Sùil nam Brà is a new memorial to the crofters and cottars of Staffin who stood against oppressive landlordism in the 1880s. The memorial is located at The Kilt Rock. On site is a building with a stone exterior and quernstone impressions internally. Stone mason Hector Nicolson worked on the construction with other skilled Skye people. The design of the memorial by artist Henry Castle, alongside Skye Stone Studio, symbolises the story of the quernstones that had been confiscated from people’s homes by the landlord and dashed into Loch Leum nam Brà. Staffin’s twenty-two townships are represented by that number of quernstone impressions which the artist reclaims for the home through this piece of work.
Stone was donated by Ria and Peter Reitsma, and gathered by schoolchildren from the various townships. A new Gaelic poem, commissioned by Bàrd Bhoilteir, Maoilios Caimbeul, may be read on site, along with English and Gaelic information panels whose shape is that of a quernstone broken in two. All of the project’s funders are gratefully acknowledged on site.
The official open day took place on Saturday 25th October. A big crowd turned out on a sharp winter’s day to mark the opening at The Kilt Rock. Staffin schoolteacher Neil Beaton was the piper. The ‘ribbon of fire’ was cut by Janet Lamont, a great-granddaughter of Tormod Choinnich – ‘The Skye Parnell’ – who has the distinction of being the first Skye crofter to refuse to pay the exorbitant increases in land rent.
At Columba 1400, a moving account of growing up on a croft in Bhaltos was given by Seonag Barbour. Maoilios Caimbeul presented his new poem –’Latha Spùinneadh nan Clachan-brà’. Iain MacDonald read the names of the men who gave evidence to the Napier Commission at Staffin Schoolhouse in May 1883. Members of Staffin Community Trust gave historical perspectives.
Jonathan MacDonald sang the lament, ‘Bàthadh na Duibh-sgeir’ about a local drowning from 1822. Jonathan kindly brought along an artefact from his family’s museum. That was no less than the “dùdadh mhòr” (the rallying horn used by crofters) which was much enjoyed by all. Annie Catrìona MacDonald and Ruairidh Gray performed a duet of ‘Fuadach nan Gàidheal’. The occasion presented a welcome opportunity for the community to share their stories and celebrate their connections. There was a strong Gaelic content to the day.
Fear an Taighe for the evening cèilidh at Staffin Community Hall was Ruairidh Gray. Music and song was beautifully performed by Annie and Ruairidh and school pupils, Brodie Ferguson, Jonathan MacDonald, Calum Alasdair and Cairistìona Munro. The dance band was Smithy and Ceitidh Douglas. Ceitidh is not only a descendant – on her father’s side – of ‘The Skye Parnell’, but on her mother’s side she is a descendant of the first man to give evidence to the Napier Commission in 1883 – Angus Stewart of Braes.
Both of Ceitidh’s famed ancestors have entries in The Great Book of Skye (volume 1).
Sùil nam Brà translates from Gaelic as ‘eye of the quernstone’. The event was part of the Linn an Fhearainn festival. Staffin Community Trust was overwhelmed by the tremendous turnout of people – many of whom had travelled far – as well as the kindness of the community who made huge efforts in working together to make the event a success. The photographer for the event was Janet MacLeod of Glasphein.
Sìne Ghilleasbuig
