The Incorporated Trades Society of Stornoway
Stornoway, far from being a bit of a backwater in the 19th century, was a town with aspirations to be on a par with the social norms which obtained with the sophistication of mainland places. The Incorporated Trades Society of Stornoway was founded well before 1856,...
The Barbers of Old SY
Note: It is often difficult to assess the heritage left to SY local historians by the memory banks of the late James Shaw Grant. His innate ability as a journalist to set down on paper his intimate knowledge of the Stornoway scene, stretching over almost a century,...
Memories of Foresters House
This article (presented here in a slightly edited form) originally appeared in issue 22 (July 2004) of the Society's magazine, then known as the Journal. Half a century ago Forester's House was situated within Lady Lever Park, adjacent to Willowglen Road and...
Fishy Tales
This article formed the second part of Mrs Catherine Kinnaird’s memoirs which were previously published in the SHS Journal. This one appeared in issue 20 from July 2003. I remember the busy fishing seasons when the town was full of fishworkers and the harbour full of...
The Christie of Christie’s Quay
Locals are very familiar with the old pier in the Castle Grounds. It was named after army veteran, John Christie, the Boatman for Sir James Matheson who first came to Lewis in the 1860's. He was a native of Blair Atholl in Perthshire, where his family had been estate...
Chalk to Computer- The Francis St Building 1843 till 2018
The Francis Street building (FSB) which now houses e-Sgoil. (Photographed using a drone.) From Chalk to computer by Angus Maclennan The Francis Street Building 1843 till 2018 If you are interested in architecture and history, it’s worth your while spending some time...