This Saturday offers the last chance to catch Portnaguran 200th anniversary exhibition as its successful run comes to an end this Saturday.
This year marks 200 years since the first tenants settled into the new crofting township
of Portnaguran in 1824. The anniversary is being marked through an amazing collection
of family treasures, artefacts, old photos and historical information- all on display
in Point Show’s big agricultural shed, in Aird.
Portnaguran Amenity Committee have been researching and collecting information and artefacts for the past two years and visitors have not been disappointed.
“Wonderful! So much work and research, amazing! Well done to everyone involved. Thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon” said one happy visitor online.
Murdo Campbell, chair of the amenity committee, said: “For a small village, we have uncovered lots about the people who came before us. From the first eight tenants who came to the new crofting township in 1824, the village grew and grew and became a vibrant and busy fishing station.
“We are telling the story of Portnaguran through a mix of historical information, stories, artefacts and old photos. We thank the families for loaning their photos and family treasures and we are grateful to Point Show for use of their shed as nowhere else could have accommodated the giant oars and all the artefacts that we have on display.”
The exhibition is packed full of gems and has seen a number of return visitor as there is so much to see while also catching up with friends and neighbours of old.
Among the treasures on display are old fishing related items including the compass of the Fisher Lass, the last big boat to work out of the village, and records of all the boats registered in the Portnaguran over 100 years.
There are stories of ongoing battles with rogue trawlers and the ‘harbour of refuge’ that never materialised, plus tragic stories of crews lost within sight of their homes. There are old maps and censuses, tributes to former villagers and fun display of old nicknames.
One of the highlights is the collection of old photographs, which is on display on a large monitor gifted by Point and Sandwick Trust. Visitors, young and old, have loved seeing the photos on the big screen, while enjoying the Gaelic and English songs playing in the background.
Donald John MacSween, manager of Point and Sandwick Trust which financially assisted the exhibition, hailed the “labour of love” which took many years of research by the Portnaguran Amenity Committee.
“Among many other helping hands, our own Chairman Norman Mackenize and his wife Jessie have been closely involved in Peggy Macdonald’s extraordinary efforts to get the exhibition ready for visitors and we are very pleased to have supported the celebrations of this important anniversary. I’d encourage anyone with connections to the village to stop in for a look before the exhibition comes to a close.”
Admission to the exhibition is free and visitors are encouraged to sign the visitors’ book.
Opening times are between 2pm and 4.30pm daily until Saturday.
Final chance to see Portnaguran exhibition
26 September 2024
