The Valtos Centre, based in the old Valtos School from shortly after it was closed, was first used in 1972 and developed over a couple of years until a visit there became a major fixture in the educational calendar for island pupils, and for scout groups and the like from further afield.
Read more →“When I was born, and for the period of 23 years after, the whole inhabitants of the parish were sunk in dark ignorance of God. There was not so much as a form of Godliness in the whole place. Wickedness of all descriptions committed in broad daylight “
Read more →Some notes from the Crowlista school log book in 1919-20. The school was located from both of the populations it served, Crowlista and Aird Uig, and there were recurring problems in getting the children to show up.
Read more →The Rev Angus Maciver was the son of Angus Maciver “An Ceistear” (the Catechist), born at Reef in 1799. The family lived at Tobson on Great Bernera from 1835 to 1853. This extract from The Life of a Lewis Catechist, published in the Stornoway Gazette in 1971-2, is Rev Maciver’s memory of meeting-house nights.
Read more →There had evidently been a small school at Mangersta in the 1820s and in the neighbouring village of Carnish in the 1840s, but when both those townships were turned into farms there was no population requiring a school, until 1911.
Read more →[singlepic id=1167 w=200 float=left] We’ve looked before at the remarkable Angus of the Mountain. The little stories surrounding his life and faith are numberous – here are a few more abridged from Macfarlane’s Men of the Lews (1924): His mental constitution was not of gun-metal. It was weak and of the wool-gathering order. People said [...]
Read more →A picture from the early years of Uig School, with Crowlista school in the background. Most (nick)names now filled in, thanks to Donna, but we need a few more yet.
Read more →From the files, a delivery note for lab supplies for Crowlista School in 1934. The list includes tubes and corgs, jars and other equipment, and a small quantity of chemicals. They were supplied by WB Nicolson of Bath Street, Glasgow, and shipped by MacBrayne at a cost of 4/- for two boxes. [singlepic id=1177 w=580] [...]
Read more →[singlepic id=1174 w=600] From the People’s Journal, 27 September 1958. It’s a while now since Dr Donald Macdonald [Dolly Doctor] of Gisla in Lewis practised at his profession. But the jovial, big-hearted doctor is still a cure and a tonic for many folk not only in his native island, but in many other circles. Take [...]
Read more →Angus nam Beann was a well-known figure in Uig at the time of the Revivals, and ever since. The following is from John Macleod’s History of the Church in Uig. Angus MacLeod’s father was a shepherd in the hills of Uig towards the border with Harris, and this is where Angus was born. So it [...]
Read more →Thanks to the comments below from Dolly and Murdina, we now know that this is a joint expedition by Lochcroistean and Mangersta School to see the Bernera Bridge on 25 June 1952, before it was officially opened in 1953. Of course, it can be seen across Loch Roag from Carishader so the children (at Lochcroistean [...]
Read more →[singlepic=1042,724] Miss Ina Macdonald, Ardbheag, is of course now our Mrs Ina Macdonald, Islivig. More on the side schools here. Share
Read more →[singlepic=946,373] Lochcroistean School, c1928. Teachers Annie Macaulay 35 Cliff and Donald Macarthur, Carloway. Back Row:1. Angus Hugh Smith, 2 Carishader 2. Angus John Macdonald, 6 Carishader 3. Donald Macritchie, 4 Enaclete 4. Donald John Mackay, 6 Geshader 5. Malcolm John Smith, 2 Ungeshader 6. Donald Smith, 2 Ungeshader 7. Donald Gillies, 9 Carishader 8. John [...]
Read more →[singlepic=865,357] Back 1. Donald John Smith 2. Murdanie Macdonald 3. John Buchanan 4. Ray Goodge 5. DM Buchanan Front 6. Mary Peggy Mackay 7. Seonag Matheson 8. Chrissie Smith 9. Chirsty Bell Mackay 10. Annie Mackay 11. Marlene Morrison Schoolhouse Share
Read more →From Lewsiana (1874, 1886) by W Anderson Smith. The school referred to seems to be the old blackhouse school in Islivig, which was replaced in the 1880s by the new public school at the north end of Brenish – but Smith’s passage seems to come from the earlier edition of the book. A mile or [...]
Read more →[singlepic=665,357] Teacher: Sophie Macsween (Macleod). Thanks to Mary Peggy Mackay for putting the names to the faces. Back 1. John Angus Mackay 7 Reef 2. Dan Buchanan 7 Valtos 3. DA Morrison 13 Reef 4. Calum Ian Buchanan 8 Valtos 5. Archie Macdonald, FP Manse Middle 6. John Andrew Buchanan 7 Valtos 7. Donald C [...]
Read more →Marianne hosted a lovely evening for about forty past pupils of Lochcroistean school, and their spouses, on the 130th anniversary of the opening of the school. [slideshow=35] If the slideshow isn’t working for you, the pictures are also in the Gallery. Share
Read more →[singlepic=633,357] Photo taken by Aneas Maclean, nephew of Mrs Jessie Macdonald 24 Valtos, while on student placement. We’ll expect the gaps to be filled in promptly: if not, I’ll be waylaying the others. Teachers: Mrs Alexina Macleod, Shawbost Mr Donald John Macleod (Inky), Carloway Front Row: 1. Calum Macdonald (Titch) 22 Valtos 2. Donella Matheson [...]
Read more →Next month marks 130 years since Lochcroistean School was first opened, under the first headmaster, John Smith from Valtos, and accommodating children from the bays district: Enaclete, Ungeshader, Geshader and Carishader. The first entries in the school log: Thursday 5th June 1879 School was opened by the Rev John Campbell F. Ch. Minister with prayer. [...]
Read more →The remains of the old school at Crowlista (with Forsnaval behind). There is a tradition of there having been a Gaelic school in the village, and documents indicate that one was established there in 1837-8 (though we don’t know for how long), and a Sgoil na Leddies in the 1850s. The 1861 census shows several [...]
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