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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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Tag Archives: Berneray
Friday photo: Berneray
This week we’re in Berneray in the Sound of Harris for our image of the week. I particularly like the small boat featured in the bottom left and the two next to the house! Not sure where on Berneray this … Continue reading
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Tagged Berneray, boats; blackhouses, Friday Photo
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Friday photo; Sir Norman Macleod of Berneray
Sir Norman Macleod of Berneray was knighted for his loyalty to the royal cause by King Charles II, having fought Cromwell’s armies at Stornoway, Worcestor and Loch Garry in the 17th Century. The burial plaque above is at St Clements … Continue reading
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Friday photo; Berneray Week
Today is the first day of Berneray Week, a festival of the language, culture and people of Berneray. With activities ranging from céilidhs to Gaelic classes to a 10K, this years festival is sure to be a great success. Log onto … Continue reading
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Friday photo and song; Berneray Week
With the Tall Ships and the Hebridean Celtic Festival flooding the town in Stornoway, it’s easy to forget that there is plenty going on across the Western Isles! Kicking off down South today is Berneray Week, with dance lessons at … Continue reading
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