Derisgil and Luachair

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Two very outlandish names to start a blogpost with, and the fact that these were townships, situated on the shores of Loch Resort will probably not surprise you. Neither are inhabited today. At the time of the 1891 census, they definitely were. Derisgil had 19 residents, Luachair 24.

The RCAHMS Canmore record for Luachair describes: A farmstead comprising two unroofed buildings and four enclosures is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire, Isle of Harris 1881, sheet iii). Two unroofed buildings, two enclosures and a sheepfold are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1973).

The RCAHMS Canmore record for Derisgal describes A small township comprising seven unroofed buildings, one of which is a long building, and two enclosures is depicted on the 1st edition of the OS 6-inch map (Inverness-shire, Isle of Harris 1881, sheet iii). Five unroofed buildings are shown on the current edition of the OS 1:10000 map (1972).

In 1891 we find the following people on the southern shores of Loch Resort:

No 1 Derisgil
Ann Maclennan (48), crofter's wife
Murdo Maclennan (16), son of Ann Maclennan, farm labourer
John Maclennan (15), son of Ann Maclennan, farm labourer
Mary A Maclennan (12), daughter of Ann Maclennan
Donald J Maclennan (5), son of Ann Maclennan

No 2
Norman Macdonald (57), crofter, married to Nora (Flora)
Nora Macdonald (57), wife of Norman, wool carder
Salivia Macdonald (22), daughter, weaveress
Norman Macdonald (19), son, farm labourer
Marson Macdonald (16), daughter, general servant domestic
Ann Macinnes (59), boarder, weaveress & wool carder

No 3
Flora Macdonald (36), wife of Norman, web maker
Her children were: Angus (9), Donald J (7), Margret (4), Murdo (3), Mary (4 months)
John Macdonald (88), retired fisherman
Mary Macdonald (40), general servant domestic
John Macdonald (15), farm labourer

No 1 Luachair
Ann Macleod (52), gamekeeper's wife
Her children were: Malcolm (14), John (11), Finlay and Roderick (both aged 9, twins?) and Janet (6)
Catherine Macdonald (49), general servant domestic, from Lewis.

No 2
John Macaskill (42), crofter, married to Mary
Mary Macaskill (39), wool carder, married to John
Their children were: Mary (16), general servant domestic; Chirsty (14), Angus (10), Ann (8), Malcolm (6), Dolina (4) and Norman (9 months).

No 3
Finlay Macdonald (42), fisherman, married to Margret
Margret Macdonald (40), wool carder and spinner, married to Finlay
Their children were Annie (12), Hattie (10), Donald J (8), Hattie (4) and Marion (2)
Mary A Macdonald (30), general servant domestic (from Lewis)