora East Muir, a lotter – only himself, left 1829
Robert, Brora North Muir, lotter – four in party, left 1830

MACKENZIE
George, Brora, blacksmith – four in party, left 1829 – an earlier version of this list stated Achrimsdale
William, Brora, blacksmith – only himself, left 1829 – an earlier version of this list stated Doll

MACLEOD
Alexander, Doll, lotter – five in party, left 1830
Alexander, Doll, an orphan, he left alone in May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £1.10shillings for which he signed with his mark
George, Brora, a collier – only himself, left 1829
James, Doll, lotter – six in party, left 1829
John, Clynemilton, labourer, lodged with his mother, two in party, left 1831
William, Doll, resided with his father – only himself, left 1829

MATHESON
John, Brora, four in party, left May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £5 for which he signed

MUNRO
John, Clynelish, servant – nine in party, left 1830

MURRAY
Angus, Brora East Muir, “a blacksmith, too many of them at Brora” – eleven in party, left 1831
Benjamin, Achrimsdale, labourer, lodged with lotters – himself only, left 1831

ROSS
David, Brora, lotter – five in party, left 1830
Margaret, widow, Clynemilton – accompanied by her family, left 1831

STEWART
Alexander, Brora, cabinet maker – only himself, left 1830
Francis, Brora, lotter – two in party, left 1830

SUTHERLAND
Alexander, Achrimsdale, resided in his father’s house – himself only, left 1830
Christy, Lady’s Loch, age 19, travelled alone to Upper Canada aboard the vessel ‘Thos. Harrison’ in 1847 – received assistance of £4 from Dunrobin management
Donald, Clynelish, servant, said to have left May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate but this was marked not claimed so doubtful if he actually left
Donald senior, Clynelish, marked as an orphan and presumably father of Donald above - left May 1841 aboard the ‘Lady Gray’ from Cromarty – received grant from Sutherland Estate of £2 for which he signed with his mark
Elizabeth, Achrimsdale, an old woman – her friends went out last year – two in party, left 1831
Hector, Achrimsdale, a lotter – six in party, left 1829
Hugh, Doll, lotter – seven in party, left 1830 – his mother took over the lot at Doll
James, Brora North Muir, lotter – five in party, left 1830 – an Alexander Sutherland took over the lot
Janet, Achrimsdale – three in party, left 1831
William, Achrimsdale, lotter – seven in party, left 1830

TAILOR
James Finlay, Brora, a lodger – four in party, left 1830 – although his name is shown as Tailor I feel he may be James Finlay, a tailor! 

CLYNE MILITIA LIST 1826 (SC9/87)

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

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 Clyne'

Document is dated 22nd Sept. 1826

Surnames are listed alphabetically followed by Christian name, occupation & residence plus either Ground of Exemption claimed or liable

Google Map of area here

ANDERSON

George, Merchant, Brora, over 30 - sickly & rejected

Hugh, Shopkeeper, Brora, under 30 - liable to serve

James, Shepherd, Carrol, over 30 - served by substitute

Thomas, Slater, Brora, over 30 - 3 lawful children & poor

William, Farm Servant to Mr Robertson, Brora, under 30 - liable 

  

BAILLIE

Alexander, Labourer, North Brora, over 30 - undersize

Alexander, Lotter, Auldririe, over 30 - 3 lawful children

Donald, Dyker, Achrimsdale, under 30 - lame of a finger

John, Lotter, Dromy, over 30 - 3 lawful children

William, Labourer, Dromy, over 30 - under sized, liable 

 

BANNERMAN

Alexander, Collier, Brora, over 30 - served by substitute

John, Shoemaker, North Brora, under 30 - liable

John, Weaver, Brora, over 30 - liable

William, Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable    

BELL
Alexander, Skipper, Brora, over 30 - fisherman

Joseph, Shepherd, Sciberscross, under 30 - liable

BLOOMFIELD

George, Grieve, Inverbrora, over 30 - served by substitute

BROWN

Walter, Distiller, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

BRUCE

Donald, Apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable

Robert, Labourer, Dromy, under 30 - liable

CADGER

John, Farm servant to Mr Scott, Brora, under 30 - liable

CAMPBELL

Alexander, Apprentice to Hector Macdonald, Achrimsdale, under 30 - liable

Alexander, Collier, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

George, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 lawful children & poor

Hugh,  Gardener, Kilcalmkill, over 30 - blind

John, Labourer, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

CARE?

Alexander, Fisher, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

CUTHBERT

Alexander, kelper, Brora, over 30 - no further information

DEMPSTER

Donald, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

Hugh, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

DOUGLAS

William, Collier, Brora, under 30 - undersized

DUNCAN

Robert, Mason, Brora, over 30 - liable

ENSINE

Alexander, Apprentice to A. Mackay, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

FERGUSON

William, Apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable

FINLAY

James, Skipper, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

James, Tailor, Brora, over 30 - liable

John, Sailor, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

FORBES

Kenneth, Lieut., Brora, over 30 - Half Pay Officer

FRASER

Peter, Cabinetmaker, Brora, under 30 - liable

GILCHRIST

Alexander, Labourer, Achrimsdale, under 30 - liable

Alexander, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable

Donald, Labourer, Achrimsdale, under 30 - liable

GILLESPIE

Joseph, Shepherd, Kilbrair, over 30 - liable

GORDON

Alexander, Skipper, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

James, Labourer, Brora, over 30 - liable

John, Gardener, Clynekirkton, under 30 - liable

John, Labourer, Clynekirkton, under 30 - under size, Contd. as liable

John, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - 3 children & poor

GRAHAM

George, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable

John, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable

GRANT

Alexander, Blacksmith, Brora, over 30 - lame

George, Pensioner, North Brora, over 30 - pensioners

John, Lotter, East Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Robert, Surgeon, Brora, under 30 - liable to serve

GUNN

Alexander, Shoemaker, East Brora Muir, over 30 - undersize

Donald, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable

Robert, Apprentice weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable

William, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - 3 lawful children

HALL

Andrew, shepherd, Sciberscross, under 30 - liable

John, Shepherd, Sciberscross, over 30 - liable

HAMILTON

Robert, Pensioner, East Brora, over 30 - Pensioners

HARPER

James, Tacksman, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

HOOD

Alexander, Mason, Brora, over 30 - 3 lawful children & poor

HUGHES

Mr., Excise Officer, Brora, over 30 - liable

JOHNSTONE

Daniel, Watchmaker, Brora, over 30 - liable

LAIDLER

James, Shepherd, Craignadaroch, over 30 - served by substitute

MACBEATH

Hector, Collier, Brora, under 30 - undersize

John, Collier, Brora, under 30 - undersize

MACDONALD

Alexander, Salter, Brora, over 30 - blind of right eye

Donald, Apprentice, Brora, under 30 - apprentice

Donald, Apprentice to A Hood, Brora, under 30 - liable

George, Road Contractor, East Brora Muir, under 30 - undersize

Hector, Shoemaker, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable

James, Constable, Achrimsdale, under 30 - Constable

John, Drover, Achrimsdale, over 30 - past 45 years of age

John, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

John, Labourer, North Brora, under 30 - liable

John, Vintner, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Murdoch, Labourer, East Brora Muir, under 30 - sickly

William, Pensioner, North Brora, over 30 - Pensioners

MACGREGOR

Andrew, House Carpenter, Brora, under 30 - liable

MACINTOSH

Angus, Clerk, Clynelish, Liable

James, Engineer, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

MACKAY

Alexander, Cartwright, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable

Alexander, Collier, Brora, under 30 - liable

Alexander, Merchant, Brora, under 30 - liable

Alexander, Flax dresser, East Brora, under 30 - liable

Alexander, Lotter, Achrimsdale, over 30 - lame

Andrew, Lotter, Auldririe, over 30 - Pensioner

Angus, Cartwright, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

Angus, Pensioner, Clynekirkton, over 30 - Pensioners

Campbell* Lotter, Auldririe, under 30 - liable

David, Brewer, Clynelish, over 30 - liable

Donald, Cattle & Swine feeder, Clynelish, over 30 - exempt

Donald, Labourer, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

Donald, Lotter, Auldririe, over 30 - liable

Donald, Miller, Clynelish, over 30 - liable

George, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

George, Merchant, Brora, under 30 - liable

George, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - undersize

Hugh, Farm Servant, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

John, Shoemaker, East Brora, over 30 - undersize

Murdoch, Herd, Knocknachalich, in parish of Kildin [sic]- under 30 -  liable

Norman, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Robert, Cartwright, East Brora, under 30 - liable

Robert, Merchant, Brora, under 30 - liable

Robert, Labourer, Clynemilton, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Robert, Pensioner, Clynekirkton, over 30

William, Labourer, Clynemilton, under 30 - liable

William, Mason, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable

William, Mason, Auldririe, over 30 - liable

MACKENZIE

Alexander, Apprentice to A Hood, under 30 - Brora, apprentice

Alexander, Lotter, East Brora Muir, 3 children & poor

Alexander, Sawyer, Brora, under 30 - liable

Donald, Labourer, North Brora, under 30 - undersize

Duncan, Sawyer, Brora, under 30 - liable

George, Brewer, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

William, Apprentice, Brora, under 30 - Apprentice

MACLEOD

Alexander, House Carpenter, Brora, over 30 - liable

Alexander, Lotter, Doll, under 30 - liable

Finlay, Quarrier, Crofthaugh, under 30 - lame of a finger

George, Collier, Brora, under 30 - 3 children & poor

Grant, Quarrier, Crofthaugh, under 30 - lame of a finger, liable

James, Lotter, Doll, under 30 - liable

John, Labourer, Clynemilton, under 30 - liable

Thomas, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

MACPHERSON

Hector, Lotter, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable

James, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable

Kenneth, Sawyer, Clynekirkton, over 30 - 3 children & poor

William, Merchant, Brora, Lieut., over 30 - Local Militia

MACRAE

James, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - undersize

John, Farm Servant, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

John, Mason, Doll, over 30 - sickly

MATHESON

John junior, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - undersize

John senior, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable

MELVILLE

Evan, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable

MILLER

William, Grieve, Kilcalmkill, over 30 - lame

MORRISON

Gustavus, Malter, Clynelish, over 30 - liable

MUNRO

Angus, Shoemaker, East Brora, over 30 - undersize

Donald, Farm Servant, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

James, Grieve, Clynekirkton, over 30 - past 45 years of age

John, Grieve, Clynelish, over 30 - liable

MURDOCH

Andrew, Shepherd, Brachacky, over 30 - liable

MURRAY

Andrew, Dyker, Rhalan, under 30 - liable

Angus, Blacksmith, East Brora, over 30 - liable

Benjamin, Lotter, Achrimsdale, under 30 - liable

George, tailor, Brora, over 30 - liable

George, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - 3 children & poor

George, Shepherd, Amat, over 30 - liable

Hugh, Labourer, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

James, Lotter, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable;

John, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Robert, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - past 45 years of age

William, Shoemaker, East Brora, over 30 - liable

PATIENCE

George, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

PHAIR

Mr., Excise Officer, Brora, under 30 - liable

POPE

James, House Carpenter, Doll, under 30 - liable

William, Mason, Doll, under 30 - liable

ROBB

William, Sailor, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

ROBERTSON

William Esq., Manager, Brora, over 30 - J.P.

ROSS

David, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable

Finlay, Farm servant, under 30 - Clynelish, liable

John, Lotter, Doll, under 30 - 3 children

Thomas, Lotter, Doll, under 30 - sickly

RUNCIE

George, Fisher, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

James, Fisher, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

John, Fisher, Brora, over 30 - Fisherman

SIME

Alexander, Mason, Brora, over 30 - liable

STUART

Francis, Cabinetmaker, Brora, over 30 - liable

SUTHERLAND

Adam, Apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable

Adam, Herd, Clynelish, over 30 - undersize

Alexander, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

Alexander, Labourer, North Brora, over 30 - liable

Alexander, Shoemaker, East Brora, over 30 - liable

Alexander, Labourer, Dromy, under 30 - undersize, liable

Andrew, apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable

Andrew, Lotter, Clynekirkton, over 30 - liable

Angus, Grass Keeper, Knocknachalich, over 30 - liable

Angus, Miller, Amat, over 30 - undersize

Angus, Tailor, North Brora, under 30 - liable

Angus, Weaver, Cavaick, under 30 - lame of a finger, liable

Donald, Apprentice to John Sutherland, mason, Doll, under 30 - liable

Donald, Apprentice Weaver, Brora, under 30 - liable

Donald, Brewer, Clynelish, under 30 - liable

Donald, Cooper, North Brora, over 30 - blind of the right eye

Donald, Farm Servant to Mr Scott, Clynelish, over 30 - liable

Donald, Lotter, Auldririe, over 30 - liable

Donald, Salter, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Donald, Shoemaker, Auldsmoral, over 30 - liable

Donald, Weaver, East Brora, under 30 - liable

Donald, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - liable

Duncan, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

George, Forester, Amat, over 30 - liable

George, House Carpenter, Doll, under 30 - liable

George* Lotter, East Brora, over 30 - liable

George, Wright? North Brora, under 30 - liable

George, Vintner, Brora, over 30 - lame

Hector, Lotter, Achrimsdale, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Houston, House Carpenter, Doll, under 30 - liable

Hugh, Blacksmith, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Hugh, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

Hugh, Labourer, Doll, under 30 - undersize

Hugh, Merchant, East Brora, over 30 - liable

James, Carter, Cavaick, over 30 - undersize

John, Collier, Brora, over 30 - undersize

John, Collier, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

John, Dyker, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

John, Dyker, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable

John, Farm Servant, Inverbrora, under 30 - crooked finger

John, Fisher, Brora, under 30 - Fisherman

John, House Carpenter, Brora, under 30 - liable

John, Lotter, East Brora Muir, over 30 - liable

John, Lotter, Doll, over 30 - blind of the right eye

John, Mason, Doll, over 30 - liable

John, Quarrier, Cavaick, over 30 - undersize

John, Sawyer, North Brora, under 30 - liable

John, Shoemaker, North Brora, over 30 - undersize

John, Shoemaker, Doll formerly in Sedel? - over 30 - 3 children & poor

John, Weaver, North Brora, under 30 - shortness of breath

John (Gair), Doll, under 30 - liable

John alias Buie, Labourer, Brora, under 30 - liable

Robert, Cooper, Amat, over 30 - undersize

Robert, Labourer, North Brora, under 30 - liable

Robert, Slater, Brora, over 30 - 3 children & poor

Robert, Sawyer, North Brora, under 30 - liable

Robert, Shepherd, Brachacky, over 30 - liable

William, Dyker, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable

William, Labourer, Clynekirkton, under 30 - liable – the word deaf scored out

William, Labourer, Doll, formerly in Sedel? - under 30 -  Liable

William, Labourer, Cavaick, under 30 - liable

William, Lotter, East Brora Muir, under 30 - liable

William, Lotter, Achrimsdale, over 30 - liable

William, Weaver, North Brora, over 30 - sore breast

William, Labourer, Dromy, under 30 - deaf

THOMSON

Alexander, Shepherd, Balnakyle, over 30 - liable

TULLOCH

Mr George, teacher, Kilcalmkill, under 30 - Schoolmaster

URQUHART

Ross, Shoemaker, Brora, under 30 - liable

WAUGH

Henry, Shepherd, Craignadaroch, under 30 - liable

History of the Village of Brora, Clyne

Adapted from an article printed in the “Northern Times” 1967. 

   Fountain Square, Brora

The Parish of Clyne extends from the shore of the Moray Firth in a north-westerly direction for 24 miles. Its width on the coast is four miles, and at the inland end it is about twice as wide. A range of foothills divides it into two parts – the small coastal area, containing almost all the arable ground, and the inland district, consisting of pasture, moorland and hill. The name Clyne comes from a Gaelic word Cluain meaning a meadow. The River Brora, the principal stream, rises in the parish of Rogart and has one main tributary, the Blackwater. Less than two miles below the junction, the river flows into the narrow four-mile long Loch Brora, whence it issues to complete its final course of three miles through the coastal district to the sea.

Brora is the only village in the parish. Bruar-a or Brora is a Danish name meaning bridgewater. Originally merely a small community on the south side of the river mouth, it began to extend in the early part of the 19th century and today occupies both sides of the river, is served by the main road and the railway, and has left the old Brora in a quiet backwater.

The upheaval known as the Clearances brought change to Clyne. Close on 1000 people in the parish had to leave their homes, their pastures, and their small arable patches in order that a handful of farmers could put their south country sheep on these greens and moorlands. Many of the evicted went abroad, but later census figures indicated that the greater number found new homes in the “lowland track,” the few square miles of machair between the foothills and the sea. The population figure of 1643 in 1801 jumped to 1874 in 1821 and went back to 1711 in 1831.

While with one hand the House of Sutherland had harshly evicted a multitude, the other hand busied itself in planting industries that might, to some extent, absorb the evicted. At the mouth of the River Brora a harbour was made from which sea-fishing could be prosecuted. Within walking distance of the village were founded a distillery and a brickworks, the coal pit was put in operation again and a salt-making industry revived. The large increase in 1821 - the major Clearances took place a few years earlier – may in part be accounted for by skilled men and their families being brought in from the south to manage those industries and to instruct the local people; also, in part, to some influx from other cleared areas in the county.

Constantly during the last 100 years or so the flourishing industries have been bringing in workers from elsewhere to replace wastage due to emigration overseas and also to the South. The Wool Mills, which were put on a sound footing in 1902 and very much enlarged since then, have taken in, from time to time, a considerable number of skilled operatives from the Border Mills. A wireless station, built over 25 years ago, played a major part in maintaining the figure. Among Highland landward parishes, Clyne is unique in thus keeping up its population, and the loss of many natives has been adequately offset by the number of incomers.

Coal was discovered in the Doll in 1529. In 1573, at Lower Brora, salt production from sea water was started, the fuel being the nearby outcrop of coal. Farther inland the first mine shaft was sunk, in 1598. Credit for this is given to Lady Jean Gordon, widow of Earl Alexander of Sutherland. In 1601 her son, Earl John, impressed by the possibilities of Brora, was instrumental in having it elevated to the status of a burgh of Regality. Although power was given to create bailies, councillors and the like, and also to erect a tollbooth and market cross with a weekly market, also four fairs on feast days, there is no evidence of any of these things having been done, with the exception of holding markets, which is recalled in the name of Market Street, Lower Brora.

Up until 1820 the only road north and south was a mere track by the seashore. By 1840 there were 30 miles of road and 15 bridges in the parish of Clyne. There was a sub-post office with a receiving house built by subscriptions from the inhabitants. The mail coach, drawn by two horses, passed and re-passed daily. The building which housed the post office is still in good condition. In its time it became a shoemaker’s shop and a toy shop, then a dwelling-house, and it is now the Unionist Party’s offices. Whereas, in 1800, there were practically no carts and ploughs, there were 258 carts and 240 ploughs in 1840, all made by native tradesmen. Indeed, skilled tradesmen abounded. There were 5 stone-masons, 9 house carpenters, 12 dyke builders, 3 blacksmiths, 9 tailors, 12 shoemakers and 3 cartwrights, besides journeymen and apprentices.

A market, the last of the season, was held in Brora in October, and was always well attended by the neighbouring parishes. Shopkeepers came from a distance and erected tents to display their goods. A great many cattle and horses were sold. Brora at this time had five inns which used to be crowded for the occasion, as were the tents in the market which sold whisky. Some little time before 1840 a total abstinence society was formed and the innkeepers complained that they sold only a third of the former quantities of whisky. It was, however, a rare occurrence to meet anyone the worse of liquor, except occasionally at markets. Whereas formerly coarse homespun cloth was worn by the girls, they now had dresses of the latest imported fashion, as well as straw bonnets or handsome caps, and their hair was neatly plaited.

The Highland Railway came to Brora in 1871. The results were far reaching. The colliery and brick and tile works, which had been closed, were reopened in 1872 by the Duke of Sutherland. Using Brora bricks, he built an engineering shop where repair work in connection with the railway could be undertaken. On the same site he had a grain store, a weaving shed, a sawmill and an office where colliery business was transacted. He drove his own railway engine on a branch line which crossed the main road, then called Pig Street (now Victoria Road).

Among articles made in the carpentry shop were writing desks and the counters to be used in the Town and County Bank, which was opened in 1874 in Rosslyn Street. In the engineering shop a small engine called “The Florence” was constructed to carry, on the miniature railway, bogies of coal and brick to the railway station and the harbour.

Two freestone quarries, one at Spouty and the other at Brambury Hill, near Clynelish, gave steady work to a considerable number of men, the stone being used for domestic purposes and export. The colliery was eventually leased to Mr Melville, manager of the grain store, and it was worked by him and his son until 1914. Mr R. Mackay, who had been the Duke of Sutherland’s clerk to the colliery, opened a high-class grocery business in Bridgend and afterwards at Bridge House, where he also ha a draper’s shop. The oldest established draper’s shop at this time, opened in 1850, was owned by Mr W. Sutherland, the postmaster. Another long established business was the Sutherland Arms Hotel, built in 1818 by Mr Gordon, of Embo. Towards the end of the 19th century a wool mill was built on the site of the sawmill. It was bought in 1901 by Mr T. M. Hunter senior. 

Misc. Townships

Stone & Clay 1849

Remaining Townships 

Unfortunately from here on there is only the names of the tenants with no further information.  It is possible there is another book to be found!

Google Map

  AULT CRAGGIE

  December 1849

  JOHN ROSS widow

  ANDREW SUTHERLAND

CLYNELISH MUIR

December 1849

HUGH MACKAY

DONALD SUTHERLAND (Adam)

WILLIAM SUTHERLAND senior

WILLIAM SUTHERLAND

JOHN GORDON

ROBERT ROSS

JOHN SUTHERLAND (McOmish?)

MARGARET SUTHERLAND

WEST CLYNE KIRKTON

December 1849

JAMES GORDON

DONALD SUTHERLAND widow

DONALD MACDONALD widow

JOHN MURRAY

ROBERT MACKAY

CAMPBELL MACKAY widow

JANET MACKAY

GEORGE MACKAY

ALEXANDER BAILLIE

ANDREW MACKAY

DONALD MACKAY widow

ROCK

December 1849

DONALD SUTHERLAND

DONALD MACKAY widow

MARGARET MACKAY

JOHN MATHESON

ISLANDGRAUGH

December 1849

ANGUS MURRAY

BRORA NORTH MUIR

December 1849

ANDREW MURRAY

DONALD GRANT

KILBRORA

December 1849

DONALD MUNRO, pensioner

BRORA NORTH MUIR

MARY SUTHERLAND, pauper

JANET MACDONALD

GEORGE SUTHERLAND (McOmish)

DONALD DOUGLAS widow

BETTY MACDONALD

ANGUS MACLEOD

ROBERT SUTHERLAND widow

JOHN MACDONALD widow

WILLIAM ALLAN pauper

ANGUS BAILLIE widow, rent free

ROBERT SUTHERLAND (Bain) widow

ELIZABETH SUTHERLAND

JOHN SUTHERLAND dyker

ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND (Bain)

WILLIAM SUTHERLAND widow

ELIZABETH SUTHERLAND

DONALD SUTHERLAND widow

JOHN SUTHERLAND (Buie)

WALTER SUTHERLAND

GEORGE GRANT widow

ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND (Buie)

JOHN BAILLIE

JANET MACKAY

JANE SUTHERLAND

JOHN SUTHERLAND (McOmish)

ALEXANDER MACLEOD pensioner

WILLIAM MACDONALD

WILLIAM MACLEOD

JOHN SUTHERLAND (Gow)

GEORGE SUTHERLAND (casfr--?)

WILLIAM SUTHERLAND piper

JOHN MACKAY

JOHN SUTHERLAND

PAUPERS HOUSES

JOHN MACLENNAN widow

GRANT MURRAY

ROBERT MACDONALD

WILLIAM SUTHERLAND

ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND, cooper

MARY & JANET SUTHERLAND – lot uncultivated

ADAM SUTHERLAND

ANN SUTHERLAND

DUNCAN MACKENZIE widow

ALEXANDER BRUCE

ALEXANDER MACLEOD

ALEXANDER SUTHERLAND widow

ALEXANDER BANNERMAN widow

MARION DEMPSTER pauper

JOHN SUTHERLAND (Gow)

CHRISTIAN MUNRO

WILLIAM MURRAY widow

Pen ? houses

CHRISTIAN GUNN

ROBERT SUTHERLAND

DONALD SUTHERLAND widow

BRUACHROBIE (Brochrobbie) 

December 1849

BENJAMIN MURRAY

DONALD MACKAY

 CARACH-NA-BOAN

December 1849

DONALD SUTHERLAND

JOHN SUTHERLAND

CAVEACH (Cavaik) 

December 1849

ANGUS SUTHERLAND

FINLAY MACLEOD widow

CROFTHAUGH

December 1849

WILLIAM MURRAY

GRANT MACLEOD

BADNELLAN

December 1849

JOHN ANDERSON

WILLIAM ANDERSON

ARDACHY

December 1849

DONALD GORDON

ROBERT ANDERSON widow

HUGH MURRAY widow

BRORA EAST

December 1849

HECTOR SUTHERLAND widow

MARGARET SUTHERLAND

DONALD MACLEOD widow

JOHN MACKAY

ROBERT MACKAY

GEORGE SUTHERLAND 2^nd tenant ANN MURRAY

JANE MURRAY

WILLIAM MURRAY

ROBERT HAMILTON

ANGUS MUNRO

CATHERINE SUTHERLAND

JOHN SUTHERLAND (Roy)

JOHN GRANT

JOHN MURRAY

ANDREW ROSS widow

HUGH SUTHERLAND

Free School House

ROBERT DUNCAN

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