105772: Donald Finlayson

Domhnall Alasdair Dhomnaill

Donald (1889-1981) was a the third  son of Alexander Finlayson and Annabella Macleod, 1 Ardroil. He was a carter on Ardroil Farm before emigrating to Montana in 1911. His last job before he left Uig was the flitting of the Brenish people who moved to Mangersta that year. All their goods were left in Mangersta farmhouse until they built houses. 

He owned a sheep farm in Montana. He was home for a year in 1928, when he had a letter from his friend Kenneth Maclean, Aird, Uig to return to Montana immediately. The person he had left in charge of his farm had lost it all through gambling. Murdo did not purchase another farm but worked on Sprinkle Ranch, Chinook. One of his jobs was guarding the border with Canada. He retired to Ardroil in 1965. He did not marry.

Stornoway Gazette of 20 Nov 1965 (Page 5)

Welcome Home. – The whole community was glad to welcome back home after an absence of 54 years, Mr Donald Finlayson, 1 Ardroil, Uig.

Mr Finlayson left home in 1911 and went to sheep farming in Montana, USA. In 1926 he came home and spent a year with his kith and kin, thereafter returning to Montana. During all the time he was in the States he worked on sheep ranches and he was very popular with all who made any contact with him.

Mr Finlayson is witnessing many changes on his return home, all of which are to the added comfort of the community. The community wishes Mr Finlayson many years of happy retirement