Escorted Tours

Failte gu Fuadach nan Gaidhealt na h-Alba

Failte gu Fuadach nan Gaidhealt na h-Alba.
The Highland Clearances were a devestating part of the history of Scotland. For many it changed not only their way of life but also shaped the rural future of Scotland. Many villagers suffered at the hands of their landlords and tackmen and fought a desperate struggle to find a new life. Others managed to propser in a new life that never saw them return to Scotland again. Here is a resource that supports the documentation and historical value of this important area of Scottish history. You can follow in the footsteps of these villagers and find detailed descriptions and locations of the remains of some of the villages and townships through site descriptions, photographs and suggestions for further reading and links to follow.




Saturday 30 July 2011

Tomenbowie Burial Ground

My visit today continued the exploration and documentation on the Glen Almond area continuing on the path past the Craig Naver township. Continuing west along the path will bring you to two sites, Dalmore and Tomenbowie. thips post will concentrate on Tomenbowie.


Towenbowie sits on the northside of the river almond at  NN 8363 3248.

Copyright: Crown copyright

1865 Map of Towenbowie. (crown)












It was reported in 1845 that a small chapel formerly stood at Tomenbowie, stating that ".. It is now in ruins but the burial ground is in occasional use". (New Statistical Account (NSA) 1845). New evidence now suggests that there is no knowledge of this chapel and no evidence of it on the ground. The burial ground at NN 8363 3248, which is too small to contain the chapel and is no longer in use. There are a few grave stones standing and visible with the last known burial being that of Donald Stalker in November, 1880 and that of his son, Duncan in October, 1876.

Although the site is no longer used, this does suggest that, although the glen was cleared in the 1830's, there were some inhabitants left, probably new sheep farming tennants who would have been buried here. Further investigation, will help to establish details.


Approaching from the East
Looking  west across the site
Looking East towards the site

4 comments:

  1. Have you checked the 1871 census for this area?

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  2. Thankyou for the pointer.This I will follow up at some point.

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  3. Sirs,

    This grave yard was an early grave site for the MacGregors during the Proscription. The MacGregors first settled the area under Murray of Tullibardine in the late 1500's. After the battle of Glenfruin on Feb 8 1603 the chief and about 48 members of the clan were executed at the tolbooth in edinburgh. The chief's brothers sons in minority were harboured by the Murrays of Tullibardine in the Comrie area. The rest of the clan were hunted with bloodhounds and the women were braded and made to walk naked down the streets. The Murrays of Tullibardine constructed the house at Conychan near this graveyard in the early 1600's. The MacGregors lived in the upper glen based around Conychan and only moved down to the lower glen around Fendoch and Buchanty after Wades Military road was built in 1726. I am a descendant of these families.

    I have parish records and a history of the region from the late 1600s and have all the data about who left the glen. My ancestor left the glen in 1829 as part of the clearences and he left Scotland on the first free settler ship to Australia from Dundee in 1837.

    I have a huge amount of data if you are interested.

    I have multiple parish

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    Replies
    1. Neil, Thankyou so much for taking the time to both follow my blog and to also post such an interesting account of the area discussed here. I would dearly like to discuss with you using the information that you have for use in my book. If you would like to contact me at the email address on the 'about me' page, then we can arrange to communicate further. Best regards, Wayne

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