Category Archives: Uncategorized

Colmcille 1500 (English)

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Today marks the day that St Columba died. The effect he and many other Christian saints had on the islands can still be seen whether this is through early Christian sites still standing or through placenames. It is also 1500 … Continue reading →

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Colmcille 1500

Posted on June 9, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Bhàsaich Naoimh Colmcille air ann latha seo ann an 597AD ach tha a’ bhuaidh a thug an duine seo agus na daoine Crìosdail eile fhathast ri fhaicinn anns na h-Eileanan an Iar eadar eaglaisean is ainmean- àite. Air a’ bhliadhna … Continue reading →

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Mamma was baking loaves to-day. The bakers bread has been so sour, that she felt it wd. be good for us to have a change. She was also busy cutting up rhubarb for preserving. She has actually got a stone of sugar for the purpose – how’s that for richness? We got word to-day that our peats for next winter have been cut; Mr. Matheson of Benadrove – Isabella’s father – is very kindly making the arrangements for us… Stornoway, 28th June. 1917

Posted on April 9, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

In Mr Gibson’s letter this week, he is busy making travel plans for when Jean finishes her studies for the summer, as well as reporting on the various meetings and social visits he and Mrs Gibson have had this week. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mamma was baking loaves to-day. The bakers bread has been so sour, that she felt it wd. be good for us to have a change. She was also busy cutting up rhubarb for preserving. She has actually got a stone of sugar for the purpose – how’s that for richness? We got word to-day that our peats for next winter have been cut; Mr. Matheson of Benadrove – Isabella’s father – is very kindly making the arrangements for us… Stornoway, 28th June. 1917

Mrs. Menzies and Miss Dean came home to tea with me. On Thursday I was at afternoon tea with Miss Angus. On Friday Alick Thomson and John Allan Maciver (an engineer in the British India line married to a sister of Murdo Morison H.M.I.) came in before Papa got home to tea and stayed with us for the meal and an hour or two’s talk… Stornoway, 24th June. 1917

Posted on April 2, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

It has been a busy week for Mrs Gibson as she fills in Jean with all the latest news on numerous social visits and meetings she has had, as well as more tragic news from the war effort. The next … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Mrs. Menzies and Miss Dean came home to tea with me. On Thursday I was at afternoon tea with Miss Angus. On Friday Alick Thomson and John Allan Maciver (an engineer in the British India line married to a sister of Murdo Morison H.M.I.) came in before Papa got home to tea and stayed with us for the meal and an hour or two’s talk… Stornoway, 24th June. 1917

Did we mention that Mr. Roderick Macrae’s mother died last week? He was allowed home for the funeral and was in seeing us last night before going south again. He is now in Yorkshire and is liking the training quite well. He is specialising as a range-finder. Edward Mackenzie also has been home for a few days and is now entering on his cadet training. He was in to see us… Stornoway, 21st June. 1917

Posted on March 26, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Mr Gibson brings news of a local bereavement which sees the son, who was away at war, coming home to attend the funeral. He has also had a visit from another man who is home on leave this week. Mr … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Did we mention that Mr. Roderick Macrae’s mother died last week? He was allowed home for the funeral and was in seeing us last night before going south again. He is now in Yorkshire and is liking the training quite well. He is specialising as a range-finder. Edward Mackenzie also has been home for a few days and is now entering on his cadet training. He was in to see us… Stornoway, 21st June. 1917

Papa and I were round the Target Hill this afternoon. Broad Bay was that Reckitt’s blue which always surprises one afresh and looked as peaceful as if there were no such things as submarines. We are to have a torpedo destroyer flotilla at Sy. now. I think it is high time too. There are quite a number in harbour today… Stornoway, 17th June. 1917

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

In her latest letter, Mrs Gibson fills Jean in on all the people she has visited and entertained this week, including a gentleman who is home on leave, and reports on the new torpedo destroyer flotilla they are to have … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on Papa and I were round the Target Hill this afternoon. Broad Bay was that Reckitt’s blue which always surprises one afresh and looked as peaceful as if there were no such things as submarines. We are to have a torpedo destroyer flotilla at Sy. now. I think it is high time too. There are quite a number in harbour today… Stornoway, 17th June. 1917

New ‘Sònraichte’ Project Collections Officer

Posted on March 15, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Hi! I’m Samantha, the new ‘Sònraichte’ Project Collections Officer. I want to take the opportunity to introduce myself to the community so that you have a little idea of what brought me to the Outer Hebrides and what I’m planning … Continue reading →

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As all our photographic experts are away, I offered to take some snapshots of the sixth that they might not be without a 1917 picture. They turned out not so badly for a first effort at a group. I am enclosing two… Stornoway, 14th June. 1917

Posted on March 12, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

In Mr Gibson’s letter this week, we see an interesting mention of Miss Angus’s new sphagnum moss picking company. During WW1, people all over the UK were collecting ‘bog moss’ for its antiseptic and wound dressing properties. Mr Gibson also … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on As all our photographic experts are away, I offered to take some snapshots of the sixth that they might not be without a 1917 picture. They turned out not so badly for a first effort at a group. I am enclosing two… Stornoway, 14th June. 1917

I was speaking to Jeanie Craig on Saturday night. No news of Archie! She is going away soon, to S. Shields I think, where her husband has taken a furnished house. She has anoth-er baby now and her mother is going south with her for the change and to help her with the babies. It will be better for her than brooding at home… Stornoway, 11th June. 1917

Posted on March 5, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

Mrs Gibson writes to Jean this week about the rushed wedding of a local girl to a young service man, and reports on the worried families of two local men who seem to be missing in action. There has also … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I was speaking to Jeanie Craig on Saturday night. No news of Archie! She is going away soon, to S. Shields I think, where her husband has taken a furnished house. She has anoth-er baby now and her mother is going south with her for the change and to help her with the babies. It will be better for her than brooding at home… Stornoway, 11th June. 1917

I had a postcard from Mr. Donald Maclean, who is now an artillery man in the south of Eng-land. He was to be put on for a course of signalling, but first they gave him a test in dictation. First Class Hons. in English was not sufficient! Oh, sapient military authorities! He is stand-ing the life all right, he says… Stornoway, 6th June. 1917

Posted on February 26, 2021 by Archivist (Editor)

This week, Mr Gibson has news regarding a local man who is now an artillery man in the South of England, and he proudly passes on the latest from a former Nicolson student who is studying in Aberdeen. Mr Gibson … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Comments Off on I had a postcard from Mr. Donald Maclean, who is now an artillery man in the south of Eng-land. He was to be put on for a course of signalling, but first they gave him a test in dictation. First Class Hons. in English was not sufficient! Oh, sapient military authorities! He is stand-ing the life all right, he says… Stornoway, 6th June. 1917