Clyne, Sutherland, Scotland Genealogy

Clyne # 45

History
The origin of the name of this parish comes from the Gaelic word Cluain, meaning a meadow. It is bounded on the south-west by the parish of Golspie; on the west by Rogart; on the north by Kildonan; on the north-east by Loth, and on the south-east by the German ocean.

Dornoch is the nearest market-town, being about thirteen miles from the parish, but half-yearly markets are held in Golspie, only four miles away. Brora in the only village, and contains 280 inhabitants. A market is held at Brora in October, which is attended by the people of this parish and neighboring parishes. Shopkeepers come from a distance, erect tents to display their goods, and a great many cattle and horses change owners.

The chief historical event of importance which took place in this parish, was the change in the occupation of the parish by removal of the small tenants from the interior to the coast side, and, with it, consequences to the inhabitants in their comforts and habits.

When the small tenants were removed from the interior, lots were marked off for each of them, containing in every instance from a quarter to an acre of old land, and to this was added about two acres of moor-ground, which they were to improve. There is no district of country in Scotland where such an entire change has taken place in the habits, character, and pursuits of the inhabitants, as in this and the other parts of the county forming the estate of Sutherland. They were quite a rural, a moral, and a happy population, inhabiting beautifully romantic and sequestered glens in the interior, far removed from the bustle of the world.

The population of the parish has varied little since the year 1792, owing to the change which has taken place in the system of farming, the glens and interior being converted into sheep-walks; the inhabitants being removed to the sea coast, and some of them having emigrated to North America. The coal-works commenced in 1812, and caused a considerable increase of the population from 1600, to 1874 persons.

The inhabitants of the parish have acquired a taste for evangelical preaching, and cherish a warm attachment towards the Established Church. No dissenting preacher has attempted to gain a footing in the parish, and there is neither a professed Dissenter nor Roman Catholic in the parish. No mention is made of any registers of birth, or marriages.

The parish church, which is the only place of public worship, is conveniently situated in the centre of the population, the whole inhabitants, with the exception of the dwellings of shepherds, being within less than three miles away. It contains from 800 to 1000 sittings which are free, as is the case all over the Duke of Sutherland’s property, in this county and in Ross-shire.

This account was written October 1840.

Source: New Statistical Account of Scotland, FHL book 941 B4sa, series 2, vol. 15.

Condition of Original Registers—
Index: For an index to these records, see the Scottish Church Records Index available on computers at the Family History Library and family history centers. The records may be indexed in the International Genealogical Index.

Births: records prior to 1782 are apparently lost. There are no entries February-September 1812. There is a regular record for 1813-1814, but three entries for 1814-1815 are found on the page before the record for 1782. Marriages: There is one entry for 1787 found on the page of baptisms for 1812-1813. There is one entry for 1805 and two for 1844 on one page and one incomplete entry for 1815 on a fragment of a page prefixed to page beginning May 1817. The earlier records of the parish appear to have been lost. Source: Key to the Parochial Registers of Scotland, by V. Ben Bloxham, pub. 1970. British Book 941 K23b.

Established Church—Kirk Session Records
Minutes 1818–1843 Note: Available at the National Archives of Scotland, Edinburgh, record CH2/894

Assynt Free Church
History— Charles Gordon, minister of the parish, and almost the whole congregation, "came out" in 1843. Neither site nor house for the minister and his family could at first be got in the parish. The Duke of Sutherland refused a site, and when one was granted by a neighboring proprietor, he tried to prevent the people from using the quarries on his estate. In a few years church and manse were built 14 miles from the old church and 2-1/2 miles from Lochinver village. In 1878, to meet the necessities of the people, a church was erected at Elphine and, in 1893 a church and manse close to Lochinver. School buildings were also provided. Assynt was, for many decades, a stronghold of the 'Separatists'. The people, many of whom had remarkable mental and spiritual gifts separated from the church because of the moderatism that prevailed in the Highlands. Their attitude towards the regular ministry was critical and suspicious; and their teaching, especially in regard to the Communion, often very narrow. They left a deep mark on this and other parishes, owing to the strength of their leaders called 'the men'. Membership: 1850, 362; 1900, 24. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.

Records— No known pre–1855 records.

Stoer Free Church
History— Peter Davidson, minister of Stoer, and a large number of his people, adhered to the Free Church at the Disruption. At the settlement of Mr. Davidson's successor in 1848, the district of Klyeside was disjoined from Assynt and annexed to Stoer. Church and manse were provided. Membership: 1859, 600; 1900, 17. Source: Annals of the Free Church of Scotland, 1843–1900, ed. Rev. William Ewing, D.D., pub. 1914. Film #918572. More details may be given in the source, including ministers.