Black Isle Guides

06/08/2026

Sunday was our last day in Lewis. I had one more cemetery to explore, which sadly didn't produce what I was looking for, before we headed back in to Stornoway to Keith Street, where I found both the houses I was looking for.

Sometime between 1881 and 1885 Alexander and Mary and three of their boys move to 62 Keith Street. By this point, Dugald had gone off to become a blacksmith and then he joined the Scots Guards.

Sadly, on 20th July, 1885, Mary dies from a bout of gastritis and Alexander is once again a widower. The family move again sometime between Mary's death and the 1891 census. They don't move far, just further along the street to 83 Keith Street. The twins Donald and Duncan finish their schooling and then go to university in Glasgow to study medicine. That's a whole other story - who funded them? did they go on a scholarship? - lots of questions that require answers. Alexander Jnr has gone on to become a General Merchant.

On 14th March, 1894, Alexander dies from the infirmities of old age. Alexander Jnr becomes the head of the household. On 10th July, 1896, Alexander dies at the young age of 29, from pulmonary tuberculosis. One of the twins is present at the time.

Keith Street is a long street that runs down to the harbour area of Stornoway. It was quite a strange feeling to stand outside the last two homes of Alexander and Mary and to know that that was where their stories ended.

All the remaining children have left Stornoway and I don't think any of them return. I know what happens next for all but Mary. Mary has vanished and so far, I've not been able to find her.

Dugald leaves the army and I'm still verifying where he ended up next. The twins go on to have prestigious medical careers in South Africa and for Donald, also in England. As I said earlier, theirs is a story for another day.

Annie had married in 1883 down in London and it was always believed that she and Mary had gone into service down there.

And what about the first Donald McRae, left behind in Cannich, with Jane's sister Christina? Well, he moves to Glasgow, marries and they then emigrate to Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Whilst investigating Keith Street, we also discovered the Female Industrial School, established in 1848 by Lady Matheson 'to provide young ladies with the opportunities to learn a range of domestic activities and crafts'. The School continued until 1906 and I'm wondering if Annie and Mary may have attended this school and perhaps there are records that may give me a clue as to where Mary went. Watch this space 😊

03/08/2026

Saturday took us to Aignish and the site of what was once Aignish farm. Alexander and his family moved here sometime between 1871 and 1881. I think it was probably earlier in the 70's as his youngest sons - twins - are referred to in later documents as Aignish boys. By 1881 all 4 boys are scholars. The twins are 11 and we know they attended Knock School. My great great grandmother Ann and her sister Mary have left home by 1881.

By 1885 the family have left Aignish and moved to Keith Street in Stornoway.

In January 1888, around 400 men and women from the Point Peninsula raided the farm in an attempt to reclaim the land for small-scale crofting. The Sheriff and Procurator Fiscal read the Riot Act, which had little impact amongst the raiders and the Police, Marines and the army were called upon to help quell the riot. Fighting broke out and it was only thanks to the coolness of the Sheriff that events were brought to a close without serious bloodshed. 14 of the raiders were arrested and taken to Edinburgh, where they were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment.

By 1905, the tide had turned in favour of the raiders at Aignish and other places across the Highlands and Islands. The government divided Aignish farm into a number of crofts for use by the people of Point. These crofts are still in place today.

The Aignish Farm Raiders Monument pictured below was designed by sculptor Will Maclean and it was built by stonemason Jim Crawford in 1995.

The monument sits on the site of the farm and it stirs up a lot of emotions. Here was where my Great Great Great Grandfather lived and worked as a shepherd and raised his family and yet not too many years later, people desperate for land and a chance to survive were prepared to risk imprisonment in an attempt to seize the farm.

https://www.visitouterhebrides.co.uk/hebrideanway/things-to-do/aignish-farm-raiders-monument-p584641

https://uichurch.co.uk/point-failte-gu-an-rubha/

Ancestors Unearthed

01/08/2026

A great company to travel with.

01/08/2026

Griais / Gress Lodge

A fantastic start to our explorations yesterday. First stop Griais / Gress. Having been widowed in 1862, sometime between then and 1866, my 3 x Great Grandfather, Alexander, arrived here with his two young daughters Anne (my Great Great Grandmother) and her sister Mary. For some reason, his son Donald was left in Strathglass with Alexander's sister-in-law, Christina.

An amazing situation to live in. Imagine living that close to such a stunning beach. I know they were close to the beach as opposed to the hamlet slightly higher up, as the 1871 census has them living at Gress Lodge. Whether that means the lodge itself, or a smaller building associated with the lodge, I've not yet been able to verify.

In 1866 Alexander married Mary MacKenzie at Back Free Church and they went on to have 4 sons during their time at Gress.

Pictured is the church, which is apparently the original building having gone through several extensive renovations. It's a beautiful looking Church today and clearly very well used with a lovely adjoining Hall to the rear of the church.

We also visited the memorial to the Gress & Coll Landraiders. These events took place well after Alexander's time at Gress but important to visit and further understand the history of the island.

Ancestors Unearthed

31/07/2026

A fabulous crossing. Saw dolphins and puffins. Puffins now ticked off my bucket list and amazing to see.

Now in Stornoway.

Ancestors Unearthed

31/07/2026

We talk about the Stoltman Brothers on our Hidden History tour of Invergordon and as the Port highlight in their post, there is so much to see 😊

We find out how Invergordon’s Stoltman Brothers are giving a High Street boost to their home town 💪

Business owners are hopeful for more after the news that strongman Tom is to become a TV Gladiator 📺

Read more: https://eu1.hubs.ly/H0xdNyL0

31/07/2026

Arrived in Ullapool. We had a glorious drive up. Clouding over a wee bit now.

Can’t get away from the day job. Arrived to find a cruise ship in 😀.

Ancestors Unearthed

30/07/2026

You’re always guaranteed to receive a warm welcome when shopping Tanstar Gifts in Invergordon & with so many lovely gifts on offer, you’re unlikely to go away empty handed. A great shop for locals and visitors.

30/07/2026

I cannot believe we're at the end of July already. Where has the time gone? Another great month of Hidden History tours in Invergordon and walks in Inverness for Walking Tours in Inverness.

I've had some very generous reviews for the Invergordon walks and have met so many lovely people.

I have 3 days off now and I'm off to Stornoway for a flying family history research visit. This time it's for my own family history and I'm going to see some of the places where my 3 x Great Grandfather and my Great Great Gran lived & worked. I can't wait.

Ancestors Unearthed

29/07/2026

If you’re planning on visiting the Cairngorms then please, still go. They really need the financial support and perhaps those of us who are lucky enough to live up here could visit the areas that are open and support them.