A fascinating audio insight into the North Uist of yesteryear by the late Angus MacLellan (Aonghas Lachlainn Bhig) has just been published on the Tobar an Dualchais/Kist o Riches website.

Angus from Tigharry was born in 1912 and was a crofter, lighthouse keeper and shipping clerk.

Before he passed away in 1995, his memories about local characters and ministers, the Fingalians, supernatural tales, and his poetry were recorded for posterity.

In the now digitised Gaelic language recordings made in 1983, Angus talks about his life, his ancestors, and their bardic talents.

He also talks about his time working in various lighthouses in England during World War II, including a spell in the Farne Islands lighthouse where Grace Darling lived.

In another audio file, Angus recalls how his home used to be a cèilidh-house.

A regular visitor was Alasdair MacQueen, a local source of tales about ghosts, spirits and dreams. However, his authority on the subject would sometimes be challenged by Dòmhnall Mòr MacIllFhialain, and they would end up arguing.

The recordings can be found here:

Track 1
https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/128694?l=en

Tracks 2 and 3

https://www.tobarandualchais.co.uk/track/128713?l=en