Inchcape, Rogart

Inchcape, Rogart - high above the valley of Strath Fleet - also known in the past as Inchcheap

This is a new project for this website. One place at a time we can dig up its’ history writing it as we go. Something worthwhile and looking to the future this can be done for many places in Sutherland.  I chose to kick off with Inchcape, Rogart simply because I already have a good deal of information.  We have at least three members of our mailing list with ancestors from Inchcape who have all been a tremendous help.  Please note that the photographs on this page are also shown full size in our album section.  

The report by Patrick Sellar for the Sutherland Estates on the rentals in Rogart due on Martinmass 1811 and Whitsun 1812 reported that there were 8 named small tenants living in Inchcape. During the ‘Clearance’ of Rogart in 1819 all those who lived down in the valley around Rovie were removed. We know that Robert Leslie was moved from there up the hillside to Inchcape. By 1819 some residents received notices to quit but for some reason none were removed. Most of the people up at Inchcape still lived in the old traditional cottage style home although a James Sutherland there had built a stone house before 1819.

Today up at Inchcape there are many rebuilt crofts, many piles of stones the sad remains of homes which once held many, many people.

This photograph was found recently in an old house at Inchcape.  It is estimated that it was taken at the end of the 19th century.  It shows many of the houses of Inchcape as we have never seen them before. Huge thanks to Fiona and David Perry and her family in Rogart for sending us the pics and lots of useful information.

Here is the same pic with the houses numbered - more about that in a moment.

Here is the second of the old photographs found:

and the numbered version:

 Two old photographs of Inchcape, Rogart.

Numbers showing which house is which. Numbers relate to both the above numbered photographs.


1. Davidson’s – two houses for two brothers, John and Alexander in early 1800s - Fiona Perry descends from this family - READ MORE

2. Sutherlands – always - still a Sutherland there today - INFORMATION HERE

3. Today there is a new house on this site – the old house may have had links with the Vass family who lived further along at Rossal

4. Blarich area – may be the house which is nowadays a holiday home right by the railway – not sure who lived there

5. Blarich School

6. Gunn/Ross house

7. We think Wemyss Mackay, shoemaker, lived here

8. This is the Innes house – once lived in by James Innes then his son James. Cathy Bowran, sister to James lived there also. There are connections with Leslie also.

9. We do not yet know who lived here

10. Not sure

11. Campbell house

12. Craggan – home of the Mackay family – it is said that there were two houses at Craggan – both used by the Mackay family. See the following photograph showing Craggan 

13. Sandan’s – unfortunately we do not know a great deal about this house.

Here is the photograph up at Craggan (no 12) by David Perry in 1981 - note the fantastic views to Ben Armine and Ben Klibreck!

and finally on this page Sandan's (no 13) again by David Perry 1981

Together with my friend Sheila Mackay we have climbed the hill at Inchcape up to Craggin and can vouch for the amazing views

from the old house but oh the walk up the hill with provisions must have been a nightmare.  

updated 04/09/2018