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 ]

A number of archaeological finds collected by the McVean family in Uig and handed to Museum nan Eilean for Treasure Trove are on loan to Uig Museum and currently on display. Several of the artefacts were found at Mealista eroding from a midden on the beach.  There is a bronze-age barbed and tanged arrowhead made of flint (1800BC-800BC), which is large compared to others found in the Western Isles and may have been imported. Flint does not occur locally other than as beach pebbles left behind as [ » read more ]

From Gerard Lemmens, who, with his wife, Gillian Lesley Lemmens nee Macleod (great grand daughter of Rev George Macleod of Garrabost), is writing a book about her aunt, entitled “Anna Macleod – from Daughter of the Manse to Professor of Brewing”. Gerard is interested in the genealogy of the Macleods of Pabbay (see also his website) and particularly in the male and female descendants of the following line: XIV. Iain Ruadh Macleod (1692-1770) “John McEan Vic Gillichalum”, recorded in Borrowston as tenant in 1763 and [ » 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 ]

Having been on the losing side in the Jacobite rising of 1715, the Seaforths had to forfeit their lands to the Crown. These were then administered by a body of Commissioners for a number of years (though the Seaforths were eventually allowed to buy them back, because no other buyer could be found.) It appears that, for some years after the etates had been forfeited, the tenants continued to pay rent to the exiled chief of the Seaforth Clan; but in 1725, whilst the estates [ » read more ]

From Donald Macdonald, Tales and Traditions of the Lews: Around 1840 there were four families living on Pabbay, and prominent among them was one of the old soldiers of Uig, the Sergeant Mòr, a son of Tormod Mòr Maciver of Beirghe (Reef). These old soldiers used to be given a small sum to act as coast watchers, etc, to the customs authorities of the day. It seems a ship put into the shelter of Pabbay, and the sailors, on coming ashore, disclosed to the islanders [ » 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 ]

Commentary by Shonnie; video by Keith. I can’t tell you how much I love this. Anthea and Dòmhnall Calum wrote up some similar detail here.

  NB 10447 37700. The remains of a small church known as St Peter’s Church, on Traigh na Cille, Pabbay Mòr, in Loch Roag. The surviving fabric is mediaeval in date but the Pabbay place-name would suggest that there has been an early medieval church somewhere on the island. A few plain marker stones are visible in the turf of the surrounding mounded slope. The presence of a cemetery is therefore almost certain (and confirms local tradition.) The underlying mound also indicates that, as one [ » 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 ]