Visit to Stornoway 1959
Visit to Stornoway 1959
Visit to Stornoway 1959
This film was taken by my father on his Super 8 cine camera during a family trip to visit his sister and her family at 38 Newton Street in Stornoway, on the Isle of Lewis in Scotland.
The opening scene shows us at Glasgow Airport. It’s hard to imagine now, but we simply stood on the tarmac waiting for the plane to arrive—much like waiting for a bus.
Our aircraft was a de Havilland DH114 Heron Series 1, which had a reputation for being underpowered. I remember that quite a few passengers became unwell during the flight and made use of the paper bags tucked into the seat pockets. We stopped at Benbecula along the way, and many passengers were clearly relieved to step outside for some fresh air.
Life in the Hebrides
When we arrived, we were met by my father’s sister, Aunt Jessie, and Uncle Alex. In the film, I can be seen wearing a red blazer, red cap, and a bright red coat. My mother had dressed me carefully in my Sunday best. I later learned that my aunt strongly disapproved of such bright clothing being worn on the Sabbath. My father was firmly told so! Also in the film are my cousin, John Murdo MacLeod, properly dressed in his Sunday kilt. My sister Jennifer is wearing her brown school blazer.
This brings to mind another occasion when Aunt Jessie came to visit us in Bath. We took her into the city centre on a Sunday, where the streets were full of shoppers and tourists, many enjoying drinks at outdoor cafés. She was astonished. I still remember her saying, “Oh, my goodness me—wait till I get home and tell the Minister about all of this.” Despite her surprise, she seemed quite happy to join in and enjoy the day.
In the film, you will also see my mother in a long coat and sunglasses. Aunt Jessie is wearing a brown “flowerpot” hat. My father, as always, remained behind the camera and does not appear.
It was a wonderful holiday. I was very fond of my aunt. Thankfully, she never held my red Sunday outfit against me.