Introduction to the McDiarmids

McDiarmid history

The Reverend William A Gillies, in his book "In Famed Breadalbane", in a chapter on surnames, describes McDiarmid as one of the most ancient names in Scotland. He describes three branches of the clan in Perthshire.

i. The Royal McDiarmids, who had the exclusive right to burial in Cladh Dobhi, Morenish.

ii. The Dubh-bhusach (Black-lipped) McDiarmids.

iii. The Craigianie McDiarmids, who were known as the Baron McDiarmids.

"Our" McDiarmids belong to the Craigianie branch.
.....more on the McDiarmids of Craigianie

My link to the McDiarmids.....

....is through my father's mother. My grandmother, Margaret Campbell Murray, was the daughter of Abijah Murray Junior and his wife Grace McDiarmid. My great grandmother Grace's father was Robert McDiarmid, who was born on 19 May 1814 to John McDiarmid and Grizel (also known as Grace) Campbell.

Great Great Great Great Great Grandfather: John McDiarmid

John McDiarmid was born ca 1700. He married Katherine Campbell, daughter of Macarthur Campbell. He moved to Kenknock on Glen Lochay after Menzies of Culdares became proprietor of Chesthill in 1729.

Great Great Great Great Grandfather: James McDiarmid

James was born ca 1730. He was known as Fair-haired James, the great scholar. He married Christian Cameron, the daughter of John Cameron of Leadour. In 1755 James became tenant of Leadour. In 1780 he was joint tenant of Tomflour, and in 1793 sole tenant. He died between 1805 and 1812. His wife outlived him, continuing to live at Tomflour. She wrote a will in 1814. In it she refers to her two sons, John and Archibald; and to several daughters.

James and Christian had 9 children:

  • Margaret, christened on 21 March 1756 at Killin, Perth. She married John McNee of Tirai.
  • Christian, christened on 21 August 1760 at Killin, Perth. She married John Thompson of Ardeonaig.
  • Duncan, christened on 19 July 1763 at Leadour, Kenmore, Perth.
  • Catherine, christened on 29 November 1765 at Leadour, Kenmore, Perth. She married Donald Stewart of Wester Callellachan.
  • Mildred, christened on 7 February 1767 at Kenmore, Perth. It is possible that she died very soon after birth.
  • (and another) Mildred, christened on 11 January 1768 at Leadour, Kenmore, Perth. It is possible that she married Malcolm Campbell of Killin.
  • John, my Great Great Great Grandfather, christened on 24 April 1770 in Leadour. He married Grizel Campbell in 1798.
  • Archibald, christened on 23 August 1772 at Leadour, Kenmore, Perth. He had a son, Duncan, who married his brother John's daughter, Christian (or Christina).
  • Jean (or Jane), christened on 28 January 1775 at Tomflour, Kenmore, Perth. She married Alexander Walker, Duallin.

    •

    Great Great Great Grandfather: John McDiarmid

    John McDiarmid was born ca 1770. Died around 1840. He married Grizel Campbell at Kenmore on 21 January 1798. Grizel was the daughter of Campbell of Claggan. John and his younger brother Archibald were joint tenants of Tomflour and Tullichglas farms. Archibald married Rachel (?). They had a son, John, born on 12 January 1817 and baptised on 24 January 1817.

    John and Grizel had 7 children:

  • Christian, baptised on 12 January 1799 at Tomflour, Kenmore, Perth. It is possible she died in early infancy.
  • Duncan, born ca 1800.
  • James.
  • Margaret, born ca 1804. Married John Campbell, Bridgend. They had a daughter, Grace, who became Mrs Crerar.
  • Janet.
  • John, born 29 May 1812.
  • Robert, my Great Great Grandfather, born 19 May 1814. Married Margaret Campbell in 1846.
  • Archibald, born 18 January 1817, baptised 24 January 1817 at Tomflour, Kenmore, Perth.
  • Christian (or Christina), born 21 August, 1819, baptised on 11 September 1819 at Tomflour, Kenmore, Perth. She married her cousin, Duncan McDiarmid, son of Archibald McDiarmid, bother of Christian's father, John. Christian and Duncan had four children: Rachel, Archie, John and Grace.
  • Jean, born 27 November 1822 at Tomflour, baptised 2 December 1822 at Kenmore, Perth.

    •

    Great Great Grandfather: Robert McDiarmid

    Robert McDiarmid was born on 19 May 1814.

    He married Margaret Campbell in 1846. He was a tenant farmer all his life, farming first at Claggan where the couple's first four children were born, then moving to Auchnafree in Glen Almond in 1859. Margaret died at Auchnafree in 1873. Robert and the family stayed on at Auchnafree until 1887, when they moved to Morenish, near Killin. Robert died at Morenish on 8 April 1890 aged 74.
    .....Read more about Robert and his family here

    Great Grandmother: Grace McDiarmid

    .....more to come

    McDiarmid places

    Craigianie isn't marked on every map, but it can be found on the OS Pathfinder map of 1983; and the OS map of 1987. It's also on the 1:25,000 Explorer maps. It is in Glen Lyon just to the West of Slatich (Grid Ref: NN627478). It may mean either "Craig Fhianaidh", the rock of the Feinne; or "Craig Dianaidh", the rock of defence. It was at one time used as a motehill where criminals were sentenced and perhaps also received punishment - including the death penalty.
    Duneaves     - on the south bank of the River Lyon, in the northern foothills of Drummond Hill, and to the east of Fortingall.
    Chesthill     - west of Fortingall, on the north bank of the River Lyon, in the foothills of Creag Mhor, where the Glen opens out into fields and sheep paths. Chesthill Farm was once the residence of the Campbells, Lairds of Glen Lyon, after they had sold the rest of the Glen to Colonel Menzies, alias the "Crowner".
    Kenknock     - 5-6 miles west of Killin in Glen Lochay - in the foothills of Meall nan Subh.
    Claggan     - on the southern banks of Loch Tay, up the glen (Gleann a Chillleine) from Ardtalnaig. Claggan is still a working farm, owned by Alastair McNaughton.
    Tomflour     - further up the glen from Claggan.
    Tullichglas     - ditto.
    Auchnafree     - in Glen Almond - see below.
    Morenish     - on the northern banks of Loch Tay, just to the east of Killin.

    Census data

    The McDiarmid graves in the cemetery at Ardtalnaig

    McDiarmid photos

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