Hi Gail, Thanks heaps for all your information on Red Castle – this just gets better and better – I am so grateful for everyone’s help. I would really appreciate a copy of the photos you have – are they in computer file format? Would also be interested in the name of your excellent travel book on Scotland. Can’t help you with your queries unfortunately, but this group is fantastic – I’m sure you won’t wait long for a reply! Cheers Thelma

I am researching Peter McLean, who was supposedly born in Isle of Skye c. 1760. He fought in a North Carolina regiment during the Revolutionary War. His wife was Lucy Weathersbee, and the couple settled in Robeson County, NC area. There are several McLean families in this area of NC, and I am trying to determine whether any of these are related to Peter: "John McLean, A Native of Skye Scotland, d. March 2, 1787, Age 95 years" "Angus McLean, Who died March 10, 1810 aged 45 (was son of Daniel McLean - he came from Scot. with his parents Daniel and Eliz McLean; he m. Mary McEachin from Richmond Co....)" "Daniel McLean, Native of Skye Scotland, Died July 24, 1812 aged 76" "Eliza wife of Daniel McLean Died Nov. 9, 1824 age 92 She was a native of Skye Scot. (Eliza Nicholson)" "John McLean Died Oct. 1815 aged 66 years (brother of Daniel McLean)" "Sarah McLean consort of John McLean D. July 3, 1843 aged 75 years, a native of Scotland" "John McLean who was b. in the Isle of Skye Scotland Nov. 12 1766 & emigrated with his parents in 1771 He was a Ruling Elder in the Presby. Ch. & died as he had lived in the hope & peace of the Gospel Aug. 14, 1856" "Catharine wife of Daniel McLain d. March 4, 1853 age 85" "Daniel Mclean d. Nov 8, 1851 age 85" "Jennet McLean native of Kintyre, Scotland & wife of Hector McLean d. Oct 1820 64 years old" "Hector McLean Native of Skye Scotland, d. July 21, 1846 100 yrs. old" "Angus Evander McLean, son of Angus McLean & grandson of Hector McLean Original settler from The Highlands of Scotland b. July 16, 1833 d. Sept. 14, 1913" The above info came from a book of cemetery transcriptions for Robeson County, North Carolina. I'd like to hear from anyone recognizing any of these people. Thanks, Marceline Beem marceline@mindspring.com

Dear List, I have old photos taken at a) J. Collier, Nairn b) MacMahon's Studios, Nairn, Fortrose, Inverness and c) D. Whyte, artist photographer, 63 Church Street, Inverness d) R. Stewart, Elgin e) George Robson, Bath Street, Nairn (copies may be had!). I have no dates for these photos and wondered whether the decor would help if anybody had similar decors, and a date, and I could identify the people more easily.. MacMahon had a Grecian style pedestal, without the statue, and a bucolic backdrop of trees and a lake. The women are wearing hats, quite awful, they look like frilly shower caps, and elegant pale trailing robes. The older woman prob in her early thirties has keys on a chain around her neck, and the younger one, her niece I think, has a clasp of flowers above the breast. The women appear nicely mischievous or daring in my opinion. D Whyte has a young woman sitting at a small round table, another behind her turning over the pages of a book on the table. Dark Victorian dresses and lockets around their necks.. J. Collier has a man sitting on a chair with tassles, a round table with a plant, a curtain backdrop, a small foot-chair. George Robson has a large chair or small sofa, and the hoops of the dress of the woman sitting there seems to cover it all; one side has the curving back of a chaise-longue. D. Whyte in Inverness has an elaborate forged iron table I think with wooden top and a woman sitting at a chair with book on table. Has anybody got similar decors and is able to date these photos? Many thanks, Jane

HI Thelma, I have mention of Grants of Redcastle as in saisine below: Lieut.Col. Alexander Grant of Lochletter, as heir to James grant of Redcastle, his cousin Seised, April 17 1809 - in parts of the Barony of Strathnairn being part of the Thainage and Barony of Calder, viz. Meikle and Little Daviot or Daviot Culclachy, Meikle & Little craggie, Easter & Wester Aberchalders, Meikle and Little Aberarders, Duncrombie or Dalcrombie, Letterquihillin with the croft thereof, Miekle & Little Brims, Flichitie, Farr with the Alehouse croft and Mill thereof, Inverairnie, Gask, lairgs with the Mill thereof, Holme, Faillie, Innermasseron & Drumurnie, with salmon fishings upon the water of Nairn, par…..(blank); - on Pr. Chan. Mar 24, 1809 1815 Francis, Earl of Moray seized superiority from Redcastle Ref 1765 Inverness 1817 Patrick Grant of Redcastle, seized in bar of Strathnairn, Letterchullin, Flichity, Daviot, Failzie, Invermazeran Patrick Grant of Redcastle as heir to his father siezed in bar of Strathnairn, Letterchullin, Flichity, Daviot, Failzie, Invermazeran on Pr chan I suppose these Grants somehow obtained the feu rights to these places, but I don't know how. It's not very clear to me. The people actually living at the places and 'owning' them were McIntoshes and Macgillivrays mostly. Where is Muck as a matter of interest? Jane -----Original Message----- From: Macquarie Business Associates Pty Ltd <mbapl@hunterlink.net.au> To: SCT-INVERNESS-L@rootsweb.com <SCT-INVERNESS-L@rootsweb.com> Date: 10 May 2000 00:55 Subject: [SCT-INV-L] Searching for Maclean family from Lochletter >Hi there, > >Can anyone help me? I am searching for information on the three brothers >(and their descendants) of Harold James MacLean who was born near Lakefield >Inverness (Lochletter) and christened on 14-5-1828 at Urquhart. > >Harold was the third of four sons - I don't know the names of his brothers. >Harold's parents were John Leyburn MacLean (born about 1790, I think in the >same area - Captain in the 43rd Regiment - and a grandson of Donald, 5th >Maclean of Muck) and Jane Eliza Grant (daughter of Grant of Red Castle). >They were married on 14-8-1823 at Urquhart. > >Can anyone also tell me where Red Castle is? > >Thanks > >Thelma Reynolds - Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia > >______________________________

Dear Thelma I am new to the group and one of the first messages I read was yours about Red Castle. My mother was a Mackenzie (of the Portmore and Flowerdale branch) and she used to stay at Red Castle in the mid 1930s with her Aunt Susan and her uncle Colin Mackenzie. My impression was that the castle belonged (or was maybe rented for the shooting season - a common practice now and then) to Aunt Susan who was a Mackinnon from Skye. She was the widow of the Duke of Somerset. Her sister Victoria was married to my mother's uncle Colin Mackenzie. I have photos of the castle which are marked "Redcastle [one word] Ross-Shire" and on the other side "Urquart, Dingwall". These come up very well on a xerox machine and I would be happy to send anyone a copy if they are interested. I never came upon any reference to this castle until I found an excellent travel book on Scotland (which I highly recommend as it is full of very readable history). On a page about Beauly Firth the following was written: "...the ruined castle (private} behind a wall at the western end of the firth is Redcastle originally built by William the Lion in 1178. The original castle, Edradour, is claimed to be the oldest inhabited house in Scotland and passed through several hands before it was annexed by the Crown after the fall from power of the notorious Douglas family. The Mackenzies held it for 200 years from 1570. According to stories, they resorted to sorcery and human sacrifices in an attempt to save the land from a cattle plague. This illicit activity backfired, and the family was henceforth under a curse." Another mysterious fact: my mother told me about staying in a castle in Scotland that was haunted. She said she heard tramping feet at about 5 in the morning and was told that they were from monks in a chapel that had been there. I don't know if this was Red Castle or not. One of my mother's Mackenzie ancestors is described as being provost of Dingwall and Her grandfather, who was a banker in Inverness, was described as being commissioner for Red Castle and Flowerburn estates. If anybody knows anything about a burial ground at Dingwall or what a provost was, or anything else that might be connected to all this I would be interested in hearing about it. Thank you. Gail Lynch (GailmLynch@aol.com)

Dear all, I was wondering whether anyone on the list had a particular interest in the Mackintoshes of Borlum. I am trying to locate information relating to William Dearg, the famous Brigadier who was involved in the 1715 uprising and held the Raitts Estate near Kingussie, and also William's brother Lachlan (of Knocknagael; b. 1665), who became Bailie of Badenoch after his father. Indeed, I am trying to locate the birth place of Lachlan's eldest son, John Mhor Mackintosh (b. March 1700, m. in Dores in March 1725). Perhaps Knocknagael... but I wondered whether his father would have had a residence in the Kingussie area along with his office of bailie. John Mhor was a recruiting officer in Inverness-shire for the Darien settlement in Georgia. Can anyone recommend any leads? Best wishes, Paul. ==================================== HIGHLAND HOMECOMINGS PROJECT http://www.scotweb.org/homecomings homecomings@scotweb.org Highland Folk Museum Duke Street Kingussie Inverness-shire PH21 1JG Scotland Tel: (local) 01540 662435 (international) 00 441 540 662 435 Fax: (local) 01540 661631 (international) 00 441 540 661 631

I am looking for my grandmother Margaret COPELAND b October 1881 possibly Fort William Margaret m James PAYNE probably in Durham and they were in Muggleswick, YKS c1900-1905. By c1908 they were in Birkenhead where they stayed. She died 1952 Her father was Joseph COPELAND and her brothers and sisters were James; Joe; Harry; Elizabeth; Patricia. Does it "ring a bell" with anyone. Jim Jim & Bev Payne NEW ZEALAND jr_bjpayne@xtra.co.nz

I guess I'm getting the hang of putting these census lists online - as the 1881 only took a couple of hours to do.......anyway that's all 3 of them!!! - but I am planning on reworking the 1881 census for Glenurquhart and Glenmoriston sometime soon...... Take care and happy hunting!!! Bryan Keddy Halifax, N.S. Scotland Glens - http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/bryanfkeddy/Glen1.html

In a message dated 10/05/00 5:07:59 PM Central Daylight Time, logl@usit.net writes: << 1935.According to the census in Scotland the McKenzie,Michie's,Gillis and McLeods stayed in the same area of Portree. I think some of them live in Ramsey also?????. I've sent to Scotland for the birth certificate of John McKenzie in hope to locate one which would lead me to his parents. So far no luck in them finding it. They were farmers and Coffers. I'm not sure if they own their land or work for someone else. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thank You. Lois >> A crofter by definition does not own the land. Crofting is a term used to describe a person who makes a living by several means, usually seasonal. A crofter would usually do a bit farming, raise a cow or two, perhaps the wife would do a bit weaving and perhaps the man also. The husband would do some fishing or perhaps even have a trade of sorts like a smithy. The average croft is about 5 to 7 acres on average and there is often a "common" grazing area. rent is paid in either cash or kind, (today it is mostly all cash). Crofting is much like sheer cropping in the Southern US. In many areas of the Highlands the soil was so bad that rocks and stones were pounded into dust and sea weed added to create soil that would allow for the growing of subsistence crops such as potatoes, turnips, (rutabaga in the US). and cabbage. The diet was added to with a bit fish and what ever meat could be hunted or raised, (and that was dam little), and the ever present oats and oat meal, (porridge). The land was usually hand plowed/planted and hand harvested. The usual "crofters cottage", was made up of a single or two room building with a dirt floor and a wee hole for the smaoke, which later became a fire place which heated the home and allowed cooking and a way for the smoke to get out. It was not uncommon, (in the 1700 to 1800) to have livestock in the house at night. The roof was thatched with Grasses and often called "Black Houses " because the smoke from the fire would blacken the inside of the cottage over time. Work was usually from dawn to dusk, and in Scotland that's dam near 24 hours in the summer. I can't imagine why they would want to give all this up for several hundred acres and a log home in the new world. Hope this helps. Dave M.

In a message dated 10/05/00 7:49:20 PM Central Daylight Time, mbapl@hunterlink.net.au writes: << None of them appear on the 1841 Census for Glen Urquhart so they must have moved before then. I know Harold was in Australia at that time. Anyone know anything about any of them? Jog any memories? Any suggestions for further search? Even if I find nothing else, you've all made my year! Thelma >> Elizabeth B. stated that Red Castle was in or near Beuly, so you may want to try Ross and Cromarty registries. There are a lot of MacLeans on that search list. <A HREF="http://www.rootsweb.com/~sctroc/index.htm">Ross and Cromarty Scotland Genealogy</A> perhaps up around Loch Broom where a number of MacLeans came from and or were married etc. Dave M.

I have just added over 125 marriage records for 1866 to 1891 (many of which have witnesses shown) to go along with the over 1,000 birth and baptism records from Glen Urquhart .....all of which were submitted by Ian Allan a couple of days ago...... I'll try my best to get the 1881 census of Fort William online by this weekend or early next week!!!! Bryan Keddy Halifax, N.S. Scotland Glens URL: http://www3.ns.sympatico.ca/bryanfkeddy/Glen1.html

This is a group mail going to everyone who is in the address book complied by Windows. I have changed my eddress from: rosmci@iweb.net.au to: rosmci@eisa.net.au R. McInnes Adelaide Sth Australia

Hi there all you lovely people, Thanks so much for all your help - I am so impressed with all your Highland hospitality. I have been told about it and now am experiencing it in person. Have found the names of Harold's three brothers - thanks to Elizabeth B. Thanks also to Bryan K for his intro to this mail group, Donna for her encouragement, Dave M for his history info, Mo and Joyce for their knowledge of Redcastle! What a great group! Why didn't I find you earlier? Further enquiry - Info from Elizabeth re Maclean family: Maraunt, born 17 May 1824, bap 23 June 1824 - Alexander Grant born 29 May, bap 20 Sept 1825 - Harold James born 14 May 1828 bap 18 June 1828 and Albert born 28 July and bap 28 August 1834. All Glen Urquhart. None of them appear on the 1841 Census for Glen Urquhart so they must have moved before then. I know Harold was in Australia at that time. Anyone know anything about any of them? Jog any memories? Any suggestions for further search? Even if I find nothing else, you've all made my year! Thelma

Can anyone with kin from Scotland or live in Scotland help me with this family? I would like to find out who the father is of John McKenzie who married Isabella Michie. They are listed on the 1841 Census with his wife's family.George Michie married Ann McKinnon. John McKenzie's son Roderick married Marion Gillis. We think her parents were Donald Gillis and Anne McLeod. To my knowledge Roderick was the only McKenzie that came to America which was in 1884 and they settled in NC. My great-great-grandmother kept in touch with the Gillis family and the McLeod family until she died which was in 1935.According to the census in Scotland the McKenzie,Michie's,Gillis and McLeods stayed in the same area of Portree. I think some of them live in Ramsey also?????. I've sent to Scotland for the birth certificate of John McKenzie in hope to locate one which would lead me to his parents. So far no luck in them finding it. They were farmers and Coffers. I'm not sure if they own their land or work for someone else. Any help would greatly be appreciated. Thank You. Lois 1841 Census of Scotland,County of Inverness,District of Skye,Parish of Portree, No.of Enumeration District 4,Description of ditto ...as much of the Parish of Portree as lies betwenn Carnistisswaig (can't read)and the head of Loak Portree. District 4 pg.7 Penfiler name of Village,Square,Close,Court,etc. George Michie male age 60 Mason born in Scotland Anne "" female age 55 " " " Mary " age 20 " " " George male age 18 " " " Charles male age 16 " " " William male age 10 " " " Hugh (?)McKinnon male age 10 " " " John McKenzie male age 25 M.L. " " "( this is the father of Roderick) Isabella female age 25 " " " Janet McCullech female age 7 " " " Mary McCullech female age 5 " " " Roderick McKenzie male age 1 " " "

Looking for any PURDY relations that immigrated to Grass Valley, Nevada County, California, USA. Geri R. Gilbert CallUKHome@Yahoo.com ===== Hug a Rottie and get a cascade of smiles & kisses. Sweet and loving, they are protective over family. Funny and amusing, they can really clown around. Although a strong breed with definite opinions, they'll learn to adapt to your familys' traditions, consequently displaying loyalty and dependability forever. Attributed to Diamond Jewel von Heidelberg __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Send instant messages & get email alerts with Yahoo! Messenger. http://im.yahoo.com/

Hi Thelma, Redcastle is a place on the Beauly Firth in the parish of Knockbain, Ross and Cromarty. Joyce

In a message dated 10/05/00 5:02:39 AM Central Daylight Time, joyce_t.irvine@virgin.net writes: << Hi Thelma, Redcastle is a place on the Beauly Firth in the parish of Knockbain, Ross and Cromarty. Joyce >> Not near Urqurt Castle though, in Scottish measurement that is. Thanks for the save. DaveM.

Subj: [SCT-INV-L] Isle of Eigg/ McIsaac surname Date: 5/10/00 12:02:52 AM Eastern Daylight Time From: Skyedam To: MaryEllenZ CC: Shamoidart, HilandeRPM, JayofEigg CC: eric.salmonson@ns.sympatico.ca >Subj: [SCT-INV-L] Isle of Eigg/ McIsaac surname >Date: 5/9/00 8:01:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time >From: MaryEllenZ@aol.com >To: SCT-INVERNESS-L@rootsweb.com >Hi, > Could someone please confirm that the Isle of Eigg is in Inverness county? > I am researching McIsaacs from the Isle of Eigg. Please contact me if > you share the same interest. > -Mary Ellen Moulton, Plaistow, New Hampshire, USA Hi Mary Ellen, I'm not researching McIsaacs from the Isle of Eigg but we are researching McLeods there. Yes, the Isle of Eigg is in Inverness - usually referred to as Inverness-shire. I do have MacIsaacs in my line - they were from Moidart on the mainland (about 10 miles east of Eigg) and came out in 1801 on the Nora to Antigonish, Nova Scotia. They then went onto Cape Breton and then to the western shores of Newfoundland - Bay St. George, Sandy Point Island and Port au Port / Berry Head. If yours came to Canada, if you don't have it, you should get the book, Drummer on Foot. I can give you the info on how to obtain the book. Your people must be Catholic, they almost have to be coming off of Eigg. Our Mc/MacIsaacs are undoubtedly related - both coming from Clanranald territory and in close proximity to one another. Although I have a lot of reference material here, actual genealogies of Eigg have been very difficult to come by. I don't think any have been formerly published although there could be some in private hands. There is a book named: The Isle of Eigg, by Camille Dressler, which is a good read. Fill me in on your research. How did you trace you McIsaac's to Eigg? Where did they go from there? Look forward to hearing from you. I'm next door in Scarborough, Maine. Dave MacLeod Skyedam@aol.com

In a message dated 09/05/00 6:55:56 PM Central Daylight Time, mbapl@hunterlink.net.au writes: << Harold was the third of four sons - I don't know the names of his brothers. Harold's parents were John Leyburn MacLean (born about 1790, I think in the same area - Captain in the 43rd Regiment - and a grandson of Donald, 5th Maclean of Muck) and Jane Eliza Grant (daughter of Grant of Red Castle). They were married on 14-8-1823 at Urquhart. Can anyone also tell me where Red Castle is? Thanks Thelma Reynolds - Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia >> I have never heard of "Red Castle" the only castle in that area is Urquart just up from the Doors Road. I believe it is. Then there is St. Agustas Abby. Is there a chance that he was the Major MacLean with the Bradlebane Fencibles at the Mutiny in Glasgow? or Cap. MacLean of the same era. DaveM.

Hi there, Can anyone help me? I am searching for information on the three brothers (and their descendants) of Harold James MacLean who was born near Lakefield Inverness (Lochletter) and christened on 14-5-1828 at Urquhart. Harold was the third of four sons - I don't know the names of his brothers. Harold's parents were John Leyburn MacLean (born about 1790, I think in the same area - Captain in the 43rd Regiment - and a grandson of Donald, 5th Maclean of Muck) and Jane Eliza Grant (daughter of Grant of Red Castle). They were married on 14-8-1823 at Urquhart. Can anyone also tell me where Red Castle is? Thanks Thelma Reynolds - Lake Macquarie, NSW, Australia