Loading the steamer, possibly the SS 'Dunara Castle', at Lochskipport

Loading the steamer, possibly the SS 'Dunara Castle', at Lochskipport

ID: KIGHF_HF_2_5_06 DESCRIPTION: Loading the steamer, possibly the SS Dunara Castle, at Lochskipport, South Uist sometime in the early 20th century. The SS Dunara Castle, named after a ruined castle on the north west coast of Mull, was built by Martin Orme. Her maiden voyage was on 21st July 1875. The 423 ton steamer originally had two funnels, but was refunnelled in 1899. As well as carrying cargo the Dunara Castle had accommodation for 44 cabin class passengers. She sailed weekly between Glasgow and the Hebrides in the summer months, and during the high season the trips were extended to St. Kilda. She was used in the evacuation of St Kilda residents in 1930. Most of the crew were Gaelic speakers from the Highlands and Islands, with three generations of one family serving on the steamer. The Dunara Castle was scrapped in Glasgow in 1948 after 70 years of service. South Uist is the second largest of the Western Isles measuring over 20 miles long and around seven miles wide. The west coast of the island is almost entirely beach with a strip of fertile machair land behind the sand. The east side of the island has a strip of mountains including Beinn Mhor and Hecla. Loch Skipport, Loch Eynort and Loch Boisdale are the three major sea lochs that indent the east coast. The island is joined to both Benbecula and Eriskay by causeways. PLACENAME: Lochskipport DISTRICT: South Uist OLD COUNTY/PARISH: INVERNESS: South Uist PERIOD: 1900s; 1910s SOURCE: Highland Folk Museum COLLECTION: Highland Folk Museum Photographic Collection Asset ID: 41818 KEYWORDS: