INSH, a quoad sacra parish (for a time), formed of part
of the parish of Kingussie, and a small part of that of
Alvie, in the county of Inverness; containing 613 inhabitants,
of whom 88 are in the village of Insh, 7 miles
(N. E.) from Pitmain. This place was anciently a vicarage,
united to the rectory of Kingussie; aad under act
of the General Assembly in 1S33, it was again declared
a distinct parish, ecclesiastically, which privilege, however,
it afterwards ceased to possess. It is situated on
the south bank of the Spey; and when the river swells,
a branch of it flows on each side of a small hill whereon
the church stands: hence the name of Insh, signifying
" an island". The Spey passes here through a fine lake
called Loch Insh, about a mile and a half in length and
nearly the same in breadth; and near its eastern margin
is the mansion-house of Invereshie, where is a ferry across
the Spey. Ecclesiastically Insh is in the presbytery
of Abernethy and synod of Moray, and the patronage is
vested in the Crown: the stipend of the minister is
£1'20, with a manse, and a glebe valued at £2. 10. per
annum. The church is dedicated to St. Ewan. A school,
situated at the village of Insh, is supported by the
Education committee of the General Assembly. A considerable
increase in the population of this district took
place within the decennial period between the late and
the preceding census.