Mangersta (probably “Magnus’s steading”) was cleared at the same time as Mealista, in 1837-38, to make way for sheep, re-settled for a period until 1851 when XX were evicted. In 1872 the villagers were offered land in Doune Carloway, it seem likely that this was as a result of a deal by the Matheson Estate with some of the villagers. When the residents left for Doune Carloway the village of Mangersta was let as a farm. Donald MacKay, Dòmhnall Eilidh and his wife Christina née MacKenzie farmed Mangersta until 1911 when the village was finally re-settled with landless cottars from Breanish.

The Mangersta crofts lie in a relatively sheltered valley opening southwards to the sea. The total recorded sheep stock in 1959 was 1179, including lambs, with a 70% lambing rate and a ration of 30 per 100 acres; the soum was 10, according to Moisley’s Uig: A Hebridean Parish. At the time Eilean Molach was used for grazing and each crofter was allowed two sheep on it.

Stac Dhòmhnaill Chaim is a significant historical feature and the Grana a Danish schooner was wrecked off Mangersta beach, the crew were saved by the farmer’s wife Christina MacKay.

We will be digitaising all of our archives soon…

The archives we have are currently in the Museum. Most of the known genealogy of Mangersta has been documented on Hebridean Connections.

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