Remembering the 1923 migrations to Canada on the Metagama and the Marloch

In 1923, following the casualty count and loss of life in the the First World War, as well as the tragic loss of life on board H.M Yacht Iolaire as it made its way to Lewis (see https://www.nrscotland.gov.uk/research/learning/first-world-war/the-iolaire-disaster-1919), a mass migration took place in the Western Isles of over two thousand folk, mainly men, who made their way to Canada on board ships such as the S.S. Metagama from Lewis and the S.S. Marloch from Barra. Some of those who emigrated later returned, but the majority remained in their new land. Their departure led to a further decline in the numbers of Gaelic speakers in the Western Isles, but enriched the new country to which they migrated.

There is an excellent documentary on BBC Alba, available via the BBC iPlayer (UK only), about the efforts in 2023 to remember the stories from the great migration on the Metagama and the Morlach by schools across the Western Isles, as well as to tell the story of some of those who left. Amongst those featured is Western Isles MP Angus Brendan MacNeil, whose family on Barra has a long term friendship with a Canadian family thanks to their connection through the Marloch story.

The programme, in Gaelic (with English subtitles) is part of the Trusadh series, and entitled Eilthireachd: Cuimhneachdain Coimhearsnachdan, meaning "Emigration: Remembering Communities". It can be found at https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001sfz2/trusadh-series-16-3-eilthireachd-cuimhneachain-coimhearsnachdan.

Chris

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