Barr?

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi All,

Now that we have the Strone Nevis question answered, here's another one... Can anyone identify exactly where in Glen Loy that the old crofting community or farm of Barr was located? I'm coming up with nothing at this point.

Can't wait to see what the geography students of Clan Cameron unearth!

[Cameronian]

Well Tom it may not contain the information that you need, but the The Am Baile Newspaper Index on their website www.ambaile.org.uk/newspapers/index.jsp gives you two listings re Newspaper articles which may just give you a clue.

Agriculture > Estates
Lochiel Estate - Sheep farm in Strathlochy, lands & grazings of Strone & Barr to let
Inverness Journal Friday, 17 February 1826
Page/Col Ref:3D


Agriculture > Markets & Fairs
Dornoch - Barr's Fair held, complaints of drunkenness and disorder
Inverness Advertiser Tuesday, 13 November 1849
Page/Col Ref:6C

[SherbrookeJacobite]

admin said:

Hi All,

Now that we have the Strone Nevis question answered, here's another one... Can anyone identify exactly where in Glen Loy that the old crofting community or farm of Barr was located? I'm coming up with nothing at this point.

Can't wait to see what the geography students of Clan Cameron unearth!

No luck yet Tom - but I'm still looking! I love a challange.

[SherbrookeJacobite]

The census of 1841 lists a number of people living at Barr. These included the family names of MacKinnon, Kirkpatyrick, MacLeod, Cameron, Sutherland, MacKinnon and Livingston.

A map of 1742 (from our archives) shows Barr at the head of the Glen.
www.lochiel.net/archives/graphics/map1742b.jpg
North of Achnanellan.

J.C. Bartholmew's 'Survey Atlas of Scotland' from 1912, doesn't show 'Barr', but it does show Achnanellan. There is an old road going up the mountain behind Achnanellan. Given the relative position of Achnanellan and Barr on the 1724 map, and the meaning of Barr ("Summit" or "Height") I would speculate that Barr was North of Achnanellan towards AmMam.

That's still just a guess - but I will keep looking - I have some old parish maps home (somewhere!) that I will dig out & check.

[SherbrookeJacobite]

No luck with the old maps.

The map in Somerled MacMillan's "Bygone Lochaber" places Barr across the Glen from Erracht - which is at the lower end of the Glen. The only other references to Barr that I can find just place it in Glen Loy, and that it was originally the home of MacGillonie-Camerons.

We may need someone "on the ground" in Lochaber to help with this.

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi John,

Thanks to both you and Val for the help. I'm also coming up empty, at least in terms of a specific location. The 1742 map is vague at best, and I was working on the theory that it might have been located on the heights above Achnanellan (modern map shows a road climbing up the hillside, which fits with the summit theory). Unfortunately, there's no hard proof as of yet.

I'm also beginning to think that we need some Lochaber Lads or Lasses to help on this one...

[ChrisDoak]

Hi folks,

A quick touchdown with technology before I disappear into the wilds again!

The Farm of Barr (2053 acres),lay on the south side of the River of Loy,directly opposite Inveruiskavuilin.Never more than 5 or 6 houses in the 18th century,the dwellings lay clustered around the junction of the burn Allt Coire an Lightuinn with the River Loy.The rest of the farm spread out in a southerly direction.

Hope this helps you locate it on maps.

Cheers,Chris.

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi Chris,

Wonderful! With your information, it's quite easy to locate. Some of the old villages/crofts/farms are proving quite difficult to find, but I was confident that the members of the Message Center could rise to the challenge.

Thanks all

[mike]

I was in Barr/Barre yesterday - if anyone wants a photo of what is on the ground now, I would be happy to send it.
You may already know the history, but Barre was first destroyed in 1746, during the Duke of Cumberland's reprisals, then rebuilt, only to be cleared at the beginning of the nineteenth century. There are remains of what must have been a sizeable settlement there.

Regards

Mike

[Thomas Cameron]

Hi Mike,

I'd love to add a photo of Barr to the records, as well as any other interesting Lochaber locations you might have. You can send me an e-mail at: [e-mail]

Thanks!