Glenelg is a parish on the west coast of Inverness-shire. It is bounded on the north-east and east by the water-shed of a ridge of hills, which divides it from Ross-shire, on the south-east and south by the water-shed of the range of heights at the head of Glengarry and Glenarchaig in Lochaber, on the south-west by Loch Morar, which divides it from Arasaig in the parish of Ardnamurchan, and on the north-west by the Sound of Sleat, which separates the Scottish mainland from the island of Skye. It comprises three districts, each separated from the other by a long transverse inlet from the sound of Sleat, in the form of a sea-loch. First is Glenelg proper, in the north-east, next is Knoydart, in the middle, these two separated from each other by Loch-Hourn, and next is North-Morar, in the south-west, this separated from Knoydart by Loch Nevis. (1867: The Imperial Gazetteer of Scotland, by John Marius Wilson).
Airor, Ambraigh, Arnisdale, Balvraid, Barrisdale, Bernera, Beoraidbeg, Bracara, Camusrory, Corran, Courteachan, Doune, Glenelg, Inverie, Kirkton, Kylesknoydart, Mallaig, Sandaig, Skiary, Swordland, Tarbet
Inverie
PRE-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
POST-REFORMATION GOVERNANCE:
The church of Glenelg was dedicated to St Cuimen. On 1 May 1650 this parish was severed from the Presbytery of Lorn and incorporated in that of Skye. This arrangement lasted but a short time, and Glenelg was given back to the Presbytery of Lorn. On 19 May 1724 the Presbytery of Gairloch, now called Lochcarron, and the Synod of Glenelg were both erected. To these new Courts this parish was then joined. Glenelg was at the same time made the seat of the Synod. There are mission chapels within the bounds at Arnisdale and Lochhournhead.
Disjoined Quoad Sacra Parishes:
Glengarry. The parish of Glengarry was disjoined from Kilmonivaig, Boleskine, and Glenelg, and erected 13 March 1867. There are mission chapels within the bounds at Glenquoich and Tomdoun.
Knoydart. Knoydart is an ancient parish. Its church was dedicated to St Coan. In the sixteenth century this parish was united to Glenelg. It remained so until 20 May 1863, when Knoydart was disjoined from Glenelg as a parish quoad sacra.
Includes ministers, licentiates, assistants, readers, and clerks.
Glenelg (QO)
Glengarry (QS)
Knoydart (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 |
| 1792-1854 | Glenelg | 97 | OPR |
| 1855-1970 | Glenelg | 97-1 | RD |
| 1855-1970 | Knoydart | 97-2 | RD |
| 1855-1970 | North Morar | 97-3 | RD |
| 1971-1971 | Glenelg | 97 | RD |
| 1972-1984 | Glenelg | 236 | RD |
| 1972-2001 | Knoydart | 237 | RD |
| 1972-2001 | Mallaig | 238 | RD |
| 1985-2006 | Glenelg | 236 | RD |
| 2002-2006 | Mallaig and Knoydart | 238 | RD |
| 2009 | (Glenelg) Highland, Glenelg | 236 | RD |
| 2009 | (Knoydart) Highland, Mallaig and Knoydart | 238 | RD |
| 2009 | (Mallaig) Highland, Mallaig and Knoydart | 238 | RD |
| 2026 | (Glenelg) Highland Council; Glenelg and Arnisdale Community Council | ||
| 2026 | (Knoydart) Highland Council; Mallaig Community Council | ||
| 2026 | (Mallaig) Highland Council; Mallaig 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
Names mentioned in documents other than official censuses.
Cameron, Campbell, Chisholm, Fraser, Gillies, MacDonald, Michie, Morrison, Stewart, Walker
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 Colin MacIver, Minister.
"There are at present in the district of Glenelg 63 persons from the age of 70 to 80 and upwards. The population, as ascertained in the year 1793, is 2746 total inhabitants; 635 males, 651 females. There are 2 smiths, 2 wrights, 25 weavers and weaveresses, 8 tailors, 1 clergyman, 2 schoolmasters, 1 merchant, 2 millers, and 1 innkeeper. There are 151 Protestants and 850 Papists.
The tacksmen of this parish are very respectable, both with regard to information and propriety of conduct, they live comfortably, and are hospitable to strangers; the lower class of tenants are sober and strictly honest, and by no means deficient in charity to the poor."
(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 16, p. 265
New Statistical Account of Scotland (1834-1845), Volume 14, Section I, p. 128
See Parish Page Sources for all source information and links.
