Transcriptions - Balgalkin

The following is a transcription of images from the Camerons of Ferintosh album labeled "Murdock Cameron at Balgalkin" and "Balgalkin, Black Isle, Scotland". Duncan Cameron (1718) was taxman of Balgalkin, and Ewen Cameron claimed Balgalkin as his home. These sources are from valuation rolls taken in 1857 and 1868. Valuation rolls were records of property ownership compiled for the purpose of taxation. In Scotland, records of valuation rolls began in 1855.

"Murdock Cameron at Balgalkin"

Folio: 28th

County of Nairn

Urquhart Parish

For the Year: 1857 - 1858

Number: 750

Description and Situation of Subject: Balgalkin

Proprietor: A. Forbes Esq.

Tenant: Murdock Cameron

Occupier: Murdock Cameron

Yearly Rent or Value, As Estimated by Assessor: 120

This valuation roll consists of 39 properties. In comparison, 2 properties are assessed much higher rent than Balgalkin, 5 are close in value to Balgalkin, and the remaining 32 are assessed much lower rent than Balgalkin. Also included on this roll are properties at Ryefield, Mulchaich, and "Ferintosh lots", all at significantly low rents. Murdock Cameron was undoubtedly one of Duncan Cameron (1718)'s descendants.

"Balgalkin, Black Isle, Scotland"

Co of Nairn Dit, County of Ross (County of Ross is crossed out) No. 21 Parish of Urquhart & Loggie Wester (No. 21 is the burgh designation for Dingwall).

List of Name as written on the Plan: Balgalkin

Various modes of Spelling the same Name: Balgalkin

Authority for those modes of Spelling: Mr. Alex McKenzie, Mr. Donald McDonald, Mr. William Ross. Valuation Roll for 1868 - 69

Situation: Sheet Plan (the number 88 penciled in under Sheet, and 12 penciled under Plan. Situation refers to location, and is usually a street name and number).

Descriptive Remarks, or other General Observations which may be considered of Interest: This name is applied to a dwelling house one storey high thatched and in middling repair it is situated about one mile to the southeast of the Village of Conon (corrected to Conan) Arthur Forbes Esq. Proprietor.

Arthur Forbes was the 9th Laird of Culloden, 1840 - 1879 (b. 1819). He is descended from the same Forbes gentlemen who owned the Ferintosh region since the 1600s.

Additional valuation rolls place Camerons at Balgalkin. In 1874, Alexander Cameron is tenant at Balgalkin and Leanaig. Tax is set at 162.10.

In 1885, Alexander Cameron is still listed as tenant at House Leanaig and Balgalkin Village of Conon East Side. Alexander Cameron is listed as the tenant, with several sub-leasers and their professions listed: Thomas Cameron, ploughman, John MacKay, ploughman, Alex McDonald, groom, Hugh Munro, labourer, John Macallum, labourer, Thomas McDonald, mason, and Thomas McKenzie, mason. Duncan Forbes is proprietor. The rent is now 163.

It seems by 1895, the property at Balgalkin may no longer have been in the Cameron family. The Farm of Balgalkin and Leanig House still lists Duncan Forbes as proprietor, but lists Alexander Fraser as factor (property manager) and John Macdonald as tenant (occupation, grocer). Rent is 163.10 A Widow Catherine Cameron is listed as living on lands at Ferintosh with Rod. Cameron, labourer with a rent of 4.12.

As of 2017, the industrious can search for Balgalkin House on google maps at 57°33'48.8"N 4°25'11.3"W