From research undertaken by Maggie Smith for Hebridean Connections and the Stornoway Gazette.  See also Part II and Part III. After the Education Act of 1872, children throughout the country were entitled to an education, and a side school could be provided in remote districts where there were at least three children; a single junior teacher, under the supervision of a village school, would teach in a building or room temporarily provided for the purpose.  If there were insufficient pupils, a single child or two [ » read more ]

Thanks to Roddy Maclean for the scans and Donald Maciver for the names.  Those marked * are still living in 2009. Back Row: 1. Alexander Macleod Crowlista 2. *Malcolm J Macleod 8 Aird 3. John A Maciver 10 Crowlista (later 8 Crowlista) 4. Angus J Macleod 2 Timsgarry 5. John M Macdonald 6 Crowlista 6. Alexander Macdonald 4 Crowlista 7. Donald Macleod 2 Timsgarry (twin of #10) 8. Quentin Mackenzie Point (headmaster) Third Row: 9. Mary Macleod Point (teacher) 10. Katie-Bell Macleod 2 Timsgarry (twin [ » read more ]

Also from the new Uig School page, a slideshow of a visit the P1-P3 class paid to the museum to spend some time with a couple of local Vikings.  (A Flash Player is needed to watch these slideshows – free download here, or the pictures are also in the Gallery.)

We’re pleased to launch a new Uig School page, to show some of the historical subjects the children are studying, particularly those of local relevance.  The Uig Museum is adjacent to the school and good use is made of it by the pupils of teachers. The upper class (P4-P7) recently did a study of the Victorians and as part of that, blackhouses.  They invited Finlay Maciver, who was born in a blackhouse at 4 Geshader (although not in Victorian times!) to talk to them about [ » read more ]

Teachers Donald Macarthur (Soup) and Annie Macaulay 35 Cliff (Anna Bheag) Back Row 1. Peter Macleod 9 Enaclete 2. Farquhar Macdonald 12 Carishader 3. Angus Hugh Smith 2 Carishader 4. Donald Macritchie 4 Enaclete 5. Calum Iain Smith 2B Ungeshader 6. Donald Gilleis 9 Carishader 7. John Murdo Mackay 1 Carishader 8. John MAcdonald 6 Enaclete 2nd Row 9. Angus John Macdonald 6 Carishader 10. Christine Macdonald 5 Carishader 11. Dolina Macneill 11 Carishader 12. Dolina Smith 2B Ungeshader 13. Johann Matheson 8 Enaclete 14. [ » read more ]

From Sanais, 1988, with some additions. The first school in the Western Isles was founded shortly after 1610, when the Seaforth Mackenzies gained possession of the island, and in 1680, a report by ‘Indweller’ says that the Seaforth school had done much good, not only for Lewis but also for the adjacent isles.  It was the ‘the great good of gentlemen’s sons and daughters and to the comfort and good of the people’.  Martin Martin reported in 1695 that English and Latin were taught. In [ » read more ]

Now that the CE na Pairc website is up and running, we’re expecting a good bit of cross-fertilisation between it and ours. A number of significant South Lochs families originated in Uig and we’re working out the connections; and of course Dòmhnall Càm had his airigh there. Meanwhile, our Donald Maciver (An Ataireachd Àrd) was the first teacher at Lemreway School, at the far end of Pairc, when it opened in 1881 and extracts from the school log he kept are available over here.

A circular issued by the County Council of Ross and Cromarty Education Committee to all schools, on 15 June 1955.  Our copy comes from Mangersta School. Dear Sir Temperance It has for some time been felt that, while the policy and practice of the Education Authority as regards Temperance are generally known and appreciated, it would be helpful to have these put down in a statement in specific terms, especially considering the growth of functions and activities of the Education Authroity in the field of [ » read more ]

Mrs Finlayson is in charge, but the other names are needed.  Please let us know, if you know.

An extract from the unpublished memoirs of Rev Col AJ Mackenzie, son of the gamekeeper Roderick Mackenzie.  AJ was born in 1887 in Kinlochresort and moved with his family to the keeper’s house at Uig Lodge, where he began at Crowlista School. In May 1892 after the spring holidays, I began my formal education. I had never been at school before except for one day at Kinlochresort when my mother sent me with the other boys thinking I would be happier at school, than alone [ » read more ]

Teacher Mary Ann Maciver 11 Kneep, later married Norman Macdonald Reef (Gruaigen) Back: 1. James Macrae Miavaig (Seumas na Cost) 2. Angus Smith 20 Valtos (Prof) 3. Malcolm Mackay 13 Kneep (Kiman) 4. Angus Macdonald 16 Uigen (Gurason) 5. Alasdair Macleod 39 Cliff (Sandy Post) 6. Angus John Macdonald 8 Kneep (Max) Middle: 7. Mary Macdonald 16 Uigen 8. Ann Macleod 3 Brenish 9. Murdina Mackay Kneep/Reef (Murdag an Irish) 10. Christine Macleod 2 Reef 11. Maggie Saunders 17 Valtos 12. Isabella Mackay 9 Valtos [ » read more ]

Back: 1. 2. Malcolm Maclean 26 Valtos (Calum Beag Garbh) 3. Louis Macdonald 11 Reef (Louis na Scallag) 4. Donald Matheson 39 Cliff (Domhnall a Bheiceir) 5. Murdo Macleod 2 Reef (Murchadh Dodge) 6. Donald Macleod 2 Reef (Buganach) 7. Duncan Macdonald 22 Valtos (Donnchadh Silver) Middle: 8. Donald Macdonald 16 Uigen 9. William Macdonald 14 Valtos (Willie Doh) 10. Chirsty Ann Macdonald 8 Kneep 11. Annabel Matheson 5 Kneep (Babag) 12. Peggy Macdonald 4 Kneep 13. John Maciver 12 Kneep (Iain Dhomhnaill Duinn) 14. [ » read more ]

From the School Logbook, Islivig School (in Brenish), kept by the teacher Angus Macdonald: 8 August 1903 The Drawing for the past week received the special attention of the Teacher.  The circles & ovals (and forms inv. same) cannot be made witht he same satisfactory results as if linoleum were put round the school, otherwise could be made.  Free-arm Drawing can’t be taught to the whole school on slates so effectively as on B.B.  Though Teacher is endeavouring to teach this part of the Drawing [ » read more ]

Teacher:  Mrs Catherine Finlayson, Ardroil Back:  Donald Maciver 8 Crowlista Catherine Ann Macfarlane Balnacille Manse Rachael Mackay 4 Timsgarry Peter M Matheson 24 Crowlista Front: Agnes Macfarlane Bailenacille Manse Jessie Matheson 24 Crowlista Alex M Matheson 24 Crowlista Anna Finlayson 1 Ardroil Dinah Macfarlane Bailenacille Manse.

There were 104 pupils at Valtos School in 1904.  This key may help with the identification. 1 Mr Cameron 2 Flora Maciver Kneep (Floraidh nighean Mairead Alasdair) 3 Christina Mackay 21 Valtos (Cairstiona Rothaich) 4 Mary Matheson Kneep (Mairi Smiodaidh) 5 Betty Buchanan (Beit Dhomhnaill an t-Saighdear) 6 Barbara Maciver 25 Valtos (Bab Tharmoid Mhurchaidh) 7 Catherine Smith 13 Valtos (Catriona Chaluim a Ghobha) 8 Joan Buchanan 18 Uigen (Seonag Chaluim Mhoir) 9 Dolina Matheson 5 Kneep (Doileag Smiodaidh) 10 Annie Morrison Reithmir (Anna Mhurchaidh [ » read more ]