A letter from the minister at Baile na Cille, Norman Morrison, to a committee of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, dated 15th October 1749. Reverend Sir, In return to the queries sent to us from your committee appointed by the late General Assembly for preparing a plan for the augmentation of ministers’ stipends as far as they concern this Parish of Uig, the following report serves to inform you:- First. That the stipends of this Parish of Uig amount to 800 marks [ » read more ]

The renowned naturalist William MacGillivray was born in Aberdeen in 1796 and studied and worked most of his life there or in Edinburgh, but he had a Harris connection through his father and spent much of his childhood at Northton in South Harris (where the MacGillivray Centre now bears his name). As a young man, he returned to spend 1817-1818 there, and his diaries of that period have been published as A Hebridean Naturalist’s Journal (Acair 1996). In October of 1817 he and a party [ » read more ]

Place names in Enaclete and the surrounding area, mapped by Finlay and Kenny Maciver.  They did Geshader too and you may like to compare the Ordnance Survey map. 1. Airigh Dhubh 23. Caol Loch 2. Loch Croistean 24. Druim Mor 3. Loch a’ Phealair Beag 25. Loch nan Learg a Tuath 4. Old Sheilings 26. Cnoc a’ Charnain 5. Tom nan Laogh 27. Druim na Cloiche Moire 6. Loch na Craobhaig 28. Giarol 7. Loch na Craobhaige Moire 29. Druim a’ Charnain 8. Loch Mor [ » read more ]

From West Over Sea by DDC Pochin Mould, 1953. To go to Uig is to go to a different country from the rest of the Lews, to go from the moors into the mountains, to the great massif which, with the Forest of Harris, builds the highest ground in the Outer Hebrides. It is only 32 miles from Stornoway to Uig, but the single-track road, which is untarred beyond the turn to Bernera, makes the way seem much further. It turns off at Garynahine on [ » read more ]

Key placenames and landmarks around the township of Geshader, the inlet to Little Loch Roag (the Sruth, next to #18), and the deserted settlement at Strome, as prepared by Finlay and Kenneth Maciver.  There are many more placenames, which we’ll publish once we’ve worked out how best to present them; meanwhile there’s Enaclete too.  Compare to the Ordnance Survey map. 1. Floday 2. Beinn a’Ghlinne Ruaidh 3. Creagan Gorm 4. Rainacleit 5. Druim Ban Gil an Aon Duine 6. Ollashal 7. Sheaval 8. Orcleit an [ » read more ]

This report from Hansard, the official report of debates in the House of Commons, dates from December 1893 and refers to illegal steam trawling in Loch Roag and, at least nominal, interest in defending the rights of local fishermen, preferably without requiring them to take three days out to testify in Stornoway.  This is the first I’ve heard of this but we’ll try to find more detail. MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty) I beg to ask the Secretary for Scotland whether proceedings have been taken [ » read more ]

From Sanais, 1988, with some additions. The first school in the Western Isles was founded shortly after 1610, when the Seaforth Mackenzies gained possession of the island, and in 1680, a report by ‘Indweller’ says that the Seaforth school had done much good, not only for Lewis but also for the adjacent isles.  It was the ‘the great good of gentlemen’s sons and daughters and to the comfort and good of the people’.  Martin Martin reported in 1695 that English and Latin were taught. In [ » read more ]

In 1851 several shiploads of emigrants left Lewis for Canada.  The arrival and departure of the Barlow was delayed for a month, causing desperation amongst the prospective emigrants, but she eventually sailed at the end of June from Loch Roag.  The following is from the Diary of John Munro Mackenzie, Chamberlain of the Lews. Wednesday 18 June Sent Express to Harris to tell Revd Mr McLean of the sailing of the “Barlow” and cart for his luggage – Went to the Custom House to arrange [ » read more ]

A further entry from the 1851 Diary of John Munro Mackenzie, enumerating his difficulties in getting the emigrants away.  They sailed first for Troon, and thence for Quebec.  It seems the Marquis of Stafford that took them to Canada was a steamer, unless the reference here refers to another boat that transfered them to Troon first (although when she first arrived in Loch Roag, Mackenzie records being on board the Marquis.) Tuesday 20 May Arrived at the Port of Ness at 3am having had rather a [ » read more ]

At the end of April 1851, following his tour of the island to assess the number of tenants who were to be helped to emigrate to Canada,  the Chamberlain John Munro Mackenzie travelled to Glasgow, in the company of Sir James Matheson and his wife who were proceeding to London, to make the arrangements.  Mackenzie had considerable difficulty finding ships to engage, but had secured the Marquis of Stafford to take 500 emigrants, many of them from Uig, and also bought bread, meal, tinware and bedding, and tried to arrange a [ » read more ]

From the Scottish Highlander, 4 September 1885. The main island in question was Pabbay and the tacksman who claimed it was James Mackenzie, Linshader. This was one of several instances of revolt in Uig in the 1880; see also the 1884 episode: The Women of Uig Victorious in a Sea Fight. Nearly the whole male population of Lewis being absent from home at the fishings on the East Coast and Shetland, the Uig tacksmen arranged to take repossession of the disputed Uig islands which the [ » read more ]

Pictures from our Comann Eachdraidh outing to Strome.  A strupag to get started, then we split up:  some went up the hill, some went to the famous wall and attempted to find the burial ground and some went to Drovinish.  We convened again for sausages, watermelon and tea… all in all a fabulous day.   Many thanks to Anna for organising, Murray and Hannah at Seatrek for taking us out, and everyone for coming.   With any luck my fellow excursionists will send me some more pictures to post.

(picture of Valtos and Kneep by Chris Murray) An Dotair Ruadh, Donald Macaulay, seventh in line from Dòmhnall Càm, was the son of Dòmhnall mac Sheorais, the tacksman of Linshader who himself became something of a legend because of his size and strength. His son has come down in tradition as equally renowned, but for being something of a chancer. He was a brother of Lily Macaulay who married Rev Robert Finlayson of Lochs, and it seems was also a cousin of Mac an t-Sronaich. [ » read more ]

Highland News, Monday 13 October, 1884: The Northern Chronicle publishes the following sensational statement which we trust is somewhat exaggerated:– Mr Wm Mackay, Chamberlain of the Lews, has for some time back been engaged in visiting the different parts of the island for the purpose of collecting rents.  On Monday last week [30 September 1884] he left for Uig, the people of which district were expected, as customary, to come forward and pay their rents on the following day.  The Chamberlain was at Miavaig on Tuesday, [ » read more ]

Members and their guests are invited to join us for an outing with Seatrek to Strome on Thursday 24 July, to have a look at the village and shielings there.  The itinerary is flexible and may take in some islands in Loch Roag.  £10; depart from Miavaig at 10am with Seatrek – weather permitting, of course.  Bring a picnic.  Booking is essential and for now is restricted to members of the Comann Eachdraidh and their guests.  Please contact Sarah or ring Anna (672413) to book.  Nearer [ » read more ]