CHAPTER FIVE

Before transport became available, the only visitors to Island Roan during the summer would be the Duke and Duchess of Sutherland, almost always accompanied by several guests. They came by sea in their yacht, the Catania. The Duchess (Lady Millicent) took a great liking to the island and visited it a great many times during her life.

On what probably was her first visit, she landed on the island in the yacht's steam pinnace. The pinnace's coxwain didn't know the danger from rocks which lay hidden near the entrance to the harbour. Consequently, the pinnace slid gently on to a ledge of rock which was fortunately covered with seaweed. The sea was calm at the time and there was no immediate danger. As always, the children were on the alert, and seeing what happened, gave the alarm. The women at once launched their boat and came to the rescue. Soon they had the pinnace off the rock. The Duchess, highly delighted, thanked them on their expert knowledge and seamanship.

A few days later she visited the island again, accompanied by a local dressmaker from the mainland. she had all the women measured for a dress of their own choosing. Years later, after the moths discovered the hiding place of my Granny's dress, I found myself a young laddie wearing a kilt made from it.

At this time there lived on the island a teenage lad who went about on crutches. His name was Donald. Later he became known as Donald the Weaver. Donald severely injured his right knee when he was a very young boy. When the duchess saw him hobbling about on crutches, she at once inquired as to the cause of his trouble. Donald told her all about his injury and how it happened. Her Grace was greatly moved by Donald's story, and made arrangements for him to go at once to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, all expenses to be paid by herself. After their examination the doctors said the only hope was to have the leg amputated. This Donald refused to agree to. The next best thing was to clean the diseased bones and patch up the knee; and after a few weeks he was home again.

Meanwhile the Duchess was making plans for his future. Shortly afterwards she sent Donald to Golspie to learn weaving. At the same time she put into operation the buiding of a mill for him to work when he was ready. The mill was built as near his home as possible, and in a convenient place beside the burn, halfway between Tongue and Skerray, at Strathtongue. To the great delight of the Duchess, Donald was at last installed in a job. He made blankets and various other kinds of garments. People were coming from all over the northern seaboard of the county with their wool to have it made into whatever garments they wanted, and Donald was kept very busy. Unfortunately, he nver enjoyed real peace with his leg. It continued to trouble him, and at times he suffered a lot of pain. The Duchess sent him again to the infirmary. As before, there was nothing they could do. Donald returned home refreshed once more, and went back to work, but not for long. He had to give up his work and return to the island. Two years later he died at the early age of 35. The mill was never used again, and its remains can still be seen there.

Most of the Duchess' visits to the island at that time were made from Tongue where she and the Duke were in residence at the House of Tongue. On some occasions, however, she would come from the Catania. It was in the Catania that we boys had our interests centred most. We would know her at sight, with her graceful clipper bows, yellow funnel, black hull and beautiful white upper structure. Great would be our delight when at last she would appear and always heading in our direction. We nurtured a great desire to get on board the Catania to see for ourselves what the yacht was like, but we hadn't the courage or nerve to ask the Duchess if this could be done. Besides, we would be severely rated by our parents if we did.

However, one day our desire was granted. Our delight knew no bounds. We were shown all over this beautiful ship. That was a memorable day, and we talked about it for long after. Incidentally, in September, 1915, 12 years later, I stood again on Catania's deck in Portsmouth harbour, but in very different circumstances. She was then a unit of the Royal Navy. Her commander was the Duchess' son, the present Duke of Sutherland. The following summer the Catania again anchored at the island, and as usual we were all down at the landing stage. Several of the old folk were there as well.

On this occasion the Duke and Duchess were accompanied by their beautiful daughter, Lady Rosemary, who was only about 12 years of age. One of the Duchess' favourite games was to stand us children in a line and number us, then she would ask her guests to pick out the different brothers and sisters. We enjoyed this, as did the Duchess herself and the guests as well. On one occasion the Duchess announced on arrival that she was going to visit every house as she was looking for old antique pieces of crockery. On the island at the time there still lived old Betty Macdonald, with her son, who never left the island. Neither of them spoke English, and we knew perfectly well that the Duchess' visit to their house would provide us with a bit of fun.

The Duchess, knowing quite well the circumstances, engaged the services of an interpreter, an Orkney girl, full of fun. We, of course, followed, keeping at a discreet distance. At the door they were met by the son, who explained to the old wife what the Duchess was looking for. There was an assortment of ancient crockery on a large, old-fashioned dresser, and the Duchess, with great care, began picking out pieces which attracted her. The old wife and son were standing looking on, and every time the Duchess would pick up an article they would whisper to one another in Gaelic, "She's not going to get that." The Duchess would turn to her interpreter and ask what they were saying. The whole thing was terribly amusing, and finally, after the Duchess did manage to get some articles she fancied and she came outside we all had a grand laugh, Her Grace joining in along with us. "I knew," she said, "you were enjoying yourselves".