Hello everyone. As a newcomer to your site, I am absolutely fascinated and wonder if anyone can help me. I am researching the crofting community of the Sandwood estate (Eddrachillis parish) in NW Sutherland from about 1700 to the present day. The current estate comprises the hamlets of Oldshoremore, Oldshorebeg, Drumnaguie, Blairmore, Polin, Balchrick, Droman & Shegra. Kinlochbervie is to the south and Cape Wrath 12 miles north, past Sandwood Bay. I know that ships sailed from Loch Laxford - the Ellen in 1815, Lady Emily 1842, George 1843 & the Ellen 1848, also the Sirius which may have had emigrants from this area aboard. Has anyone found ancestors from the area and would be willing to share them with me? I would really appreciate any information. Many thanks Fiona

Fiona, I would be more than happy to contribute the little I have. What specific details would you like? Presumably only details of the people born there and the next generation? Are you researching for a thesis, or for a local history publication? Also from your knowledge of the area, can I ask if you (or any other listers) know where "CEANSALIC" in Eddrachillis is??. It appears in a 1783 marriage entry in the Durness registers. Peter Grant London (ex NZ) -----Original Message----- From: Fiona [mailto:fiona@balchrick.fsnet.co.uk] Sent: 01 July 2001 11:45 To: SCT-SUTHERLAND-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Sandwood, Sutherland Hello everyone. As a newcomer to your site, I am absolutely fascinated and wonder if anyone can help me. I am researching the crofting community of the Sandwood estate (Eddrachillis parish) in NW Sutherland from about 1700 to the present day. The current estate comprises the hamlets of Oldshoremore, Oldshorebeg, Drumnaguie, Blairmore, Polin, Balchrick, Droman & Shegra. Kinlochbervie is to the south and Cape Wrath 12 miles north, past Sandwood Bay. I know that ships sailed from Loch Laxford - the Ellen in 1815, Lady Emily 1842, George 1843 & the Ellen 1848, also the Sirius which may have had emigrants from this area aboard. Has anyone found ancestors from the area and would be willing to share them with me? I would really appreciate any information. Many thanks Fiona ______________________________

Hi Fiona My Munro family came from the area you are researching - here is some data that may interest you. Donald MUNRO married Georgina McKAY in Tongue on 22/01/1826 - they had 7 children John,Jane Scobie, James, Johan, Lexy, and Kitty - 2 were christened at Tongue, 1 at Eddrachillis, 2 at Farr. Son James born in 1832 in Tongue married on 1.1.1857 in Eddrachillis, to Mina (nee CORBETT born 16 December 1837 in Fodderty, Ross & Cromarty- daughter of John CORBETT & Betsy or Elizabeth (PATERSON) - they lived in Achlyness overlooking Loch Inchard - James was a crofter. The house is still there in Achlyness and is the home of his great granddaughter. They had 6 boys, all born in Oldshoremore, George MUNRO born 6 February 1875, Donald MUNRO born 30 November 1857, James MUNRO born 19 September 1860, John MUNRO born 5 December 1863, Hugh born 16 January 1866, and another Hugh born 4 April 1870. George MUNRO went to school in Achylness, enlisted in the Black Watch (Royal Highlanders) 17.12.1894 at age 19 yrs 9mths. Spent 7 1/2 years in army including 4 years in India and served in South Africa (Boer War Campaign) from December 1901 to June 1902. Back in Edinburgh mid 1902, he continued on the Reserve,he joined the Leith Police Force, Edinburgh where he was a constable. Discharged from the Black Watch Reserve in 1906 after completing 12 years in both army and Reserve. Awarded Queens South African medal. Augusina (Agnes) FRASER born 29.4.1878 in Achlyness,(her mother was a McKENZIE) lived near and went to school with George in Achlyness and later came to Edinburgh where she worked as a domestic and married George in 10.6.1903 in Edinburgh. They had 4 children in Edinburgh (Mina, Janet, Thomas, & Jemima) they decided to emigrate to New Zealand and George came to Wellington on his own in 1910 - his family (wife Agnes with children) went to Achlyness to live with his mother for 2 years until George sent for them to come to New Zealand. They eventually settled in Dunedin where they had 2 more children. He was a noted performer on the pipes and won New Zealand Piping Championships twice. His son Tom was also a New Zealand Champion piper. He was a foundation member of the Dunedin Scottish Society, official piper of the society for many years and was a very capable judge. George MUNRO is buried in the Andersons Bay Cemetery, Dunedin - he died on 13.2.1936.