Stornoway Gazette Friday, 16 January 1920 WEST UIG MAIL SERVICE At a meeting held in Crowlista Public School, Miavaig, Lewis, on Tuesday, 30th December 1919 presided over by Col. Lindsay, Morsgail Lodge,Lord Leverhulme’s representative here, and attended by representatives from all the townships of West Uig, it was resolved to lay before the Postmaster General, their grievances and complaints with regard to the very unsatisfactory state of the mail service to and from Miavaig and Callanish. This is a grievance of long standing, but during [ » read more ]

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 ]

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 ]

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 ]

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 ]

Alexander Macleod was born in Balachladaich, Stoer, Assynt in 1786. In 1808 he entered King’s College, Aberdeen to study theology and his first post after completing his studies was tutoring the sons of a farmer in Skye. He evidently eloped with the farmer’s daughter, Margaret, which caused much indignation at the time but peace was later restored; there was no issue that we know of from this marriage. Tradition suggests Alexander may have been a cousin of Norman Macleod, the famous preacher who took his [ » 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 smithy was completely lifted off and fell just in front of a man who had been trying to get his boat secured. In Ardroil a milkmaid had scarcely cleared out [ » read more ]

The old post office was roughly opposite the harbour road, to the left of the Wilsons’ house.  Evidently all the initials still visible scratched in the door of the byre by the side of the road there were made by the boys hanging around for the post.

The place name Àite nan Ordaighean in Valtos Glen is still known today and a rough cairn is all that remains in this place of worship. Foot paths descending down the steep sides of the Glen to reach the place of worship are still visible. Those paths indicate the various directions from which many worshippers approached. People walked for miles to hear the gospel being preached in this sheltered spot.  There are few written records about the open air services in Glen Valtos but it [ » read more ]