Did Your Arran Ancestors Speak Gaelic?

For those researching family in the three towns area.
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Hughie
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Did Your Arran Ancestors Speak Gaelic?

Post by Hughie »

The Sun
November 26, 1835


The Duke of Hamilton, proprietor of the Isle of Arran, has, during the last twenty years, been effecting such alterations in his farming policy in that island, by the breaking up of the clachan system, and establishing large farms in its stead, that many hundreds of the poor peasantry have, from time to time, been forced to leave their homes with their families, and embark for America.

Several hundreds of them have also settled in the different towns on the opposite coast of Ayrshire, particularly in the town of Saltcoats. The number there at present amounts to 700, many of whom can scarcely speak any English. Great exertions are making by themselves at present to build a Gaelic chapel there. - Greenock Advertiser.

Think this might relate to my early Arran and Ardrossan - Eaglesham/Fullarton family. My ancestor Mary Eaglesham was born in Ardrossan in 1814 while her older sibling was born on Arran.
Penny Tray
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Re: Did Your Arran Ancestors Speak Gaelic?

Post by Penny Tray »

Undoubtedly there would be interim arrangements in between, but eventually a Gaelic Church was established in Saltcoats: -

GLASGOW HERALD
29 MAY 1867

OPENING OF A NEW CHURCH

The new Free Gaelic Church, Saltcoats, was opened on Sunday last.

The services were conducted by the Rev. Thomas McLachlan, of St. Columba’s Church, Edinburgh, and the Rev. Alexander Mackintosh, Paisley, who delivered appropriate discourses suited to the occasion – the forenoon service being conducted in Gaelic, while those of the afternoon and evening were conducted in English.

At all the diets the church was well filled, and in the evening it was crowded.

The building, which is seated for 400, is a plain but neat Gothic structure, built from plans by Mr Honeyman, Glasgow, and had been erected at a cost of £980.
Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.
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