Pont's Map - c1590
An extract from one of the earliest maps showing Cromarty. Drawn by Timothy Pont, it shows the Castle, the town of Cromarty based on the Fishertown and a small village near Eathie. These maps can be viewed on the National Library of Scotland's website.
Albums: Maps
8 Comments
Pont did an excellent job 'walk-over' mapping Scotland during the period 1585/95. Being English, he wrote place names down by asking the locals how to say the name. With Gaelic being the speech medium, Pont did a first class phonetics job, putting name to paper. In this instance Cromardy. Look at his Pitcall, which today is retained as Pitcalzean. The village at 'Eathie', is I think slightly south east of the present Bannans, because of the sighting of the Mill, relative to present evidence of 'turf' houses nearby, which would have been occupied at the time of Pont's travels. The tiny sketches are a boon 'cos they give the basic outline of what was there at the time. Note buildings to East of present Cromarty, and the 'ness' devoid of all buildings.
Comment left on 09 October 2003 by Clem Watson
I've just started my family tree, and have not yet reached the Black Isle but have been told by my Aunt that the Calders I'm researching came from there, I would be really happy if I can find ancestry that dates back to this map.
Comment left on 13 January 2004 by Caroline Wilcox
I am looking for my husband's ancestors who came from Cromarty. They are called Hossack. There are a lot buried there and I believe some went to Sunderland in about 1780.
Comment left on 04 October 2004 at 20:14 by Joyce Herbert
Can any one give me any information regarding the history of the place called Bannans. Is it a farm? I note it is mentioned in the lands of Urquhart and in reference to a George Mackenzie. My Mackenzie ancestors from Cromarty named their property in Australia "Bannans" about 1870 and it is used as a middle name for some of my McKenzie relatives.
Comment left on 04 January 2009 at 08:50 by Lisa McMurray
Hi Lisa. Bannans is an area on my friend's farm which is situated outside Cromarty at Davidston. It is all fields at present but there was a house there at one time I will get more info for you and let you know.
Comment left on 08 January 2009 at 00:04 by Flora Thomson
Thank you Flora. I would be very interested in that.
Comment left on 17 January 2009 at 06:06 by Lisa McMurray
Wondering if Flora had any more information on Bannans. I am visiting in September and would like to see the area.
Comment left on 15 July 2011 at 07:14 by Lisa McMurray
jings forgot about this sorry when you going to be up in september ? I will be about and I work in the Royal Hotel so if you need info I hope I will have some by then for you . As I have said its all fields now with a house ruin in it . Will try and get some photos and see if I can get them on here for you to see.I will do this in a couple of weeks as I am away to Army Cadet camp on the 23rd till aug 5th .
Comment left on 19 July 2011 at 15:08 by Flora Thomson
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