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 workers for generations. John Christie married a woman from Uig in Lewis called Mary Mackenzie. He served the Matheson family for over 40 years.
The following is his obituary from the Highland News:
20 Apr 1901 – Death of an Old Pensioner – On Sunday at the Castle Boathouse Lodge, Mr John Christie, keeper, died at the ripe old age of 86. Mr Christie has in his younger days been a sergeant in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders. About forty years ago he came to Lewis on a recruiting tour and on the expiry of his 21 years service got employment as an office messenger at the Estate Office. Shortly thereafter the position of boatman and lodgekeeper fell vacant and Mr Christie received the appointment and continued in the office till the day of his death. Until about five years ago he was still able personally to attend to the work of boatman. Mrs Christie pre-deceased her husband, having died some seven months ago. The death of Mr Christie removes a familiar figure from our midst and he will be missed by frequenters of the Castle Grounds.
Christie’s Quay was in fact built sometime around 1825 for the Distillery that once stood on the site of the present day Woodlands Centre. Although John Christie was buried in Old Sandwick Cemetery, there was no headstone until recently. His great-grandson, Jim Christie from Greenock, arranged for one to be placed there in 2020.
Photo of Christie’s Quay, September 2025 – W Foulger.
Photo of John Christie’s headstone – Jim Christie.
SHS Facebook Post – January 2021
Grave of John Christie
