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After reading the replies, I went to Scotlands People to have a look at what I had, and on James' birth document. While other entries on the page were worded; "born of his wife", the entry for James said what looks like; "born in unclean-ness of Isobel Tocher", so am assuming that means "illegitimate". Is this correct? I had never noticed that (capable researcher that I am!), and the witnesses were William Tocher & John Edward. How interesting......
Also, this points to Elspet being sister to Isobel Tocher, and married to John Edward. Wondered where the Edwards came into the mix. My grandmother Stewart had an older sister named Elspet, so explains where she got the name. Will try to follow up on the Tochers (William & Elizabeth Brown) now, but am still clueless as to parentage of James Stewart, the elder.

Thank you both very much for your help in this query...I can now add 2 more names to tree.

Hello, folks.....
I am at a complete standstill with the grandparents of my grandmother.....have searched Scotlands People, Family Search, Ancestry.com, etc. to no avail, but that certainly isn't conclusive, as I am not particularly savvy with a computer, or with research.

Grandmother:

Mary Stewart, b. 15 January 1885, Aberdeen
Father: James Stewart, b. 2 March 1837, Newhills, Aberdeenshire
Mother: Mary McArthur, b. 1840, Islay House Farm, Kilarrow, Islay, Argyll

James Stewart's parents were James Stewart & Isobel Tocher, about whom, I can find nothing, no place of birth, no parents, and now don't know in what direction I should look. ANY information would be greatly appreciated, or any suggestions as to how I may proceed.

Thanking you in anticipation......
Aeife

Dearest Monica.....
I am amazed, flabbergasted, and totally in awe, of your research abilities, and your unselfish willingness to help others in this morass of names & genetics! As I believe I've said, I have received more USEFUL information from people such as yourself, than from any other agency, and since I seem to be "challenged" when trying to do this on my own, thank goodness, you are here.

I HAD wondered if perhaps Archibald had left Scotland, as could find nothing looking for residence or death records, and I definitely will try to follow up on this clue of the son. Again, I thank you for providing this info. Also think this site, Rootschat, is the best of the many, without question, and I shall not "stray" far.

BTW, finally got an email from the "researcher" this morning, apologizing for the "delay", and informing me, after I questioned the info he sent, that he would "look into" this couple & children, again. Not impressed, I'm afraid!

Hello, folks.....
After the last attempt at finding info on James, and/or his parents, and finding nothing, I consulted a "researcher", whose claim that "no find-no fee" applied, so I went ahead.......received a message saying that James' parents were DONALD McArthur (not DUNCAN), "a young man in Avinvogie, & Mary Currie, "a young woman in Roskern", and I could send the fee to get the copy of certificate. Overjoyed at this news, I did.  When I wrote this researcher back, asking about HOW he connected James to this couple, in particular, as there seem to have been quite a few McArthur-Currie mergers on Islay, and this certificate really tells me nothing. I have sent 2 messages to this person, asking for some kind of verification, but no answer, so guess I fell for it.
The date of marriage on this copy is 11 September, 1799-Bowmore or Kilarrow Parish Register.
Perhaps someone more experienced than I could look, and see if this couple had children, and if they actually had one named James!  If not, looks like I'm back to square one........
Thanking you in anticipation.