Toll House, Kilmallie & surrounding area

[Musty]

I am bringing my research back to my Kilmallie based branch of the Cameron family to try to flesh out the details beyond the usual BMD info.and get an idea of how they were living. I would appreciate any help on the following:

1. Does anyone know the location of Toll House, Kilmallie?
Based on the census returns for Ann Cameron aged 40 & 51 respectively in the 1881 (gros 520/350255) & 1891 (gros 520/00002/00004) returns. The family lived at Toll House having moved from Murlagan farm house, which is easily identified on the bank of Loch Arkaig, where they lived in 1861 (per that census).

I'm assuming that they wouldn't have moved a great distance from the previous farm (still in the same parish at least) and Ann was still a shepherd's wife in 1881 (widowed in 1891) so they would still be on a small farm.

2. On a related issue, are there rent book records, or school, or other similar records available for the area, if so where are they held?

3. In terms of ownership, I assume that most families would have been tennants of the farm landowners. Are we able to find out who the landowners etc were etc.

4. And finally if anyone can recomend any books on life in the area I would be grateful.

Thanks in advance
Neil.

[ChrisDoak]

Hi Neil,

The Toll House that your family lived in,at the time of the 1881 and 91 Censuses,was located close to the townships of Blarmachfoldach and Blarachaorin in Nether Lochaber.You will find it on a map approx.15 miles south south east of Murlaggan,high up in the Mamore hills,near to Lochan Lundavra.

The Toll House,I would imagine,would be to serve the old military road ,built in 1751,which travelled from Kinlochleven to Fort William.

Whilst Murlaggan lay on the Estate of Cameron of Lochiel (rental books kept at the Clan Cameron Museum at Achnacarry),the Blarmachfoldach area was under the ownership of the Duke of Gordon until the 1830s.He went spectacularly bust then,and the whole Estate was sold off.It is difficult to guess who would have owned the Toll House in the late 19th century,and only referring to old Valuation Rolls for the district would give you the information you are looking for.

I believe that there was a small school at Blarmachfoldach to serve the 40 or so houses in the neighbourhood,but again,where it's records are kept is difficult to establish.Possibly at the West Highland Museum in Fort William,or maybe in Inverness.

Regarding reading about life in the area,a good starting point are the Statistical Accounts of Scotland.The first Account was published in 1795,and the second in 1845.You should be able to access the entries for Kilmallie Parish at www.edina.ac.uk/stat-acc-scot.Anyone else think of some relevant books to cover the period of the late 19th century?

Regards,Chris.

[Musty]

Thanks for the info Chris, its very much appreciated.

Neil