Aharacle, Argyleshire

Historical Description

AHARACLE, or ACHARACLE, a quoad sacra parish, in the parish of ARDNAMURCHAN, partly in the district and county of ARGYLL, and partly in the county of INVERNESS; containing 2016 inhabitants. It is about twenty-four miles in extreme length and ten in breadth; is formed, for the most part, of the eastern portion of Ardnamurchan; and includes the islands of Shonaveg, Portavata, and Shona. The district is in the presbytery of Mull and synod of Argyll; the stipend of the minister is £120, subject to a deduction for communion elements, and there is a manse, with a glebe valued at £2. 10. per annum. The church, which stands at the west end of Loch Shiel, and about four miles distant from the nearest boundary of the district (the Western Ocean), was built in 1829, and contains 270 sittings. Another place of worship connected with the Establishment, is distant from the parochial church about eleven miles. A great portion of the population are Roman Catholics. A school has been built by Sir James M. Riddell, Bart., and endowed by government.