Pentland Road - 2

I was recently shown a navigational chart for Stornoway Harbour, which dates back to 1919. Modifications were entered on the chart, to show (e.g.) the causeway to Goat Island. However, there were a few features on the chart that no longer exist today. The most prominent changes are on the Arnish Peninsula. The construction of the Fabrication Yard there in the 1970s changed the landscape beyond recognition. This first image is from the early 20th century, showing Arnish House (Kildun Farm), which was demolished in the mid 1970s. A most intrigueing feature is the smearing house at the neck of the peninsula, which I will describe a little later in this post. The hill immediately northwest of the neck of the peninsula, height 77 ft, was partly bulldozed out of existence. In fact, the hill on which Kildun Cottage once stood has been removed and is now occupied by the Fabrication Yard. The smearing house was the place where the sheep were smeared. Nowadays, to combat infestations by parasite...

This week, the bulldozers have started work to demolish number 3 Shell Street, the house behind the fuel depot at the roundabout on James Street, Shell Street and South Beach Street. It was the only inhabited house left on the street, but as it backs onto a live fuel depot, I am not surprised it is being demolished. We'll be left with an open view of the depot. A browse of the census of 1901 finds the Mair family in residence. James Mair (52): fishcurer, born at Portknockie, Banff; his wife Maggie (45) and children Elsie (15), Joseph James (14), Maggie (13), Williamena A (11), Hugh Murray (10), Victoria (7) and Eliza J G (5). Joseph James and Hugh Murray both lost their lives as a result of the First World War. In 1891, the house was occupied by Elizabeth Murray (63), a seamstress. In 1881, Shell Street was known as Imersligach, the name still used as the Gaelic streetname. Number 3 was occupied by a family of Mcleans: Kenneth (64, shoemaker), his wife Mary (55) and moth...

This engraved stone caught my eye last Sunday afternoon during a walk through the Newton area of Stornoway. After putting the question on Twitter, I got a reply through the kind intervention of Donald Macsween, from Malcolm Macdonald of the Stornoway Historical Society and local historian Sandy Matheson. This refers to the Admiralty feus for the houses on Seaview Terrace. These included Caberfeidh Buildings as well as the RNR houses. The feu charters are dated 1888 and included what we knew as the Coast Guard houses as well as 2 and 4 on the corner with Seaview Terrace and Battery Road where Colin Ossian [ Colin Macaskill, ADB ] and his parents lived as tenants of the Stornoway Trust. These two houses were of a better design and quality than the ones further east and were presumably for senior ranks. They were demolished circa 1969 by Stornoway Town Council and new houses erected on the site. The semi-detached houses on Battery Road where Robin Mackenzie’s family lived and...

Donald Mcleod was the witness for Lower Bayble at the Napier Commission's session at Stornoway on 11 June 1883. Unfortunately, there are two men with that name and aged about 60 in the 1881 census return, both living at Lower Bayble. Without further information, I am not able to make a distinction between the two. One is born in 1823 and married to Catherine, with three children. The other is born in 1825 and married to Christine, with seven children, varying in ages from newborn to 25 years of age. Further information welcome.

Donald Mccaskill was the witness for Sheshader at the Napier Commission's session in Stornoway on 11 June 1883. Unfortunately, I have been unsuccessful in finding a corresponding entry in the census returns for enumeration district 88. There are several possible permutations of the spelling of his surname, none of which yielded any result. Further information welcome.

Angus Mcleod was a crofter and fishmerchant from Portnaguran in Point, who gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Stornoway on 11 June 1883. Unfortunately, as no age is given, it is practically impossible for me to extract the corresponding census records for him. Further information welcome.

Duncan Mackenzie gave evidence to the Napier Commission in Stornoway on 11 June 1883 on behalf of the people of Melbost. We find him in the censuses of 1871 and 1881 at Melbost, married to Henrietta (3 years his junior) and with 4 children, varying in ages between 12 and 26 (in 1871). Duncan is aged 63 in 1881.  I have been unable to trace him in censuses before '71 or after '81.

Murdo Macleod , an agent for the British Linen Bank in Stornoway, gave evidence to the Napier Commission in the town on 11 June 1883. He appears in the 1891 census as a banker and chief magistrate in Stornoway, married to a Donaldina M Macleod, and with 4 children, aged between 3 and 8. There is also a Jessie Macfarlane at their address, "living on private means" and Murdo's niece Margaret L Macfarlane, aged 3, who was born in Minnesota, USA. I am unable to trace Murdo in any of the censuses before or after 1891.

Alexander Murray gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Stornoway on 11 June 1883. He is noted as a 46-year old merchant from the town. Unfortunately, it is difficult to extract the correct Alexander Murray from the census returns. In 1881, there are a few men of that name in enumeration district 88, the town of Stornoway who are not merchants. There is an Alexander Murray in the 1871 census who is aged 30, and a draper at 39 Keith Street, also appearing in the 1861 census. Whether he is the man that gave evidence in 1883 is unclear, due to the discrepancy in ages.

James Mccombie was a fish curer who gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Stornoway on 11 June 1883. He hailed from Peterhead, and that is where we find him in the census returns. In 1881, he is noted as employing 50 men and 10 boys in his occupation as herring merchant and curer. James lives at 5 Jamaica Street in Peterhead, and lives with his wife Sarah. They have 5 children, varying in ages from 1 to 11. By 1891, James has moved to 10 Fitzroy Place in Glasgow (Sandyford), continuing his businessas a fish merchant. His family has expanded to 8 children, aged between 3 and 20. In 1871, James is at 80 Longate St, a fishcurer employing 13 coopers and 3 boys. He is married to Sarah, who is 9 years younger than him, and their first child has appeared on the scene by then. Ten years earlier, James is lodging with the Hepburns in Rathven, Banffshire, marked as a fishcurer. By 1851, he is found at home with his parents James and Jane on Pool Lane in Peterhead, a 10-year old scholar....

Donald Smith gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Stornoway on 11 June 1883. He was a 49-year old fish-curer from the town. We find him in the 1881 census as a merchant at 28 Francis Street; the 1891 census lists him as a fish-curer and JP (justice of the peace) at 44 Francis Street. He was born at Callernish and married to Annie E. They had a son, John C; the 1881 census also lists two shopmen at the premises. A late addition to the family turns up on the 1891 census, with 3-year old Flora C E. By that time, John C is a student of practical chemistry. In 1901, the family have located to Matheson Road Springfield, a slightly leafier part of Stornoway. Donald and his son John C are both fish curers, and Flora a scholar. Going back in time, the 1871 census shows Donald at 28 Francis Street, with his wife Annie (nee Maclean), and their young sons John Campbell and Peter Mclean Smith. Peter died in 1874 at the age of 5. There are also two domestic servants and two shopmen in the ho...

Rev James Greenfield , the Free Church minister for Stornoway, is heard by the Napier Commission at Stornoway on 11 June 1883. In the 1881 census, he is marked as having been born in Canada; it is beyond the scope of my resources to trace the exact location in that territory. There is no mention of him in the 1851 or 1871 censuses for Canada. James is married to Eliza Jane and has 11 children, varying in ages from 14 years to 12 days. His mother, Mary (82), is living with him. Rev Greenfield is attended by a domestic staff of four. He lives in Francis Street in Stornoway. The 1891 census shows another addition to the family. EDIT: The Ancestry website has come up trumps. James Greenfield lies buried, with his wife Eliza (nee Maclean), in the Lakeview Cemetery at Thorold, Canada. This is about 6 miles west of Niagara Falls. The gravestone reads: Eliza J. McLean wife of Rev. James Greenfield 1842-1895 Rev. James Greenfield Free Church Stornoway Scotland 1832-1899

William Mackay was the chamberlain of the Lews, representating Lady Matheson in various parts of her estates. I list his main evidence below. He is also involved with exchanges with some witnesses, and gives an assurance that all witnesses can speak with impunity. Miavaig Barvas Stornoway Keose William Mackay was aged 56 when he faces Lord Napier's Commission. We trace him on the 1881 census and find he is born in Nairn. His occupation is "factor and senior magistrate". William lodges with Margaret Gillanders at 18 Francis Street, Stornoway. In 1871, he is an accountant, lodging with Margaret Gillanders. The 1861 shows 29-year old William Mackay as an accountant at 83 John Street, Glasgow Central. By 1891, William has retired to his hometown of Nairn (aged 64) and lives there at 11 Railway Terrace with his spouse Johanna. William Mackay died on 10 November 1901, aged 74. He is marked as the late Chamberlain of the Lews, married to Johanna Ross. His parents are ...

Napier Campbell was a solicitor, who spoke extensively at the Napier Commission in Stornoway on 11 June 1883. He was born in Edinburgh, and was staying at 17 South Beach Street, Stornoway in the 1881 census, marked as a procurator and enrolled law agent. Mr Campbell was lodging with the Grant family. In 1871, Napier Campbell was lodging at 40 Cromwell Street in Stornoway, with the Hunter family. His occupation is listed as Solicitor or procurator of faculty of Ross. Ten years earlier, we find Napier Campbell in Glasgow, Blythswood, at 12 Scotia Street, as a general clerk in writon (?) office.  He is lodging with the Lawrie family. In 1851, we see a young Napier Campbell, aged 19, a stockbroker's general clark. He is living with his mother Isabella at 60 North Castle Street in Edinburgh. His siblings are listed as Elizabeth (18), Letitia (14), Georgina (12) and Peter (20). The 1841 census lists Napier Campbell, aged 8, in amongst all the people at Edinburgh St Cuthberts. Napi...

Roderick Mcsween was the witness giving evidence on behalf of the crofters of Steinish at the Napier Inquiry at Stornoway, on 9 June 1883. We find him in the 1881 census at 6 Stenish Road, aged 69, married to Lilly who is of the same age. Their son Donald (25) is in their house, as is their granddaughter Jannet Murray (11).  Roderick is marked as born in Harris. The 1861 census shows the couple at 39 Steenish Road, now aged 46. Their 7 children, Catherine (22), Angus (19), John (17), Donald (13), Peter (11), Rosy (9) and Donald Murdo (5) are shown on the census entry as well. The same listing, minus those aged below 10, are displayed on the 1851 census. Roderick passed away on 12 April 1897, aged 80, having suffered from influenza and bronchitis. His parents are named as Angus and Margaret (nee Campbell). His wife Lilly died three years before, in 1894 at the age of 77. 

Alexander Morrison was a witness to the Napier Commission during its session at Stornoway on 9 June 1883. He is listed as a commission merchant, which makes it likely that he would move about in the country. There is one Alexander Morrison of about the age of this witness in enumaration district 88 in 1881, (Alexander Morrison was aged 29 in 1883), but he is a builder in Bayhead. The evidence available at this stage is insufficient to make a reliable connection to any individual in the 1881 census. Further information welcome.

Roderick Mcleod was a witness who spoke on behalf of the people of Upper Bayble at the Napier Commission's session at Stornoway on 9 June 1883. Unfortunately, it is not possible to readily distinguish between the two men named Roderick Mcleod from Upper Bayble, who were both born in 1815, according to the 1881 census. One was married to Mary, the other to Anne. The witness to the Commission was aged 69, i.e. born around 1814. Further information welcome.

John Stewart gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Stornoway on 9 June 1883, on behalf of the people of Bayble. It is not possible to readily distinguish between the two men, named John Stewart, living at Lower Bayble, and being of very nearly the same age, according to the 1881 census. One was a crofter and fish-splitter, the other a fisherman. The man who spoke at the Commission's hearing was a crofter and fisherman. One John Stewart was married to Annie and born about 1831, the other was married to Mary and born about 1829. Further information welcome. 

Kenneth Macleod gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Stornoway on 8 June 1883 on behalf of the people of Garrabost, Point. We find him in the 1881 census, aged 50, married to Christy Mcleod. They have 5 children, Angus (26), William (20), Isabella (16), Catherin (10) and Angus (8). The 1871 census adds John and Mary as children (ages between Angus and William), as well as a Christina, between Isabella and Catherine. Kenneth Macleod passed away on 17 January 1889, aged 59, having suffered from cardiac disease and cerebral effusion. He was married to Christina, and was the son of Alexander and Christina. His son William reported the death to the registrar at Stornoway.

Torquil Mcleod was a witness to the Napier Commission at Stornoway on 8 June 1883, representing the village of Knock, Point. We find him in the 1881 census aged 40, married to Margaret (36). Their children were John (12), Mary (9), Isabella (5) and Donald (3). A decade earlier, the family were living with Torquil's parents  John (58) and Margaret (54) in Knock. Torquil's siblings were William (26), Mary (19) and Isabella (10).  Torqil's first child, John, is 6 months old at that time. In 1891, Torquil's family has grown to 6 children, with the addition of James (9), Catherine (6) and Torquil (3).  By 1901, they appear to have moved to 22 Swordale. A grandchild, Isabella (1), has appeared on the scene by that time. Torquil Mcleod died on 25 November 1901, only 7 or 8 months after the census was taken, aged 62. He is noted as a pauper, formerly a crofter, married to Margaret nee Mackenzie, and living at Swordale. The cause of death is epilepsy (6 years) and renal dis...