Author Archives: Archivist (Editor)

The Orrocks have had a great deal of property stolen and their house is simply wrecked, not a whole panel in any door. The navy men seem to have run amok. It would have been much better had it been burned. Doubtless Lord Leverhulme will see to his agent’s better housing when he comes… Stornoway, 6th March. 1918

Posted on January 21, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

This week, Mrs Gibson writes to Jean regarding further news of the Stornoway fire. One of the residents of the building unfortunately had some furniture stolen, and potentially misplaced some of Lady Matheson’s jewels. The weather continues to be extremely … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The Orrocks have had a great deal of property stolen and their house is simply wrecked, not a whole panel in any door. The navy men seem to have run amok. It would have been much better had it been burned. Doubtless Lord Leverhulme will see to his agent’s better housing when he comes… Stornoway, 6th March. 1918

Papa has gone out to a meeting of his library comtee to see what can be done in the circumstances “to carry on”. He thinks they ought at least to get temporary premises and continue the reading room. He also is anxious to know what is to be done for a home for the poor Stevens… Stornoway, 4th March. 1918

Posted on January 14, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

News of the fire in Stornoway continues in Mrs Gibson’s letter to Jean this week. Mr Gibson has been at a meeting to try and see what can be done to help the situation. Mrs Gibson also reports to Jean … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Papa has gone out to a meeting of his library comtee to see what can be done in the circumstances “to carry on”. He thinks they ought at least to get temporary premises and continue the reading room. He also is anxious to know what is to be done for a home for the poor Stevens… Stornoway, 4th March. 1918

Mamma and I had had tea early & were getting ready to go down to the reading- room to have our usual look at the pictures, when from one of the front windows we saw some smoke rising over the house roofs…we were just in time to see from the lavatory window the flames rush up and wrap the little clock tower. Through the flames we could see the hands still pointing to the time, then they dropped. Then the dial dropped bodily, and a minute or two afterwards the tower toppled over sideways… Stornoway, 3rd March. 1918

Posted on December 24, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

The Gibson’s have unfortunate news for Jean this week. On the 2nd March 1918, Stornoway suffered a great fire in which the municipal buildings (where the modern Town Hall stands) were completely burned down. The building was only opened 13 … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mamma and I had had tea early & were getting ready to go down to the reading- room to have our usual look at the pictures, when from one of the front windows we saw some smoke rising over the house roofs…we were just in time to see from the lavatory window the flames rush up and wrap the little clock tower. Through the flames we could see the hands still pointing to the time, then they dropped. Then the dial dropped bodily, and a minute or two afterwards the tower toppled over sideways… Stornoway, 3rd March. 1918

Last night about seven when we were just finishing tea Maud’s Mother came to borrow some coal. It seems there is none in town and no peats to be had either… Papa says they have only one day’s supply in school. And to cap it the weather has become bitterly cold with gales from the north bringing snow and hail… The Claymore used to bring some coal but she has gone ashore on Goat Island with 2000 barrels of fresh herrings in her and can’t be got off… Stornoway, 28th February. 1918

Posted on December 17, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

In her letter to Jean this week, Mrs Gibson reports on the local shortage of both coal and peat for the fires. This is particularly bad news as the weather seems to have taken a turn for the worse again. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Last night about seven when we were just finishing tea Maud’s Mother came to borrow some coal. It seems there is none in town and no peats to be had either… Papa says they have only one day’s supply in school. And to cap it the weather has become bitterly cold with gales from the north bringing snow and hail… The Claymore used to bring some coal but she has gone ashore on Goat Island with 2000 barrels of fresh herrings in her and can’t be got off… Stornoway, 28th February. 1918

British Museum Knowledge Exchange: part three

Posted on December 16, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Blythe House. By Docben via Wikimedia Commons Background During November 2021, Caroline Brick, who co-ordinates the Hebridean Connections digital community archive at Museum nan Eilean, spent a week at the British Museum in London as part of its Knowledge Exchange programme. This professional … Continue reading →

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An Iron Age Atlantic Roundhouse: Dunan Ruadh, Pabbay

Posted on December 14, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Atlantic Roundhouses There’s something unique about the archaeology of the Iron Age in Scotland: the Atlantic Roundhouse. These are unique to the landscapes of NW Scotland, a dry-stone structure (which means no use of any type of mortar or binding … Continue reading →

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British Museum Knowledge Exchange: part two

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Background During November 2021, Caroline Brick, who co-ordinates the Hebridean Connections digital community archive at Museum nan Eilean, spent a week at the British Museum in London as part of its Knowledge Exchange programme. This professional programme is funded by … Continue reading →

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To a person like you with the “ancient and fishlike smell” (See “The Tempest”) of Stornoway so familiar Fishery Problems should come as almost old friends. Identification you’ll be able to practise at the head of No. 2 Wharf when you come home. Prices are very high still, 7d. per lb. for cod and ling, when they can be got. A new Fishery Problem for Dr. Fulton – to say how it can be reduced! … Stornoway, 24th February. 1918

Posted on December 10, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

In this week’s letter, Mr Gibson is pleased to have had all the latest on Jean’s classes and discusses them with great enthusiasm. He provides Jean with updates on several lads who are away at war, and there’s also a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on To a person like you with the “ancient and fishlike smell” (See “The Tempest”) of Stornoway so familiar Fishery Problems should come as almost old friends. Identification you’ll be able to practise at the head of No. 2 Wharf when you come home. Prices are very high still, 7d. per lb. for cod and ling, when they can be got. A new Fishery Problem for Dr. Fulton – to say how it can be reduced! … Stornoway, 24th February. 1918

British Museum Knowledge Exchange: part one

Posted on December 6, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Background During November 2021, Caroline Brick, who co-ordinates the Hebridean Connections digital community archive at Museum and Tasglann nan Eilean, spent a week at the British Museum in London as part of its Knowledge Exchange programme. This professional programme is … Continue reading →

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We are having some dreadful storms here with a fine day between. Yesterday I was out working in the garden for an hour in the afternoon. This morning there was a thin layer of snow and tonight the wind and rain are powerful. Poor Mrs. Maclean, the provost’s wife, was buried today and the people must have been drenched. It was a huge funeral. Poor Mrs. Maclean had a long time of suffering and utter weakness and must be glad to be at rest. She was a nice kind woman and will be much missed I am sure… Stornoway, 21st February. 1918

Posted on December 3, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

This week was the funeral of the Provost’s wife, and Mrs Gibson reports on a large turnout for her despite the poor weather. Mr Gibson had a visit from one of the local lads who is currently home on leave, … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on We are having some dreadful storms here with a fine day between. Yesterday I was out working in the garden for an hour in the afternoon. This morning there was a thin layer of snow and tonight the wind and rain are powerful. Poor Mrs. Maclean, the provost’s wife, was buried today and the people must have been drenched. It was a huge funeral. Poor Mrs. Maclean had a long time of suffering and utter weakness and must be glad to be at rest. She was a nice kind woman and will be much missed I am sure… Stornoway, 21st February. 1918