59080: Trading between Loch Roag and the Baltic

The following account of trading in fish between Loch Roag and the Baltic was related to Donald Maciver, Crowlista, by the late Jessie Maclean, 12 Crowlista.

Colin Maclean owned or was skipper of a small trading vessel which used to run from Loch Roag to Scandinavia and the Baltic, possibly with salted and dried fish.

He had as one of the crew Malcolm Macaulay, Calum Sgaire, from Bernera, who it is said composed his famous song on one of these voyages. Calum Sgaire later emigrated to Quebec. His sister Janet was married to Colin.

Another crewman was Angus Morrison, Brenish, the ancestor of the late Peter Morrison Pittaran of Mangersta.

Because of his sailing experience, Colin left Uig with the Darrochs, who had had Baile na Cille Manse as a shooting lodge in the mid 1800s, to skipper their yacht. Afterwards he was an officer on a clipper ship and was many times in Shanghai on the tea runs. He also visited Australia.

Tradition from Bernera adds that the boat was called the Express, as mentioned in the song.