Note of the meeting of the North Tolsta Historical Society at the Schoolhouse, North Tolsta , on Tuesday, 26 September 2006, at 7.30pm.

PRESENT: D.Murray; R.Murray; A.Murray; A.MacLeod, R.Moir; A. MacKenzie; R.MacLeod; S. MacIver; A.A. Smith; C M Smith; D. Macleod.

APOLOGIES : None

CHAIR: D.Murray

•  Note of the Last Meeting

The Note of the last meeting was approved.

1.1.    Matters Arising

   Hebridean Connections

Sarah Egan from Hebridean Connections had visited on 8 June 2006 and had updated NTHS on the funding efforts to date. This was for the interim stage in advance of a more substantive 3 year application to funding bodies in 2007.

R.Macleod A.Mackenzie and C M Smith had attended the official launch of the Hebridean Connections web site at Bernera on 18 August 2006. C.M Smith gave a brief outline of the day's events.

Croft Histories

The croft history sub-group had met on 12 June 2006 and some croft histories had been completed or were in the process of being completed.

Tolsta Walks

D.Murray outlined progress to date. The posts had been numbered although not erected as yet. The gate had been erected by the contractor, Mr Beanland.

In the longer term we hoped to produce an information leaflet for the walk and we could apply to Scottish Natural Heritage for a grant for this purpose.

Abhainn Lìdh

The second part of the project was the restorative work at Abhainn Lìdh which is being funded via the NT Community Council.

Iolaire

Calum Ferguson had given an interesting talk in the NT Community Hall on 13 September 2006, on the sinking of the Iolaire.

2. Finance

The current balance as per the Treasurer's statement (circulated) was £4,339.35. It was noted that NTHS's publications were selling well.

3.   Funding applications to CED

The application to the Western Isles Community Economic Development for the recruitment of one or two researchers, as deemed appropriate, had been successful. A sub group was formed to progress recruitment and selection – consisting of A. Murray, D.Murray, and AA Smith. The researcher posts would be on a contract basis so that the staff on these projects would be self employed.

A.Murray would follow up NTHS's funding application to the Comhairle for the same project.

Community Heritage Grant

The Community Heritage application from Museum nan Eilean was passed on to A.Murray. This was a potential source of additional funding for eligible and meritorious projects. The deadline was fairly imminent and may not be timely, given other demands on our time and finances.

Western Isles Gaelic Plan

The Western Isles Gaelic Plan was circulated at the meeting for members' interest.

4.   Seanchas

An article on the Iolaire would be featured in the next edition. The intention was to get the photographs of those servicemen from the village who had had been lost and those who had survived.

5.   Correspondence

The following correspondence had been received:

An enquiry from Richard Cox (author of Br ì gh nam Facal) – a copy of Clachan Cr ì che had been sent to him.

The BBC was doing two programmes as part of their “Coast” series – ‘current events to tell historical stories'. These would include Garry Bridge and the Cladach.

Genealogy enquiries:-

Anne Smillie (NZ) – re Lordaidh's brother.

Robin Clark from England re the Maciver tacksmen. Robin met with D.Murray, who had done some research on the Macivers.

Alice Green – re Marion Campbell (maiden name)

Ishbel Miller re Macleods of no.53.

Billy McPhee re Murray of no.50.

Malcolm MacDonald, Stornoway Historical society enquired about a Donald MacIver (lost in Turkey 1917). We identified him as Donald Maciver of 17 North Tolsta, lost off Turkey on 17.07.1917.

Iain C. MacIver from outside Toronto , Canada , visited Tolsta School and the Comann Eachdraidh in September this year. He was the grandson of a former headmaster, Donald Maciver.

Peggy Martin from Alberta phoned on the back of an article in Seanchas - re Dolina Finlayson (Dollag Anndra).

6.   Angus MacLeod Memorial Lecture

The lecture would be held at Pairc School in Gravir on Tuesday, 24 October 2006 at 7.30pm. This year's lecture would be given by Bill Lawson on the theme of “ The Clearances in Lewis – Truth or Myth?”

Entrance was free.

•  AOCB

Donnie Lawson, a committee member, had gone to Strathclyde University to study engineering. NTHS extended their best wishes to him.

•  Date of Next Meeting

No date was set for the next meeting.