Rev Aulay Macaulay and Tarmod Cleireach

Friday, February 26th, 2010

The Reverend Aulay Macaulay was born in Brenish in 1669, son of Dugald, grandson of Angus Beag Macaulay, he of the big stone and the critical wife, and brother of Donald Òg.  Aulay started his career in Tiree and Coll and was minister at Scarista, Harris from 1712 until his ...

On the trail of the Uilleam Dubh

Friday, February 5th, 2010

[singlepic=1073,387] The Uilleam Dubh on the pier at Hushinish; photo by John J Maclennan. This little story revealed itself in stages: thanks to John J Maclennan especially, and to Finlay Maciver, Shonnie Buchanan and Calum Maclennan Govig for piecing it together.  The Uilleam Dubh has been a Scarp boat for many years, ...

The Centenerian

Saturday, May 23rd, 2009

From the Inverness Courier of 25 March 1846: A correspondent has favoured us with some further particulars relative to the late patriarchal Celt, John Martin, who died at Urgay [Urgha], Island of Harris, at the ripe ate of 112. The old man was able to walk about till within twenty-four hours ...

Nurse Ruadh, Annie Maclean

Thursday, March 12th, 2009

[singlepic=585,426] Annie Maclean, Nurse Ruadh, was born to 12 Crowlista in 1872 and served as district nurse in Uig before taking up the post in Tarbert, where she worked until her death in 1940, and was much loved.  The following is from the Stornoway Gazette: It was with deep regret that we ...

Donald Òg Macaulay of Brenish, Part I

Monday, January 19th, 2009

Donald Òg was the younger of two sons called Donald, born to Dugald Macaulay, tacksman of Brenish, in the late 17th century; he was the great-grandson of Domhnall Càm. Rev William Matheson's columns on the Macaulays, published in the Gazette in the 1950s, include several stories about Donald Òg drawn ...

The Lewis-Harris Boundary Dispute I: 1805

Saturday, October 25th, 2008

The unclear demarcation of the boundary between the estates of Lewis and Harris was the cause for two sets of hearings in 1805 and 1850. The 1805 enquiry was pursued by Alexander Hume, Esquire of Harris, against the Right Honourable Francis, Lord Seaforth.  This was a judicial enquiry with local ...

Calum Mòr’s Family

Wednesday, September 10th, 2008

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 ...

Martins of Uig

Sunday, September 7th, 2008

There have been very few Martins in Uig over the last two hundred years, but Martins in other parts of Lewis and Harris can trace their line back to the district. Lewis Maciver, Tacksman of Gress, was in Uig on business when he came across a poor widow and her ...

Uig at Home to Harris, 1949

Thursday, August 7th, 2008

From the Gazette, 22 July 1949: Football:-- On Wednesday, 6th July, uig completed their home league programme when Harris visited Ardroil. The home team quickly went ahead from a well-placed shot from Mackay which gave the Harris goalkeeper no chance.  The Uig forwards were well supplied with the ball, and it was ...

Miavaig

Saturday, July 19th, 2008

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 ...

Days Out from Uig

Thursday, July 17th, 2008

Excursions to Harris and Ness, late 1980s (?).  Click to enlarge. [gallery]

Letter from Alexander Macrae Scaliscro to Seaforth, 1833

Wednesday, July 9th, 2008

Photo by Chris Murray. This letter was written by a clerk for Alexander Macrae who signed it in his own hand.  He was tenant of Scaliscro from about 1830 until his death from fever in January 1839.  He was known in Uig as 'an Ciopair Ban', the fair shepherd, and was the first ...