In this post I share a timeline of archive material relating to a remote croft in Glen Kinglas, Argyll. This croft came to be known as ‘Abyssinia’. It would seem that the croft was tenanted by John McNab, a shepherd, and his wife Sarah, and where they raised four children. Whilst I am not certain about this, it may be that they first called ‘Abyssinia’ after the neighbouring ruined farmstead Beinn-Chorranach.
17 May 1876: Marriage of John McNab, a shepherd, to Sarah Cameron:
1870, Ordnance Survey, Beinn-Chorranach, Glen Kinglas:
1891 census, Beinn Chorranach, Glen Kinglas:
1896 Ordnance Survey map, Glen Kinglas [the earliest map reference of Abyssinia]:
1901 census, Glen Kinglas:
25 January 1919, Death of Sarah McNab:
28 May 1924, Death of John McNab:
4 August 1935, Sunday Post:
7 June 1939, Daily Record:
1 February 1946, Death of Alexander McNab:
1949-1959, Construction of Shira Dam:
5 February 1957. Buchan Observer:
1 February 1987, The Scots Magazine:
6 March 1990, The Scots Magazine:
13 May 1990, Scotland on Sunday:
12 February 1993, Irvine Herald:
1996, Magic Mountains by Rennie McOwan: