Fàilte! (Welcome!)

Fàilte! (Welcome!)
This blog is the result of my ongoing research into the people, places and events that have shaped the Western Isles of Scotland and, in particular, the 'Siamese-twins' of Harris and Lewis.
My interest stems from the fact that my Grandfather was a Stornowegian and, until about four years ago, that was the sum total of my knowledge, both of him and of the land of his birth.
I cannot guarantee the accuracy of everything that I have written (not least because parts are, perhaps, pioneering) but I have done my best to check for any errors.
My family mainly lived along the shore of the Sound of Harris, from An-t-Ob and Srannda to Roghadal, but one family 'moved' to Direcleit in the Baighs...

©Copyright 2011 Peter Kerr All rights reserved

Friday 7 May 2010

Stornoway Harbour Masters

These are the three Harbour Masters as recorded in the censuses of 1841-1901

1841 & 1851 – None Listed


1861
Peter Macfarlane, 52, Harbour Master, Head, 1 Kenneth Street, b. Stornoway

1871
William Lees, 48, Harbour Master, Visitor, Garrabost Road, b. Stornoway
(Malcolm Macritchie, 66, Minister Garrabost Free Church, Garrabost Road, b. Uig, Ross-shire)

Peter Macfarlane, 62, Retired Harbour Master, 21 Inaclete Street, b. Stornoway

1881
William Lees, 58, Harbour Master, Head, 16 Keith Street, b. Greenock, Lanarkshire

1891
Thomas Morrison, 54, Harbour Master, Head, 49 Francis Street, b. Stornoway

1901
Thomas Morrison, 65, Harbour Master, Head, 49 (Francis St?), b. Stornoway

I think that William Lees was from Greenock and that the 1871 record merely reflects the fact that he was visiting the Macritchie's on that occasion and whoever completed the return was perhaps unsure of his birthplace and hence chose the 'easy' option of putting Stornoway.

I have no further information on any of these men but thought that, their role having been of such great importance to the port, they should be listed.

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