Seo mar a dh’innis Cairistiona Dhòmhnallach, 25 Crabhlastadh mar a bhiodh i a dol chun an iasgaich na h-oige. See the English translation here. Nuair a bhiodh sinn a dol a dh’fhalbh chun a Sgadain airson a’ chiad uair dh’fheumadh sinn an toiseach Màighstear a lorg. ‘S e clann-nighean eile a bhiodh a dèanamh sin [...]
Read more →Memories of the shieling and the village he left behind – written by Donald Maclennan, Dòmhnall Mhurchaidh Dhòmhnaill a Sguthair, 24 Valtos, who emigrated to America. A h-uile latha chì ‘s nach fhaic ‘S a h-uile latha chì sinn Deoch-slàinte mo chaileag nì mi òl A h-uile latha chì sinn Ag cuallach bhò air cùl [...]
Read more →Donald Maciver was born in Crowlista in 1857, son of John Maciver, the Gaelic schoolmaster and missionary, and they lived in Ness and then South Lochs. Donald also became a teacher, at Lemreway (see the school log), Breasclete and latterly Bayble. The family had come from Carnish, just across the sands, which had been cleared [...]
Read more →By Peggy Eiric Maciver, Kneep; an elegy for Iain Morrison, son of Angus Morrison of 13 Reef who was a policeman in London. Iain emigrated to Canada and was killed in a mining accident in 1970. Marbhrann air Iain Moireasdan, Uig agus Lunnainn, a chaochail an Canada. Iain ‘s mòr an àmhghair rinn do bhàs [...]
Read more →We have audio! Dan Finlayson, Ardroil, in conversation with Dolligan’s uncle (?) relating a story about an old cure (in Gaelic). Click the arrow to play. [Audio clip: view full post to listen] Peter (Padruig Mor, 7 Aird, born 1803) had terrible rheumatism, but the fishermen had culled a lot of large seals, so Peter was [...]
Read more →A ceilidh house entertainment in circulation in Uig in years long past retells an ancient Fenian story, recorded by both Dolly Doctor and Rev Col AJ Mackenzie. One day Fionn and fourteen of the Feinne sat down to feast with a neighbouring chief, Dubhan, and fourteen of his men. A quarrel arose that could only [...]
Read more →Donald Matheson, an Saighdear Chaluim Bhain, was a son of Malcolm Matheson (Calum Bàn) of Valtos and Crowlista. (Calum Bàn has some interesting ancestors who can be found by following the lines back via Hebridean Connections.) Donald was born in the 1740s and joined the army, serving at the siege of Louisbourg in 1758, and [...]
Read more →Verses about the boys from the Bays, by Donald Macleod (Dòmhnall Eachainn) of 10 Geshader, who was born in 1874 and spent his working life in Glasgow. This hasn’t seen the light of day for some time; thanks to the family for providing it. Bho Ghiosladh gu Gràsabhaig ‘S h-uile h-ait ‘s na cuiltean sin ‘S na seòldairean [...]
Read more →Màiri, born 1841, was a daughter of Murdo Maciver and Mary nee Morrison, of Pabbay, 11 Kneep and later 25 Valtos. She emigrated to the United States and while there suffered greatly with homesickness and composed the song Och nan och, tha mi fo mhulad. According to tradition she lost her sight with the associated [...]
Read more →[singlepic id=588 w=600] This well-known song was written by Jane Finlayson (1775-1840) of Tong about her suitor, fisherman Donald Macrae of Uig. She laments Donald’s continuing absence and wonders, in the face of her friends’ advice to give up on him, whether he will ever return. In fact he did return to marry her and [...]
Read more →A song about her native village, by Peggy Eric Maciver, 7 Kneep Tha Cnip os cionn mo dhachaidh tha mu choinneamh Cnoc nan Còrr Is an tom air cùl an tighe ris an canar Cnoc an Oir An Fhaoilinn ‘S rubha Iolmoir air am b’ eòlach mi bho m’ òig Is Sgealasbhalis Liongal cumail fasgadh [...]
Read more →As told by Rev Donald Macaulay. English text follows the Gaelic. Photo of Brenish by Chris Murray. Bha an cogadh a dol bliadhnaichean agus am màrbhadh eadar Clann ‘ic Leòid, Clann Choinnich agus na Moireasdanaich agus an deidh dha Clann Choinnich an t-eilean fhaiginn mu dheireadh dhaibh b’fhèin agus thàinig siothladh de shìth anns [...]
Read more →The spirit of one of the murdered men from Mealista came to the bedside of his sweetheart and he sang to her the verses of this song – trying to explain to her what a cruel fate had overtaken them. ‘Se nighean mo ghaoil An nighean donn òg, Nam bithinn ri taobh Cha bhithinn fo leòn. [...]
Read more →Norman Macleod, Am Bàrd Bochd, taught at Lochcroistean school from 1936 to 1943, and was a noted bard who composed the following about Lochcroistean and some of the people he knew there. The last four verses constitute his song about the people of Geshader. Lochcroistean School was in use until the new Uig school opened [...]
Read more →The place name Àite nan Ordaighean in Valtos Glen is still known today and a rough cairn is all that remains in this place of worship. Foot paths descending down the steep sides of the Glen to reach the place of worship are still visible. Those paths indicate the various directions from which many worshippers [...]
Read more →A song of the people of Geshader, by Norman Macleod, Am Bàrd Bochd, who was headmaster at Lochcroistean from 1936 to 1943. Gur tric mi an diugh a’ cuimhneachadh Air suinn bha leam ann uair, An duinealas ‘s an aoighealachd, An abhachas gun fhuath; An t-Ileach seòlta àmhailteach ‘S Macneill na bheachd cur ruaig Air [...]
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