This book gives a most comprehensive picture of the Outer Isles, and is particularly valuable in the information given on the small unfrequented islands. It achieves and interesting synthesis, drawing on history, folklore and archaeology, and the topography is given in some detail. This caters for those who know the islands, and for those who have still to make their way there.  The illustrations give a good impression of the pleasant variety that awaits these visitors.

Daphne DC Pochin Mould was an Englishwoman, born in 1920.  She was a geologist who studied in Edinburgh and researched in Foyers on Loch Ness, writing first Roads from the Isles about the droveroads, and then West Over Sea about the islands.  Latterly she took a great interest in Catholicism and wrote extensively about monastic and other traditions in Ireland.

The Fhorsa.  Considered to be one of the best salmon and sea trout systems on Lewis at the present time, the Fhorsa flows out of Loch Suainebhal into Loch Stacsavat, then takes a course of one and half miles before entering the sea at Uig Sands, near Uig Lodge.  The system has a total of fifteen named pools and includes the famous Bruton Stream, which provides one of the few opportunities to catch salmon in salt water.

From 1858 until 1924, the Fhorsa formed a part of the 69,000 acre Uig estate and was fished by the sporting tenants.  Since 1924 the fishing rights on the river have belonged to the Uig Lodge fishery and have been used by a succession of owners and tenants, including the well-known author, Arthur Ransome. The current owners, the Green family, not only let out the fishery on a weekly basis together with Uig Lodge through CKD Galbraith of Perth, but also operate a smokehouse which produced the famous Uig Lodge Smoked Salmon.

David also addresses poaching, netting, conservation and a variety of other issues:

Oban Times, 16 October 1886:  On Friday last, Alexander Matheson and John William Macleod, fishermen, Valtos Uig, were convicted of having on a night last July place a net across the mouth of the Crowlista River, Uig, for the purpose of catching salmon or sea trout. Kenneth Macdonald, gamekeeper, and another watcher surprised them and several other men while replacing a net, and some of the party ran away.  The keepers hauled in a net and found a sea trout in it.  The Sheriff found the accused guilty, and fined them 30/- each, or six days imprisonment and declared the net forfeited.

Essential reading for the angler in Lewis or Harris, and available from us for £12 in the museum or by email.  David has also produced the excellent Sporting Estates of the Outer Hebrides.

The History of the Mackenzies

Some of these were also issued in other formats but no comprehensive volume of his articles has been published.  While very occasional slips in accuracy have been identified in the articles, we consider them to be a reliable source for information on the origins of the principal families of Lewis and also of ceilidh-house traditions, which he treats with a respectful skepticism.  Uig Museum holds some of his letters enquirying in the 1940s about local traditions of the Mathesons.

A new publication in the format of Bill’s earlier books on Harris and the Uists, looking at the history and traditions of places up and down the west of the Island, including Uig. 

Full of interesting information from a variety of sources (though we reserve the right to quibble over a few points in the Uig chapter!).  Available from the museum and all usual outlets.

A detailed account of all the ministers in Uig and the significant developments and changes under their ministries from 1778 to 1929, with supporting material and documentation; in addition to the church records, it provides good wider historical and social background.  Out of print but may be consulted at the Museum and copies of particular sections can be provided by CE Uig on request.

A comprehensive look at early and recent (to 1996) excavations in the Hebrides, exploring the history of human settlement from the Neolithic period to the Clearances.

An account of holidays in Lewis, marriage to Dolly Doctor, owning Uig Lodge and building Gisla Lodge, and general reminiscences 1918-1938.

An illustrated history of the sporting estates, including Morsgail, Scaliscro, Grimersta, Uig & Hamnaway, Garynahine, Eishken, Barvas, Galson and others.  Information from estate records and game books, detail of tenants and development programmes, and many photographs previously unknown to the Comann Eachdraidh, coming as they do from private collections in England.  Available from the museum (£10) or direct from David Jones.

A comprehensive history of the Isle of Lewis from the Norse and Mediaeval periods through to the 20th century, covering landlords and land struggle, crofting and fishing, education, religion, emigration and many more topics, drawn from a wide range of sources including oral tradition.  An excellent and very readable introduction to these many subjects.  Donald Macdonald was born in 1904 in Tolsta and was a teacher and headmaster in Edinburgh.