Timeline
Some key dates in the history of Uig and the Isle of Lewis.
Further suggestions welcome.
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9000BC O chionn aon mhìle deug bliadhna – 11,000 years ago
The story of the Uig environment over the last 11,000 years, is of a mobile, changing landscape. The last glaciers… -
7000BC Meadhan-linn na Cloiche – Mesolithic (9000 – 6000 years ago)
The first humans, hunter gatherers, would have arrived in dugout or skin boats. No evidence of houses or temporary shelters… -
4000BC Nua-linn na Cloiche – Neolithic (6000 – 3800 years ago)
People arrived, possibly from the north, with the idea of settling in one place and cultivating plants and domesticating animals.… -
2000BC Linn an Umha – Bronze Age (3800 – 2800 years ago)
During this period sea level was rising, turning coastal headlands into offshore islands. The weather has become cooler and wetter,… -
400 Linn an Iarainn – Iron Age (2800 – 1200 years ago)
In the Iron Age, status and fear seemed to be the reason for a new architecture, which included brochs and… -
563 Tràth Chrìostaidhean – Early Christians
From 563 AD onwards, Irish monks appeared along the Uig coast, built cells to live in, and subjected themselves to… -
800 Linn nan Lochlannach (800 – 1266) – Viking Period (800 – 1266)
Viking invaders arrived by sea from the north, raiding and plundering. The Uig men probably died defending their territory, but… -
1150 Luchd-tàileisg Leòdhais (1150) – Lewis Chessmen (1150)
Lewis was part of the Norse Kingdom at the time that the pieces were made and would have had an… -
1266 Tighearnas nan Eilean (1266 – 1493) – Lords of the Isles (1266 – 1493)
The Western Isles now came under the control of the Lords of the Isles, based in Islay and remaining fairly… -
1600 Coinneach Odhar – The Brahan Seer
Coinneach Odhar – The Brahan Seer According to folklore, Kenneth Mackenzie was born at Baile na Cille. It was in… -
1600 Dòmhnall Cam MacDhùghaill – Donald Cam Macaulay
From the 15th to the 17th centuries, Lewis was torn by internal quarrels and strife. There were three main clans:… -
1600 Clann MhicAmhlaigh – The Macaulays in Uig
The exploits of the Macaulays earned them leases of the best land, often free or rent for life. John Roy… -
1603 Aonadh nan Crùn – Union of the Crowns
Until the early 17th century England and Scotland were two entirely independent kingdoms. This changed dramatically in 1603 on the… -
1613 Beiriseigh: Seasamh Dheireannach Nèill MhicLeòid – Berisay: Neil Macleod’s Last Stand
Neil Macleod, illegitimate son of the last Macleod clan chief of Lewis, is credited with driving out the Fife Adventurers,… -
1638 An Cùmhnant Nàiseanta – National Covenant
In 1638, the National Covenant was presented and signed in front of the pulpit. This was a document of great… -
1640 Cinneadas nan Gàidheal – The Highland Clan System
A clan chief’s status depended on the number of armed men he could command. Chiefs Chiefs rewarded their kinsmen with… -
1640 Settlement from above
No matter how rocky or uneven, every available plot was drained and tilled using spade and cas-chrom. Photo © Richard… -
1645 Blàr Allt Èireann – Battle of Auldearn
Settlement which housed Angus Macaulay, killed at Auldearn Fear Bhreanais, and his retainers. “Seachain laimhrig fir Uige, the droch rath… -
1745 Blàr Chùil Lodair – Battle of Culloden
On 16 April 1746, the final Jacobite Rising came to a brutal head in one of the most harrowing battles… -
1745 Cur às do na Cinneadhean Gàidhealach (an dèidh 1745) – Dismantling Clan Structures (post 1745)
Eleven tacksmen (lesser clan members) held South West Uig up to the late 18th century. From that period, the proprietor,… -
1755 Àireamh an t-sluaigh 1755 – 1755 Census
The first Scottish census puts the population of Uig at 1312. -
1775 Long an Iarainn – The Ship with the Cargo of Iron
During a severe storm, this ship had taken shelter in Camus Uig between Crowlista and Carnish. During the night she… -
1778 Na Seann Shaighdearan (1778-1793) – The Old Soldiers (1778-1793)
In 1778, the 4th Earl of Seaforth raised Saighdearan Choinnich Òig – the original 78th Foot Regiment to fight with… -
1790 Gnìomhachas Dualchasach (1790 – 1830) – Traditional Production (1790 – 1830)
Barley and black oats were the main crops but by the 1790s large quantities of potatoes and kale were also… -
1791 An Seann Chunntas Staitisteil – Statistical Account
The Old Statistical Account tells of a fairly prosperous community engaged at kelp-making and fishing. On Cliatasay, a small island… -
1796 A’ Chiad Sgoil an Ùig – First School in Uig
Early schools were Parochial schools or set up by the Society in Scotland for Propagating Christian Knowledge. Learning and teaching… -
1800 À Crabhlasta chun a’ Bhaltaig – From Crowlista to the Baltic
In the early 19th century Uig people traded in dried ling, cod and cured herring. Occasionally, the bigger boats took… -
1800 Beartas a’ Cheilp (1800-1820) – The Kelp Boom (1800-1820)
The kelp industry offered a lucrative opportunity for the Seaforth estate. Kelp was an alkaline seaweed extract used in the… -
1804 Na Saighdearan Dall – The Blinded Soldiers
In 1804, about twenty Uig men were enlisted into the 78th, this time under the command of John Munro, son… -
1809 Rathad gu ruige Steòrnabhagh – A Road to Stornoway
“ One great line of road … remains yet to be opened, and that is the road from Stornoway to… -
1815 Trosg a Lunnainn (1815 – 20) – Cod for London (1815 – 20)
“It may be remarked that along the west side of the Lews the finest cod banks in Britain are situated.… -
1815 Sgoiltean Gàidhlig – Gaelic Schools
Valtos School opened with Donald Morrison A Sgoillear Ban as teacher and twelve scholars. The Edinburgh Society for the Support… -
1820 Toiseach nam Fuadach (1807-1820) – Start of the Clearances (1807-1820)
In the 1820s, pastoral farming, requiring large tracts of land, was introduced as a means of shoring up estate finance… -
1824 Dùsgaidhean Spioradail – Religious Revivals
On 28 April 1824 Alexander Macleod was, through the patronage of Mrs Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth, inducted as the first… -
1831 Fir-Thàileisg air a Lorg sa Bhealach-Bhàn – Chessmen Found
The precise circumstances of the chessmen’s discovery are shrouded in mystery. Oral tradition tells that they tumbled out of a… -
1831 Mac an t-Srònaich (1831 – 36)
“ Fhad ’s a gleidheas mise beanntan Ùig, gleidhidh beanntan Ùig mi” “As long as I keep to the Uig… -
1832 Cosnadh san Talamh Fhuar – Hudson’s Bay Co
Several Uig men joined the Hudson’s Bay Company, which was founded in 1670 by King Charles to exploit the natural… -
1835 An t-Sròm air Fhuadach – Strome Cleared
Letter from Alexander Macrae, tenant of Scaliscro to Seaforth 1833 “I am sadly annoyed by the Tenants of Strome, whose… -
1835 Cidhe Chàrnais air a Thogail – Pier Built at Carnish
Mr Stewart Mackenzie of Seaforth, whose revenue from kelp was sadly depleted, determined that a sufficient number of safe landing… -
1835 Galar a’ Bhuntàta (1835 – 36) – Potato Failure (1835 – 36)
In 1835-36, poor weather conditions resulted in “the potato crop being well under average” and a poor harvest; snow and… -
1836 Planaichean Fuadaich Iarla Shìophoirt – Seaforth’s Eviction Plans
In 1835-36, the potato crop failed while cattle prices hit rock bottom. Temporary food relief amounting to 1000 bolls of… -
1837 Doilgheas nam Fuadach – Heartbreak and Mass Eviction
A period of systematic clearance began in 1837. The arable land of five or six villages was cleared and converted… -
1841 Caoraich Bhàna an Àite nan Daoine – Sheep Where Once There Were People
Vuia Mhòr cleared – to Geshader, Balallan and Cape Breton According to the 1841 Census 1981 lived in Uig, 700… -
1841 Ceatharnach Mhegantic – The Megantic Outlaw
In July 1841, Murdo Morrison of Kneep and his wife Sophia sailed from Stornoway aboard the brig Lady Hood Mackenzie… -
1841 Dìleab Eachdraidh – The Legacy of History
For reasons connected to the landlords’ ownership of production (land, the coast and seaweed), neither kelping nor the raising of… -
1844 Crìoch Linn nan Sìophortach – End of the Seaforth Era
“Our places were crowded first when Mealista was cleared. Six families of that township were thrown in among us; the… -
1846 Eaglais Shaor air a togail aig Ceann Langabhat – Free Church built at Ceann Langabhat
Virtually the whole congregation of Uig had left the parish church at Baile na Cille and joined the Free Church… -
1846 Bliadhnaichean Cnàmh a’ Bhuntàta – Failure of the Potato Crop
“The practice of going to the Caithness herring fishing, to which at least one person from almost every family goes… -
1848 Toiseach Aghaidheachd – The Start of Resistance
Twenty-eight Reef families resisted eviction for three years. During this time, they were refused work on Matheson’s work schemes –… -
1849 Destitution Wall, Crowlista (1849-1850)
Destitution Wall, Crowlista, built overwhemingly by female labour. Photo © Richard Davies -
1849 Saothrachadh airson Min nam Bochd (1849 – 50) – Working for Destitution Meal (1849 – 1850)
“After the potato failed the estate introduced work-schemes for which people were paid between 10d and 1/ and ‘committee meal’… -
1849 Sgeamaichean Obrach (1849 – 50) – Work Schemes (1849 – 50)
“There was draining and trenching done … it began in the Spring of 1849 but interrupted by the Spring culture… -
1851 Piseach a’ Tighinn air Eaconamaidh na Sgìre (1851 – 1900) – Years of Recovery (1851 – 1900)
The economy was already recovering by 1851; in Valtos there were “150 cows and 400 sheep, crops both of potatoes… -
1851 Bàta Eilthireach a’ Fàgail Chaolas Bheàrnaraigh – Emigrant Ship Leaves the Sound of Bernera
On May 15th 1851, the ‘Marquis of Stafford’ arrived in Loch Roag … the following Monday, she sailed through the… -
1851 Muinntir Mhiabhaig agus Ghiosla air an cuir às an Fhearann – Miavaig and Gisla Cleared
Emigrants from Gisla to Quebec (Na Laoghaich, Macdonalds) gave a parcel of land to be used as a cemetery. It… -
1851 Buil nam Fuadach (1851-52) – The Reality of Evictions (1851-52)
“He has been summoned out of his lot he is in arrears of rent about £2. 10/- … he owes… -
1851 “Beannachd leis an Talamh Eòlach…” – “Farewell to the Familiar Earth…”
When the work schemes were withdrawn new estate proposals involved the removal of 400 people. John Munro-MacKenzie, Sir James Matheson’s… -
1851 An t-Iasgach (1851 – 1900) – The Fishing (1851 – 1900)
In 1851 Valtos had four boats with crews of nine men each, they fished for cod and ling which was… -
1852 Daoranach air a chuir a-null gu Tìr Van Diemen – Convict Transported to Van Diemens Land
Angus Mackay, born in Miavaig in 1833, left Portsmouth on the St Vincent with over 200 other male convicts on… -
1857 Dh’fhosgail Oifis a’ Phuist am Miabhag – Miavaig Post Office Opened
A foot post from Stornoway to Miavaig was instituted, and eventually upgraded to a horse post and then a mail… -
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1858 Letting Advertisement for the Uig estate 1858
Letting Advertisement for the Uig estate 1858 -
1858 Nochd a’ chiad Mhap de Leòdhas / bho Chlàrachas na Dùthcha – 1st Edition Ordnance Survey Map of Lewis
In 1846, James Matheson, proprietor of the Isle of Lewis, paid the Treasury £1200 to have a detailed map of… -
1858 Malairt Ionadail – Local Trades
Alongside crofters, fishermen and domestic servants, there were weavers, knitters, tailors, shoe-makers, boat-builders, stonemasons, carpenters, merchants and fish-curers. The basic… -
1870 Bho Thuathan Chaorach gu Frìthean Fèidh – Sheep Farms to Sporting Estates
In the 1870s Grimersta and Uig Lodge became sporting estates. By then up to 40,000 acres of Uig was in… -
1872 Achd an Fhoghlaim 1872 – 1872 Education Act
The Education Act brought in compulsory education for all children between the ages of five and thirteen. School Boards had… -
1872 An Teileagraf air a Stèidheachadh – Telegraph was Established
“Her Majesty’s Postmaster General has called the attention of this department to the wanton injury occasioned to the telegraph wires… -
1875 Air ais a Bhaile na Cille – Return to Baile na Cille
After the repeal of the Patronage Act most of the congregation rejoined the Established Church of Scotland with Rev Angus… -
1879 James Matheson
James Matheson spent £100,495 on the construction of a castle in Stornoway and £11,895 on building two sporting lodges at… -
1879 Dh’fhosgail Sgoil Loch Croistean – Lochcroistean School Opens
Lochcroistean Public School, designed to accommodate sixty five scholars, opened 5 June 1879 by Rev John Campbell. Teacher John Smith. -
1879 Dh’fhosgail Sgoil Bhaltois – Valtos School Opens
Valtos Public School, designed to accommodate a hundred and sixty scholars, opened 21 July 1879 by Rev John Campbell. Teacher… -
1880 Dh’fhosgail Sgoil Chrabhlastadh – Crowlista School Opens
Crowlista Public School, designed to accommodate fifty five scholars, opened 28 January 1880. Teacher Alexander Macphail. -
1880 Dh’fhosgail Sgoil Islibhig – Islivig School Opens
Islivig Public School, designed to accommodate a hundred and fifty scholars, opened 9 November 1880 by Rev Angus Maciver. Teacher… -
1883 Malcolm Maclean & Norman Morrison
Seo mar a dh’innis Murchadh Chalum Sheòrais mun là a choinnich an Coimisean am Miabhaig air an 4mh là dhen… -
1883 Coimisean Napier – The Napier Commission
Crofter unrest throughout the Highlands and Island gained political expression through the Highland Land Law Reform Association (HLLRA) forcing the… -
1884 Strì an Fhearainn – Land Agitation (1884)
Valtos and Kneep crofters had announced their intention to withhold their rents, until they were given more land. There were… -
1884 Coitearan Bhaltois agus a’ Chnìp a’ Ruagadh Tac na Riobhadh, Dùbhlachd 1884. – Landless Crofters Raid Reef Farm, Dec 1884.
Towards the end of December 1884, ‘HMS Assistance’ sailed into Loch Roag and Marines arrested eight men who had raided… -
1884 Comann Ath-Leasachaidh Lagh an Fhearainn – The Highland Land Law Reform Association
While the recommendations of Napier were widely endorsed the HLLRA called for more radical reforms including security of tenure, a… -
1885 Strì an Fhearainn – Land Agitation (May 1885)
The chamberlain of the Lewis estate had chartered the steamship Norseman and removed crofters’ cattle from Pabbay. While it steamed… -
1886 Comhaireachd Boireannaich Bhaltois – The Women’s Resistance
On 27th August 1886, while the men were at the East Coast fishing, an attempt was made by the tacksmen… -
1886 Achd nan Croitear (1886)- Crofters Acts – and Security of Tenure
The Highland Land Law Reform Association supported candidates in Parliamentary elections and four ‘Crofters Party’ MPs were elected in 1886.… -
1891 Distribution of Population
Distribution of Population: H.A. Moisley, Uig a Hebridean Parish, 1960 -
1892 Coimisean Frìthean Fèidh – The Deer Forest Commission 1892
The Commission of government-appointed land experts recommended the re-settlement by crofters of Mangersta, Carnish, Timsgarry, Reef, Linshader, Morsgail and Scaliscro,… -
1896 An Grana air na creagan aig tràigh Mhangurstaigh – The Grana aground at Mangersta
On 21 October, the crewmen of a Danish schooner, forced ashore by raging seas, were rescued by Christina Mackay of… -
1898 An Esra air grunnachadh air tràigh na Cliobhadh – The Esra aground at Cliff
A Norwegian barque carrying a load of timber was grounded in Cliff Bay. No lives were lost, the crewmen were… -
1900 Cidhe Bhaltois air a Thogail – Valtos Quay
As early as 1828, Valtos was surveyed and the cost of a pier was estimated at £150. There was already… -
1900 An Eaglais Shaor Aonaichte Stèidhte aig Ceann Langabhat – Ceann Langabhat Church now the United Free Church, Uig
The Free Church united with the United Presbyterian Church to form the United Free Church and went to court to… -
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1908 Dùmhlachd agus Cion Fearainn anns an Fhicheadamh Linn – Congestion and Landlessness into the 20th Century
The Crofters Acts did not address the issue of landless cottars. By 1908, one-third of Uig’s inhabitants remained as ‘cottars… -
1908 Ceidhe Mhiabhaig – Miavaig Slip
Miavaig slip was constructed, financed by the Congested Districts Board. -
1912 Sluagh ann am Bochdainn – An Impoverished People
Nurse Annie Maclean. Provision of nurses after the setting up of the Highlands and Islands Medical Service… -
1912 Sgoil Mhangurstaidh air Ùr-Fhosgladh – Mangersta School Opens
Because of the resettlement of Mangersta, a school was needed. At first lessons were held in the old farmhouse in… -
1913 Ruagadh na Riofadh – Reef Farm Raids
Reef Raiders, frustrated at undelivered promises of land, raid the farm and drive the farmer’s stock away. They are tried…
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