Glenmoriston

• Glenmoriston
• • Moriston Matters
  • • News Articles
    • • Bunloyne Sunday School
      • Camp-site Nessie
      • Councillors Up For Election
      • Extreme Winter Weather 1981-82
      • Filling Station Closure
      • Filling Station Reprieve
      • Forestry See How They Grow
      • Glenmoriston Gold & Silversmiths
      • Glenmoriston WRI
      • Glenurquhart School Closure
      • Gun Club Inauguration
      • Hall Opening
      • Hall Progress
      • Hamish the Post Retires
      • Jimmy Innes Retires
      • Kyle To Invermoriston Sponsored Walk 1
      • Kyle To Invermoriston Sponsored Walk 2
      • Marine Harvest Salmon Hatchery
      • Mirage
      • Old Farm Whisky Tasting
      • Pat the Pier
      • Personality - Joe Flavell
      • Peter and Margaret Fraser Retire
      • Rev John Fraser Retires
      • School Closure
      • TV Signal Developments
      • Tree Felling At Alltsaigh
      • Weather In Glenmoriston
      • Winter Events
      • Winter To Remember
    • History
    • In Brief
    • Issues 1 - 73
    • Meetings
  • An Cruinneachadh - The Gathering
  • Bardachd
  • Census
  • Contact
  • Links
  • Miscellaneous
  • Moriston Matters
  • Old Newspaper Articles
  • Old Photographs
  • Recollections
  • Whats New

Hall Opening

From Moriston Matters, Issue 13, June 1979.

The second part of the ceilidh held in Glenmoriston Public Hall on the evening of the 31st March to mark the re-opening of the Hall took the form of a "THIS IS YOUR LIFE" of the Hall itself. It was, of course, modelled on the television programme, but only loosely so. However, there was nothing 'loose' about the way in which the presenter of the programme, Mr Hamish MacDonald, Fort Augustus (but of strong Glenmoriston connection) admirably handled the material, letting history slip back and rolling it forwards again.

The purpose of this programme was, in a modest way, to give some idea of the history of the Hall's half-century or so of existence, featuring, as far as possible, personalities. It was stressed that of course those who very kindly consented to taking part were representative, for many and various were they who, over the years, played parts in the Hall's continued functioning as a focal point in the community.

In calling forwards Pat Mac-Donald, The Pier, Jimmy MacEwan, Inverness, and formerly of Port Clair and The Pier, and Stanley Grant, Inverness and once of Craigian, Hamish MacDonald explained the link between past and present, for they are the sons of three of the Hall's founder-members, Donald MacDonald (Danny the Pier), Jimmy MacEwan, Forester and A.D. Grant, Factor, respectively. These three imparted their own interesting and diverting memories of different aspects of Hall life.

Since the Hall began its life, Mr MacDonald went on, it had been famed for its cheerfulness and hospitality; and to represent all those who had provided this last, the many "tea ladies", he called on Kate Stoddart, Riverside Park, who, as she was escorted towards the stage, was heard to say protestingly that she had to 'see to the tea' for this very evening. But forwards she came, and explained how these early tea ladies had to be literally "drawers of water", for they had to go to St .Columba's Well for it.

Mrs Mary Kennedy, Kiltarlity, the Rev. Peter Fraser's sister, was asked by Hamish to be the next representative. Those whom she represented were, and continue to be, an essential part of Glenmoriston community life, the persons who come into the place and who, if they do not stay, yet sojourn to contribute a great deal. Mary Kennedy was sure, she revealed, that she must have attended the opening dance in the Hall back in '28, for then she had been helping Mrs MacDonald The Pier, (at a time when Pat was "then a good little boy.") And she recounted how Ronnie would give her 2/- to go to a dance (it was 2/- then, for ladies, but 2/6 for men!) and how Danny, who was "on the door" would wave her in. So she had her 2/- and her dance.

But the Hall was not, of course, used for dances alone. As the years rolled on various activities were catered for. In 1931, a Glenmoriston Social Club was formed. It had to provide its own coal and paraffin. In that year, too, the Fort Augustus branch of the Bank of Scotland started using the Hall for the convenience of its Glenmoriston customers, and the W.R.I, was formed. In 1934, the Woman's Guild began to make use of the Hall and the Roman Catholic Church introduced worship. A choral class was meeting once a week in 1937. At this point Mr MacDonald interrupted his narrative to convey the good wishes to the Hall and all concerned of Mr Jack Mackenzie and to hand over a personal message from him to Pat the Pier. Jack Mackenzie, now in Liberton Hospital, Edinburgh, is the son of a former Headmistress of Invermoriston School, a previous Headmaster of which, Mr Pollock, had been one of the Hall's founding members.

Then, the narrative being resumed, came the outbreak of World War 2, and the Hall was in action in another way. From 1940 onwards it was used by the Ross Guard and the Barrier Guard as a base for exercise. Then there broke out the "great fire" that ravaged, tine plantations of Sron-na-Muic - and there came a "voice" from the past. This was the recorded voice of the Rev. Duncan M. Turner, the Rev. Peter Fraser's predecessor. Mr Turner on being contacted was delighted to renew his association with the Glen by sending a taped message, which, in a highly entertaining and instructive way, dwelt mainly on the part the Hall played in fighting the forest fire. A dance, Petronella, brought this first part of the programme to an end.

The second part of the programme took as a focal point the "Coronation Day" of the present monarch, in June 1953, a day when the Hall witnessed the Glen's celebrations in the neighbouring field where Sports were held, and on a site near the Old Bridge, here a bonfire was lit. A Grand Dance was held in the Hall, and that night the Hall was thronged; indeed, rather than miss out on the celebrations, many parents took their very young children with them.

It was during this era (from the post-war years throughout the fifties to the early sixties) that electricity was installed in the Hall, the "County" water supply was put in, extensions in the form of toilets and a ladies' cloakroom were made and redecorating took place.

Now Mr MacDonald invited a number of people to represent that lively and crowded period. First, Mr. J.E. Grant, Laird of Glenmoriston ~ Mr Grant who came to stay in the village in the early fifties, was elected to the Hall Committee in 1956, of which he held the Chairmanship from 1962 to 1975. He spoke of the Hall and its activities, and the people concerned, with warmth.

The next item must have revived many memories. Hamish called upon the Rev. Mr. Fraser to present to the Hall Chairman, Pat the Pier, a framed photograph (by Mr Bill Owen) of the late William MacDonald, The Smithy. "Willack the Smith" as he was popularly known, typifies a line of conscientious and faithful Hall-keepers. He was first appointed Hall-keeper in 1952 and "reigned" until 1964. But even before his appointment the Hall minutes record that in the periods when the services of a Hall-keeper could not, for one reason or another, be had, “Willack" had been "exercising a most helpful oversight in the Hall". In accepting the photograph Pat debated aloud the various places in the Hall where to "put him".

In lively, nostalgic reminiscence, which included an impromptu rendering of the once-famous "Hydro" song, Mr Ted Murdoch, the next personality, recreated the excitement, the "life", the glamour all those associated with Hydro works and camps brought to the social life of the Glen and the Hall. Ted was warmly applauded.

Finally, in this part 2 of the programme, another well-known and popular personality, Mr Freddie Service, came forward. With Freddie we were coming towards the modern age. But when he lived in the Glen and attended the Hall's dances and activities, cars were not so thick on the ground and Freddie provided an invaluable service in driving Pat's buses to and from neighbouring dances - when there was no dance in the Hall, that is. Freddie spoke of the good times all had experienced at that time. A quickstep brought this part of the programme to an end.

In the beginning of the next part of the programme Mr Hamish MacDonald referred to the "Television Age of Glenmoriston", During this period the Hall was used extensively for dances to help fund the 'piping-in' of T.V. reception to the Glen, and the first sets were installed in 1965. But before the coming of the 'little screen' there was the work of the Highlands & Islands Film Guild. The Guild seems to have come to the Hall to show films as early as during the immediate pre-war years; but it certainly began showing box-office films regularly from 1951 onwards - many will recall Victor Gall, the "film-man". To represent the gratitude of the Glen to the Guild, Hamish called on a well-known personality and ex-hall-keeper, Mr Hamish MacMillan. "Hamish", said Hamish MacDonald, "is like myself - shy". This, not the first of Hamish's many apt asides, almost brought the Hall down!

A landmark in the life of the Hall, the BBC "On Tour" which was very successfully staged there in June 1965, was then mentioned.

And then there were the first discos to grace the Hall, organised by Helen Fraser, using her own equipment and assisted by Margaret Smart, Ronnie MacDonald, The Pier, Douglas, one of Daniel's 'holiday' barmen, and others.

But the main part of this section of the programme was devoted, of course, to the efforts that had gone into bringing the Hall to the condition the evening's re-opening ceilidh marked. It had been hoped, Mr MacDonald explained, that Mr Ian Grant of Glenmoriston Estates Ltdt whose father, Mr John, had served on the Hall Committee for many years, being in turn Chairman and Secretary, and who himself is a member of the Hall Committee and a trustee, would have been present to give some idea of the recent efforts which had culminated in the Hall's extension and renovation. Unfortunately, owing to travel delay, Mr Grant could not be present, but Mr Gordon Cowie, the local Forestry Commission District Officer, a member of the Hall Committee and trustee, deputised and concisely explained the various steps that had been taken.

Hamish MacDonald now called on Allan Nairn to represent the many recent incomers to the Glen, who continue to play parts in its activities and life. Allan is a member of the Hall Committee, but his main task was to give some idea of the recent Kyle - Invermoriston sponsored walk, undertaken in aid of the Hall funds, which raised the sum of over £800. Allan was joined by his fellow-walkers, Margaret Smart, Margaret Ferguson and Duncan MacDonald, and a cheque was handed over. Margaret Smart is the current “Willack the Smith" and she and many others had worked hard to get the Hall shipshape for this evening. To represent those "many others" Mr MacDonald asked Peter Stoddart and Jimmy Service, who are never "far away" when the Hall needs attention, to come forward, along with Mrs Anne Douglas, the present Hall Secretary.

The very last part of the programme looked forward towards the future. Three young people of the place, Patricia Stoddart, Neil Robertson and Alison McDonell, each representing/different age group delivered a composite message. Hamish MacDonald read it out:

"The young people of Glenmoriston are by no means uninterested in their Hall and indeed some of them willingly helped to get things ready for tonight. The primary children when asked what they would like expressed the feeling that they were somewhat left out. Adults had the W.R.I, and other meetings, older children had discos, but there was nothing specially for them, They would like a Youth Club specially for the under 13's. The difficulties of running such for a small number were pointed out, but they still held out for their own show! Secondary scholars also want a Youth Club on Friday nights - but their ideas are more elaborate. They also suggest discos for school children only, and opportunities for badminton practice, for some of them have badminton in school.

When we come to those who have left school the picture changes. Many of them leave the Glen for further education or to find employment and so there is what amounts to a population gap at this stage. They enjoy, of course, coming home at weekends and holidays, but their day-to-day interests lie in the community where they live. Does this have a bearing on the groups already mentioned? Are these the people who would naturally help to keep the younger groups activities going? Is it often the people who have enjoyed a Youth Group themselves who are most willing to help those coming after them to enjoy one too? And so perhaps the cry from this group is for employment opportunities, a deep and long-felt want in this community and others like it.

This was an appropriate and fitting way to end such a programme. For a few moments the Hall became the microcosm of the wider arena and its problems - the generation gap, the problem of willing participation in community projects of finance, of unemployment, of depopulation.

Councillor Alastair MacKenzie of the Highland Region was present and replied to this. He commended highly the evening's entertainment; but to the young people's 'message', the gist of his reply was that those concerned were more than willing to help - provided people showed evidence of being willing to help themselves. To which there is no reply - in words.

Hamish MacDonald thanked all those concerned in making the programme such a success, and especially thanked Mrs Fraser, the Manse, for her work 'behind the scenes'. The Rev. Peter Fraser proposed a comprehensive vote of thanks to the artistes and all others who had contributed to the programme, and after the last waltz everyone joined in Auld Lang Syne. Then Kate Stoddart and the other "tea ladies" served tea and biscuits in the new annexe and people had an opportunity to mingle, renewing old acquaintances, until close on midnight when the Hall was left with its memories of the past and its hopes for the future.

P.S
The chorus from the "Hydro Song".
Sure, by Affric and by Garry and by Moriston we'll go,
Building generating stations left and right,
And on battlefields where Highland lads fought the frenzied foe
Shining pylons will commemorate the site.

and P.P.S, - A special verse composed for the occasion of the “ceilidh”:
There were Campbells at Dundreggan, McDonells at Inverwick,
There were Frasers at Torgoyle and in the village too,
There were Stoddarts and MacPhersons, not forgetting Grants forbye,
But we'll all remember Annie's Bar and sigh.