Sharing our community's stories
As part of Dùthchas 2025, we set out to explore the rich stories and traditions passed down through local families and communities across the generations. Dùthchas is a celebration of our area’s heritage, honouring the memories, voices, experiences and traditions that continue to shape our identity today. Many of these stories are too important to be forgotten, and by sharing them we ensure they live on for future generations. This resource is just the beginning, and we hope it will continue to grow. If you have a story you’d like to contribute, we would love to hear from you.
Rodigan Martin
About Rodigan
Rodigan has contributed the first two stories, Borve fishing boat tragedy and Lost in the snow, which you will find below.
Borve Fishing Boat tragedy
The crew
Murdo MacIver
1833-65 aged 31 (Murchadh Aonghais Chailean) from 35/ 36 Borve.
Murdo's grandfather, Cailan, was originally from Back and lived in Inner Mealbost. He moved to Borve in 1823 when Inner Mealbost was cleared of its inhabitants. He was originally sent to Borve by Macleod Estates to teach the locals long line fishing. Murdo was his grandson and was married to Christina MacIver 1834-1904 (ni'n Aonghais Phadruig) from 13 Borve, she was a sister to Tot and Crogean. They had one daughter named Murdina, born in 1866, who married William Nicolson, 23 Borve. (Mac Iain Uilleim Chleirich).
Alexander Macdonald
1831-65 aged 34 (Alaistair an Alaistair)18 Borve.
Alexander was married to Catherine Macdonald, 6 Upper Shader. His mother-in-law was Chirsty Smith, an aunt to Murchadh Ban, 24 Borve who also perished that day. Their only daughter, Alice Ann, was born shortly after her father’s demise. Alice Ann married Malcolm Saunders from 30 Borve (Calum Robb). Malcolm was one of the four suspected Galson Farm raiders, who were taken to Edinburgh to stand trial for rioting. They were cleared of the offence. (You can find out more about the Galson Farm raiders through our na Dorsan information and The Fight for Galson Farm). Alice Ann followed him to Edinburgh and declared in front of the Jury that he was with her that night. They were married in Edinburgh with financial assistance from the Sheriff. He gave them £1 to help with the celebrations. They lived at 6 Upper Shader.
Murdo Smith
1841 - 65 n/m (Murachadh Ban Aonghais Mhurachadh) aged 24 years from 42/43 Borve.
Murdo was a brother to Angus Smith, 1853 (Shegan) and Nidgidh. His body was recovered from under the seaweed at Geo an Thuill on the 5th of June 1865.
Norman Maclean
1821-65 (Tormod Calum Ruadh) aged 49 years from 5 High Borve originally from Riof.
Norman was married to Isabella Macauley from 30 Bhaltos and they lived at 5 High Borve.
Angus Maclean
1820-65 (Aonghais Chalum Ruadh) aged 43 years from 2 High Borve.
Angus, who was originally from Riof, was married to Margaret Morrison (Mairead Alastair) 21 Ballantrushal. They lived at 8 Ballantrushal before emigrating with their family to Ontario in 1855. They returned from Ontario in 1860 and lived with his parents at 2 High Borve. After he died, his widow Margaret moved, with the family, to 4 Ballantrushal.
Angus Smith
1831-65 (Aonghais Phadraig Murachadh) Aged 34 from 31/32 Borve.
Angus was married to Catherine Maclean, 1832-91 (Catriona Chalum Ruadh), 2 High Borve, sister of Norman and Angus, who also perished that day.
