in 1776 the duke of argyll reacquired the township, the duke and his chamberlain (factor) were early enthusiasts for the principles of agricultural improvement. auchindrain is included in a list from 1779 of all those living on the duke’s land. a plan was made in 1789, by the surveyor george langlands, for the township to be rebuilt and reorganised into crofts as many of the other townships in were. in auchindrain this was never implemented, possibly because the investment required would not have justified the financial return.