The Cabrach estate farm of Tomnaven

Date: [unknown] [unknown]
Location: Cabrach, Banffshire, Scotland
Surnames/tags: Robertson Sheed Macintosh

"Tomnaven, the little hillock of the river. Formerly it comprised both Upper and Lower Tomnaven, and there was a flourishing distillery in the early part of last century, and for some years a private school. Now, like so many other of the Cabrach touns, it is inhabited by one family only." - Quote from CABRACH FEERINGS BY THE LATE JAMES TAYLOR, J.P. EDITED BY JANET ANDERSON. BANFF: THE BANFFSHIRE JOURNAL LIMITED. 1920

28th January, 1600.— Sasine to Alexander Irvine of Drum, on Hillside of Echt, Tilliboy, Corrensie, Thomanavin, Dalriach, etc. -Quoted from "Irvines of Drum and collateral branches" by Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Forbes Leslie

Jan. 9. 1610. ROBERTUS FORBES de Phynnersie, hæres masculus Joannis Forbes de Echt, filii patrui,-- in 40 solidatis terrarum villæ et terrarum de Corronasie, cum pendiculis vocatis Thomanavin, Glascorie et Dalreauche ;-terris de Enoche, Auchmoir, et Balmarreoune (vel Balmaroden .)-- A . E. 40s. N. E. 8l.- ( Vide Aberdeen, Kincardine.) iv. 279. Mar. 23. 1681. THOMAS FORBES de Echt, hæres masculus Thomæ Forbes feoditarii, nepotis ex fratre germano seniore, -in baronia de Echt- Forbes comprehendente 40 solidatas terrarum de Correnassies, cum pendiculis vocatis Hillock, Thomanavin, Oldtoun, Newtoune, Glascorie, Dalreoch vocato Bank; -terras de Enoch, Auchmoire, Balmeran cum terris in Aberdeen et Kincardine: -A. E. 10l. 10s. N. E. 42l.-- cum terris, &c. in Aberdeen et Kincardine unitis in baroniam de Echt-Forbes.-(Vide Aberdeen, Kincardine.) xxxv. 219 -Quoted from "Inquisitionum ad capellam domini regis retornatarum, quae in publicis archivis Scotiae adhuc servantur, abbreviatio. Vol. I. [-III.]"

Translation needing work: (Apr. 9, 1610. ROBERT Forbes of Phynnersie male heir to John Forbes of Echt through his uncle - in the forty shilling lands of the town and lands of Corronasie, with the pendicles called Thomanavin, Glascorie and Dalreauche; lands of Enoche, Auchmore and Balmarreoune (otherwise Balmaroden). A E 40s; N E 8l. (See Aberdeen, Kincardine). iv.279. Apr. 23, 1681. Thomas Forbes of Echt, male heir to Thomas Forbes, feudatory, descendant of the brother of the elder brother -in the barony of Echt- Forbes comprehending the world Correnassies 40 shillings, with pendicles call Hillock, Thomanavin, Oldtoun, Newtoun, Glascorie, Dalreoch calling the Bank; - lands of Enoch Auchmoir, Balmeran lands with Aberdeen and Kincardine: -A. E 10l. 10s. N. E. 42l .-- with lands, etc. Aberdeen and Kincardine united in the Barony of Echt-Forbes .- (See Aberdeen, Kincardine.) XXXVI. 219)

1767 - Map showing Plan of the lordships of Strathavon, Glenlivet and Achendown, with the Lands of Glenrinnes and.... by James Wyld Geographer to the Queen shows both properties on the far right bounds of the map named "Nether Tamnaon" and "Upper Tamnaon" below it.

"There are two small distilleries in the parish, bearing a very high character for the excellence of the malt spirits produced at them, conducted by Messrs John Taylor, Lesmurdie, and James Robertson, Tomnavin. They consume about 640 quarters of malt annually, and produce 10,000 gallons of spirits. Some of the tenants also burn lime with peat, chiefly for their own use, but in some cases for sale. " - Quote from "THE NEW STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF SCOTLAND. BY THE MINISTERS OF THE RESPECTIVE PARISHES, UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF A COMMITTEE OF THE SOCIETY FOR THE BENEFIT OF THE SONS AND DAUGHTERS OF THE CLERGY. VOL. XIII. "

Tomnaven is located 57°23'16.5"N 2°59'32.3"W. Tomnaven means "little hill of the river" due to it's location on the east side of River Deveron.

Tomnaven has been listed with the following variations: Tamnaon, Tomnaven, Tomnavin, Fomnaven, Tomanaven (toman-abhann), Thomnavin, Thomanavin, Tomnairn, Tamnaven.

The land previously held two farms, the second being called Lower Tomnaven or Nether Tomnaven.

James Robertson operated a distillery onsite from 1828 to 1842 (excluding any illicit whisky activity that was common to the region). Whisky.de; First letter T "Tomnaven" The Whiskey Portal: Tamnaven Distillery

Tomnaven was advertised to let as of 13 March 1911 with the then current occupier (Mr Charles Robertson) not being an offerer. The period for offers to be recieved was then up until and including the 31st March with entry set for "Whitsunday" (4 June 1911) being the seventh Sunday after Easter.