Carbrain often recorded as Carbrane, even into the 1950s, and in the Protocol Books of Dominus Thomas Johnsoun 1528-1578 recorded as “Garbrane”. It was one of the farms on the Cumbernauld Estate. The farm can be seen above in the header photo of this web site.
At the time of the 1841 census, William Finlayson (45) was the tenant farmer, born in Dunblane in 1796. He grew up at Kildrum where his father Matthew was the tenant. The 1841 census records father Matthew aged 65 (born 1776) although unlikely to be resident; Helen Turnbull (20); David Swan (20); John Jarvie (20); Margaret McMillan (15); James Dougal (15). All these young people worked on the farm as agricultural labourers and all born locally. The Glasgow Herald reports the death of Matthew Finlayson on the 5th July 1872 in Shamrock St, “late, farmer in Carbrane, in his 77th year”. (Requires more research as the Fife Herald published a notice of the death of a Matthew Finlayson in Sept 1836. It was also reported in the Caledonian Mercury that he died on the 14th Aug 1836. William became tenant at Carbrain on the death of his father who had become tenant in 1827 after leaving Kildrum.)
In 1851 William Finlayson (55) was still farming 170 acres at Carbrain. He is now married and has a young family: Agnes Finlayson (28) from Dalmary, Linlithgowshire; Matthew Finlayson (2); Sarah Finlayson (5 Months)
John Fairlie (23) a farm servant from Kirkliston
John Barrie (20) a farm servant born in Cumbernauld
Janet Johnston (18) a house servant from Kirkliston
Robert Russell (17) a farm servant from Falkirk
Janet H Newcome (13) a nursery maid from Cumbernauld
William Finlayson retired in 1867 after 40 years at Carbrain. Indications are that he died in 1870. (Falkirk Herald and Linlithgow Journal, May 1870)
1884 – Mr Alan Kirkwood advertises sale of farm and stock – Falkirk Herald
Falkirk Herald August 1, 1891
U.P. Sabbath School Trip – The annual outing of the U.P. Sabbath School children took place on Saturday last to Carbrane Farm (Mr Jackson’s). The day was fine and the children enjoyed themselves thoroughly. A number of nice prizes were given for competition and the presence of the Cumbernauld Brass Band added to the enjoyment.
Cumbernauld Farmers in 1912/13
William Jackson is still resident in Carbrane in 1912/13
From Macdonalds-Scottish-Directory-and-Gazetteer-1912-1913