Donald McGillise/ Gillies 1770s - past 1851 , before 1861
From Alan Gillies´s Hector blog: Donald Gillies was known as ‘Biby’ and according to Applecross historian Kenneth MacRae, Biby “was of enormous stature, the biggest man ever known in these parts, and there is a saying that when born he was the smallest child ever seen, he was kept for months in a box of cotton-wool”.
1813. Donald McGillise married Jean Camron on 17/8/1813 in Applecross - SP
1815. Finlay Gilles was born to Donald Gilles & Jean Camron on 18/1/1815 Applecross - SP not purchased
1816. Donald McGillis was born to Donald McGillis & Jean Camron on 4/9/1816 Applecross - SP not purchased
1818 Alexander Gillise was born to Donald Gillies, farmer, & Jean Camron on 21/12/1818 at Applecross, Ross and Cromarty . SP not purchased . His mother was Jane Cameron from his d.c.
1821.John Gillise was born to Donald Gillies & Jean Cameron on 16/8/1821 at Applecross, Ross and Cromarty . SP not purchased . Likely died in childhood
1825 . Alexander McGallise was born Donald McGillise & Jean Camron on 13/9/1825 at Applecross, Ross and Cromarty . SP not purchased
1828. Hecter Gillise was born to Donald Gillise & Jean Cameron on 17/2/1828 at Applecross, Ross and Cromarty . SP not purchased
Children of Donald Gillies & Jean Cameron one must access this to read Alan´s wondrous research into both Donald and Hector
Very Odd naming 2 sons Alexander!!!
Callakille today has just a beautiful, white washed crofter’s cottage, tastefully modernised throughout whilst carefully preserving its traditional cottage charm. It can be reached by a track, and has its own water supply and limited mobile reception. Recent renovation has included the addition of a new bathroom with a fabulous roll top bath with views over the water, a large shower, and under floor heating. There is now an extended kitchen dining area, installation of beautiful oak flooring on the lower level, and of traditional dormers windows with panel shutters in the bedrooms. This and the thoughtful furnishing and decoration makes this a unique holiday place.
The property has been marketed by Wilderness Cottages for a number of years and is one of our most popular in the area.
The cottage’s unrivalled position makes it a peaceful haven where you can relax, unwind and perhaps sample some of the coastal and mountain walks and great sea and trout fishing. It enjoys spectacular views from the kitchen, lounge and bedrooms over the Inner Sound of Raasay to Rona, Raasay and the Cuillin mountains on Skye. On a clear day the mountain landscapes of the Outer Hebrides are visible. There are beautiful sandy beaches a mile away at Sand and also at nearby Cuaig. The croft is perfect for enjoying magnificent west coast sunsets or on a clear night, stargazing.
But Callakille was a busy hamlet in 1828, with its own school established fifteen years earlier by the Society for the Support of Gaelic Schools, whose aim was “to teach the inhabitants of the Highlands and Islands to read the Sacred Scriptures in their native tongue”. We know from later records that Hector could read and write in English too.
1841C. Donald Gillies, 65, farmer, was living Callakille Applecross, Ross & Perthshire. The Alexander here is not Rodrigo´s ancestor!! He, aged 23, must be away from home, as is Donald, aged 25
| Donald | Gillies | Male | 65 | 1776 | Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Jane | Gillies | Female | 52 | 1789 | Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Finlay | Gillies | Male | 25 | 1816 | Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Alexander | Gillies | Male | 16 | 1825 | Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Hector | Gillies | Male | 13 | 1828 | Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Margaret | McLenan | Female | 23 | 1818 | Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Ann | McKay | Female | 8 | 1833 | Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
In 1845, we get a picture of the Biby and his five son - so Alexander back at home - at work on their fields, through the rather condescending lens of a visitor to Callakille, who had his story published in the newspaper. It’s worth giving the whole piece:
“In the seed time of last Spring [1844], I happened to enter the farming town of Callekelle, where I had seen six men on a large field of good arable land, one of whom, I had been informed by a rustic was the father of the remaining five. His stature almost exceeded our mountain pines. His five sons, all as tall as himself would be taken for the express image of the father in mind and body. It was now 4 o’clock PM; all of them, almost dressed in their skin garments, were ready to grasp the crooked instrument they termed the caschroum, or Abel’s plough, to uncover the field of its verdure. They now, headed by the father, jumped and pranced at the instrument, until I thought the depths of the earth were turned upsides down. But what astonished me most was, seeing the poor fools tearing away their lives while two horses and a plough stood still by their side. I inquired what must be the reason of the horses being idle? The reply was, ‘Poh! Poh! You fool, we are not to be detained by horses; the season is greatly advanced, and consequently demands our speed; do not bother me, go about your business.’ I then left the gigantic ploughmen, and asked of a neighbouring friend the cause of these men being in such a backward state. He replied, ‘Niggardliness; they have four hundred pounds sterling in the proprietor’s hand.’ The father’s name is Bebbie More!”
1851C. Donald Gillies, 72, farmer´ of 6 acres, was living Callakille Applecross, Ross & Cromarty Alexander 1818 missing
| Donald | Gillies | Head |
Married | Male | 72 | 1779 | Farmer of 6 acres | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Jane | Gillies | Wife |
Married | Female | 62 | 1789 | Farmer's wife | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Finlay | Gillies | Son |
Unmarried | Male | 35 | 1816 | Cattle dealer | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Alex | Gillies | Son |
Unmarried | Male | 32 | 1819 | Farmer's son | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Hector | Gillies | Son |
Unmarried | Male | 22 | 1829 | Fisherman | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Ann | Mackay | Grand daughter |
Unmarried | Female | 15 | 1836 | - | Lochcarron, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Mary | Mackensie | Servant |
Unmarried | Female | 23 | 1828 | General serv | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
1851-1861 Donald Gillies dies . Statutory deaths on SP only start in 1855, sosuspect he died 1851- 1854
1861C. Jane Gillies, 70, widow, was living Callakille Applecross, Ross & Cromarty. Alexander 1818 missing
| Jane | Gillies | Head |
Widow | Female | 70 | 1791 | Farmer | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Alexander | Gillies | Son |
Unmarried | Male | 38 | 1823 | Domestic servant | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Hector | Gillies | Son |
Unmarried | Male | 29 | 1832 | Drover | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Ann | McKay | - | Unmarried | Female | 23 | 1838 | Servant | Lochcarron, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Hector | Gillies | - | Unmarried | Male | 5 | 1856 | - | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
| Anabella | McKenzie | Servant |
Unmarried | Female | 23 | 1838 | Servant | Applecross, Ross & Cromarty, Scotland |
1870. Jane Gillies, 82, mother´s maiden name MacRae dies Applecross - SP.d.c. not purchased