Father Allan

by Roger Hutchinson

Early on a Sunday morning in October 1905, in Eriskay, one of the smallest and most isolated of Hebridean islands, a forty-five year old Catholic parish priest died of pleurisy. It was a disease which had claimed many of his parishioners, and Father Allan McDonald undoubtedly contracted it while ministering to his flock. He was mourned all over Scotland. Now, over a century later, his name is still remembered with reverence throughout Catholic Scotland and beyond.

Father Allan - Maighstir Ailein to his Gaelic-speaking people - was a witty, accomplished, intellectual and dedicated man; one of the most renowned of Hebridean personalities and probably the most celebrated Hebridean priest since St. Columba. An exceptionally effective and articulate local politician in the southern Outer Hebrides, which at the turn of the twentieth century was amongst the poorest and most neglected in Europe, he was also an accomplished Gaelic poet and writer and one of Scotland's greatest collectors of folklore. His achievements attracted attention and visitors came to his lonely parish from the United States, England and elsewhere. The compelling tale of his remarkable life is also implicitly the story of the north-west Highlands in the late nineteenth century and the Catholic Hebrides in their transcendent prime, where culture overflows with myth and adventure, color, character and extraordinary unspoilt beauty.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

224 pages, Paperback

Published September 23, 2010

Reviews

[Seonag · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this when on holiday on Barra, and it was a lovely addition to learning about and feeling more connected to the pulse of the islands - Barra, the Uists and Eriskay, where Father Allan worked.

I found some of the early chapters a bit heavy going and skipped over some of the general history. The latter sections of the book more than made up for it though.

A lovely portrait of a time, a culture, a faith and a man.

[Seonag Paterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and thoughtful biography of an island priest - and an introduction too to many aspects of a culture and way of life on the islands that is largely gone.

I didn't read every word as some sections were a bit dry, but in general a v good read, and of interest of anyone who wanted to learn more about South Uist and Eriskay.

[Sr. Margaret-Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book about the Victorian Catholic Hebrides. Hutchinson portrays the life of a much loved Hebridean priest who had a love of his Gaelic heritage. It has prompted me to read the other biographies of the eminent priest and scholar.