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- I am just in from the meeting of the school Literary Society. They had a Gaelic debate: “Has emigration been beneficial to the Highlands?” They went into it with great vim and seemed to enjoy it greatly. Several times it resolved itself into little duels in which there seemed to be excellent bits which brought down the house, and retort would follow retort to everybody’s delight… The affirmative won by 35 votes to 14; some did not vote… Stornoway, 28th Feb. 1917
- There have been some fine catches of herring this last week, one day 5000 crans. The Minch has been getting “swept” and the mail-boat is running regularly. Oatmeal scarce; we have had to fall back temporarily on Quaker oats… Stornoway 22nd Feb 1917
- This week’s letter highlights a difficult truth which is very pertinent, given that it is Black History Month. In the course of transcribing the letters we occasionally encounter racist language which is extremely offensive and considered abhorrent today. The fact that a highly educated woman like Mrs Gibson would use this particularly horrible word in such a context reflects the racist ideas prevalent in Britain at this time. We thought carefully about whether to publish this letter on the blog, but we feel it is important not to cover up the past and that we should bring it out into the open, as the attitudes of people in the past are an important part of the historical record. In another sentence of the letter there is a reference to insanity in a particular family. We have not revealed the family’s identity in case this causes distress to any descendants.
- I had letters this week from Wm. B. Macdonald, who is with a battery in France and has had one or two narrow escapes, from J. W. Matheson, in Salonika, and from Alick Thomson, in the training camp at Gailes. He is enjoying the change from the trench-mud. Did I mention that Simon Mackenzie, who has been on a minesweeper off the west coast of Ireland, is now home, discharged on account of his health?… Stornoway, 15th Feb. 1917
- He told us of a mule who had a spite against a man and waited patiently for an opportunity to pay him out [get revenge]. One day the man was grooming the third mule from his enemy. The watchful one saw his chance and laid the man out with a kick delivered below the bellies of the two intervening mules. What do you think of that? E. says they never forget anybody who has beaten them…Stornoway, 9th Feb. 1917
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Monthly Archives: October 2010
Halloween photo: Teampall Mholuidh
The photo above shows St. Moluag’s temple in Europie during its restoration in 1912. The origin of the temple is unclear, one theory suggests it was built by the son of a Scandinavian king, who converted to Christianity and wanted … Continue reading
Friday photoblog
Instead of a photo I thought that this week I would look at few fantastic websites that make use of Rephotography. Rephotography can be the creation a ‘then and now’ perspective in one image by taking an old image of … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Comainn Eachdraidh, Friday Photo, rephotograph
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East Loch Roag
Last night, David and I made our way to the Breasclete Community Hall, to meet with East Loch Roag’s Comann Eachdraidh. Our aim was to meet some of their members and explain what Tasglann nan Eilean Siar was aiming to … Continue reading
Posted in Uncategorized
Tagged Breasclete Community Hall, Cuimhnich magazine, East Loch Roag
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Friday photo: Western Isles Transport Preservation Group
David and I had a very interesting meeting with members of the Western Isles Transport Preservation Group last night. They are interested in preserving the transport history of the Western Isles, and have recently acquired and are busy renovating a … Continue reading
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Tagged Friday Photo, vehicles, Western Isles Transport Preservation Group
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Spreading the word
We’re delighted to announce the publication of our first online newsletter An Tasglannaichean. Roughly translating from the Gaelic for “The Archivists” its purpose is to focus on particular aspects of the Tasglann project in a way that isn’t so suited to … Continue reading
Thursday Photo: Time for holidays!
We have got a long weekend here at Tasglann nan Eilean Siar, so your photo is once again a day early! Above is a photo of children in Uist surveying the wares of a fair. Some of the children appear … Continue reading
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Tagged Friday Photo, Holiday, Uist
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A good grilling
Regular visitors to the blog will know the Tasglann nan Eilean Siar is a project funded by the European Regional Development Fund, the Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Comunn na Gàidhlig. In order to over-see the project’s activities a Steering … Continue reading
Friday photo: A good geansaidh!
As promised here is your second photo for the week, and it comes with the oath that I shan’t forget my Friday Photo ever again! It is horrible weather in Stornoway today, pouring with rain and chilly to boot. What … Continue reading
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Tagged clothes, Friday Photo, Mingulay, Vatersay
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