Remembering My Father on the Isles of Rònaigh and Sùlaisgeir, by Catriona MacGeoch

Next month, Hebridean Adventures sets sail on a journey to some of the UK’s most remote and awe-inspiring islands. From the haunting cliffs of North Rona to the dramatic gannet colony of Sula Sgeir and the mysterious Flannan Isles, this cruise promises an unforgettable exploration of places few ever get to see.

Joining us on part of this adventure is Catriona MacGeoch, whose connection to these wild outposts runs deep. Her father, James MacGeoch, was the first person to photograph the legendary Guga Hunters of Ness at work on Sula Sgeir and served as Honorary Warden of both North Rona and Sula Sgeir in the 1950s. In this personal blog, Catriona shares the moving story of her father’s legacy and her journey to return to the islands that meant so much to him.

Remembering My Father on the Isles of Rònaigh and Sùlaisgeir, by Catriona MacGeoch

I am delighted to be accompanying this part of the trip on the Hjalmar Bjørge to Rònaigh and Sùlaisgeir for very personal reasons.

My father James MacGeoch was a naturalist and photographer. He studied the grey seals on Rònaigh for many years , counting the island seabirds and also accompanying the shepherds to help round up their sheep. In 1953 he was the first ‘outsider’ to accompany the men of Ness on their annual trip to Sùlaisgeir to harvest the young gannet. He ultimately did 6 trips, taking countless photographs, cinè film and a remarkable recording of the men during Gaelic prayer in their stone bothy. In 1956 he became Honorary Warden for the Nature Conservancy new Nature Reserve of Rònaigh and Sùlaisgeir. These two lonely islands were very special to him.

Sadly my father died suddenly in 1970 age just 56, I was 13 years old. Somehow over the years I knew I had preserve all the countless negatives, slides, and transcripts and to be custodian of his work. In 2010 this all came to fruition together with the help, encouragement and knowledge of John Love and Dr Finlay MacLeod (sadly both now recently passed away) in the publication of Sùlasgeir – a book of my father’s photos.

On this trip I would like to share with you his cinè film, photographs and the family worship recording. My brother Graham will also be on board so hopefully we can both share our memories and stories. This will be both an exciting and an emotional trip for both of us – look forward to sharing it with you all.

by Catriona MacGeoch