Tormsdale Gunns

Tormsdale is now a ruined small hamlet / farm about two miles south of Westerdale, Caithness, Scotland. It is on the banks of the River Thurso. Donald Gunn (1750 - 1840) was born there, his father being John Gunn of Tormsdale. Donald probably had siblings. It is possible this family of Gunns was originally from Achlibster. Donald married Janet McKenzie of Dunbeath. They had nine children - John Gunn (1783 - 1784), John Gunn (1784 - 1857), Hugh Gunn (1787 - around 1850), Alexander Gunn (1789 - 1847), George Gunn (1795 - 1868), Donald Gunn (1796 - post 1851), William Gunn (1799 - unknown), Christian Gunn (1802 - post 1881, Owen Sound Canada) and Marcus Gunn (1805- 1878, Owen Sound Canada). Many of Donald and Janet's family (and their descendants) stayed in the local Caithness area, others made their mark elsewhere. Of note is their fourth child, Alexander Gunn (1789 - 1847). He married Barbara Gunn in Braehour. Braehour Gunns are the ongoing traditional Clan Gunn Chief line. Alexander and Barbara's children migrated to Australia. One of Alexander and Barbara's grandsons was the Hon. John Alexander Gunn (1860 - 1910) who was a pastoralist and scientist. He made a significant contribution to Australian agriculture due to his work inventing an anthrax vaccine. He was also a politician in the New South Wales parliament. Another significant member of this family was Sir John Gunn of Tormsdale (1837 - 1918), a son of the sixth child, Donald Gunn (1796 - post 1851). Sir John Gunn (along with his brother Marcus Gunn 1842 - 1899) played an important part in the shipping industry of Cardiff, Wales. For more on the Gunns see - https: //www.lulu.com/spotlight/awgunn https: //clangunn1.blogspot.com/ https: //latrobe.academia.edu/AlastairGunn