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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: November 2010
Kinloch Historical Society Book Launch
Kinloch Historical Society will be launching their new book, ‘Sgire a Bhrabain’, tonight in Balallan School at 7.30. I’m sure it will be a great evening so don’t miss it!
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Battery Recollections
Stornoway Historical Society tonight hold the second of their Winter lectures, this time presented by R. J. Macleod (‘Barts’). Those who read Back in the Day will be familiar with the presenter from his interesting articles on Stornoway, and his talk tonight, ‘Battery Recollections’, … Continue reading
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Tagged Stornoway Historical Society, talk, The Battery
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Friday photo; There’s a time and plaice for everything
Sorry to carp on about this, but Norrie Macgregor from Stornoway Historical Society solved our query about the above photo when he popped in yesterday. We were floundering about wondering why shops would hang up fishing rods outside their doors, … Continue reading
Do you know where this is? ***Now we do!***
Yesterday Donna and David were lucky enough to visit Tolsta and meet with the historical society. Whilst there, society member Rhoda mentioned that they too have an outdoor sermon photograph where they do not know the location. The members are … Continue reading
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Tagged Lord Leverhulme, religion, Tolsta, Tolsta Chaolais, WWI
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Friday photo; Movember
It’s charity Friday here at the Tasglann! Today’s photo is in honour of Movember, a charity that aims to change the face of mens health by asking participants to grow a mo’ for 30 days, and to gather as many … Continue reading
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Tagged charity, Lewis Pipe Band, Lews Castle, Movember, music
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Clann ann an Èis
Se an-diugh latha Clann ann an Èis agus tha sinn an dòchas gu bheil sibh a’ dèanamh rudeigin sònraichte airson airgid a thogail! Ma tha sibh gu bhith faisg air rèidio an-nochd, feuch gum bi Radio nan Gàidheal agaibh air. … Continue reading
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Tagged Children in Need, Pudsey bear, Radio nan Gàidheal
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Update: Hugh Mathesons
Direcleit got in touch to say that they had noticed something a bit fishy about the above picture from an earlier post, but sadly could shed no light on why it was there. Can you spot it? They were also kind enough to … Continue reading
Friday photo: Scottish Home Industries Association
The Scottish Home Industries Association was founded by the Countess of Rosebery, the daintily named Hannah Primrose who in 1874 became the richest woman in Britain, having inherited her father’s wealth on his death. Founded in 1889, the Association sought … Continue reading
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Tagged Friday Photo, Harris Tweed, Lochmaddy, North Uist, Scottish Home Industries Association
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Follow us on Twitter
Its #followanarchive day on the micro-blogging site Twitter. We’ve signed up today under the username @tasglann to make some new archive friends, to broaden awareness of our service, blog and website and to let you know what we’re up to. … Continue reading
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Update: Outdoor sermon
Three blog posts in one day – this must be a record! In late September, Katie Anne posted this photo: At the time, we didn’t know where it was and Katie Anne appealed for your help. By chance, Norrie Macgregor … Continue reading
