WEST WORD
Community paper for Mallaig, Morar, Arisaig, Lochailort, Glenfinnan
Glenuig, Knoydart and the Small Isles

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November 2008 Issue
14 years old this issue!

Contents of the online version:

Top stories
Monthly news from Knoydart, Muck, Eigg, Glenfinnan, Arisaig
Fishing News
Local Genealogy & History

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NEW TRAWLER FOR MALLAIG
Skipper Robert Summers' new twin-rig prawn trawler is the first skipper-owned trawler to be built for Mallaig for nearly ten years. Built by MMS Repair & Dry Dock Company at Hull, the 16.5m vessel has been named Rebecca Jeneen after Robert's daughters Rebecca and Jennifer and wife Noreen.
The whole family were in Hull for the launching last month, including Robert's father Jock and mother Margaret, who named the boat in time-honoured fashion with a bottle of bubbly.
The trawler features a completely new deck layout and working arrangements. The fitting out work is expected to take three to four weeks, and Robert hopes to be fishing his way home by the end of November. Robert and Noreen's previous boat, Ocean Trust OB38, built in MacDuff in 1982, has been sold to Mallaig's Tony Kenning and re-registered as OB381.
photo
The Rebecca Jeneen being lifted into Hull's Alexandra Dock by crane

BEST PUB IN SCOTLAND
It's official - Knoydart's Old Forge - the pub with a pet hen - has been named The Best Independent Pub in Scotland by the SLTN Scottish Licensed Trade News The SLTN Awards are by far the most comprehensive recognition and reward programme in the Scottish drinks retailing, hospitality and leisure groups. The award was presented to owners Jackie and Ian Robertson by Kirsty Gallacher at a prestigious 'Oscars' type awards ceremony at the Glasgow Hilton on 23rd October 2008.
The award is just one of many won by the pub, which although the remotest in Britain must also be one of the busiest!


KNOYDART
And…relax. It seems like the high winds and torrential rain, snow and hail which have battered the peninsula for the latter part of October have dissipated for the time being at least. Last weekend saw several people stranded in Mallaig, disappointed to be missing the premiere for the latest film by Knoydart young folk: "The Knoydart Revolution". Those who were able to make it were very impressed by an excellent film which I reckon deserves to be appearing on a screen near you at some point. Bryony, James, Anna and Ewan were the main players in creating a work which mixes slapstick with some ironic comment on the history of Knoydart, all under the guidance of Sam Firth, our resident film maker. We all want to see it again as people were laughing so much that we couldn't hear some of the lines! Well done to all involved (most of the peninsula!), as well as to those who helped out on the day such as the two Rhonas and Isla whose beauty salon before the premiere was a frenzy of wigs and hair straighteners. I'm going to treasure my award for "Most Versatile Actor" for a long time. Keep an eye open for the DVD which is bound to sell like hot cakes, and which also includes a film by young people in South Uist about the Eriskay ponies. Ideal Christmas present if you ask me.
The Old Forge, as you have no doubt read elsewhere by now, has won the Scottish Licensed Trade News "Independent Pub of the Year" award - congratulations to Ian, Jackie, Rhona, Sandy, Phil, Sarah, Steve, Fred and all the other staff that have helped them win the accolade. Apparently the lovesick chicken which has taken up residence on the windowsill even got a mention at the prizegiving. Maybe it'll be feeling better now Sandy is back from his jaunt to Poland.
Some cracking music in the pub mid-October, with Injuns and Claes Cem coming over and wowing us all with some eclectic music. Really nice to hear some decent, amplified music, and by all accounts they had just as good a time as the audience. Those of us who were feeling a wee bit hungover after an all night party in Glenuig soon forgot our aching heads.
End of the stag season, start of the hinds, and Steve and Fred have settled in well to their new roles as ghillies, as well as their respective new accommodations. Speaking of which, I'm enjoying my peaceful spot in Airor, which has surprising views over to Skye (it's strange seeing cars driving about at night when all I've seen for the past six years are the lights of the fishfarm across the water).
Other news: good turnout for the woodfuel day, and ranger guided walks are still available for any intrepid visitors in November, every Wednesday. Oh, and Terry has discovered that his chicken-handling skills have been called into question….he's not bad with a mop and bucket though!
Tommy McManmon

ISLE OF MUCK
October is the month when as soon as school closes for half term most of the island disappears to the mainland. This year Jenny, myself and the family joined them for a house on the fringes of Tuscany in Italy. Most of us travelled by train and most unexpectedly the service deteriorated the further we progressed from Muck. From Caledonian Sleeper (excellent) to Eurostar (no food trolley or audible announcements in English). Then the Trenitalia sleeper to Firenze (never again) followed by local trains (no staff uniforms, rare ticket inspections, the graffiti, no on train announcements in any language) but it was cheap to travel. Everything else about Italy was most impressive and we had a very enjoyable holiday.
Every one was back for Hallowe'en and this year we had a pumpkin decorating competition courtesy of Dave and Libby Barndon who donated the pumpkins. And they were not these small orange globes you purchase in the supermarket, several were over two feet across though some were smaller and one family even chose a turnip!. Each competitor had to make a dish using the contents and two islanders were given the impossible task of choosing a winner in each category. Their choice seemed to be quite controversial and the subject of much discussion. All I am sure about is that a lot of time went into the lanterns and there was some super eating. The Community Hall was the real winner - by £100.
Lawrence MacEwen

ISLE OF EIGG
Autumn sales have brought satisfactory prices for Eigg cattle, but disappointingly low prices for sheep, considering that our area had a better summer than a lot of other places in the country. With extra costs for fuel and a huge 30 % jump in cost of feeding stuff, the future for island farming is not getting less bleak. By comparison, the future of island market gardening is looking up, with the Eigg as well as the Muck growers reporting a very good season. There is talk of increasing the number of polytunnels on Eigg by five more: Stuart Miller's gardening club initiative has indeed paid off. Membership of the Highland Local Food Producers Network through the fledgling Small Isles Producers group will no doubt help things along even more.
Building are coming along fine on the island also: Karl's round house is shaping up, the Cormac brothers' house is now wind and water tight, and whilst awaiting the installation of solar panels, the fire is roaring away in the upstairs sitting room! Meanwhile at the pier, changes are afoot with with Lizzie Boden finally deciding to give up her tenancy of the Pier tearoom after three years of hard word to concentrate on her career changes. Good luck to Lizzie for her future plans ( enjoy your hard-earned Tuscan holiday!) and thank you for the lovely food and cosy atmosphere. Good luck also to Stuart Fergusson who is now taking the business over. The first official do in the tearoom being the Hallow'een evening for the island children, cats, witches, skeletons and other scary characters have had a ball amongst pumpkin and witches garlands after guising throughout the island. Well done, Stuart! As to the grown-ups, well, the pool competition season is now open.
The beginning of the month saw Marie Carr celebrating her 50th on the heel of the mega birthday do in the hall which saw a good crowd of folk from Eigg, Knoydart, Glenuig, Glenfinnan and Strontian partying the night away (Colin may have joined the over 50's club, but still could be seen outdoing most folks on the dance floor!) Phew, three days later, we could finally have a rest!
On a sadder note, on 6 October, we said our final farewells to Pat Campbell, who died peacefully in her Ballachullish retirement home after a long illness, aged 71. Pat is survived by her husband Donald, whom she met when she came to be the Lodge housekeeper in 1979. Donald, the estate gardener for 40 years, lost no time in proposing to her so that they married at the end of her first year on Eigg. After raising her family in London and years in publishing, Pat relished the beauty and peace of her island home, but soon found herself enjoying the joys of grand-motherhood when her daughter Sue married into an island family in her turn. She was also able to enjoy travelling to far-away places with Donald before the Parkinson's disease she suffered from took its toll. The whole island came together for a moving funeral service in the Church of Scotland and a farewell wake at Lageorna, with Sue, Alistair and their children as well as Sue's sister Gina and her family. Those of us who arrived on Eigg in the same year as Pat will always remember her for her gaiety and sense of fun.
The heavy weather in the last few weeks have posed a new challenge to our electric team with one of the windmills playing up, keeping John Booth busy with thinking new solutions to what appears to be a recurring problem. We all hope this will be resolved soon as Christine is patiently waiting for work to resume on her central heating system at Galmisdale: if this month is a taste of winter to come, she will need it sooner than later!
Meanwhile, the Big Green Challenge is now officially kicked off, with each sample household starting to measure their fuel and transport usage, our almost free winter minibus scheme now running (on chip oil), and hopefully our project manager(s) appointed soon to see that we get as close to our goal as possible: a 60% carbon emission reduction. An official press launch is planned in Edinburgh on 14 November, whilst on Eigg the official launch will be a communal meal in the community hall prepared with our locally grown produce. Watch this space!
November birthdays: Katie MacKinnon, Christine Booth ,Joanne Kirk, Felicia Greene
Camille Dressler.

GLENFINNAN
Sorry I missed last month but I am in the middle of building a house and the only news I could have told you was the paint colours of our walls. One day I was in painting on my own with just a little bit to finish off, when a door with no handle closed before I could stop it. Locked in I reached for the mobile, but no signal. I stretched up to a velux window and got one bar. I made several calls with reception disappearing so I was really just leaving garbled messages. Only minutes later I heard shouts from heroes come to rescue me. Thanks Joe and Pete.
The Community Council dissolved and reformed with no changes. There were 5 nominations for the existing community councillors so no election. The community council are Duncan Gibson (Chair), Graham Young (Secretary / Treasurer), Ingrid Henderson (Minutes Secretary), Joan Robertson (no title but is our events organiser extraordinaire) and myself.
The last fishing competition of the season went well and now all the boats have been taken safely out of the water.
The Stalker's Dinner was held in Glenfinnan House Hotel to mark the end of the stag season. Young Mr MacKellaig arrived late and made quite an entrance, so I am told.
There has been an exodus of Morrisons from the village. Ailidh, Megan and Hannah have moved to Eigg. Good luck girls. We hope you enjoy island living. We look forward to reading about you in the Eigg column in the West Word! Ian and Joy Morrison have also left and they have moved 'down south'. Good luck!
As people leave new people arrive. The Thomsons came out to meet the locals at the Hallowe'en party. Hope we haven't scared you away.
The Hallowe'en parties were very good. The children went guising and did very well. I had to carry my children's bag home, as it was too heavy. After guising they all gathered in the spookily decorated hotel for a party. All the hotel staff were in fancy dress, the hall had ghosts and scary faces and the children went to great effort to disguise themselves as witches, pumpkins, skeletons, mummies, ghosts and downright scary looking creatures. Joan, of course, ran the party and made it a huge success. There were loads of games including, naturally, dooking for apples and eating donuts on a string.
Then, later, it was the adults' party. There were dreadful creatures from the dead, witches and skeletons and all sorts. There was even a very cute but dangerous party mad leopard and a red devil who was having a strange effect on the assembled women. Everyone made a huge effort and had a lot of fun.
Some people came as themselves and were then faced with themselves when 'The Monday Club' arrived. Iain was a very convincing Donald John, Ewan Campbell came as Joan complete with Glenfinnan Brewery apron, Euan Stoddart was Kitty with Cuban stockings, Cat was George with red tie and goatee and Ingrid was in character all night as the all-singing Joe Gillies complete with gold chain, microphone and holiday tan. The real Monday Club were all in the bar and they all laughed. The Monday Club is the name for the group of villagers who gather in the bar every Monday evening for a drink and a natter. The younger generation came to the party dressed as them to hilarious effect
Joan had us all playing party games. We did musical knees and Alistair was the lucky man left with two ladies competing for a place on his knee. We dooked for apples, smudging a few whiskers.
There has been lots of birthdays. Sorry if I missed anyone but remember to let me know the birthdays.
The big birthday in October was Ronnie MacKellaig who celebrated his 80th with a trip to the theatre in Glasgow. Congratulations and Happy Birthday.
Happy Birthday also to George MacNeil and to Donnie MacLennan.
Pete aka 'crazy Pedro' and Iain Pearson shared a birthday with a bothy party. Iain was in charge of the barbecue and by all accounts it was quite a night.
Happy Birthday to the girls - Reba who was 3 and Fina and Aine who both turned 4.
Eileen O'Rua

ARISAIG
With a crane permanently at Arisaig Marine now, the annual disappearance of the yachts from the bay to storage is a very gradual one. In years past, a crane would be hired for a day and all yachts came in then, so the turn of the season was very marked. One day the bay was full of yachts, the next day it wasn't. Now it's much more insidious as they are taking in when time and weather permits.
What a huge bonfire we had this year, and it burnt quickly and cleanly away. The Community Council had taken charge of the building of it, banning any dumping, and it worked a treat. A great fireworks display too, set off and managed by Gerry, Gordon and Graham. They would like to thank Morrisons, UBC and Arisaig Marine for the supply of timber and for helping build the fire, and the nursery school for the guy!
So it's goodbye and good luck to Nick and Lindsay Murray who are going to live at Glasnacardoch Lodge and passing management of the Old Library to chef Robert and wife Maryann. It's a sad goodbye also to Dr Craig Stangroom, and to his wife Coralie and children Merryn, Adam and Luke, who are leaving to return to Cumbria. They've made a mark here and will be very much missed.
I'm pleased to report that the Hall has received planning permission for the little car park across the road - but please don't hold your breaths as we have to find some funding now!
We also have our new PA installed, in time for the Hallowe'en party, and I'd like to thank Martin Whyte, Glenfinnan, for his help, advice, time and hard work which enabled us to purchase and install it so quickly.
Who said the country was quiet! At last the deer have stopped rutting-or at least we're not hearing them all night now. Instead we have cows bawling all night long! As for nature getting the seasons mixed up - we've had some lovely sunny days, but also some really foul weather, and it's been pretty cold throughout-so why do the sparrows appear to be nesting again, why are there new buds on so many plants, and I even heard a dawn chorus the other day! June has told me she has flowers and fruit on one of her plants. It's all crazy…
It was very nice of the Mackintosh Centre folk to invite us over for a cup of tea, to see the new TVs bought with the money donated as wedding gifts. It was great to have a chat to Nellie MacQueen who made a lovely speech and presented us with a box of chocolates. It gives us the chance to thank again all of you who donated so much money; I was hoping to write to those who I knew about but I know didn't manage everyone. So please share the pleasure we have in the gift of the TVs, they are from you, and I think it's good to see the tangible result of a donation. And the Lochaber News promoted my mother to Centre Manager in the photo!!
I can't close without mention of the sad loss to the community this week, with the passing of Alastair MacDonald, known affectionately as Alastair Portnadoran, a lovely man who will be sadly missed. Condolences to Audrey, Florence and Donald.
Ann Lamont

photo
(l to r) Ann's mother Barbara (a day care client), Centre Manager Julia Foster, Winnie MacLellan, Richard and Ann

TV GIFTS TO MACKINTOSH CENTRE
Residents and Day Care clients at the Mackintosh Centre in Mallaig can now enjoy watching their favourite programmes on two new high definition flat screen televisions.
When Ann and Richard Lamont of Arisaig got married on the 10th May 2008, instead of receiving wedding presents, they requested donations be made to the Friends of the Mackintosh Centre, who were able to donate to the residents and day care clients the two televisions from the monies received.
Centre Manager Julia Foster said: 'On behalf of the service users and staff of the Mackintosh Centre, we would like to thank Ann and Richard for their kind gesture which made it possible for the Friends to donate the televisions to the home.'
The Friends of the Mackintosh Centre are a voluntary group of people who raise funds for the benefit of older people in living in Arisaig, Morar, Mallaig, Knoydart and the Small Isles. Chair person Helen Lamb said: 'We are delighted that the donation has been so well received.'
You can support the Clients' Amenity Fund, which will raise money to go towards the festive season , by attending the Bingo Night at the Centre on Wednesday 12th November, at 7pm.


FISHING NEWS by John Hermse, Mallaig & North West Fishermen's Association

West of Scotland (area VI) 2009 Opening proposals
Cod, Haddock and Whiting all received a zero catch rating in the latest ICES advice. As a result the European Commission (CION) views it necessary to stimulate a recovery by invoking quite severe measures; these are:
1) A general closure to fishing activity in area VI which is less than 200 meters in depth, subject to the following derogations:
a. Vessels fishing for Pelagic species
b. Static gear operations such as lobster, crab and nephrops pots (I assume this also covers gill net operations)
c. Nephrops vessels using the separator grid
These measures are over and above what CION are proposing for cuts in effort and quotas. There is no doubt that the EU measures if implemented in their fullest form would close down the West Coast fishing industries and with it the many small communities that depend on it. Negotiations have begun with SGMD and the EU but a lot of hard work will have to take place in the next few weeks to maintain our industry in some semblance of viability.

Fisheries Management
The CFP policy has not worked in any way and needs to be scrapped. The quota system needs a vast overhaul to ensure that there is a spread of quota over the fleet rather than major West Coast stocks all being caught by one or two vessels. The management system, which for example allows the 5% spur dogs by-catch causing a huge increase in discards must be overhauled. The naivety of the UK scientists giving away discards information to CION when other major EU fleets do not needs to be looked at. In short, the whole system is in a shambles and needs knowledge and experience to make it work. The Conservation Credits scheme, on which we all placed so many hopes and which has delivered some ground breaking conservation initiatives, which actually work, has got to deliver the credits. On the West Coast proposals it looks as if we are going to be hoist by our own petard. The CFP and Cion are receiving bad press for their part in the mismanagement of fishing. The Scottish Government must take a strong line in fighting for its fishermen in the five or six weeks ahead.

Scallop Strategy
After years of apathy, the scallop sector is now part of a series of strategy/dialogue meetings in both Scotland and the UK. Industry welcomed the attention and are hoping for a meaningful outcome. It's early days, but at this stage it looks as if we will require some cohesion and knowledge from SGMD if the initiative is going to work


NEW BOOK FROM TOMMY RALSTON
Successful Scottish author Tom Ralston has written a new book, launched at the beginning of November.
The book, entitled Silver Threads, is a dramatic novel weaving a tale of life and love and tragedy set against the background of life in Scotland's fishing communities.
Tommy has plenty of experience to draw on. Born in Campbeltown, he left school to become a fisherman at the age of fifteen. He worked in the industry for many years before coming ashore and forming his own fish buying and processing Company. He served the Royal National Lifeboat Institution for over 34 years, retiring from the post of Coxswain/Mechanic of the Mallaig lifeboat in 1991. During this time he was awarded the Bronze Medal for bravery. He served 15 years in the Royal Naval Reserve, reaching the rank of Chief Petty Officer. He was appointed Justice of the Peace in the Lochaber area, an appointment which, he says, taught him a great deal about life.
Silver Threads is Mr Ralston's third book to be published. His previous books, My Captains and To The Edge, received widespread critical acclaim.
Now retired, Tommy now lives in Lundin Links in Fife with his wife Ina.
Silver Threads is published by Scottish publisher PlashMill Press and will be available through all good bookshops, online and direct from the publisher at www.plashmillpress.com. The price of the book is £9.99.
A review of the book will appear in next month's West Word .

News in Brief


MEMORIES OF ARISAIG by Keddie Law
It was my mother who introduced me to Arisaig, She had spotted advertisements for a number of caravan and camp sites in the area and concluded that there had to be something there to offer the tourists.
So in the summer of 1962 we set off from Fife on our first journey along the "Road to the Isles". These were the heady days of camping, but we soon found how ill-equipped we were. Neither of our two tents had a ground sheet, and one (mine!) didn't even have a fly sheet. Not for us the luxury of a commodious frame tent, let alone a modern static caravan.
Not surprisingly we paid the penalty for lacking proper gear. A thunderstorm in Glencoe caught us out on our first night under canvas and we sought refuge in a b&b in Ballachulish, before setting off on the short ferry crossing northwards.
Unknown to us work had just started on improving the section of the single-track road between Fort William and Glenfinnan and huge delays were common. Although mobile caravans were less common in the Sixties than they are today, the large fish lorries going to and from the bustling fishing port of Mallaig forced many a stop on the journey.
En route to Arisaig we stopped at the Loch nan Uamh viaduct. The road was narrower then, but a patch of grass on the right allowed us to park and dry out our sodden tents.
Our arrival in Arisaig showed a small village, with two shops: the Co-operative store (now Spar) and Mackinnon's general store, sited off Clanranald Place and Glengarry. It was to Mackinnon's that we went first to replenish our stock of food, only to be told on enquiring about milk, that "You'll get that at the post office." Not only milk, as we discovered later, but newspapers as well, brought in by train around 10.30 to 11am.
Our experience in Glencoe didn't, oddly enough, put us off holidaying under canvas, but for this visit we moved "upmarket" by hiring a caravan in the grounds of Hazel Grove, owned by the Macdonald family.
One of the highlights of Highland village life was the appearance of the travelling cinema. Early arrival at the Astley Hall was recommended as parking spaces filled up quickly, as did seats inside. Memories of seeing Bill Travers in the "Bridal Path" and Hayley Mills in "Whistle Down the Wind" are still with us after all these years.
There was, of course, no by-pass then and the tortuous route to Mallaig followed the coast via Camusdarach and Morar. Access to the beautiful beach at Camusdarach was less easy than today. There was no car park and little in the way of signposting. The beach that later came to fame in the film "Local Hero" was a well-kept secret.
In 2008 I returned to Arisaig and Back of Keppoch for the first time in 25 years (although my sister is a regular visitor.) The last section of road is nearing completion, many houses have appeared and more are under construction. An internet café has been added to the village, as has an excellent visitor centre. Mackinnon's store has long since gone, as has Jacques Place, a cafe/restaurant establishment.
But, most importantly, the village has lost none of its charm. The sunsets over Rum and Eigg are still as vivid as ever and the local beaches a match for any along the west coast. Next time I visit Arisaig I will arrive in grand style on your new road.


A Little Genealogy by Allan and Elizabeth MacDonald (email: ealasaid6@btopenworld.com)
Re: the Camerons of Cnoc na Feannaig & Swordland

In view of the recent correspondence concerning my articles on the above family, I have decided that, rather than complicate the issue further, I will let the Cameron family speak for itself and include the emails which I have received from various members. It is always informative to have feed-back to my articles, critical or not, and, hopefully these will help to establish an accurate record of the families which I seek to record. I would like to add that "A Little Genealogy" is precisely that. A soupcon of information in an effort to record local families and perhaps, provide a "starting-block" for family members who wish to research their relatives. The following are emails from Cameron family members, and include my reply to Elspeth Cameron, in response to her letter which was published in West Word in the October issue.

Dear Mrs Cameron, Re. my "West Word" articles of the last two months, on the Cameron family I am sorry to hear that you are unhappy about the content. As usual, I checked censuses, church records, local history and family sources and always endeavour to be as accurate as possible. However, if I have erred in this case, I would be grateful for any correction which you can afford me. It is in nobody's interest to record inaccurate family histories. I must confess however, that, on scanning your letter to West Word, I am at a loss to understand as to what you mean by "obvious errors" Perhaps you could get in touch and between us we can set the record straight.
Le durachd,
Allan MacDonald

Dear Mr. MacDonald
Thank you for your email. I do hope you have not taken any offence - my reason for emailing the editor of West Word was to allay any thoughts in relatives' minds that I was so far into my dottage not to be aware of my husband's age or the name of his mother. I appreciate that you must have got this information, as also that pertaining to the Spean Bridge connection, from your other source. The early wording of your article, however, seemed to suggest it came from myself.
These errors would be obvious to many elderly locals also. For the record my husband is 89 years old (a mix up here with the age of his late brother Angus) and his mother's name was Mary Ann, sister to Margaret who did not marry. As to the correct Archibald in question I am unsure, not having checked that out re birth certificates etc. With Roman Catholic records now online that may come. I would be pleased to know if access is available to Lovat Estate records. Can you help me there? The names of John's children are the four you list, together with the youngest named John who died during the Second World War. I have attached a rather rough genealogy re Angus Cameron, but stress that I am open to correction re his father.
Thank you for your efforts and I apologize if you have taken my criticism the wrong way. I read your articles with interest every month will continue to do so.
With best wishes,
Elspeth Cameron

Dear Allan and Elizabeth.
The article on the Camerons of Cnoc na Feannag and Swordland, Morar was really interesting as I am the Great- Great Grandson of Alexander and Catherine, and thought their death certificates might be of use to you, or the other decedents.
To add confusion Alexander's birth place the 1881 census from Scotlands people has him born in Corpach Argyll, but they have his age wrong.
This is to be confirmed, but my sister Catherine is sure that Ann was the mother of Freddy Watson and Freddy and his sister Flora where born in England.
I hope some of this will be of some help.
Yours Sincerely
Ian Donald Cameron
Son of John, Grandson of Dan.

Hello Allan,
I have been reading your article in the West Word with interest.
I have the Cameron family tree here and have just been comparing your account with it. There are a few differences which means that one of us could have wrong information. Our tree goes back to 1760.
I am Beryl Chalcraft, married to Jim Chalcraft who is the son of Flora Chalcraft (nee Watson); who was the sister of Freddie Watson and daughter of Annie Watson (nee Cameron) who originally lived at 4 Mallaig Vaig.
Annie was the daughter of John Cameron who I believe had 16 children; Angus (1882), James (1882), Flora (1884), Donald (1886), Ewan (1887), Alex (1889), Margaret (1890), Cath (1892 Died at 2 mths), John (1895), Christy (1896), Catherine (1897), Archie (1898), Angus (1901), Cath (1891 twin died at birth) and Ann (1891 twin). The sixteenth child was Mary (1879) born some time before John's marriage to Sarah Gillies in 1882.
I seem to have lost my copies of the June/July issues of West Word so am unable to refer to your articles or photos.
Kind regards,
Beryl

Moran taing to Beryl and Ian for their interesting replies. From them, I have learned that Alexander Cameron's parents were Duncan Cameron and Catherine Kennedy. Also, that John Cameron and Ann MacLellan of Mallaig Bheag had sixteen children, whereas, I had only been able to name nine. From the information received, it is clear that this Cameron family history is in good cheer and safe hands.
The present day descendants of Cnoc na Feannaig/Riverside, are the children, of the late Angus Cameron and his wife, Margaret. They are Maureen, Caroline, Elizabeth, Theresa and their children.


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