Recent Notes from Lochcroistean …and all the rest of them here. Photos from Lochcroistean Add to biscuit tin

Our wedding collection is growing slowly but surely, and new in today are 1960s wedding telegrams and some lovely photos. Most will be on display in the tearoom within a week or two but meanwhile… Mrs and Mrs Kenny Maclennan, 15 Kneep (Coinneach a’ Loin and Agnes Smith, Lochcroistean – above) were married 22 Nov 1962 at Baile na Cille church, with the reception at the Crown Hotel in Stornoway. Agnes and Kenny’s wedding was also the occasion for which am Bard Bochd wrote Banais [ » read more ]

Lochcroistean School, c1928. Teachers Annie Macaulay 35 Cliff and Donald Macarthur, Carloway. Back Row:1. Angus Hugh Smith, 2 Carishader 2. Angus John Macdonald, 6 Carishader 3. Donald Macritchie, 4 Enaclete 4. Donald John Mackay, 6 Geshader 5. Malcolm John Smith, 2 Ungeshader 6. Donald Smith, 2 Ungeshader 7. Donald Gillies, 9 Carishader 8. John M Macdonald, 6 Enaclete 9. Norman Macdonald, 12 Carishader 2nd Row: 10. Peter Macleod, 9 Enaclete 11. Murdina Maclean, 3 Geshader & Hushinish 12. Peggy Macleod, 10 Geshader 13. Johan Matheson, [ » read more ]

New pictures for our collection; thanks to Mary Macleod, Lochcroistean.

[Audio clip: view full post to listen] Verses written by Norman “Conter” Macleod, am Bard Bochd and for many years headmaster at Lochcroistean, on the occasion of the marriage of Agnes Smith, Lochcroistean, to Kenny Maclennan, 15 Kneep.  It was sung at the wedding by Kenny Dan Smith, 2 Ungeshader; and the reading here is by Finlay Maciver Carishader (click the arrow). O, nach sinne fhuair an t-urram Bhon a’ chruinneig uasal bhòidheach, Thog ar cridhe le a cuireadh Bhith ‘na cuideachd aig a pòsadh. [ » read more ]

Marianne hosted a lovely evening for about forty past pupils of Lochcroistean school, and their spouses, on the 130th anniversary of the opening of the school. If the slideshow isn’t working for you, the pictures are also in the Gallery.

Next month marks 130 years since Lochcroistean School was first opened, under the first headmaster, John Smith from Valtos, and accommodating children from the bays district:  Enaclete, Ungeshader, Geshader and Carishader.  The first entries in the school log: Thursday 5th June 1879 School was opened by the Rev John Campbell F. Ch. Minister with prayer. Present Mr Mackay, Chairman and Mr Kenneth Macleod, member, of the School Board. A great number of the Parents were present, and addressed by Rev Mr Campbell and the Chairman, [ » read more ]

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 ]

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 ]

Thanks to Murdag, and to Finlay for the identification.

From Rev William Matheson’s “History of the Families of Lewis – Smith” published under the pseudonym Mac Gille Chaluim in the Stornoway Gazette in the late 1950s.  See a further story of Calum Olach here. There was a noted family of Smiths of Valtos, Uig, for whom it has been claimed that they were of the Smiths of Earshader, but the connection is not clear.  [The supposed connection will be the subject of a future postng.] The first of them on record is Calum Bàn, [ » read more ]

From the Highland News, 30 August 1913; we’ve already had the fundraising concert and the domestic prizes: The West Uig and Bernera Crofters’ Show was held at Lochcroistean School on Wednesday the 20th August, under most favourable auspices, the day being sunny and warm and in every way pleasant for the great concourse of people who had assembled to witness the splended display of stock and work brought together. The judging commenced at noon, and th judges had an arduous task in awarding the prizes. [ » read more ]

Domestic and Vegetable prizes at the Uig Crofters’ Show in August 1913. Oatcake: 1. Mrs Andrew Mackay 23 Valtos 2. Mrs John Macleod 10 Geshader 3. Miss Kate Macleod 1 Enaclete Scones: 1. Mrs John Macdonald 11 Geshader 2. Miss Margaret Macleod 8 Geshader 3. Mrs Finlayson Ardroil Butter (salt): 1. Mrs Finlayson Ardroil 2. Mrs Donald Macleod 8 Geshader 3. Mrs Henderson Breaclete Potatoes: 1. Peter Maclean 3 Ungeshader [legendary! -Ed.] 2. Malcolm Macleod, Crowlista School 3. Neil Mackay, Crowlista

Joseph L O’Hara was headmaster at Lochcroistean School from 10 January 1894 to November 1899. He was popular with the pupils and well liked by the community, but when asked to remain, he replied that not even if Loch Croistean were full of whisky and Ollashol made of tobacco would he stay on in Uig. From these entries in the school log it seems he was very industrious in religious instruction: 4 July 1894 Report on Religious Instruction, June 1894 Singing is taught with success. Memory work [ » read more ]