Category Archives: Uncategorized

On Monday shortly after 11 o’clock the sirens and hooters began to blow, proclaiming the armistice. Tuesday was intimated as a Town holiday, so after the Bible lesson on Tues. morning we were off for the day. On the Monday evening there was a tea for the naval men at the hut. Mamma and I were down. Mr. Murray got me to say a few words on the occasion to the men. Then there was a sing-song and I believe they enjoyed themselves till eleven… Stornoway 14th Nov. 1918

Posted on November 11, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson relays accounts of the historic armistice, in both Stornoway, and as experienced in London by Jean’s cousin George. In sadder news, the Nicolson Institute has been closed in response to increasing influenza deaths. In lighter mood, Mr Gibson … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on On Monday shortly after 11 o’clock the sirens and hooters began to blow, proclaiming the armistice. Tuesday was intimated as a Town holiday, so after the Bible lesson on Tues. morning we were off for the day. On the Monday evening there was a tea for the naval men at the hut. Mamma and I were down. Mr. Murray got me to say a few words on the occasion to the men. Then there was a sing-song and I believe they enjoyed themselves till eleven… Stornoway 14th Nov. 1918

During the week we have had a very bad storm, which does not seem even yet to have quite blown itself out. Thursday night’s “Sheila” lay outside the lighthouse all night and only got in to the wharf at breakfast-time … The waves tore up a bit of the roadway opposite the Caledonian Hotel and seaweed is significantly strewed over the front every here and there. Our heating chamber at the Springfield Building has been flooded… Stornoway 10th Nov. 1918

Posted on November 10, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson tells of declining an appointment as a Justice of the Peace, and of a sudden and sad young death from influenza; there is still no word of Jean’s Canadian cousin George, and Barrie the cat is avoiding a … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on During the week we have had a very bad storm, which does not seem even yet to have quite blown itself out. Thursday night’s “Sheila” lay outside the lighthouse all night and only got in to the wharf at breakfast-time … The waves tore up a bit of the roadway opposite the Caledonian Hotel and seaweed is significantly strewed over the front every here and there. Our heating chamber at the Springfield Building has been flooded… Stornoway 10th Nov. 1918

This has been a whole day’s rain and the house has almost a moat at present I should say. – The storm here in dining room is fearsome tonight … Barrie would not go out in such a storm. Poor lil small! … Stornoway 7th Nov. 1918

Posted on November 4, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson gives a heartbreaking account of a widow whom she believes has died of grief; Mr Gibson has given a talk on “Sea travel” to the Literary Society, and Barrie the cat is unlikely to venture out into the … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on This has been a whole day’s rain and the house has almost a moat at present I should say. – The storm here in dining room is fearsome tonight … Barrie would not go out in such a storm. Poor lil small! … Stornoway 7th Nov. 1918

Johanna and another school cleaner have been hard at work putting in our peats. They are very wet indeed. Poor J. was nearly in tears several times with the stack falling down. She could not get it to stand. However they did manage to get the peats all round to the back and cleared the playground so that is good… Stornoway 30th Oct. 1918

Posted on October 28, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson sympathises with the school cleaners’ battles with a peat stack; she expresses cautious hopes for peace, and is about to rescue Barrie the cat who is out in a storm. The next in our series of letters from … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Johanna and another school cleaner have been hard at work putting in our peats. They are very wet indeed. Poor J. was nearly in tears several times with the stack falling down. She could not get it to stand. However they did manage to get the peats all round to the back and cleared the playground so that is good… Stornoway 30th Oct. 1918

The lectures on painting – very good indeed. Make the most of them by supplementing by visits to the Gallery. Frequent visits to one good picture by a particular artist is better than general looking over a number of pictures. I remember a Turner of my youth I used to visit in the Glasgow gallery. Last time I saw it the colours had faded badly – that was one of Turner’s weaknesses I understand, his carelessness of permanency – but my picture was still vivid as of old… Stornoway 27th Oct. 1918

Posted on October 21, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson gives Jean advice on art appreciation; he has also been digging his allotment, and communing with Barrie the cat. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection held by Museum nan Eilean. Please get … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on The lectures on painting – very good indeed. Make the most of them by supplementing by visits to the Gallery. Frequent visits to one good picture by a particular artist is better than general looking over a number of pictures. I remember a Turner of my youth I used to visit in the Glasgow gallery. Last time I saw it the colours had faded badly – that was one of Turner’s weaknesses I understand, his carelessness of permanency – but my picture was still vivid as of old… Stornoway 27th Oct. 1918

Katie Pope … was telling me that at Mrs. Hector Ross’ sale yesterday the furniture etc made £170. Miss Maggie Robertson paid 27/6 for a pair of old jugs! and there were other fancy prices. Poor old Mrs. Ross! it is a pity she didn’t leave her possessions to those who had been good to her. Her nephew pocketed the proceeds and withdrew. It was quite a nice little wind-fall for him. He even took all her little bits of jewelry away with him… Stornoway 24th Oct. 1918

Posted on October 14, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson has had difficulties with a ration book. She also raises an eyebrow at an undeserving inheritor, and gives Jean advice about how to avoid the flu. The next in our series of letters from the W.J. Gibson collection … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Katie Pope … was telling me that at Mrs. Hector Ross’ sale yesterday the furniture etc made £170. Miss Maggie Robertson paid 27/6 for a pair of old jugs! and there were other fancy prices. Poor old Mrs. Ross! it is a pity she didn’t leave her possessions to those who had been good to her. Her nephew pocketed the proceeds and withdrew. It was quite a nice little wind-fall for him. He even took all her little bits of jewelry away with him… Stornoway 24th Oct. 1918

We got your telegram this morning and were glad to know that you had arrived safely. We took it that your “white elephant” meant your luggage, though it is difficult to regard a trunk as being an elephant (groans!)… Stornoway 10th Oct. 1918

Posted on October 7, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson tells Jean a terrible “Dad” joke; Barrie the cat has gone out for a little walk so has not sent a message.  Lack of news from the War Office about an acquaintance is causing concern. The next in … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on We got your telegram this morning and were glad to know that you had arrived safely. We took it that your “white elephant” meant your luggage, though it is difficult to regard a trunk as being an elephant (groans!)… Stornoway 10th Oct. 1918

Aleck Thomson and Jane called on Wed. evening, after having been at the Castle garden party. We made ceilidh and learned a good deal about the fighting. Aleck is wearing the M.C., O.C.M, and Mons ribbons – the last the first I had seen… Stornoway 15th Sep. 1918

Posted on September 23, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson describes a visit during which he observes a Mons ribbon medal, and hears news of fighting. Cousin George has been hospitalised with the flu; Barrie the cat maintains his schedule of snoozing. The next in our series of … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Aleck Thomson and Jane called on Wed. evening, after having been at the Castle garden party. We made ceilidh and learned a good deal about the fighting. Aleck is wearing the M.C., O.C.M, and Mons ribbons – the last the first I had seen… Stornoway 15th Sep. 1918

At to-day’s meeting Willie B., Willie Payne, and Frank Maciver were present. Poor Frank is very far from well – he was badly gassed and his eyes and chest are still suffering… Barrie is fairly well, and at present curled up on the cat-board. … Stornoway, 4th Jul. 1918

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson laments the lack of equal gender representation at a Masonic concert. He also describes the unfortunate after-effects of gassing on the wellbeing of an acquaintance; Barrie the cat, however, is in reasonable health. The next in our series … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on At to-day’s meeting Willie B., Willie Payne, and Frank Maciver were present. Poor Frank is very far from well – he was badly gassed and his eyes and chest are still suffering… Barrie is fairly well, and at present curled up on the cat-board. … Stornoway, 4th Jul. 1918

Dr. Rennie, Mr. Lang and Mr. Patrick were here over the week end and left on Tuesday night. Mr. Patrick is just as slow and deliberate as ever and put class after class to sleep. It is difficult to think of him having been a teacher…Stornoway 20th June, 1918

Posted on July 29, 2022 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson laments the soporific teaching style of a visitor, and fears that a picnic planned at Arnish may be rained off. Battery boys are home from Salonika, and there is ongoing disgruntlement at the appointment of the new Nicolson … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Dr. Rennie, Mr. Lang and Mr. Patrick were here over the week end and left on Tuesday night. Mr. Patrick is just as slow and deliberate as ever and put class after class to sleep. It is difficult to think of him having been a teacher…Stornoway 20th June, 1918