Port Swettenham

Hi Sherrif,
Been trying to figure out who Eoin from Barra was, could it have been Eachan (Hector)

Ah yes Ronnie, you hit the nail on the head. My memory is getting pretty bad, it sure was Eachan, a nice guy, he taught me a lot. I believe he later ran a local ferry? Is he still alive?
Can you give me any info on Donald Macneil from Barra, he sat his Mate HT with me in Glasgow in 1976. Class of only 5 of us, Donald,me,2 Glasgow lads and a lad from Kent. Donald and I were across in the boozer every lunchtime, coming back a half hour late and apologising. One day the instructor took us aside and said ''Its your tickets, dont apologise for being late, because frankly its not you 2 I'm worried about , its the other 3. You 2 will pass'' His prediction was bang on, we passed, the 2 Glasgow lads failed and the Kent lad didnt turn up for the exam, we never heard if he was sick or got cold feet. Regards Sheriff

Hi Sheriff,
Eachan is still alive and well I see him most days, will speak with him tomorrow. Did you sail with him on that ship. Would he know you as Sheriff.
Not sure about Donald Mac Neil but will ask around.
Ronnie.

Glad to hear Eachan is well. Yes , we did a 5 month Far East charter for P&O on the Norfolk. I was a first trip JOS and all the Islanders aboard knew me as Mac Nis (son of Ness). Tell him I was asking for him.
I really would like to know how Donald got on. He would be a little younger than me (64). Maybe he's Commodore on Cunard by now !! I sailed as 2nd Mate and Mate on coasters and in the North Sea but didnt bother going for Masters. REgards Sheriff

I know two Donald Mac Neil's who were masters home trade one who I think was from an older group, lived in Inverkeithing and sadly now passed away, and sailed with Shell Mex & B P tankers and another younger one who sailed with Cal Mac and now lives in Rothesay. I have a feeling neither of them are the person you knew but I will try and find out more information for you.

Moran taing agus oichde math.

Madainn mhath

Thank you for your efforts to trace the Donald MacNeil I knew in 1976. I hope you succeed. Regards to you and Eachan , Sheriff

Eachan is my father.I spoke to him tonight. He would quite like to get in contact with his old shipmates.I will ask him about Donald MacNeil.

Hello Martin. Glad to hear that your Father is fit and well. Was I right about him running a local ferry after his MN days. Im sure it was Archie Mackinnon who told me that. If my memory serves me right , Donald had a sister, Mary Catherine, nursing in Glasgow at the time (1976).Regards to you and Eachan, Sheriff, or Mac Nis, as he knew me

Hi there Mac nis. Your quite right.Eachan ran a small passenger ferry between Barra and Vatersay for a number of years.He bought a creel boat after that and was fishing till he retired.He is still working the croft with some sheep and cattle.Have asked him and my father inlaw about donald,and if they cant get an answer between them, nobody can.

? My Old man is asking if Mac nis/ sheriff, is Donald MacDonald.