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  • Uig Museum/ Taigh Tasgaidh agus Tasglann ÙigComann Eachdraidh Uig is the local historical society in the district of Uig, in the far south west of the Isle of Lewis.  We run a registered museum, maintain an archive, research aspects of local history, collect objects and photographs, help with genealogy enquiries, organise talks, undertake occasional projects and meet regularly to discuss old news and new news. The community of Uig consists of some 20 small active crofting townships on Loch Roag and the open sea, from Gisla to Brenish.  The population is about 400.  Local interest in history and heritage (whether archaeology, the Vikings, legends and stories, clearance and settlement, ethnography, genealogy, crofting or fishing) is huge and the Comann Eachdraidh has amassed a large and very detailed body of knowledge.  Previously housed in Lochcroistean School (now a cafe), the society moved in 1998 to the new community centre overlooking Timsgarry and Uig Sands, where the museum and archive can be visited. [gallery] The Hebridean Comann Eachdraidh movement was born in 1977 with the establishment of the first such society on Lewis, at Ness.  Every community throughout the Hebrides now supports a Comann Eachdraidh, all dedicated to collecting and preserving the language and cultural history of the islands.  Comann Eachdraidh…
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Comann Eachdraichd Uig

Comann Eachdraichd Uig

Fresh Notes and old stories – From Uig Historical Society, Isle of Lewis

Category: Education

The Valtos Centre Badge

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.
Continue reading “The Valtos Centre Badge”…
Posted on: 3 August 2011 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

An Ceistear: Darkness in Uig

“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 ”
Continue reading “An Ceistear: Darkness in Uig”…
Posted on: 12 May 2011 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

The Stirk, the Road and the Chicken Pox

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.
Continue reading “The Stirk, the Road and the Chicken Pox”…
Posted on: 10 March 2011 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Peats of Fire Lighting the Way

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.
Continue reading “Peats of Fire Lighting the Way”…
Posted on: 8 March 2011 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

A New School for Mangersta

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.
Continue reading “A New School for Mangersta”…
Posted on: 1 March 2011 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Tales of Aonghas nam Beann

We’ve looked before at the remarkable Angus of the Mountain. The little stories surrounding his life and faith are numberous…
Continue reading “Tales of Aonghas nam Beann”…
Posted on: 1 February 2011 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Uig School, mid 1970s

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.
Continue reading “Uig School, mid 1970s”…
Posted on: 17 August 2010 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Test Tubes and Hydrochloric Acid

From the files, a delivery note for lab supplies for Crowlista School in 1934. The list includes tubes and corgs,…
Continue reading “Test Tubes and Hydrochloric Acid”…
Posted on: 17 August 2010 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Dolly Doctor speaks up for Gaelic

From the People’s Journal, 27 September 1958. It’s a while now since Dr Donald Macdonald of Gisla in…
Continue reading “Dolly Doctor speaks up for Gaelic”…
Posted on: 30 July 2010 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Aonghas nam Beann

Angus nam Beann was a well-known figure in Uig at the time of the Revivals, and ever since.  The following…
Continue reading “Aonghas nam Beann”…
Posted on: 11 July 2010 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

School Trip to Bernera, 1952

%%wppa%% %%photo=112%% %%size=610%% Thanks to the comments below from Dolly and Murdina, we now know that this is a joint…
Continue reading “School Trip to Bernera, 1952”…
Posted on: 11 January 2010 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Miss Ina Macdonald is appointed to Hamnaway

Miss Ina Macdonald, Ardbheag, is of course now our Mrs Ina Macdonald, Islivig.  More on the side schools here.
Continue reading “Miss Ina Macdonald is appointed to Hamnaway”…
Posted on: 25 November 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Lochcroistean School, c1928

Lochcroistean School, c1928. Teachers Annie Macaulay 35 Cliff and Donald Macarthur, Carloway. Back Row:1. Angus Hugh Smith, 2 Carishader 2.…
Continue reading “Lochcroistean School, c1928”…
Posted on: 4 November 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Valtos School Seniors, 1948

Back 1. Donald John Smith 2. Murdanie Macdonald 3. John Buchanan 4. Ray Goodge 5. DM Buchanan Front 6. Mary…
Continue reading “Valtos School Seniors, 1948”…
Posted on: 5 August 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Civilised Children in 1874

From Lewsiana (1874, 1886) by W Anderson Smith.  The school referred to seems to be the old blackhouse school in…
Continue reading “Civilised Children in 1874”…
Posted on: 16 July 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Valtos School, 1948

Teacher: Sophie Macsween (Macleod). Thanks to Mary Peggy Mackay for putting the names to the faces. Back 1. John Angus…
Continue reading “Valtos School, 1948”…
Posted on: 22 June 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Lochcroistean Reunion

Marianne hosted a lovely evening for about forty past pupils of Lochcroistean school, and their spouses, on the 130th anniversary…
Continue reading “Lochcroistean Reunion”…
Posted on: 3 June 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Valtos School 1966-67

Photo taken by Aneas Maclean, nephew of Mrs Jessie Macdonald 24 Valtos, while on student placement.  We’ll expect the gaps…
Continue reading “Valtos School 1966-67”…
Posted on: 21 May 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Lochcroistean School Reunion, Saturday 30 May

Next month marks 130 years since Lochcroistean School was first opened, under the first headmaster, John Smith from Valtos, and…
Continue reading “Lochcroistean School Reunion, Saturday 30 May”…
Posted on: 21 May 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin

Crowlista Old School

%%wppa%% %%photo=392%% %%size=610%% The remains of the old school at Crowlista (with Forsnaval behind).  There is a tradition of there…
Continue reading “Crowlista Old School”…
Posted on: 20 April 2009 Last updated on: 26 June 2023 Written by: admin
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