70280: Peter MacAskill

Peter MacAskill was born near Lag a’ Chealla in 1834, son of ground officer John MacAskill and first wife Mary Morrison. In 1850 the family obtained the newly lotted croft 7 Ruisgarry (Lag a’Chealla). Peter became a quarryman, and in 1867 married Ann MacAskill. They lived in Ruisgarry, presumably on croft 7. For a short time Peter was a cottar, before becoming a fisherman and crofter.

Following his stepmother’s death in 1887, part of the croft – 7/1 – was passed to Peter. In 1900 he was also passed croft 6 Ruisgarry – Beasdaire, and the two crofts were combined. The enlarged croft 6 Ruisgarry was subsequently passed to Peter’s son Roderick.

Peter was mentioned in several poems by his brother Malcolm MacAskill, published in Orain Chaluim.