View across the Outer Harbour of Stornoway

Sunday 24 April 2011

Sunday 24 April

Easter Sunday, and not too bad a day, in terms of weather. Quite bright and at times sunny, a breeze going and the mercury at around 13C. Finished a piece of research, which will publish on 1 May, the 114th anniversary of an island tragedy, some 130 miles south of here near Barra. Watch Pentland Road next Sunday.

The fun bit came when I was looking for a news paper article from 1897. Having trawled through the Highland News for that year, I was finally pointed to the Aberdeen Weekly Journal, now the Press & Journal (my daily rag). A website did show part of the article, but wanted me to cross its palms with silver to show the whole thing. A bit of clever use of search terms finally gave me the complete article. Although the Procurator Fiscal (District Attorney) was made aware of the loss of life, no Fatal Accident Inquiry was conducted (as far as I could tell). I looked at the National Archives for Scotland for the FAIs for Inverness and Lochmaddy (the nearest courthouse), but nothing came out. Just people falling off roofs, under carriages and down mines. Not very cheerful reading at 11.30 at night.

That's me done blogging for Easter Sunday 2011 - more tomorrow.

Easter Sunday 2011