Population of Inverness soars by 1861

THE census returns showed the number of people living in the burgh had increased by about one-fifth in the space of 10 years.

In 1861, the population was 12,499 compared with 9969 in 1851. The number of inhabited houses had also increased from 1255 to 1750 over the same period.

But in contrast, the population in the areas around Inverness had decreased probably due to the eviction of crofters and emigration of agricultural labourers.

In Kilmorack, for example, the population had dropped by 182 to 2825 while in neighbouring Kiltarlity, there were 124 fewer people with a population of 2841.

Croy and Dalcross, however, recorded an increase of 79 people, bringing the total population to 1856.

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