The Centenerian

From the Inverness Courier of 25 March 1846:

A correspondent has favoured us with some further particulars relative to the late patriarchal Celt, John Martin, who died at Urgay [Urgha], Island of Harris, at the ripe age of 112. The old man was able to walk about till within twenty-four hours of his death.  When a boy, he was engaged as herd to Malcolm Macaulay, then tenant of Dirikil, with whom he remained for upwards of twenty years, and during the that time his wages never exceeded seven Scotch marks annually. He was born at Islivig, Island of Lewis.  From his youth upwards he cherished all the feelings that constitute the true Celtic character, and was proud of being deemed trustworthy enough to become one of the attendants of Mr Macleod, Bernera, during his sojourn in a hiding-place after the battle of Culloden [1746]. The spot chosen was Umha Ulladale [near NB079142]. In his youth he was remarkably swift of foot, and up to the age of sixty could outrun and seize a sheep on the steepest hill-side. Old as he was, John had never been so far south as Skye, and with Stornoway he was equally unacquainted. The rugged Island of Harris bounded all his curiosity and ambition.