Eddrachillis Explained

Country:Scotland
Official Name:Eddrachillis
Os Grid Reference:NC220563
Map Type:Scotland
Population:688
Population Ref:(2011)
Civil Parish:Eddrachillis
Unitary Scotland:Highland
Lieutenancy Scotland:Sutherland
Constituency Westminster:Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross
Constituency Scottish Parliament:Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Post Town:LAIRG

Eddrachillis is a civil parish in north-west Sutherland, Scotland. In Gaelic (Eadar dha Chaolais) it means: between two firths. For local government, it forms part of the Highland Unitary Authority.

It is about 28 miles long and encompasses the village of Scourie, port of Kinlochbervie, and the hamlets of Kylesku, Badcall,Achriesgill, Rhiconich Achfary, and Balchrick. The most prominent sea lochs are Loch a' Chàirn Bhàin (or Kyle Sku) (crossed by Kylesku Bridge, Laxford and Inchard. Inland, Loch More (the great loch) is 4 miles long, which lies south-east of Ben Stack((2,365 ft)). The parish also includes Handa Island.[1]

At the 2011 census, the population of the civil parish was 688.[2] 7.6% had some knowledge of Gaelic.[3] In 1891 84.9% were Gaelic speaking.[4]

The area of the parish is 135,631 acres.[5]

The parish was formed in 1724 when it was disjoined from Durness by the General Assembly at the request of Lord Reay.

The district of Kinlochbervie was erected into a separate ‘’quoad sacra’’ (ecclesiastical only) parish by the Church Building (Scotland) Act in 1824 (5 Geo.IV Cap.90)[1] but in 1856 it also became a separate Registration District, while the remainder of the parish formed the Registration District of Scourie.[6] [1]

This division continues in the scheme for community councils, there being one for Scourie and another for Kinlochbervie.[7]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Groome, Francis Hindes . Francis Hindes Groome . 1901 . Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland . Edinburgh . T.C. & E.C. Jack . 465-466 . February 21, 2024.
  2. Web site: Scotland's Census . Select "Eddrachillis" from map (Civil Parish 1930), select Ethnicity, Identity, Language, Religion, select Gaelic Language Skills . scotlandscensus.gov.uk . February 21, 2024.
  3. Web site: Scotland's Census . Select "Eddrachillis" from map (Civil Parish 1930), select Population and Households, select KS106SC . scotlandscensus.gov.uk . February 21, 2024.
  4. Book: Tenth Decennial Census of the Population of Scotland, Taken 5th April 1891 . 1893 . 1 . Edinburgh . . Table 1 . 3 . February 21, 2024.
  5. Census of Scotland 1931. Preliminary Report. Table 17 - Population and Acreage of Civil Parishes alphabetically arranged. Publ. H.M.S.O. 1931
  6. Web site: Registration Districts . nrscotland.gov.uk . . February 21, 2024.
  7. Web site: Find a Community Council . communitycouncils.scot . February 21, 2024.