Islay 1948 - People About: Part 1 of 4

This is an extract from 8mm movie footage taken my father around 1948. The extract is from a 1¼-hour original film of Islay, Argyll, Scotland. The full film shows much of the villages of Port Wemyss and Portnahaven and it's people of that time as well as other parts of the island. This first of four extracts highlights scenes of people going about their daily lives -- the postman, the milkman, the farmer lad, men and horses working the fields, the lighthouse boatmen, fishermen and water collection from the local well (there was no plumbing in the houses back then).

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• Islay
• Argyll
• Scotland
• village
• vintage
• Scottish
• Rhinns

[NickerSkids]

Thanks my friend.

Enjoyed watching the videos.

Alan,Glasgow.

[ianamacl]

I'm pleased you enjoyed them Alan.

[raygunfilms]

My Maternal Grandmother and family were from Port Charlotte and her name was Annie McLean McDowall. We would be keen to know who you could identify in the film. Also my mom who is from Glasgow/ Edinburgh would love to know the name of the opening song in part one. She remembers the tune but not the name. We all appreciate you posting the film.

Thanks,

Raymond

[ianamacl]

Hi Raymond,

The opening tune in the video is "Will Ye Go Lassie Go" - up until 1m15s - then it's "Westering Home".

I can identify pretty much everybody in the video. If you tell me the time count - I can tell you who appears.

Cheers - Ian

[agrewe]

What can say? Thanks again! Fascinating viewing, too bad sound recording hadn't been invented back then (or had it?), so we can't hear what they said to him.

I'm already looking forward to the next instalment...

[ianamacl]

Thanks Armin! 2nd instalment uploading right now and more tomorrow.

Been looking at your Islay blog (great!)and will respond to you when I've had some sleep re your comments in your blog - I know who most of the people are in the videos. I'll give you some other info too that may be of interest to you.

I can also tell you that what was said in the video would have been in gaelic.

[TheItachifan1]

i came here on the summer holidays :D

[chelle11chelle]

i am from the cameron mckerrells of port ellen, it is such a joy to see your videos. and of course wonder if any of my people are there also. thankyou for putting these videos in here. michelle.

[TheDuncanLamont]

This a wonderful piece of documentary, I would love to see the whole film. However, the first tune is not 'Will Ye Go Lass, Go", it's the 'Eriskay Love Lilt', or 'Bhair mi O'.

[diadhaire]

Thanks for sharing part of your family's story. There's no romanticism or Brigadoonery here-just had work! My dad was from a farm in NC in the States and talked about putting up the hay in stacks similar to the Islay method except there was a pole placed in the ground. The hay was then stacked around it.

Life was simpler then though physically harder. Thanks to them for their work ethic to make a better life for their offspring. Slainte!

[GreenManelishi]

Brings a tear of joy to my eye. I've been to Ile twice. Played chess with a local in Port nah-Abhainne; a highlight of the trip, and my life.

[GreenManelishi]

Brings a tear of joy to my eye. I've been to Ile twice. Played chess with a local in Port nah-Abhainne; a highlight of the trip, and my life.

[madj102]

my nana was the best we used to go to her house every summer for 2 weeks it was allways nice getting away from perth to see my nana 

[madj102]

ian i was wondering if you could tell me if my grandfather and his dad are in this video the where both called duncan mackinnon

thanks peter

[madj102]

i know alot of people from islay do you know teady anderson i have not been on islay for years would love to come home some time soon

[fionafaebowmore]

hey

i knew nanna mckinnon