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Banffshire |
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"The name is derived from the Gaelic language, and signifies the Timber Moss: Accordingly, the parish is full of moss and fir. Every place within the bounds, except such as are new, has a name of Gaelic extract. Boundaries, Extent, &c. - Cabrach is 30 miles distant from the county town, viz. Aberdeen, and surrounded by a range of hills, not very high, covered with heath. The length of this parish, at a medium, from south to north, is 5 miles; the breadth, from east to west, 3 miles, (all computed). Climate, Soil, Produce, &c. - In summer the climate is pleasant enough; and, for the benefit of goats milk, is resorted to from the low country by many of weak constitutions, or labouring under consumption, for whose accommodation there are 4 goat whey quarters. In winter, the frosts are more intense, and snow lies deeper and longer here, than in some of the neighbouring parishes; but from this the natives feel no inconvenience: They have an inexhaustible moss at their doors, and depend not more for subsistence on the produce of their fields, than on the profits of a traffic they carry on in sheep and black cattle. The soil is wet, and full of swamps, productive enough in provender for cattle; but owing to the frost, mists, and hoar frost in autumn, the annual produce of grain does not exceed the consumpt of the inhabitants." From The Statistical Account for Scotland, 1791-1799 Volume XVI, Banffshire, Moray & Nairnshire.
Unpublished MIs for this parish are held by Aberdeen & N.E. Scotland F.H.S. and members may request lookups.
A transcript of Parish of Cabrach by the Rev. Mr. James Gordon
Until 1st May 1891, the parish of Cabrach was partly in Aberdeenshire and partly in Banffshire. On that date, the Aberdeenshire part was transferred to Banffshire. But while a large part of the parish was involved, there are probably no major implications for genealogy, as the whole of the OPRs, the civil Registers of Births, Deaths and Marriages, and the Census are nowadays catalogued under Banffshire. It may be, however, that transfers of land and land taxes for the relevant places are still listed under Aberdeenshire.
The places transferred in 1891 are: Aldivalloch, Aldunie, Auchmair, Bank, Blackwater, Bodiebrae, Bracklach, Buck, Cabrach, Craigencat, Elrick, Gauch, Haddoch, Nether Howbog, Upper Howbog, Kirkton, Largue, Milltown, Powneed, Redford, Reekomlane, Torniechelt, Whitehillock.
Local Placenames in 1876.
Ardluie, Badchear, Ballochford, Bank of Corinacy, Blackwater Lodge, Bridgend, Broomknowes, Buck, Bullhillock, Burntreble, Cairnbrallan, Corinacy, Craigluie, Dalraich, Drywells, Dykeside, Findourain, Guestloan, Hillock of Echt, Invercharach, Linnburn, Lower Ardwell, Mains of Lesmurdie, Newtown of Corinacy, Pyke, Rhinturk, Shenwell, Succoch, Todholes, Tombain, Tomballie, Tomnaven, Tomnavowin, Upper Ardwell, Upper Tomnaven
But see above, under "Historical Geography" for places which were in Aberdeenshire before 1891.
Year 1801 1811 1821 1831 1841 1851 1861 Population 684 756 937 978 827 750 794
Year 1871 1881 1891 1901 1911 1921 1931 Population 775 682 646 581 534 454 326