115362: Back Tack

The earliest records we have for Back Tack are from the government's Forteited Estate Papers, of 1716. The Tack existed until about 1851 when the area was turned into crofts.

In 1718 Back Tack was shared between twelve joint tenants:

• Rory Mackenzie in Grace
• Alexander Maceiver in Grace
• Neil Maclean in Back
• Alexander McSwine
• John McSwine
• John Macswine for Donald Blaine
• Angus Macgileachallum
• John mac Rorat vic Ean
• Mildonich Caird
• John Macean
• James Macean vain
• Donald Macalister
• Neil Mclean for Donald Grahame yr
• Neil Mclean for Anne nein Alister vic Neil yr

In 1726:

Gress

• John Maciver (Tacksman of Gress, was from near Ullapool and had been Tacksman of Tolsta Chaolais)

Back

• Alexander McSwain
• William Mackenzie
• John Macswain
• Donald Mccoil kneel
• Alexander Maceiver
• widow Mackenzie
• Alexander Mackenzie
• Archibald Mceiver
• Neil Baine
• Muldonick Kerd
• Donald Macinnis Cremir (thoughto be an earlier version of the name Graham)
• John Maccoil kneel

By 1740 Back had been added to Gress Tack and later rentals show only the tacksmen; John Maciver (of Gress) had both Gress and Back Tacks.

By 1766 the tenancy of Gress and Back had passed from John Maciver to his son William Maciver.

By 1768 the tack had passed to his widow.

By 1790 it passed to her brother-in-law, Evander Maciver.

In 1797 some names of subtenants appear in other documents related to the Militia.

• Donald Martin (Gress)
• Murdoch Macphail
• Donald Stewart
• John Graham
• Kenneth Macleod Snr (Labourer in Back)
• Kenneth Macleod Jnr (labourer)

By 1807 The Tacksmen of Gress & Back are listed as Evander Mciver and heirs.

There is an 1810 document relating to kelpworkers that lists the majority of the heads of household in Back at the time:

• Lewis Mciver jnr
• Murdo Bane
• Will Mackenzie
• Murdo Mciver
• John Graham
• Dun Stewart
• Murdo Mcleod
• Dond Mclean
• Alex Beaton
• Alex Graham
• Alex Mcleod
• Mal Mciver
• Allan Mackenzie
• Dond Mcleod
• John Macleod
• Kenn Mcleod Jnr
• Dond Mcmillan
• Dond Graham
• Kenn Macleod snr
• Dond Mciver

In 1814 Evander's son Lewis Maciver is tacksman.

In 1825 Gress & Back were let to Lewis Maciver.

By 1833 Back was left to 33 crofters paying rent directly to the landlord. This list forms the basis of Old Back township on this website. The township slipped out of direct crofting from 1835 to c1858, but the tenants do not appear to have been disturbed.

In around 1851 the township was relotted into the present township of Back. By the time direct crofting tenures resummed the number of crofts had increased to 63; further crofts at  Lighthill (Cnoc an t-Solais), New Street (am Poileagan) and the schoolhouse bring this total to 67.