Kilcolmanel, Kilconstantin
Colmonell is a parish in the district of Carrick, Ayrshire. It stretches across the county, from Galloway to the Firth of Clyde, between Ballantrae on the south, and Barr and Girvan on the north. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Arnsheen, Barrhill, Colmonell, Lendalfoot, Poundland
Corwar, Craig, Daljarroch, Drumlamford, Kildonan
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The church of this parish belonged in early times to the Priory of Iona, and later to the Abbey of Holyrood. It was dedicated to St Constantine, but there had been an earlier dedication to St Colman of Lan Eala. On 24 January 1699 the General Assembly transferred this parish from the Presbytery of Ayr to that of Stranraer. There were three chapels in the parish: St Ninian's, at Kilantringan; St Donan's at Kildonan in the Glen of Duisk; and the Chapel of All Saints, at Hallowchapel on the Water of Stinchar.
Disjoined Quoad Sacra Parishes:
Arnsheen. A church was built in 1845. The parish was disjoined from Colmonell, 28 October 1872.
Bargrennan. A chapel-of-ease was opened at Bargrennan, 17 March 1839. The parish was disjoined from Monigaff, Penninghame, and Colmonell, 16 July 1862.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
Colmonell (QO)
Arnsheen (QS)
Bargrennan (QS)
(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 |
| 1759-1854 | Colmonell | 582 | OPR |
| 1855-1874 | Colmonell | 582 | RD |
| 1875-1968 | Colmonell | 582-1 | RD |
| 1875-1968 | Barrhill | 582-2 | RD |
| 2009 | South Ayrshire, Girvan | 686 | RD |
| 2026 | (Colmonell) South Ayrshire Council; Colmonell and Lendalfoot Community Council | ||
| 2026 | (Barrhill) South Ayrshire Council; Barrhill 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
Campbell, Fulton, Gordon, Hyslop, Logan, Milroy, Murdoch, Ross, Templeton, Wilson
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 Mochrie.
"There are about 1100 in the parish, all of whom are of the Established Church, excepting 56 Seceders of the Antiburgher denomination, and 6 Cameronians. In the village there are 34 dwelling houses, all thatched, except the manse; 4 shopkeepers, who supply the neighbourhood with grocery, hardware, &c., 2 inns, with very indifferent accommodation for so frequented a road, as this is likely to become; and 4 public houses, for the lower ranks of people; particularly during the four great fairs, which are held here the first Monday of every quarter, at which a good deal of common country business is transacted.
A tan-work was set up about a twelve-month ago; it is at present on a small scale, but will probably be enlarged. There are in the parish 24 weavers, 7 of whom reside in the villages; 13 shoemakers, 13 tailors, 7 wrights, 10 masons, 5 blacksmiths, 5 millers, and 2 clothiers, all employed in working for the neighbourhood. There are also 5 corn mills, a barley mill, and a lint mill.
The inhabitants, in general, are sober and industrious. They pay a proper regard to their religious duties, and, in particular, are attentive to the dictates of justice, humanity, and charity to their brethren. A number of them, though they have received but a very common and ordinary education, yet possess a degree of judgment and knowledge, both in spiritual and temporal matters, exceeded by few. They enjoy life very happily, and are seemingly pleased with their situation."
(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 2, p. 57
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 5, Section I, p. 528
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
