Knocknafenaig
Encyclopedia
Knocknafenaig is a ruined township on the Isle of Mull
, Scotland
.
Located in the south-western portion of the island known as the Ross of Mull
, Knocknafenaig is an extremely well preserved township
that shows many characteristics of 19th century and early 20th century living conditions. Although it is believed to have had medieval settlements, almost no evidence remains of these due to their organic nature. Among the many ruins is a well preserved corn-drying kiln
and house, known as Braigh. The Braigh is the last remaining thatched building in the Ross of Mull
and was inhabited until the mid 1980s.
The name Cnoc na Fennaig translates as "Hill of the Lazybeds" (this being a reference to the type of cultivation used throughout the area).
In 1779 the township had a population of 70. After the Highland Clearances
and the Potato Famine
in the mid-19th century the township became increasingly deserted. After World War I
Knocknafenaig was divided into six crofts
for returning servicemen. Eventually the six crofts
were combined to become Ardachy Farm.
Isle of Mull
The Isle of Mull or simply Mull is the second largest island of the Inner Hebrides, off the west coast of Scotland in the council area of Argyll and Bute....
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
.
Ross of Mull
The Ross of Mull is the largest peninsula of the island of Mull, about long and makes up the south-western part of the island. It is bounded to the north by Loch Scridain and by the Firth of Lorne to the south. The main villages are Bunessan and Fionnphort with smaller settlements including...
, Knocknafenaig is an extremely well preserved township
Township
The word township is used to refer to different kinds of settlements in different countries. Township is generally associated with an urban area. However there are many exceptions to this rule. In Australia, the United States, and Canada, they may be settlements too small to be considered urban...
that shows many characteristics of 19th century and early 20th century living conditions. Although it is believed to have had medieval settlements, almost no evidence remains of these due to their organic nature. Among the many ruins is a well preserved corn-drying kiln
Kiln
A kiln is a thermally insulated chamber, or oven, in which a controlled temperature regime is produced. Uses include the hardening, burning or drying of materials...
and house, known as Braigh. The Braigh is the last remaining thatched building in the Ross of Mull
Ross of Mull
The Ross of Mull is the largest peninsula of the island of Mull, about long and makes up the south-western part of the island. It is bounded to the north by Loch Scridain and by the Firth of Lorne to the south. The main villages are Bunessan and Fionnphort with smaller settlements including...
and was inhabited until the mid 1980s.
The name Cnoc na Fennaig translates as "Hill of the Lazybeds" (this being a reference to the type of cultivation used throughout the area).
In 1779 the township had a population of 70. After the Highland Clearances
Highland Clearances
The Highland Clearances were forced displacements of the population of the Scottish Highlands during the 18th and 19th centuries. They led to mass emigration to the sea coast, the Scottish Lowlands, and the North American colonies...
and the Potato Famine
Potato famine
Potato famine may refer to:* Great Famine , the famine in Ireland between 1845 and 1852* Highland Potato Famine, a major agrarian crisis in the Scottish Highlands from 1846 to 1857...
in the mid-19th century the township became increasingly deserted. After World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
Knocknafenaig was divided into six crofts
Crofts
Crofts is a surname of English origin. The name refers to:*Andrew Crofts , English writer*Andrew Crofts , Welsh professional football player...
for returning servicemen. Eventually the six crofts
Crofts
Crofts is a surname of English origin. The name refers to:*Andrew Crofts , English writer*Andrew Crofts , Welsh professional football player...
were combined to become Ardachy Farm.