Kilarrow Village Islay - Drawings from 1772

I found some interesting information and drawings today about the village of Kilarrow on the website of the British Library. There are a few snippets of text and some images of very old drawings, drawn by James Miller. Today we know Kilarrow from the parish with the same name and Kilarrow House in Bowmore. Kilarrow itself was a village very close to Islay House and from the library text you can read what happened to it:

The entire population of the village of Kilarrow was moved to the new planned village of Bowmore in the mid 18th century as part of the then Laird's plans for the grounds of Islay house (Bridgend). Bowmore, located by Loch Indaal, was given a grid plan and better quality housing, which encouraged people to settle here. Today this place is in the grounds of Islay House and nothing remains of the village of Kilarrow apart from the churchyard.

Sketched view in the town of Killaru (Kilarrow) on the Island of Ila (Islay), drawn by James Miller in 1772.

Sketch of the weaver and his daughter, drawn in August 1772 at Bowmore on Islay. Bowmore was a planned village on the east shore of Loch Indaal which was developed in 1768. The local population in the 18th century was engaged in the tartan weaving industry. The spinning and weaving were done in worker's houses. A number of views of the weaver's cottage were taken during Sir Joseph Bankes's journey here in 1772.

View of the ruined monastery of Killaru in the island of Ila, drawn by James Miller, from a sketch taken in 1772. The entire population of the village of Kilarrow (Killaru) was moved to the new planned village of Bowmore in the mid 18th century as part of the then Laird''s plans for the grounds of Islay house (Bridgend). Bowmore''s church became the new parish church. Nothing remains of the village of Kilarrow apart from the churchyard.

Tag: kilarrow bowmore bridgend islay house james miller