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Discussion: Hi, my Grandfather Archibald MacDonald was born on Vatersay in 1885. His father Donald MacDonald was born on Barra in 1849. He was the Tennant Farmer on Vatersay from 1884 and was still the tennant when the Vatersay Raiders came. Because of all the problems with the raids, he terminated his lease early and in 1909 left Vatersay and took the lease of Milton Farm in South Uist just along from Flora MacDonalds' monument. I was told that an old man who had worked there as a boy that for my Great Grandfather remembered there wasMacDonald tartan carpet on the floor in the drawing room. When Milton farm was being broken up, in 1914 he took up the lease of Tullich Farm in Lochcarron. He also was the Tennant Farmer of another Estate of Lady Gordon Cathcart which I believe was the Nunnton Farm. I understand that your hostel is in what would have been the farm steadings, stables etc. I just wanted to let you know of my connection with the the area. I was in fact in the area in May. I came over from New Zealand to go to the family places in the Hebrides. All the best for your venture. I love the highlands and felt as if I was "home", my ancestral and spiritual home. My Grandfather Archibald as mentioned above came to live in New Zealand in 1930 bringing my Grandmother, my mother and her brother. |
