Biographies of Pupils of Carnan Public School 1930 – 1939

ContentsDolina MacDonald (Dolaidh Sheonag Dhomnaill Mhor)..............................................................................3

Robert Maclntyre (Robert Aonghais Alein Bhig)..........................................................................................3

Ewen MacDonald (Eobhann Sheonaidh Dhomhnaill Mhoir).......................................................................3

Donald MacKillop (Domhnall Sheonaidh Uilleam).......................................................................................3

Donald MacCormick (Domhnall ach Charmaig)...........................................................................................3

Colin Archie Johnson (Cailean Archie Rhuairidh Chailein)...........................................................................4

Angus MacLean (Aonghas Lachlainn Dhomhnaill).......................................................................................4

Magnus MacRae (Magnus Iain Bhig ach Chradh)........................................................................................4

William MacKillop (Uilleam Sheonaidh Uilleam).........................................................................................4

Mary MacLean (Mairi Lachlainn Dhomhnaill)..............................................................................................5

Flora MacKillop (Florag Sheonaidh Uilleam)................................................................................................5

Mary Johnson (Mairi Rhuairidh Chailein)....................................................................................................5

Margaret MacKillop (Mairead Sheonaidh Uilleam).....................................................................................6

Mary Alexandrina Johnson (Mairi Alex Rhuairidh Chailein).........................................................................6

Robert Maccallum (Rob Ruadh)...................................................................................................................6

Ronald Johnson (Raonull Rhuairidh Chailein)..............................................................................................6

John Joseph Johnson (lain Mor Ruairidh Chailein).......................................................................................6

Samuel MacLellan (Somhairle lain Shomhairle)...........................................................................................6

Andrew MacKillop (Andra Sheonaidh Uilleam)...........................................................................................7

Ronald Joseph Maccormick (Raonull ae Charmaig).....................................................................................7

Effie Johnson (Oirig Rhuairidh Chailein).......................................................................................................7

lain and Isabel MacGibbon..........................................................................................................................7

Dolina MacDonald (Dolaidh Sheonag Dhomnaill Mhor) Dolly was a daughter of Joan MacDonald and she was born in Lochcarnan on 7 August 1930.

Dolly was brought up by her grandmother, Mary MacDonald. She learned to use the weaving loom and was a noted weaver. She commenced a correspondence with an Irish man, Alex Cook who was a ship mate of Donnie MacInnes’ on board the “Pacific Reliance”, and they eventually married. The wedding took place in the autumn of 1950 in Carnan School. Dolly and Alex went to live in County Wexford in Ireland and Dolly’s grandmother went with them too. Dolly had one daughter and a son. She died in the early sixties.

Robert Maclntyre (Robert Aonghais Alein Bhig) Robert was born in 1930, he was the adopted son of Annie Campbell and Angus MacIntyre who lived in Sandivaig and he came to live with them when he was six years old.

After leaving school Robert worked locally for a few years. He was working at building lochdar School when he had an accident something fell him and his leg was broken. He was in Daliburgh Hospital for quite a while and got compensation for his injuries. Afterwards he was in the army for two years National Service. When he left the Army he worked on the mainland, mostly down south. Sadly Robert died in Sheffield in February 1968 at the age of thirty seven years.

Robert MacIntyre

Ewen MacDonald (Eobhann Sheonaidh Dhomhnaill Mhoir)Ewen was born in Ardmore on 31 March 1931, the oldest son of Ann MacInnes and John Macdonald.

After leaving Carnan School Ewen worked on the croft for a few years before going off to the mainland to seek employment.

Donald MacKillop (Domhnall Sheonaidh Uilleam) Donald’s parents were Jessie Wilson and John MacKillop of Rhudhgashernish, he was born on 11 May 1931.

After he left school Donald was fishing locally before he was called up to do National Service. He joined the Army and was known as a good piper. After his two years National Service Donald went to Glasgow to work for the Clyde Trust. He married May Macdonald from Bemeray, North Uist in Glasgow where they lived for many years and raised a family of one girl and three boys. Donald has now retired and lives in Dunbeath, Caithness with his family.

Donald MacCormick (Domhnall ach Charmaig) Donald was a son of Mary MacRae and Angus MacCormick of Rhudhgashernish, he was born on 28 May 1931.

Donald left home quite young and, after doing National Service, he went to sea. He married and settled on the mainland though he often came back to the old family home for holidays. Sadly Donald passed on some years ago.

Colin Archie Johnson (Cailean Archie Rhuairidh Chailein)Colin Archie was born on 28 June 1931, he was the third child of Mary MacPhee and Roderick Johnson.

His mother died shortly after he was born and his father married Isa Johnson. After he left Carnan School Colin Archie worked at crofting and fishing before he left home to join the Navy. Colin Archie did not marry. He worked at sea for a good number of years before retiring to Glasgow where he now lives, though he is a frequent visitor to Uist.

Colin Archie Johnson (middle, bottom row) and Donald MacLean (right, bottom row) on board the ‘Laconia’

Angus MacLean (Aonghas Lachlainn Dhomhnaill)Angus’ birth was 31 July 1931, his parents were Margaret Mathie and Lachlan MacLean of Rhudhgashernish.

Angus remained on the island living in the family home above Bagh na Creige Loisgte, Rhudhgashernish. He worked the croft and was the post man for Rhudhgashernish for quite a number of years. Sadly he died a couple of years ago.

Angus MacLean

Magnus MacRae (Magnus Iain Bhig ach Chradh)Magnus was eleventh and youngest child of Christina MacCormick and John MacRae of Ard na Laogh, Rhudhgashernish.

While he was a pupil at Carnan School, Magnus won a bursary to go to Daliburgh School.

When his school days were over Magnus worked in Uist for a few years before he did his National Service in the Army. When he left the Army he worked as a light house keeper in Orkney for a few years,

then moved to Birmingham to work in an office. Magnus is married with two girls; and still lives in Birmingham.

Magnus MacRae outside the MacLellan’s house at Sanivaig

William MacKillop (Uilleam Sheonaidh Uilleam) William was the third child of Jessie Wilson and John MacKillop of Bagh na Creige Loisgte, Rhudhgashernish, he was born on 7 October 1932.

After he left Carnan School William worked at the Lochboisdale Hotel as a ghillie until he joined the Army to do his National Service. Like his two brothers, Donald and Andrew, he is a noted piper. When he left the Army he went to Elgin in Sutherland and worked as a bar man in a hotel there. He married Katy Mary Morrison from Loch Eynort, South Uist and they had a family of two girls and a boy. Donald moved to England after he married. He has now taken early retirement and lives in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire.

Katy Maggie Beaton (Ceitag Niall Pheutan) Katy was the eleventh and youngest child of Mary MacKay and Neil Beaton of Rhudhgashernish, she was born on 18 March 1933.

When Katy left Carnan School she worked for Dr MacKinnon in Griminish, Benbecula for several years. She married Archie MacRury from Nunton and she has lived there ever since, bringing up a family of three boys and three girls.

Katy Beaton

Mary MacLean (Mairi Lachlainn Dhomhnaill)Mary was born on 22 November 1933, the youngest child of Margaret Mathie and Lachlan MacLean of Bagh na Creige Loisgte, Rhudhgashernish.

After she left Carnan School Mary stayed at home for a while then she went to work in Glasgow for a few years. She had several jobs including working in a factory making spectacles and working in the civil service. She got married on the mainland to Angus MacInnes from East Gerinish, South Uist and had one daughter. Mary and Angus returned to live in East Gerinish after Mary Margaret was born. For a long time Mary looked after both her parents and Angus’s parents. She has been working for the Army for a number of years now and she was widowed a couple of years ago.

The wedding of Mary MacLean her brother Donald gave her away

Flora MacKillop (Florag Sheonaidh Uilleam) Flora’s parents were Jessie Wilson and John MacKillop of Bagh na Creige Loisgte, Rhudhgashernish, she was born on 19 April 1934.

Flora should have left school in April 1949 when she was 15 years old, however her mother broke her ankle in the January and Flora had to stay off school to look after her. John MacInnes, the Education Officer gave word for her to return to school, which she did in May and she finally left Carnan School on 1 July 1949.

Flora remained at home looking after her parents until May 1954 when she went to work in Ganavan Sands Tea Room near Oban. She returned to South Uist later that year and went to work in Dougie Morrison's house in West Gerinish and then, in 1955, in Donald John MacDonald‘s house also in West Gerinish.

Flora married Alex MacLeod and they lived in Flora’s family home on the shore of Bagh an Creige Loisgte bringing up a family of five girls and two boys. She now lives at Rhubha Doigheag in Iochdar.

Mary Alec Johnson and Flora MacKillop

Annabella MacCormick (Anna ach Charmaig)Anna was born at Rhudhgashernish on 8 June 1934, the sixth child Mary MacRae and Angus MacCormick.

After leaving Carnan School Anna went to Strathpeffer to work in Ben Wyvis Hotel where she met her husband Alan MacDonald from Strathpeffer. Anna and Alan lived the rest of their lives in Strathpeffer, they had one son. Sadly Anna died suddenly a few years ago.

Anna MacCormick

Mary Johnson (Mairi Rhuairidh Chailein) Mary was born on 21 July 1934 at Holmar, Lochcarnan, her parents were lsa Johnson and Roderick Johnson.

Mary was exempted from her last months at school because her mother was ill. Later she worked in domestic service locally before going to the mainland to do nursing. She married Neil MacRury from East Gerinish, where she now lives, and brought up a family of seven boys and two girls. Mary has a considerable and encyclopedic local knowledge. She is a co-researcher (with Jane Twelves) of the “Lochcarnan Schools” project and, through the auspices of “Ancestor Research — Uist” she is documenting her knowledge of local families and places.

Margaret MacKillop (Mairead Sheonaidh Uilleam) Margaret’s Parents were Jessie Wilson and John MacKillop of Bagh na Creige Loisgte, Rhudhgashernish, she was born on 26 September 1935. Margaret worked locally before going to the mainland where she later met Alasdair MacKay from North Uist. They settled in Oban and brought up a family of two boys and a girl. Margaret still lives in Oban.

Mary Alexandrina Johnson (Mairi Alex Rhuairidh Chailein) Mary Alex was a daughter of Isa Johnson and Roderick Johnson of Holmar, Lochcarnan. She was born on 5 January 1936.

Mary Alex was the first pupil from Carnan School to pass the eleven plus examination and go to Lochaber High School in Fort William. She then trained as a nurse in Glasgow and did district nursing. She married Ronald MacAleese from Kilmun. They emigrated to New Zealand in 1985.

Three girls who all passed the 11+ exam: Angela MacEachen (Lochboisdale), Ena MacDonald (Iochdar) and Mary Alec Johnson (Holmar)

Robert MacCallum (Rob Ruadh) Robert was born on 22 March 1936, a son of Flora Bryceland.

Robert married Agnes MacAskill of Berneray, North Uist and they had three daughters. After a spell of living in Glasgow the family returned to live in Lochcaman and Robert worked for the Army. Sadly Robert died in 1994.

Robert MacCallum at a dance

Ronald Johnson (Raonull Rhuairidh Chailein) Ronald was born at Holmar, Lochcaman on 26 February 1937, his parents were lsa and Roderick Johnson.

Ronald remianed on the family croft, where he still lives, and worked locally. He married Christina MacRury from Caolas and brought up a family of two girls and three boys.

Ronald Johnson, Sarah May Johnson, Colin Archie Johnson and Annie MacPherson

John Joseph Johnson (lain Mor Ruairidh Chailein) John was born on 13 March 1938, a son of lsa Johnson and Roderick Johnson of Holmar.

John worked locally for a while after he left school then, like all young lads of his age, he went to the mainland. He did his two years National Service in the Army and then joined the Merchant Navy. John settled in Wellington, New Zealand where he works as second-in-charge in a factory. In Wellington he met and married Mary Morrison who has Uist and Barra connections. They have three boys.

Samuel MacLellan (Somhairle lain Shomhairle)Samuel was born on 18 January 1939, his parents were Margaret MacDonald and John MacLellan of Sandivaig.

Sam left Carnan School at the age of twelve and went to Gerinish School. He stayed at home for several years after leaving school working at fishing and weaving. He moved away for a while and worked for the Northern Lighthouse Board. He returned to South Uist and worked locally. Sammy married Ann from Poolewe and lived in Sandivaig for a while before moving to Torlum, Benbecula. They had four children.

Sammy was tragically drowned whilst out fishing in the South Ford in 1972, he was 31 years old.

The wedding of Sammy MacLellan

Andrew MacKillop (Andra Sheonaidh Uilleam) Andrew is the youngest child of Jessie Wilson and John MacKillop of Bagh na Creige Loisgte, Rhudhgashernish; he was born on 22 January 1939.

When he left school Andrew went to work in Lochboisdale Hotel for a few years before he joined the Army. He served for 22 years with the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders and was a Pipe Major. He travelled all over the world. When he retired from the Army he settled in Harrogate and was a postman there for a few years, he now works in a hotel in Harrogate.

Ronald Joseph Maccormick (Raonull ae Charmaig) Ronald was born on 20 July 1939, the youngest and seventh child of Mary MacRae and Angus MacCormick of Rhudhgashernish.

Ronald left home quite young to seek employment on the mainland. He settled in Cheshire where he is married and had a family. Ronald and his wife Ann often visit South Uist.

Effie Johnson (Oirig Rhuairidh Chailein)Effie was born on October 1939, a daughter of Isa Johnson and

[Bit missing]

pneumonia and then she broke her leg. It was a long way to school and her older sister Mary remembers having to carry Effie on her back quite often!

Effie left Carnan School when she was eleven to attend Lochaber High School on the mainland. When she finished her schooling she returned home to Holmar to look after her mother as her father had died. She worked in Balivanich for the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. She married Gordon Tuslin from Stafford and they emigrated to Canada, where they still live. They started a silver smith’s business and Effie did some teaching as well as working in the family business. Effie has a family of three boys.

Effie Johnson

lain and Isabel MacGibbon lain and Isobel were the children of Mary MacEachen of Rhudhgashernish and John MacGibbon. They were evacuated to Rhudhgashernish during the Second World War and attended Carnan School.

Other pupils born in the thirties :

Alecina Colhoun

Clann Sheonaidh Dhomhnaill Mhoir :

Jessie MacDonald

Mary MacDonald

Donald MacDonald

Angus John MacDonald

Alecina Colhoun

Alecina Colhoun

Alecina’s great grandmother outside her home in Rhudhgashernish