Baile Mhaodain, Ballevodan, Killbodan
Ardchattan is a large highland parish in the Lorn district of Argyleshire. It is bounded by Loch Creran, Loch Linnhe, Loch Etive, the river Awe, the northern part of Loch Awe, the parish of Glenorchy, and the district of Appin. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Benderloch, Bunawe
Barcaldine, Borrodale, Inverawe, Lochnell
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The ancient church of this parish was dedicated to St Modan. In 1231 Duncan MacDougall of Lorn founded, near the parish church of St Modan, a priory of the order of Val de Choux, dedicated to St Catan. This monastery gave to the parish its modern name of Ardchattan (St Catan's Height). Near the church was St Modan's Well, and nearby St Modan's Fair was held. In 1618 the parishes of Ardchattan and Muckairn were united. They were severed again in 1649. Their disjunction was repealed in 1661, and Muckairn was thus annexed a second time to Ardchattan. It was, however, disjoined again quoad sacra on 9 December 1846. At Kilcholumkill in this parish, on the north shore of Loch Etive, there was a chapel of St Columba. At Benderloch there is now a mission chapel of St Modan.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
(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 |
| 1758-1854 | Ardchattan | 504 | OPR |
| 1855-1909 | Ardchattan | 504 | RD |
| 1910-1969 | Ardchattan | 504a | RD |
| 1910-1969 | Ardgour and Kingairloch | 504b | RD |
| 1970-1971 | Ardgour | 504 | RD |
| 1972-2006 | Ardgour | 522 | RD |
| 2007-2008 | Ardgour, Highland | 522 | RD |
| 2009 | (Ardchattan) Argyll and Bute, Oban | 526 | RD |
| 2009 | (Ardgour) Highland, Ardgour | 522 | RD |
| 2026 | (Ardchattan) Argyll and Bute Council; Ardchattan Community Council | ||
| 2026 | (Ardgour) Highland Council; Ardgour 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
Black, Buchanan, Cameron, Campbell, Carmichael, Cunningham, Ferguson, Johnston, Kennedy, Sinclair
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 Ludovick Grant.
"The number of inhabitants in the united parishes (of Ardchattan and Muckairn) is between 2300 and 2400. Within these two or three years 140 persons emigrated from hence to America; and this year more are preparing to follow, being much encouraged by the flattering accounts of the former emigrants. Several families have removed to the low country, where the wages are high.
The people in general are sober, industrious, and intelligent; much inclined to hospitality, humane and charitable, ready to relieve the distressed, from whatever quarter they may come. They are all of the Established church, and punctual in their attendance on divine worship. The farmers make a decent appearance; seem to enjoy the comforts and conveniences of life suitable to their station; and acknowledge that they have less difficulty in paying their rents (though considerably increased) than they had 30 years ago."
(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 6, p. 174
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 7, Section II, p. 468
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
