Stralachlan and Strachur is a united parish in the west side of Cowal, Argyleshire. It is bounded along its north-west side by Loch Fyne, Strachur forming its north-western district, and Stralachlan its south-western one, and it is bounded on other sides by the parishes of Lochgoilhead, Dunoon and Kilmun, and Kilmadan. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Ballibeg, Kilcatrain, Newton, Strachur
Castle Lachlan, Glenshellish
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The parishes of Strachur and Stralachlan were united in 1650.
Strachur, or Kilmoghlas. The church of Strachur was dedicated to St Glastian. At Kilcatrain on Loch Fyne there was a chapel of St Katherine.
Strathlachlan, or Stralachlan. The church of Strathlachlan was dedicated to St Malrubh. Near Castle Lachlan there was a chapel of St Bride.
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 |
| 1745-1854 | Strachur and Stralachlan | 534 | OPR |
| 1855-1969 | Stralachlan | 534-1 | RD |
| 1855-1969 | Strachur | 534-2 | RD |
| 1970-1971 | Strachur | 534 | RD |
| 1972-2010 | Strachur | 530 | RD |
| 2009 | Argyll and Bute, Strachur | 530 | RD |
| 2026 | Argyll and Bute Council; Strachur 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
Cameron, Campbell, Cowan, Crawford, Ferguson, Henderson, Leitch, Luke, Montgomery, Weir
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 Charles Stewart.
"In January 1783, there were 1061 souls, of whom 221 were under 8 years of age. Till within 40 years, the population is said to have continued nearly the same for a long time back; since that period, it has decreased by a third, and is still decreasing. There are not now 1000 in the parish.
There are 12 weavers in the parish, who weave coarse cloths and linens, such as the country people wear. There is 1 mason, 3 carpenters; there are 2 blacksmiths, 5 tailors, 2 ferrymen, and 2 innkeepers.
The people are sober and industrious. No person from this parish has been tried for a crime for many years back. They respect the laws, and pay due regard to their superiors, civil and ecclesiastical. They are all of the established religion, and very punctual in attending the service of the church."
(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 4, p. 555
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 7, Section II, p. 103
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
