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

Tuesday 3 August 2010

Gardener's Cottage, Stornoway

Lews Castle was built during the years 1847-54. At the same time a cottage was constructed for the Gardeners and these are the census records for the men who appear to have occupied it:

(1841 - Alexander Macrae, 49, Seaforth Lodge, b. Ross & Cromarty)

1847 - Castle construction begins

1851
Alexander Mcrae, 55, Gardener's Lodge, b. Fodderty, Ross
Peter Stoddart, 26, Distillery, b. Dunse, Berwick (Address reminds us that the teetotal Sir James Matheson built Lews Castle where the Stornoway Distillery had stood)

1854 - Castle complete

1861
Peter Liddle, 27, Gardener's Cottage, b. Carnwath, Lanarkshire
Revere(?) Black, 25, Gardener's Cottage, b.Ireland
Alexander Macrae, 65, Gardener's House No 1, b. Kinloch Ussle(?), Ross-shire

1871
John Smith, 35, Gardener's Cottage, b. Haddington
Alexander Macrae, Nursery Cottage, b. Fodderty, Ross-shire (see Nursery Cottage )

1881
George Macdonald, 45, Gardener's Cottage, b. Uig, Ross-shire
Alexander Macrae, 86, Nursery Cottage, b. Fodderty, Ross-shire

1891
David Conning, 37, Gardener's Cottage, b. Haddington

1901
David Conning, 47,Gardener's Cottage,  b. Haddington

Note: I have included Alexander Macrae because, despite never giving his address as the Gardener's Cottage, he served as a Gardener, Forester and Head Nurseryman for at least 40 years!

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