106472: Murdo Smith, Reverend

Murchadh Dhòmhnaill Mhurchaidh

Murdo (1877-1936) was a son of Donald Smith and Margaret Smith, 31 Leurbost, Lewis. He was educated at Robert Gordon College, Aberdeen and was a teacher at Achmore and Keose in the Isle of Lewis and Gramsdale, Benbecula and Loch Skipport, South Uist.

He later trained at the Glasgow Bible Institute and served at Church Mission Stations at Gravir, Callanish, Shawbost and Back. Murdo became assistant missionary at Stornoway High Church and Greenock Gaelic Church.

At Kyle of Lochalsh, In 1918, he married Margaret Williamina Matheson from Ullapool.  Murdo and Margaret lived at Broadford, Isle of Skye and they had four children. 

 In August 1922 he was ordained United Free Church Missionary  in the parish of Strath, Isle of Skye.

Murdo was widowed in 1925 when Margaret died giving birth to twins.

He served at the  United Free Church on Berneray between 1928 and 1932 and later moved to Benbecula. 

The croft at 31 Leurbost was passed to Murdo.

Murdo is remembered as a fine Gaelic bard. Two of his compositions were Tè Bhàn and Fàgail Steornabhaigh.

From Eaglais Bheàrnaraigh:

Someone complained to Mr Smith that his sermons were rather short. He replied that he wanted to send people home still hungering for more.