Cabrach is a parish partly in Banffshire and partly in Aberdeenshire. It is bounded by the parishes of Mortlach, Glass, Rhynie, Auchindoir, Kildrummy, Glenbucket, and Inveraven. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Cabrach, Elrick
Aldivalloch, Aldunie, Auchmair, Blackwater, Bodiebae, Bracklach, Craigencat, Elrick, Haddoch, Nether Howbog, Upper Howbog, Largue, Powneed, Redford, Torniechelt, Whitehillock
The parish of Cabrach was situated partly in the county of Aberdeen and partly in the county of Banff. It has been placed wholly in the county of Banff. See affected properties and landholders. (1892: Boundary of counties and parishes in Scotland as settled by the Boundary Commissioners under the Local Government Act, 1889, by Hay Shennan)
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The parishes of Cabrach and Strathdeveron were united on 27 February 1665.
Cabrach. The church of Cabrach was dedicated to St Mary.
Strathdeveron. The church of Strathdeveron stood at Invercharach, which led to the parish being often called by the latter name.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
Cabrach (QO)
Strathdeveron (QO)
(1928: Fasti Ecclesiæ Scoticanæ, by Hew Scott, D. D.)
Parish registers turned over to the Registrar-General, as a result of the Registration of Births, Deaths, and Marriages (Scotland) Act of 1854. The letters B. D. and M. indicate Births (or Baptisms), Deaths (or Burials), and Marriages (or Proclamations of Banns) respectively. Numbers indicate separate volumes or books. Note: These records are by no means complete or without damage; consult the Detailed List of the Old Parochial Registers of Scotland (1872) to learn more about the condition of the records.
| OPR and RD Numbers | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date Range | Name | Number | Type |
| 1711-1854 | Cabrach | 177 | OPR |
| 1855-1892 | Cabrach | 177 | RD |
| 1893-1958 | Cabrach | 149b | RD |
| 2009 | Moray, Elgin | 280 | RD |
| 2026 | Moray Council; Dufftown & District Community Council | ||
(2009: Parishes and Registration Districts of Scotland - Old and New, National Records of Scotland)
Local community councils (2026) are provided as a potential source of additional information for settlements within the original boundaries of the parish. (Source)
Statistics from informal and official censuses
Duncan, Gordon, Innes, Mitchell, Robertson, Shand, Souter, Stuart, Taylor, Watt
Note: Names appearing in research materials, other than censuses. Simple names (First name, surname only) have been omitted unless they appear associated with large properties. All women's names, and men's names with occupations, military ranks, or peerage titles are included.
By the Reverend Mr James Gordon.
"The number of souls in this parish are 700. Each marriage, at an average, produces 4 children. The number of inhabitants has decreased about 200 since 1782 and 1783; at which period the householders or crofters were driven in quest of susbsistence to other countries and towns, where manufactures are carried on.
The inhabitants, whose ordinary size is 5 feet 10 inches, though variable from 5 feet 6 inches to 6 feet, are industrious, sober, and healthy; are neater and cleanlier in their dresses and dwellings than their predecessors were some generations ago, when men and beasts lay under the same roof. They all read and write; are intelligent in the ordinary and even some of the less common affairs of life, beyond what could be expected from their opportunities, and of an obliging disposition.
Notwithstanding the temptations inseparable from the species of traffic that they are constantly engaged in, in the cattle markets, they are not addicted to drinking. With all the necessaries, and some of the conveniences of life, they live happily and content at home. They are not in general litigious; nor are lawsuits frequent, which is a consequence of their honesty in dealings."
(This section contains excerpts, at times restructured or paraphrased, from an article appearing in Statistical Account of Scotland, Sir John Sinclair, 1791-1799)
Primary Sources:
Statistical Account of Scotland (1791-1799), Volume 7, p. 361
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 13, p. 196
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
