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The following photos feature villagers from the Lionel area: at home, away, at sea and at play.

 
   

 Click images to enlarge

  This photo was taken around 1909 and features women and children, mainly from the Lionel area of Ness, who appear to have come together on the moor for a special occasion.  It is thought the 'tea party' or ceilidh was arranged while Donald Morrison (Domhnall Peagaidh) was at home from Canada to visit his elderly mother.  He had emigrated in his early twenties (around 1881) and became a hugely successful businessman in the Winnipeg grain market.  His elderly mother, Margaret ('Peagaidh'), is pictured 2nd from left in middle row.
Donald's father was Donald Morrison, a fisherman who drowned in 1862.  Peagaidh subsequently married Alexander Nicolson from Lionel (Fisoch).
A fuller story and details will appear here later.
     
 
  This photograph was taken in Niagara Falls, Canada, where Ian Morrison (Iain Plo), formerly 35 Lionel, had settled.  It’s believed that the person on the right is Donald MacLean (Domhnall Alasdair Riabhaich), 4 Lionel, though the man on the left has not been identified.  
     
 

The person on the far left is believed to be Donald Morrison, 11 Lionel, who later emigrated to Canada. He was a brother of Calum and Allan Mhurchaidh Iain Bhig of 110 and 114 Cross Skigersta Road, respectively. Second from the left, standing in the cart, is Norman Morrison (Tormod a’ Ghladstoin, also known as ‘Choffer’), 8 Lionel/14 Adabrock, who later moved to Stornoway; third from the left is Murdo MacLean (Murchadh Riabhach), 4 Lionel/Uig; with Donald MacLean (Domhnall Ban a’ Mholian), 4 Lionel/118 Cross Skigersta holding the horse.

The blackhouse in the background was ‘taigh Mhurchadh Dhuibh’, on croft 5 Lionel, and it’s thought the horse may belong to Donald ‘an Irish’ Campbell, also 5 Lionel.

     
 

 
  Back: Norman Morrison (Tormod na Casaig), 8 Lionel; Angus MacLeod Gunn (Aonghas Mairi), 38 Lionel.
Front: Unknown; John Morrison (Seonaidh na Casaig), 8 Lionel.
 

     
 

Iain Mor and Iain Beag MacLean, 4 Lionel, posing in their Lionel Thistle football strip after winning the Ness Cup in 1936. This was the only year that this particular inter-village trophy was competed for; with Lionel Thistle beating Central United 1-0 after Roddy ‘Romo’ Murray scored the winning goal.
         The occasion is chronicled in the book ‘Football in Ness’, published in 2000: “The Central team were supremely confident before the match and Murdo MacLeod (An t-Uigeach), his bagpipes concealed in a Hessian sack, awaited the returning Swainbost contingent at the machair gate, hoping to lead a victory procession towards the village. Alas, as soon as they came into view, the fans’ demeanour signalled that the other side had won and Murdo hastened home with his sack still tucked under his arm.”