The Tenants of Dungallon in 1748

AI depiction of David Bruce, Surveyor and Donald Cameron

Following up on my research into Donald Cameron of Swordle, Ardnamurchan (b. 1777), I wanted to share a deeper look into the historical landscape he emerged from. To truly understand these family lines, we have to look at the people who lived on the land during the mid-18th century.

[Please note Swordle was not apart of the Dungallon estates. It was part of the Ardnamurchan Estate owned by Sir James Riddell.]

In 1748, following the Jacobite Rising, the forfeited estates of Alexander Cameron of Dungallon were meticulously surveyed by David Bruce. This report is a goldmine for genealogists, as Bruce interviewed the families holding tacks (leases) on the estate, providing a rare snapshot of the community at that time.

For those of you searching for the elusive lineage of the Donald Cameron born in 1777, these names are vital. It is especially important to note Donald Cameron, the Factor, whose signature you can see in the attached record. As a veteran of Culloden and the estate manager, he played a central role in the lives of these families, regardless of whether they shared a biological link to the Chief.

The Tenants of Dungallon (1748):

1. Donald Cameron – Tenant in Polloch. Pulloch is in the parish of IslandFinann (Eilean Fhionghain) & Sherrifdom of Inverness. 
2. Archibald Cameron – Holder of the five-penny land of Achnaellan, situated within the Sheriffdom of Inverness and the parish of Islandfinnan in Sunart.
3. Alexander Cameron – Tenant for the five-penny land of Raespol or Reisipol (historically spelled Raespol, Raespool, or Reyspool) was another significant holding within the Sheriffdom of Inverness and the Parish of Islandfinnan.
4. Alexander Cameron – Holder of Scammadale and Gortanvoren. These two areas sat on the rugged north coast of the Ardnamurchan peninsula. Swordle is roughly 3 to 5 miles (approximately 5 to 8 kilometers) from the lands of Scammadale and Gortanorn. It was not part of Dungallon's estate.
5. John Cameron – Possessor of Ranaihanmore (Rannochmore) Ardnastaingie (Ardnastaig). These lands are situated on the south coast of the peninsula, along the shores of Loch Sunart, near the modern village of Strontian. He also possessed Anaheilt, a key township located just north of the modern village of Strontian.
6. Hugh Cameron (signed as Ewen) – Holder of Carnoch and the five-penny land of Achnaliah [brother was Alexander listed as #7.] These lands were located at the eastern end of the peninsula, near the head of Loch Sunart. Carnoch: Situated right where the River Strontian meets the sea, it was a strategic point for the estate's southern operations. Achnaleah: This translates roughly to the "Field of the Grey Slope," located in the fertile valley (Strath) just inland from the coast.
7. Alexander Cameron – Holder of Camuseian, and Ranachan-Strone. These properties sit on the eastern side of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, along the northern shore of Loch Sunart.
8. Alan Cameron – Tenant of Torbane, and Dreimmin-torran, (often spelled Drumontoran or Drumbontoran). These lands are situated in the eastern portion of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, specifically in the hills and slopes surrounding the Strontian area.
9. Duncan Cameron – Possessor of the half-penny land of Glaschoran, (historically recorded as Glaschoran or Glasschoile). Glaschoille is located on the northern side of the Ardnamurchan peninsula, but unlike Swordle, it sits on the inland coast along the shores of Loch Shiel.
10. John McMillan – Holder of the land of Doirlinn (recorded as Duillad). It is situated on the south coast of the peninsula, specifically at the narrow neck of land near Castle Tioram and the mouth of the River Shiel.
11. Hugh McMillan – Tenant for Kenlochan. This property is located at the extreme eastern end of Loch Sunart, near the head of the loch where the water narrows.
12. Luke Walker – Tacksman of the Strontian Lead Mines and holder of Ariundle

As we dig through these 18th-century papers, we move past speculation and find the real people who walked these glens. These records serve as the ultimate reference for our family histories.

Source: The Forfeited Estates of Dungallon

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