Welcome to Farr, Land of Mackay

The old parish of Reay, partly in Caithness and partly in Sutherland, included places which we now refer to as Farr - for example Melvich and the northern part of Strath Halladale. 'From the highest point of the road on Scrabster Hill (Caithness), a splendid view is obtained of the mountains of the Reay Country - the name by which the part of Sutherland which belonged to the Mackays is known. To the west the high peaks of the mountains stretching northward to Cape Wrath bound the horizon, and against the evening sky show themselves to the best advantage. To the north there is the Atlantic in its severe majesty . . . . This extensive view may be justly said to be indescribable, as with every changing light and state of the atmosphere it presents an ever varying aspect; but at all times it is impressive in the highest degree and all the more so that the view of both sea and land is so extensive'. Tourists' Guide, 1883, Hew Morrison

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The parish of Farr, as we know it today, is a vast place including Strath Halladale, Melvich, Strathy and numerous fishing hamlets along its north coast plus the old village of Farr, now known as Bettyhill. To the south and west the parish includes Strathnaver and parts of Strathmore.

Burial Grounds in Farr

The parish contains the following burial grounds: Bunahoun, Strath Halladale; Clachan, Farr (Farr Churchyard, Bettyhill); Kirkton Melvich; Strathy; Grumbeg, Strath Naver & Syre
All have been photographed and transcribed. See Burial Ground Section.

See also:

Brawl, Farr - crofting today

Farr Parish Project album which shows people and places

Schools - early education in Sutherland - scroll to bottom of page for links to Farr items

The War Memorials at Bettyhill, Strathy, Syre, Strath Halladale & Portskerray & Melvich

Families of Farr - families in Farr currently being researched by our members

Farr 1809 Militia List

Farr Place Names

Maps of Farr

Tongue & small parts of Farr - snippets from the Sutherland Estate Papers transcribed by Elizabeth Bell - you may save a copy of this file if you wish

Recommended Further Reading

Population Lists of Strathnaver, Strathy and Strath Halladale, 1667-1811, by Malcolm Bangor-Jones, published by the Assynt Press, ISBN 0 9532855 2 9 Very useful booklet for all those researching in Farr - available direct from author

Tongue & Farr, by Jim A. Johnston, third edition published 1997 by Jim A. Johnston, Bettyhill, Farr - a very useful book for those both visiting the area and those who just want to know more - historical and modern references - I enjoyed this book and learned a lot - available locally

Book of MacKay written in 1906 by Rev. Angus Mackay - you can download a copy

A Memory of Strath Halladale, by Sandra Train, published by Sandra Train, Strath Halladale, Sutherland - available locally, a lovely book on life in a small Highland Community Province of Strathnaver, editor John R. Baldwin, associate editor William P.L. Thomson, Scottish Society for Northern Studies - ISBN 780953226 0 1 - a 'very readable' history. Well worth while.

Tales of the North Coast, by Alan Temperley and the pupils of Farr Secondary School, ISBN 9 780946486189, published by Luath Press Ltd, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2ND - a wonderful book of old tales, modern tales - stories gathered in the area between the Kyle of Tongue and Strath Halladale - you will love this if your interests are on the north coast

The Duke of Sutherland's Memoirs, contains a full list of all those who made a contribution to the Duke's statue in 1834

Ministers & Men of the North - can be read on the internet

Please note that many items in this section include people who were at one time termed as living in Reay or Melvich which nowadays generally come under Farr.

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