Scotland > 1868, 1878 - Slater's (late Pigot & Co.'s) Royal national commercial directory and topography of Scotland > 1878 > Part 1

ARGYLESHIRE.
SLATER'S
THE ISLE OF JUEA,
WITH THOSE OF COLONSAY, GARVELLOCH, LUNGA, ORANSAY AND SCAREA, WITH MILLTOWN VILLAGE.
J TJRA, an island of the Hebrides, is thirty-three miles long, and
from two to ten miles broad, separated from Knapdale on tho
western coast of Scotland, by the sound of Jura (teu miles broad),
and from the island of Islay, to the south, by the sound of Islay
(about a mile broad), and, with the other islands, forms the united
parish of Jm-a and Colonsay. Jura belongs to Richard Denison
Campbell, Esq., whose residence is at Ardfin, a respectable mansiou
on the south shore of the island. It is the most rugRed of the
Western Isles, being composed chiefly of huge rocks piled one on
another in the utmost disorder. The west side of the island is wild
and rugged, intersected by numerous torrents, which come rushing
down from, the moimtains. The inhabitants live all on the east side
of the island. The most remarkable objects in the isle are the Paps
of Jura, an eminence nearly 2,500 feet above the level of the sea;
they are three in number, standing on the same ridge, but having
two vjilleys separating them, the tops are round, and consist for
some distance down the sides of loose stones, rendering the ascent
difficult; the southern one is called ''Benachaolais" (the Mountain
of Sound), the next and highest, "Benanoir" (the Mountain of
Gold), the third " Benshianta " {the Consecrated Mountain.) There
are five of these conical peaks, but only three of them are dis-
tinguished as the Paps. Corrabhain (the steep peak) is the most
precipitous, but lowest of the cluster. The island also contains seve-
ral caves, one of them is so large that it is said a regiment of soldiers
might perform their exercise in its spacious arena. To the north of
the island, in a strait, nearly a mile broad, separating the island of
Scarba from Jura, is the gulf of Correy Vrecken, where the rush of
waters is so great during the ebbing of the tide, .is to form a terrible
I whirlpool, the noise of which can be heard for many miles. The red
j deer abound in the upland of this island. Fairs are held on the
! second last Friday in May, Friday after last Tuesday in June, Friday
I after last Thursday in July, and the second last Friday in October,
. all for cattle. Population in 1871, 761.
! Colonsay, a rather high rocky island, to the west of Jura, twelve
; miles long, and about three broad, is the property of Duncan M'Neill,
Esq., of Colonsay, who has a good mansion house on the island of
Killorran. Tho ruinous sacred building, and the numerous inscrip-
tions on the grave-stones covering the ashes of the illustrious dead,
are considered by many almost equal to those found on the island
of lona. Population in 1871, 408.
Gaevelloch, or Holy Island, contains an extensive old fort,
called Dunconnel, once a stronghold belonging to the Lords of the
Isles, and in one of them, called the Nun's Island, are considerable
remains of an old nunnery, said to have been founded by Saint
Columbus. Population in 1871, 10.
Oransay, a small island to the south of Colonsay, contains tho
residence of the late Captain Alexander M*Neill, who was one of the
many that perished in the melancholy shipwreck of the Orion
steamer, off Portpatrick, in 1850.
MiLLTOwN, frequently called Craighouse, the principal village in
Jm-a, is eight miles from Port-Askaig feriT'. It has a good quay,
and the harbour, whi.-h is large and formed by several small islands,
has obtained the appellation of Small Isles Harbour. About half a
mile north of the village is the parish church and a parochial
school. The village contains a distniery, a comfortable inn, and a
corn mill.
Post Sleceivmg: House, Lagge, William Nicholson, Post ilfosier. — Letters arrive from Port-Askaig on Tuesdays and Fridays,
and are despatched thereto on Mondays and Thursdays.
The nearest Money Order OJice is at Pokt-Askaig.
Post Heceiving" House, Colonsay, Neill M'Millanj Post il/o-sfer.— -Letters an-ive from Port-Askaig on Tuesday, and from Port-
rush on Friday, and are despatched to Port-Askaig on Monday, and to Poi-trush on Tuesday.
The nearest Money Order Office is at Port-Askaig.
GENTRY AND CLERGY.
■ Campbell Richard Denison, Esq. (of Jura),
Ardhn
Evans Joseph, Esq. Craighouse
Fletcher Alexander, Esq. Craighouse
Macfarlane Walter, Esq. of Ardlussa
M'Lean Rev. John, Colonsay
M'NeiU Sir John, j.p. of Colonsay
Orr Mr. Thomas, Craighouse
Stewart Duncan, Esq. Killoran House
SCHOOLS.
Parochial School, Colonsay — NeiU M'Mil-
lan, master
Parochial School, Small Isles — Alexander
Campbell, master [Campbell, master
Societies' School, Knockcrome — Colin
SHOPKEEPERS, FARMERS,
TRADERS, &c.
Campbell Angus, farmer, Bah-amonie
Clark Donald, bootmaker, Keill
Craighouse Inn, Mary M'Leod, Craighouse .
Ferguson, J."& J. distillers. Craighouse
Fletcher Alexander, farmer and factor for R.
D. Campbell, Esq. of Jura, Feoline House
Fletcher Archibald, farmer, Tai-bert, Jura
Lindsay James, farmer and ferryman, Lagge
M'Dougall Coll, smith, Craighouse
M'Dougall John, farmer, Strone
Jl'Eachran Donald, smith, Ardfin
M'Isaac Alexander, miller and boat builder.
Small Isles
M'Kechnie Archibald, farmer, Ardskinish
M'Kechnie John, shopkeeper, Craighouse
M'Millan Neil, registi-ar of births, deaths and
marriages and inspector of poor, Colonsay
JJ'Neil Donald, grocer, the Scalasaig Inn,
Colonsay
Stroyan William, farmer, Oransay
Sutherland David, ferryman. Jura
Sutherland Ann, farmer, Feoline
Taylor Duncan, inspector of poor & registrar
of births, deaths A marriages, Craighouse
PLACES OF WORSHIP
and their ministers.
Established Church, Craighouse, Jura-
vacant
Chapel of Ease, Colonsay — Rey. John
M'Lean
KILMUN,
WITH THE VILLAGES OF STHONE, BLAIEMOKE, AEDENTINNY AND NEIGHBOUBHOODS.
Ki
lILMUN, formerly the capital of a parish of the same name, history of Kilmun little is known ; hut its old church, the mau-
now incorporated with that of Dunoon, is a pleasant, thriving soleum of the ducal family of Argyll, and especially the tower of
village, and of late years has acquired no little notice as a place the original church, evidence it to have been in former times a
resorted to for sea bathing; it is situated on the north shore of p]ace of some note. Near the church of Kiimun stands a squaro
Holy Loch, 32 miles s.e. of Inverary, 16 s.t;. of Strachur, 7 s. of aud delapidated tower, which, as if to avert further decay, nature
Dunoon, 30 w. of Glasgow, and 8 w. of Greeuock. This place may has covered with a mantle of ivy, which hangs in graceful festoous
be almost said to owe its origin to the late proprietor, David fi-ora its mouldering walls. In the church is the sepulchre of the
Napier, Esq., for, previously to attracting his notice, there where Argyll family, which contains the mortal remains of six dukes
very few houses, whereas it is now a respectable village, having and two duchesses. Near the sepulchre are statues of a lady and
many handsome dwellings, occupied as summer residences by of an armed warrior, supposed to be Donnacha-au-aidh, or
opulent merchants and professionals of Glasgow. There are also Fortunate Duncan; and suspended above are sundi'y warlike
several pleasant and well fm-uished lodging-houses. Holy Loch is habiliments in a state of decay. Population of Kilmun in 1871,
f 11 J.1 _ _ _ .. -T -_ 1 -i, ;i._ * ;4. •;.-, „ -- " - - - - - "
full three miles long ; at its entrance it is scarcely a mile wide, but 330,
within it expands to a fine sheet of water, extending a mile and
a half in width; at its head it receives the lesser and greater
Strone, a small village which nearly joins Kilmun, has greatly
improved within the last few yearfi, and many respectable lodging-
Echaig— the latter river flows from Loch Eck. a beautiful fresh houses and shops have been built, besides the erection of two
water lake, seven miles long and one broad, whose steep rugged churches. There is also a new quay, which will admit steamers
shores, rising to a considerable height, form a striking contrast on a alongside at all hours of the tide.
fine day to its wide placid waters. Both the loch and the two rivers PoRTiNSTtrcK. or Blairmore, a few miles further, on the west
before mentioned afford plenty of sport to the angler, and the ride , shore of Loch Long, is a small but improving village of recent
through the valley to Strachur or Loch Fyue is seldom exceeded ■ erection. There is a neat wooden pier erected here.
for wild and sublime scenery. The quay, which was constructed | Ardentinny, another small village about live miles higher up
by Mr. Napier, before mentioned, in 1829, wiU admit the steam ' on the loch, is situated in a beautiful vale, aud celebrated for
boats alongside at aU times of the tide. The quarantine station .the picturesque scenery its neighbom-hood affords. There is a
for the Clyde was formerly opposite this village. Of the ancient neat stone church here.
POST OIPPICB, Kilmun, Agnes Wilson, Post Mistress. — Letters arrive from all parts at one afternoon, and are despatched at
half-past two afternoon.
The nearest Money Order Office is at Strone.
Post Office, Blairmore, James M'Leish, Post Master. — Letters fi'om all parts arrive {via Groenock) at ten morning, and are
despatched thereto at two afternoon.
Money Order and Tclegrai^h Office and Savings Bank.
Post Office Strone, Mary Anderson, Post Mistress. — Letters from all parts arrive (via Greenock) at one afternoon, and are
despatched thereto at half-past two afternoon.
Money Order Office and Savings Bank.
Post Office^ Ardentinny, Daniel M'Lachlan, Posf Afasfer.— Letters from all parts arrive (f^'a Greenock) at half-past twelve noon,
and are despatched thereto at halt-past one afternoon.
The nearoet Usnej/ Order Office ia at Blairmore,
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