From Rev William Matheson’s History of the Macaulays: The tradition among some of his descendants today is that Dòmhnall Càm was the least formidable of his father’s sons in point of physical strength.  It is related, for example, that, when at archery practice near his home above one end of Traigh na Clibhe, he was the only one of his brothers who could not make his arrow carry to the bluff at the opposite end of the beach.  But it is added that what he [ » read more ]

Teachers Donald Maclean Shawbost and Annie Macaulay 35 Cliff Back: 1. Donald N Morrison 32 Valtos 2. Norrie Mackay 31 Valtos 3. Dol Angus Mackay 30 Valtos 4. Calum Iain Buchanan 8 Valtos 5. John Angus Mackay 7 Reef 6. Donald M Morrison 32 Valtos 7. John Angus Buchanan 7 Valtos Middle: 8. Donald Buchanan 7 Valtos 9. Gladys Goodge Miavaig 10. John Buchanan 14 Brenish 11. Mary Morrison 3 Valtos 12. Agnes M Smith Lochcroistean 13. Christina Macritchie 4 Carishader 14. Peggy Matheson 6 [ » read more ]

A small selection of the pictures recently lent by Mairi Peigi Maclennan, 36 Cliff.

Teachers Bella Macaskill (Lochs/Goathill) and Frank Maciver (Back) Back: 1. John Macaulay 23 Valtos (lost WW2) 2. Dol Angus Macrae Miavaig (Rev) 3. Donald Norman Macdonald 22 Valtos (lost WW2) 4. Angus Macdonald 16 Uigen (lost WW2) 5. Malcolm Mackay Valtos 6. John Macdonald Kneep 7. Alexander Macleod 39 Cliff 8. Norman Macdonald 22 Valtos 9. John Matheson 30 Cliff 10. Donald Smith 20 Valtos Middle: 11. Babsie Grant Doctor’s House Miavaig 12. Annie Grant Doctor’s House Miavaig 13. Chrissie Mackay 21 Valtos 14. Annie [ » read more ]

Rev DA Macrae was born in Miavaig and lived latterly in Harris. He was interviewed by Maggie Smith in November 2004, and died in July 2005. Our home Miavaig House was built in 1855 for my grandfather James Macrae, who was the Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages and was also an Inspector of the Poor. He was responsible for the Parish of Uig which in those days reached as far as Carloway. At this time there was great poverty and the Destitution Board sent a [ » read more ]

(click to enlarge) Headmaster Donald Maclean Shawbost; Teacher Annie Macaulay 35 Cliff Back Row: 1. Donald Maciver 8 Crowlista 2. Calum Iain Buchanan 8 Valtos 3. Peggy Morrison 3 Valtos 4. Gladys Goodge Miavaig 5. Murdina Buchanan 7 Valtos 6. Agnes Mackay 4 Carishader 7. Donald Buchanan 7 Valtos 8. Peter M Matheson Crowlista Third Row: 9. John A Mackay 7 Reef 10. Dora Maclean 17 Valtos 11. Agnes Mackay 7 Reef 12. Kate M Morrison 1 Ungeshader 13. Joan Buchanan Brenish 14. Christina Macritchie 4 [ » read more ]

Mairead Maclennan was born to 36 Cliff (at Craigard, on the hill opposite where the houses are now) in 1883.  She went to work in Paisley as a seamstress for J&P Coats, the manufacturers of sewing cotton, at Ferguslie Park.  She was the only one in the house with a German sewing machine and when it broke down during the Great War, the serviceman refused to repair it because of its provenance until Mr Coats intervened and informed the man that no one in the [ » read more ]

(click to enlarge) Headmaster Donald Maclean Shawbost, Teacher Annie Macaulay 35 Cliff Back Row:  1. Calum A Mackay 13 Kneep 2. Malcolm Smith 20 Valtos 3. Murdanie Macdonald 24 Valtos 4. Andrew Mackay 13 Kneep 5. Murdo Maclennan 36 Cliff 6. Norman Morrison 1 Ungeshader 7. Donald J Montgomery Islivig 8. Donald J Morrison 13 Reef 9. Malcolm Mackay 18 Valtos 10. William N Morrison 13 Reef 11. Angus Maclean 17 Valtos Middle Row:  12. Calum I Buchanan 7 Valtos 13. Norman A Maclean 17 Valtos [ » read more ]

Malcolm Maclennan, Calum Iain na Clibhe, 38 Cliff, who delivered to Carishader, Miavaig, Cliff, Valtos and Kneep on his bicycle.  (His bicycle may be one outside the post office in 1911 here.)  He worked as a postman for 60 years, finally retiring in 1960 at the age of 77.  Calum Iain received a certificate from the postmaster general and a letter from the new head postmaster in Stornoway: 1st Dec 1960 Dear Mr Maclennan I am indeed sorry to learn that through your present incapacity you feel that [ » read more ]

  New photos from Mairi Peigi Maclennan at Cliff.  Àirigh an Fhorsa (NB118227, behind Coduinn) was used by Valtos and Cliff, including for just two seasons after WW2.  In the pictures are William Maclennan 36 Cliff, Ann Matheson (Anna a’Bheiceir) and her brother Calum 39 Cliff and Chirsty Smith 21 Valtos.  

Excerpts from Stornoway Gazette, Local and District News (Uig) April 5th, 1918 FRIENDS FROM ACROSS THE SEA: One of the few pleasurable results of this terrible and miserable war is the occasional opportunity offered to friends and relations at home of meeting and welcoming friends and relations from beyond the seas – friends whom, in the ordinary course of events, they might never have then chance of seeing. Long ago many families from Uig and elsewhere were forcibly and unjustly ejected from their happy, if humble [ » read more ]

In years gone by, practically all the sheep belonging to Valtos and Cliff spent the winter on the hill grazings, out as far as the Morsgail boundary, but in those days they were all hardy Blackfaces. Nowadays some people are trying for bigger fatter lambs for the mainland market, and using Texel, Cheviot or Suffolk rams. Their offspring are not suitable for the hill so they are kept at home on the in-bye grazing. Towards the end of February those on the croft will need [ » read more ]