William Matheson, Mac Gille Chaluim, wrote extensively of his own family in Uig: Malcolm Matheson [a younger son of Donald Ruadh (or Ban) Matheson, of Kneep and Valtos] known as Calum Ruadh or Calum Mòr, was tenant in Carnish when John Nicolson was tacksman. In his time the population of the townlands of Uig was [...]
Read more →This week the Comann Eachdraidh was pleased to welcome Mr and Mrs Jack Duncan from Michigan, USA, on their first visit to Uig. Jack is the great grandson of “An Irish”, Calum Macritchie, a well-known character in his day and one of the leaders of the Reef Raiders in 1913. Jack’s grandparents were Tarmod an Irish and [...]
Read more →Mac an Irish, a dance and pipe tune (click for more; music courtesy of Sven Axelsson) was evidently written about a son of “An Irish”, Calum Macritchie (b1845) of Carnish, Aird, Kneep and Reef, and the eldest of the Reef Raiders. He wasn’t Irish of course, but so called as he was always a rebel. We don’t know which son is the Mac [...]
Read more →Stornoway Gazette, 25 May 1951: Miss Catherine Macritchie, younger daughter of Mrs & Mrs D Macritchie, 7 Aird, is combining business with pleasure by sailing on the luxury liner Oronsay on her maiden voyage to Australia. She left Tilbury on 16 May. Catherine’s previous occupations have been tailoress in the WAAF and Glasgow tram conductress. However [...]
Read more →Donald Matheson 6 Ardroil speaking in 2005 about working in the Sergeant’s Mess at RAF Aird Uig 1958-64; interviewed by Keith Stringer. [Audio clip: view full post to listen]
Read more →The Aird Boat, below Gallan Head. At the oars Donald Macleod 2 Aird (Dòmhnall Bàn) and John Macleod 8 Aird (an Gille). Date unknown but Donald was born in 1870 and John in 1879, so if the identification is accurate, this could be about 1920.
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 chapter from Uig, a Hebridean Parish (1960) by Madge Phillips. The little township of Aird is an isolated and old-established crofting settlement along the western side of the steep and narrow valley of the Amhainn Gil na h-Airde three miles north of Crowlista. After leaving Loch Meacheit, the river flows northward through a gorge [...]
Read more →From the Stornoway Gazette, Local and District News. March 24, 1921 The cyclonic storm which burst over this district on Wednesday last left traces of destruction in its trail here as elsewhere. Fortunately, no lives were lost, though several instances of hairbreadth escapes from flying debris etc, have been mentioned. The roof of the Valtos [...]
Read more →From the Diary of John Munro Mackenzie, Chamberlain, in 1851: Friday 14 Feby. Met the people of Crowlista, Aird Uig, Carishader, Geshader, Enaclete, Ungeshader and having explained the conditions on which they were to be emigrated, their condition state of arrears etc the following results were arrived at – Crowlista, 6 families, £34.8.4 in arrears, [...]
Read more →The early Christian chapel or teampull Taigh a’Bheannaich is situated a mile south of Gallan Head (NB 03872 37898) near the headland called Am Beannachadh (The Blessing Place). The interior dimensions of the chapel are approximately 5.5m x 3.3m and the walls are partially collapsed. The remains of a dozen small cellular buildings surround the [...]
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