On March 17th we all celebrate the feast of a Dumbarton man, whose transfer to the Irish side led to great successes. One of his feats was to rid Ireland of snakes, and of course there are none in Colonsay either; despite this tenuous link, it was surprising to receive this picture of his recent appearance at Port Mor. Will hordes of pilgrims make Colonsay more popular than Knock?

Our island situation means that all visitors have a single point of access, and that access is at finite times. As a result, simple precautions against foot and mouth can be implemented, and holidays taken in Colonsay will be largely unaffected by the widespread restrictions on movement elsewhere. One might think that this will lead to bumper bookings, particularly as the disease has blighted so many of Britain's favoured areas; only time will tell.

To date, advance reservations are about normal and enquiries are holding up well; unfortunately nobody knows if the enquiries will convert to firm bookings and there is no doubt that there is some anxiety, since the Highlands and Islands are highly vulnerable to the knock-on effects of problems elsewhere. A lot of people in Colonsay are quite reliant upon the tourist industry, which is worth about £750,000 to the local economy. Fortunately, the island is well placed to compete with other destinations and the quality of accommodation and the facilities provided are on a rising plane. Recent and imminent developments include:

· Creation of an RSPB reserve and traditional farming enterprise encompassing all of Oransay
· Building of a new 4 star holiday cottage at Seaview
· Stage 1 of a major renovation of the hotel already completed and other work on stream
· Completion of an extension to The Pantry and provision of full disabled access and facilities
· Completion of a new high-grade cottage at Uragaig, designed for sabbatical use
· Additional upgrading of all 26 of the Colonsay Estate properties, including new kitchens and significant redecoration etc.
· Stage 1 of a major structural renovation of the Estate properties, with the first property almost completed
· Planned introduction of a 10 passenger launch, licensed in line with the latest requirements and fully compliant within a twenty-mile operating radius.

Although it is too soon to make predictions, it is encouraging to see that the high level of commitment and re-investment locally gives Colonsay every chance of success in these difficult times. It is reliably reported that local businesses which encountered very poor results in early March had recovered a lot of ground in the second week and it is to be hoped that the trend continues. As premises become fully-booked for certain periods, it will be helpful if owners will refer guests to other properties in the island; all accommodation is listed in detail on the Colonsay website, and a checklist of names and contact numbers is given under the main "Accommodation" button.

On the evening on March 7th, the late Alasdair "Machrins" McNeill died peacefully following a period of steadily declining health. Apparently the date of his birth, April 20th, was one of unusual local significance, for it coincided with the marriage of Dugie MacGilvray and the death of Catriona and Falally's father. Throughout his life, Alasdair was a warm-hearted, caring individual at the heart of his family life and always ready and willing to contribute to the life of the community.

He will always be remembered for his public activities, ranging from ploughing matches to clay-pigeon shoots via concerts and ceilidhs, Christmas Trees, the Baptist Church, the Golf Club and plenty besides. Alasdair will also be remembered more privately as a gentle, thoughtful man and a true friend to many of us when we were in need of fellowship, guidance or support. He will be sadly missed but it is good to know that he is at rest.

The well-attended funeral was to Kilchattan, following a service in the Baptist Church conducted by Rev. Bobbie Gemmell, a long-standing friend of the family. Our sincere sympathy is extended to Eleanor and all the family in their loss. Alasdair was the last of his generation of Colonsay's farming community to remain on the land, and is succeeded in Machrins by his eldest son, Seamus. He is also survived by his sisters Jessie and Mary, and his son Hughie, daughter Rhona and six beloved grandchildren.

The Community Company has been very busy holding meetings and getting itself together. It is understood that Lucy McNeill has been appointed as Secretary, and will combine the role with that of co-ordinator for IaaO. The rhododendron eradication scheme is shaping up and seems to have attracted widespread but premature publicity, including mention in "The Times" of 10 March, as follows:

"With their populations dwindling, remote Scottish islands are struggling to survive. But, says Andrew Eames, there are lots of would-be islanders." After mention of Muck ("doing well") and Jura ("the threatened community") we read that "A different approach is being taken on Colonsay, which has seen its population cut in half in the past 50 years, from 233 in 1961 to 102 today. Initiative at the Edge, a government-sponsored scheme, is helping to build four rental properties to encourage new arrivals to the island - but that raises the other question: what will these new arrivals do? Working on islands is almost an art form in itself…. A long-term islander learns to survive on a bit of this and a bit of that, and if you parachute in from outside you will find that jobs barely exist. You need to bring your work (or private income) with you… The list of full-time jobs on islands is therefore very short, and such positions are quickly snapped-up."

The article concludes with a jobs round-up, including a reference to Colonsay. Unfortunately, for various reasons, the entry led to a flood of applications at a rather inopportune moment and may well have led to some disappointment. Nonetheless, it was interesting to see the local profile in print:

"Very appealing island of great topographical variety with a fabulous sand beach in the north, but poor ferry connections. Rather upmarket, articulate and well-connected population of 102, and a loyal base of holidaymakers who return year after year. Colonsay is benefiting from government-sponsored Initiative on the Edge, so there will be more opportunities for settlement here - but who will be the right sort of people?"

Meantime, the Community Council election is due shortly. Details of nomination procedures are in the shop. A lot of people are devoting time and effort to various other groups, and there are some who feel that there is no role for the Community Council - in fact, it is the only representative body in the island, it is the body that gives authority and credibility to a number of pro-active organisations and it is the body of first-resort for consultation. With so many people giving freely of their time to the "doing" bodies, it is to be hoped that a reasonable number of people will be prepared to offer themselves as candidates for this important but far from onerous duty.

Angela's house on 15th March

The proposed timetable for 21 October 2001 until 28 March 2002 has been issued; comments must be received by CalMac before Monday 26 March.

The only change is in the retiming of the Service on 26 December and 2 January, when the ferry will depart Oban at 07.00hrs and depart Colonsay at 09.30hrs. For the rest of the period the ferry will depart Oban on Mondays at 11.50hrs, and on Wednesdays and Fridays at 10.00hrs. The returning ferries will leave Colonsay at 14.30hrs and 13.00hrs respectively, exactly as at present.

In our last issue, we stated that Foot and Mouth has no health implications for humans. Hamish Grant of Kilchattan Primary School has been studying the whole issue with great attention and points out that there have been rare cases in which humans have been diagnosed with the condition.

This is confirmed by Alex Donaldson, Head of Pirbright Laboratory, in a letter to "The Times"; fortunately he goes on to say that "Foot-and-mouth disease has a history dating back to the 16th century, and during that time just 37 human cases have been recorded in the scientific literature… Complete recovery ensued." Thank you, Hamish, for mentioning this interesting detail.

There is a wide range of accommodation in Oban, and it is sometimes difficult to choose. The Royal Hotel, Mrs. MacDougall, the Kelvin, Jeremy Inglis - they all spring to mind and if anybody cares to submit details of those or any other favoured premises, we will happily note them here.

To get the ball rolling, you might like to consider Maridon House, Dunuaran Road, Oban, Argyll PA34 4NE Tel: 01631 562670 or email maridonhse@aol.com The proprietor is Mrs. F. Hall, all rooms have en suite facilities, and it is non-smoking throughout. It is about 200 metres before you reach the ferry terminal, on the lefthand side of the road. Price is very competitive as a B&B and the establishment has been recommended by a number of regular visitors.

It would be a pity to give full details of only one business… please send your own suggestions to the editor, but do include full contact details.

"Hebridean Princess" will visit Colonsay 25 times this season, and on March 4th her guests are said to have included the "Cap'n Birdseye" actor; the new bypass at 5 Glassard has been completed - now there are rumours of a roundabout to ease congestion at the road junction; a fancy dress party at the Hotel on March 3rd was a great success, featuring Sid's legs and Seamus's semmitt, but where are the pictures?; the resident population has been boosted (together with the potential longevity of its cars) by the return of Finlay MacFadyen jnr., and the arrival of Graham McWhirter; an experiment with fixed moorings at the pier is boosting sales of spinach at the shop; a sluice has been installed on Abhainn a' Mhuilinn to regulate the water level in Loch Fada and protect the "Slender Niaid".

Although not quite at the vernal equinox, spring seems to be well and truly on its way with the first of the summer migrants arriving in the islands. A Lesser Black Backed Gull found on the 8th March has now been joined by several others; they winter in Spain, Portugal and down as far as west Africa, but increasingly birds are now wintering in southern England. In the same large flock of Gulls an immature Icelandic Gull was found, although the few birds that occur on the west coast of Scotland breed mainly in Greenland, not Iceland as the name suggests.

White Wagtails have also made an appearance, on passage to their breeding areas further north in Iceland and Greenland. For a birdwatcher it is good to see the contrast between our own Pied Wagtail that breeds and winters in Colonsay and Oronsay, and the nominate race White Wagtail, even better when they are feeding together. Other birds of note over the last couple of weeks - immature Golden Eagle, trying to catch Barnacle geese, Merlin, Sparrow Hawk, Peregrine, Hen Harrier. Large flocks of Lapwing, Golden Plover and Skylark on the improved ground feeding up, these were joined by a lone Snow Bunting. Mike Peacock

In 1882, a viking ship burial was discovered in the dunes behind Kiloran Bay. Excavation revealed "the crouched burial of a man accompanied by an iron sword, a spearhead, and axe-head, a shield boss, fragments of an iron pot, a silver pin, four bronze studs and a balance with seven decorated weights" (RCAHM). There was also an elaborate and decorated horse harness, also the skeleton of a horse, to say nothing of enough rivets to build a ship. At the time, there was talk of an additional set of remains, a sacrificed female slave, but we hear less about that nowadays. Coins were found, dated to 808-841 and 831-854; most extraordinarily, two cross-marked stones were found at the east and west of the inhumation site - this is the only known case of a ship burial in association with christian symbols.

Because this is such an important burial, the objects are in the care of the National Museum in Edinburgh; they have been gathered together to form an outstanding display in its magnificent new premises ... so this week's subject can be enjoyed without one actually being in Colonsay at all. The picture shows the magnificent condition of the horse, which is no mere pony; and includes a number of boat rivets.

The Magazine Section

The MacMhuirrich or Currie Family of Colonsay

In "Periods in Highland History" I.F.Grant and Hugh Cheape mention various traditional office-bearing families who gave long service to the Lords of the Isles. Writing of the Curries they state that "MacMhuirich was the hereditary poet whose family held office from generation to generation from the thirteenth to the eighteenth centuries. They traced their descent from Muireadhach Albanach of the O'Daly bardic family of Ireland who is reputed to have fled to Scotland about 1213 having killed O'Donnell's steward. About twenty poems have survived in manuscript collections ascribed to the thirteenth century Muireadhach, two of them addressed to the Lennox family, possibly his first patrons in Scotland. The family held land in Kintyre, Islay and Colonsay at least until the later sixteenth century, but after the fall of the Lordship they seemed to relinquish their hereditary lands in Kintyre and transfer their allegiance to Clan Ranald."

It seems that the senior, or bardic branch of the family was granted lands in South Uist, maintained its links with the Irish bardic schools and preserved its classical literary heritage. Apparently Lachlann MacMhuirich claimed to be eighteenth in descent from Muireadhach Albanach and in 1800 stated that "there was a right given [the MacMhuirichs] over these lands [of South Uist] as long as there should be any of the posterity of Muireach to preserve and continue the genealogy and history of Clan Donald, on condition that the bard was to educate his brother's son or representative, failing of male issue, in order to preserve their title to the land".

The above independently confirms that the Currie or MacMhuirich family has very ancient links with Colonsay, and indeed their traditional farmland in the island (Baillievurich) can be traced through all extant rental documents (e.g. "Bollevery, twa markland and ane half" in 1541, "Exchequer Rolls", quoted in Loder). Their prominence is confirmed when "sir John Makmvrich, canon of [Orwansay] monastery" was recommended as Prior in a letter from Mary Queen of Scots to Pope Julius III, 6th March 1554 (new style).

In 1625, Vatican archives record many of the family receiving the sacraments in Colonsay, the Christian names including: "Catarina, Christina, Daniel, Joannes, Ludovicus, Margareta, Maria, Maurus, Mora, Edmundus, Columba". The above Latin names are translations of Gaelic names and the English equivalents are imprecise (e.g. Mora = Morag = Sarah). Luckily these particular examples are clear enough, except for Ludovicus. At a guess, one wonders if it is modern Laughlin (from Maelsheachlainn, "servant of. St. Secundinus" and usually shortened to Leachlainn or Lachlann?). It is apposite that "Champion" or "Victor of the Games" is associated with this family, since "Slim Malcolm Currie" was a spectacularly vigorous local hero, who single-handedly despatched a dozen marauding McLeans. Unfortunately, the events of 1647 will have irreparably damaged the interests of the MacMhuirich family in Colonsay, in view of the ensuing ruin of the remnants of Clan Donald South.

Despite their historic links with the Old Faith, by 1701 at least one of the family had wavered, since it is recorded that one "Mr. James McVurich" was the then presbyterian minister in Kildalton, Islay and serving Colonsay as well: "17th June 1701 - Mr James McVurich reports [to Presbytery] that he supplied Collonsa conforme to appointment".

A study of this historic Colonsay family would be fascinating and highly rewarding, since a great deal of documentary evidence survives. It is clear that their long-standing links with all the other old families, including their feudal superiors, the McFies and MacDonalds, were reflected in their survival as important tacksmen into the era of the McNeill lairds.

In the early 18th century, it became clear that these new landlords, McNeills of Crear, would implement more modern farming methods; this meant that the status of the tacksmen class would inevitably fall. Until that time, the laird himself would not have directly engaged in agriculture; instead, the various farms were the responsibility of these high status tacksmen, who tended to survive from generation to generation and to cement their position by marriage ties and through providing military services to the laird. The tacksmen paid the rent, which they in turn exacted from the labouring class which sought to pay it in a combination of services to the tacksman and the produce of its own labours. (It is a curious fact that another word for "tacksman" has survived in modern parlance, and has gained almost exclusively agricultural connotations. Originally a "farmer" was merely the "undertaker" of some sort of business opportunity in which a superior chose to engage the services of a middleman. Thus one could farm almost any sort of concession - customs and excise, tobacco, the whole of India or Rhodesia - rather than merely agricultural land).

Throughout Argyll, other tacksmen had recognised that their place in society was about to disappear. The McNeills themselves, who had been tacksmen at Crear, had taken an opportunity to become lairds in Colonsay in exchange for removing themselves from more valuable land in Knapdale. Closely related to the McNeills of Crear was an extended body of kinsmen, centred upon Kintyre and Gigha; this group, the leaders of which were all of the tacksman class, organised itself into a body of like-minded souls and in 1737 set out for North Carolina aboard "The Thistle", where they founded the very successful Argyll Colony. A similar exercise was mounted in Islay, organised by Capr. Campbell and destined for modern New York state, and known as the Argyle Patent.

In view of the McNeills' pre-emptive strike in Colonsay, the island's indiginous tacksmen could see the writing on the wall. The most significant at the time had been a Campbell, and it may have been his situation that McNeill had obtained; possibly Campbell was based in Oransay. We know that a McPhie was also a significant tacksman at the time, probably based in the Kiloran area; it is likely that he was translated to Islay or elsewhere, to make way for the incoming McNeills and their kindly folk, such as the MacMillans. In due course, the MacMillans (together with their distant kinsmen, the Bells) were to leave Colonsay for Canada, under the leadership of their own tacksman in 1806, but the Curries seem to have been the first to go from Colonsay to the New World, and to have taken the initiative in doing so.

Why the Curries chose North Carolina is as yet unclear. They must have been aware of the "Thistle" expedition, which would have been an encouragement. There is also a story that Archibald McNeill, laird of Colonsay 1773 - 1805, had some connection with the Carolinas. "Local tradition makes [Archibald] Governor of South Carolina. He may have been on the staff of Lord William Campbell, a brother of the 5th Duke of Argyll, who was Governor at the outbreak of the War of Independence in 1775, but there is no reference to him in any of the published histories of the Colony." - thus wrote John de Vere Loder in 1935. Perhaps later histories might give a clue?

Besides the "Thistle" colony (including "37. Daniel McDuffie"), we know that seventeen McDuffie familes were resident in North Carolina by 1790 ("The McDuffies of the Colonial Carolinas" by Fredreick Heber Kent). The same source has traced two McFee heads of household in Cumberland County as early as 1755, rising to four by 1767. The original one, Daniel McDuffie, was apparently married to a Sarah McNeill, since in 1784 she left her entire estate to seven McNeills, including "one negro girl named Jude" to her "beloved Kinsman" Daniel McNeill. These and other details suggest that North Carolina will have been a congenial destination - the Curries will not have been going amongst strangers.

The information about the earliest Currie migrants was originally provided to Colonsay by the kindness of the late George Roussos FSA(Scot). He cited three gravestone inscriptions in the McEachern Cemetery at Mill Prong (near Raft Swamp).

"MURDOCH CURRIE, Native of Colonsay, Scotland, died in 1775 aged 60 years"

"In memory of ANGUS CURRIE born in the Island of Colonsay, Scotland, 17 September 1770; came to America in 1791 and died 10 June 1845"

"In memory of FLORA, consort of ANGUS CURRIE, born in the Island of Cantyre 20 May 1774, came to America in 1775 and (died) 19 September 1834"

 

Rev. Donald McNeill, Colonsay Emigrant

We are deeply indebted to Dr. M. MacNeill of Capilano College Psychology Dept., North Vancouver, B.C. Canada for the obituary which follows. Dr. MacNeill has kindly provided additional material on Donald's nephew, Rev. John MacNeill (1874-1937) and his own eldest son, Dr. Harris Lachlan MacNeill, all of which is available in Colonsay.
This is an extraordinary and inspirational story, one which should be made familiar to a coming generation. Donald McNeill deserves an honoured place in the gallery of distinguished Colonsay natives.Regular readers of "The Corncrake" will remember the History of Baptists in Colonsay which was recently published in these columns, and which fully introduced the family of Donald McNeill. Incidentally, Donald's eldest son used the "MacNeill" version of McNeill; the spelling is not significant and, indeed, normally appears as "M'Neill" in the older records.

The following obituary appeared March 29 1900 in "The Canadian Baptist".
"Rev. Donald McNeill. On Monday morning, the 8th of January 1900, after an illness of but one week, our esteemed brother, Rev. Donald mcNeill, passed to his reward.

Bro. McNeill was born in the small island of Colonsay on the south-west of Scotland, some seventy-five years ago. In his boyhood days the house of his father, Lachlin McNeill, was the place of worship and preaching for the Baptist missionaries to the west coast and the isles of Scotland.

From early childhood he was thoughtful of divine things, and a close and constant student of the Bible. Some of the aged people who were acquainted with him in his youth, say that when other boys of his age were giving their time and energy to a variety of sports, peculiar to the time and country, Donald might be found sitting down in some quiet corner poring over his Bible with rapt attention. Although very early deeply impressed by gospel truth, and his young life moulded and saturated by the transforming and penetrative Word, it was not until he was eighteen or nineteen years of age that he made an open profession of his interest in the truth as it is in Jesus, when he was baptized into the membership of the church meeting in his father's house, by Duncan McIntyre, a missionary from the island of Mull.

His brethren in the church soon discovered that he was possessed of more than ordinary insight into the hidden treasures of God's Word, and endowed with gifts of expression to edification, and he was encouraged to exercise himself in public prayer, exhortation, exposition, etc., to the great joy and benefit of the little band of faithful ones with whom he was in fellowship.

In the year 1852 he, with his father, his brother Alexander and two sisters (his brother John having preceded them two or three years), emigrated to Canada, settling in North Bruce, then a dense forest. For twelve years he hewed down the stalwart trees and cultivated a farm, whilst on the Lord's days, as opportunity presented itself, he eloquently held forth the Word of Life to his countrymen in his native tongue, the Gaelic, in which language those who heard him and were capable of judging, maintain there were few could equal him in pathos, pungency and power in presenting the message of life.

All this time he had little or no training in the English language save what he acquired in the reading of the English Bible, and some few theological writings such as those of Alexander Carson, the Haldanes, etc. When in 1860 the Canadian Literary Institute of Woodstock was opened up by the noble Dr. R A Fyfe and his colleagues, brother McNeill's soul was fired with a laudable ambition to take a course that might fit him the better for the work to which he had long felt himself called, but it was not until 1864 the way opened up for the realization of this much coveted object, when he rented his farm and entered the preparatory department of the C.L.I.

There for some months might be seen this man of mammoth proportions (six feet five inches, and weighing about 250 pounds, forty years of age or over) going in and out of classrooms with boys and girls scarcely yet in their teens, submitting to the necessary drill as cheerfully and hopefully as any of them. After a year or so in the preliminary studies etc., he devoted more time to theology, where he proved to be quite at home from his long and thorough knowledge of the book which is the foundation of all true theology. After having spent three years at Woodstock, he graduated with the class of 1867, and immediately accepted a call to the pastorate of the Paisley Baptist church, where he labored with grand results, scores having been added to the church through his instrumentality. On one occasion he had the joy of giving the hand of fellowship to fifty-two candidates. His ministry of twenty-seven years was mainly in three fields, viz. Paisley, where he labored eleven years, Ormond, where he spent five years, and Port Elgin and vicinity, where he was ten years. He was one year at Stayner church after leaving Paisley and before going to Ormond. At all these places he is still held in grateful and loving remembrance, although many of the brethren and sisters to whom he ministered so ably and faithfully preceded him to the land of rest. In temperament he was kindly, candid and transparent. He was honest and large-hearted, a true, constant, reliable friend. In religious principle he was charitable and forbearing towards those who honestly differed from him, but unflinchingly conservative in regard to the revealed truth of God. With all his largeness of heart and soul he had no room for, and no patience with, new-fangled notions, and the abominable looseness of the so-called new theology, which is as old as the ancient devices of Satan to delude and deceive weak, unstable souls. Like Paul of old, he gloried only in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, and he continued to the end to hold as his friends those who determined to know nothing save Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Some six years ago he retired from the pastorate, and with his family made his home in Toronto, where his children enjoyed the superior advantage of the schools. For the last four years he devoted most of his time to the work of the British and Foreign Bible Society, preaching on Lord's days, and doing personal work as he had opportunity, resting in his home during the severest part of the winter. For some time, bodily infirmities were manifest, foreboding the approaching end, but the mind remained clear and strong till the very close of life. Eight days previous to his decease he took part in public worship with efficiency and the enjoyment of fellow-worshippers. A short time before the transition, in answer to a question by his wife, he asserted his implict faith in the crucified One. Of the members of the family who immigrated from the mother country nearly half a century ago, his father, Lachlin McNeill, and his two brothers, Alexander and John, preceded him to the heavenly Canaan. Two sisters still remain on the shores of time, Mrs. Sarah McKinnon, of Walkerton, and Mrs. Isabella Munn, of Paisley. Of his own family there remain to mourn his departure his beloved wife [Amanda], who proved to him in all his labors and successes a true God-given helpmate, and six children, four sons and two daughters.

These were all present but one, on the day of burial, to offer their tribute of affectionate regards to a noble and loving husband and father. H.L.McNeill, the eldest, professor in Washburn College, Topeka city Kansas, was unable to be present. On Tuesday, January 10th, his remains were laid in the Necropolis, Toronto, to rest till the resurrection morning, when they will respond to the call of Him who is the "resurrection and the life". The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, Dr. B.D.Thomas, assisted by Rev. J.P.McEwen, Superintendent of Home Missions in Toronto, and by Rev. Lachlin McKinnon, nephew of the deceased, and pastor of Port Elgin Church. Earth is poorer, Heaven richer, by this transition of a manly, noble soul. The church militant is weaker, the church triumphant stronger, by the change.

The class of 1867 keenly feel the loss of their "big brother" - large, physically, mentally and spiritually - and now they are on the balance, three of their number having passed over the dividing line - the seraphic, consecrated Timpany; the undaunted, persevering Robertson, and the conservative, patriarchal McNeill; and there remain three brethren, James Coutts, A.A.Cameron and the writer, to toil and suffer, for a little, and wait for the great Captain's call, when the allotted work is done, to join the glorified ranks of those who have gone before. -A. McD. "

Bookworms Corner

Website to Explore: MAFF

First of all, we have received a correction to the entry which appeared in our last issue:

"… to let you know, and update if possible, the links you listed in the MacDuffee/Macfie Clan article. The Clan MacFie website word 'clanmacfie' should be 'ClanMacfie' with capitalization of the C and M used; and in the Clan Society's website you accidently put two www.'s and the word 'macfie' should read 'MacFie' with capitalization of the M and F used. This has shown me that I need to change my typeset for the Clan Chatter. I apologize for the errors this has caused you and your readership. The other links work just fine. Until next time, Bruce John MacDuffee , Editor - Clan Chatter"

The reference to typeset was very gracious, I suspect it is entirely the fault of a Corncrake gremlin. Meantime, there can only be one website that will be of outstanding local interest at this time, that of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Their site is updated daily, includes FAQ's and a lot of background information together with graphs etc. An important feature is a full list of farms infected with Foot and Mouth, arranged by county. This makes it easy to see how close any individual may have been to such a site. There are no firm rules, but anybody living or working within 10 miles of an infected farm or abattoir may wish to consider cancelling any plans to travel, whether on business or for pleasure. This site makes uninformed decisions inexcusable - it makes for sad reading, but everyone should visit :

Readers Write

Hello,
I found your web-site by chance, and wanted to say hello from Joy and I and family here in South Australia. We are originally from Edinburgh, and have been here since 1967. We have a friend there who has been in touch with us for many years (Eleanor in Machrins). Its lovely to see the Gaelic names in the site, my great Grandfather only spoke the Gaelic, till he went to Edinburgh in the 1800's to seek work. He came from Forbes.
Many thanks for the opportunity of contributing my friends.
Graeme Charles Munro, and Joy Ellen Margaret Munro, 35 k's north of Adelaide.


Hello Kevin,
How are you? Just checking in on any leads with the info I gave you. I have researched the tree more and found that the Malcolm McAfee mentioned could not be confirmed as one of my antecedents as of yet... The farthest back my tree goes confirmed is to a James McAfee of Northern Ireland

Name: James McAfee
* Sex: M
* Birth: ABT. 1705 in Armagh Co., Northern Ireland
* Death: 1769 in Lincoln Co., NC

Father: ? McAfee b: 1674 in Armagh Co., Ireland
Mother: ? b: 1674 in Armagh Co., Ireland

Marriage 1 Margaret Hardin b: ABT. 1713

Marriage 2 Margaret Gibson b: ABT. 1705 in Tyrone Co., NC
* Married: ABT. 1725 in Tyrone Co., NC
Children
1. Janet McAfee b: ABT. 1733 in York Dist. Greenville Co., SC
2. William McAfee b: 1735 in Tyrone Co., NC
3. James McAfee b: 1737 in Tyrone Co., NC
4. Robert McAfee b: 1740 in SC
5. Jane McAfee b: 1743 in SC

I don't know if this helps... Thanks for your help!
your friend, Travis Scott McAfee

It is a pity that we have not received correspondence in this connection. Travis' original message gave us a most interesting and (I think) unexpected amount of information about the immediate family of Malcolm MacPhie, and his latest message suggests a link with the shadowy but all-important Armagh nucleus. Perhaps MacPhie historians would care to comment or offer additional material ? Is there anybody there? - The Editor


Dear Kevin,
I wish to enter the discussion about John Bowie. Glen Belbeck from Canada wrote two editions ago questioning which of two possible John Bowies was his ancestor. I live in Australia and I too have an ancestor John Bowie from Colonsay who came to Australia in the 1870's. Thus if my John Bowie is one of these two possibilities then it stands to reason that Glen's ancestor, who ended up in Canada, is the other one. I feel that the John Bowie about whom Alastair Scouller writes on the last edition of the Corncrake is actually my John Bowie.

I know from Australian records that my great great grandparents, Elizabeth Blue and John Bowie were married in Greenock and have found the date of their marriage in IGI (22 Mar 1850 West or Old Parish, Greenock) I have consulted the census of 1851 and have found them listed, living in Greenock. They both give their birth place as Colonsay. From Australian records I know that Elizabeth's parents were Isabella (Bell) McClean and John Blue. From the IGI I can find the date of Elizabeth (Betty) Blue's christening (21 Aug 1825) and the date of her parents marriage (17 May 1820) Bell McClean happened to be visiting her daughter and son-in- law on census night and so is listed in the 1851 census as well. She gives her birthplace as Mull.

Unfortunately there is no information about John Bowie's parents in Australian records. Rather ironically for a man who grew up on an island he managed to drown himself in Sydney Harbour in 1885 at the age of 69. I have the inquest report which notes that the deceased was " a native of Argylshire Scotland" and that "he was somewhat intemperate in his habits" !!!. A search of IGI threw up two possibilities for my John Bowie, just as it did for Glen Belbeck's. They are

John Buie, parents Donald Buie and Cathrine McNeill, christened 18 June 1817
John Buie, parents Angus Buie and Marrion Blue, christened 10 Feb 1819

I believe my John Bowie is the first listed, and thus Glen Belbeck's ancestor is the latter one. First of all there is the matter of age. Glen believes his ancestor was born in about 1819. If my ancestor's age at the time of his death (69 in 1885) is close to being correct he is more likely to have been the one christened in 1817. However I have a more compelling reason for my choice. John and Elizabeth Bowie had two daughters and two sons. The sons died, but in 1879 Elizabeth and the 2 surviving daughters emigrated to Sydney, Australia. John was already in Australia as he is listed in emigration records as their sponsor. From Australian records the full names of the daughters were Catherine McNeill Bowie (23 in 1879) and Isabella Elizabeth Bowie (14). It appears to me that the Bowies named their two daughters after the grandmothers - Catherine after John's mother Catherine McNeill and Isabella after Elizabeth's mother Bell McLean. Thus I feel it is quite likely that my John Bowie is the son of Donald Buie and Cathrine McNeill.

Both daughters married in Australia and had large families. Isabella was my great grandmother.
I hope this does not muddy the waters too much! Thanks for your interesting newsletter.
Regards Lynne Barnett, Melbourne, Australia

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