Same beginning to the day as always. Took a drive out to see Inverneill Farm, where my great great great grandfather, Hugh McGregor, was farm manager last, until his retirement to Burnside Cottage in Ardrishaig. (Dad believes Burnside Cottage is a low white cottage on your left, as you enter Ardrishaig from the Lochgilphead end.) Inverneill can be reached by using a road that goes in through the hamlet of Inverneill, but this is a bad road. It is slightly better to take another road, the next one down the road (going towards Ardrishaig). This farm was once a real 'show piece' but by 2003 was in bad repair, and now in 2008 is much worse - roof caving in on farm buildings, roof gone on the farmhouse where my McGregors once lived.
We planned to visit Archie John MacVicar, my second cousin, this morning but thought it best not to cut it too fine as we need to get back to the caravan in time for Robert MacMillan's expected arrival at noon. Went to Lochgilphead Co-op again for more supplies. Returned to caravan by 11:00 a.m. Made up a tray of assorted sandwiches for our guests. Just waiting for their arrival now. Still raining out! Dad has gone outside to take some photographs of Stroneskar.
Got a phone message brought to the caravan by Mrs. McNair. Robert had phoned from Glasgow to say that there had been a bad diesal spill and traffic was being re-routed. He wasn't going to arrive now until perhaps 3:30 p.m. So we went down to see Archie John afterall at Gartnagrenach. Back at caravan by 3:30 p.m. The McNairs have just brought some sheep down from the hill with their dogs and are herding them into a fank. 4:10 p.m. now. Dad meanwhile was looking at a book of Mull burials that he had bought and was pleased to find a burial for a Jemima Elliot (Cameron) at Kilninian, who had died at Tobermory. She was the right age to be the daughter of Kate McKinnon and James McDougall. Our Jemima's grandfather McDougall was a shoemaker in Tobermory.
At 4:15 p.m. Mrs. McNair brought another phone message. Donald Shuttleworth had called to say that Robert was now with him at Lochgair. They would be coming from there very soon.
Finally! Robert and Geri arrived! We had a great visit. Geri is very nice. Robert and Dad mostly conducted a big genealogical meeting while the ladies chatted about family etc. - Geri has 5 children as well. Had sandwiches, cake, tea, coffee and sparkling juices. Was great to meet these folks at last. They left by 8:30 p.m. Geri was completely exhausted. We have to go to bed early anyway as we have a very early start the next day in order to catch the 7:00 p.m. ferry to Islay. Robert left some family tree info. for Dad to look at, if he gets a chance, as they will come back Sunday morning for another visit before they start back for England again.
No comments:
Post a Comment