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- 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
- Dr. Robertson is here just now and thinks more of the teachers will be called up soon. However we need not anticipate trouble and of course if necessary there can be nothing said. The successful prosecution of the war takes precedence of all else… Stornoway, 4th Feb. 1917
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Tag Archives: Lews Castle
Friday photo: Having fun on the Lews Castle lawns
As many prepare for Hebridean Celtic Festival in Stornoway this weekend its worth remembering that the Castle has seen many other celebration, including Tattoos and, as this week’s image shows, gymkhanas! If you are attending Heb Celt this weekend, keep an … Continue reading
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Tagged Hebridean Celtic Festival, Lews Castle, ponies
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Friday photo; Picture the Past, Create the Future
Next weekend, as part of the Festival of Museums, Museum nan Eilean and An Lanntair are working in partnership to hold a two day programme for families to explore some of the history of Lews Castle. Families will get the … Continue reading
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Tagged An Lanntair, Dog, Festival of Museums, Friday Photo, Lews Castle, Musueum nan Eilean
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An Archive Tour of Stornoway
On Monday night I presented a paper entitled An Archive Tour of Stornoway to Stornoway Historical Society in the Council Chambers at Sandwick Road to around 50 people. The talk took the form of a wander around the streets of Stornoway, stopping off … Continue reading
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Tagged James Shaw Grant, Lews Castle, Lord Leverhulme, Stornoway, Stornoway Historical Society, Stornoway Town Hall
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Friday photo; Lews Castle Staff
David recently met with Douglas Davidson who provided us with the above image for today’s Friday Photo of staff of Lews Castle circa 1890s-1910. Douglas’s grandmother and great aunt both worked as servants for the Matheson family, his grandmother is in … Continue reading
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Lews Castle consultation
Yesterday saw over 900 people take the opportunity to look around the main public rooms on the ground floor of the iconic Lews Castle. If you look carefully at the picture below, you may even see the baldy head of … Continue reading
Friday photo; the Wombles of Lews Castle are we
Today’s Friday Photo was inspired by Wimbledon and Tuesday’s Lews Castle consultation event. The postcard shows the castle with the greenhouses still intact and with the tennis court marked out. On Tuesday between 3pm and 8pm, everyone is invited to have a … Continue reading
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Tagged Friday Photo, Lews Castle, Lews Castle College, sport, Wimbledon
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Lews Castle Museum & Archive – community consultation
Ever fancied seeing inside Lews Castle’s main public rooms? Now is your chance! As part of the HLF bid being developed to turn Lews Castle into a museum and archive for the Western Isles a community consultation event is being … Continue reading
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Cromore School Outing
Those who remember any school trips they went on during their time in education will remember the excitement that accompanied the promise of getting out from the school environment. Some fortunate pupils from Cromore School went on one such trip … Continue reading
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Tagged Airidhantuim Primary School, Cromore Primary School, Lews Castle, school trips
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Friday photo; Lews Castle
Our Friday Photo this week celebrates the Comhairle’s grant from the Scottish Government to preserve Lews Castle. The above photo shows Lews Castle and green complete with added sheep. It’s a good thing they didn’t have the Hebridean Celtic Festival … Continue reading
Another success for Lews Castle
As many of you are aware, the Comhairle is looking to redevelop Lews Castle in Stornoway and is currently preparing bids to various funding bodies, including the Heritage Lottery fund, to realise this. Part of the proposed redevelopment will include a … Continue reading
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