Biography

Hugh was born in Àrdaibh in Baleshare, North Uist on the 21 June 1920. He was the youngest of the eight children of James Matheson (Seumas Bàn) and his wife Catherine MacDonald (Ceit na Càrnaich). The gifts of singing and poetry ran in the family; his mother, sisters, and brother Ruairidh were all singers, and his grandfather Angus (Aonghas na Càrnaich) was a well-known bard. As a result, Hugh learned many songs from his mother, his grandfather, and from other bards in Baleshare and in North Uist, such as Ruairidh MacKay (the Iolaraigh Bard) and Donald MacDonald (Dòmhnall Ruadh Chorùna). In addition to singing at ceilidhs, Hugh spent over forty years precenting at churches in Daliburgh in South Uist, Baleshare, Carinish, Clachan, and in the meeting house at Locheport in North Uist, where he was also a church elder.

In his younger days Hugh spent time helping his father on the croft in Àrdaibh and he also worked for Limmer and Trinidad when they were building the main road. Hugh married Mary MacBain in 1946, and they had six children together. Between 1951 and 1960 Hugh and the family moved to Askernish in South Uist where he worked as a gamekeeper on the South Uist Estate. In 1960, they then moved to Langass, Hugh being the first gamekeeper of the Earl of Granville on the North Uist Estate. He enjoyed his job as a gamekeeper very much, and according to the local people he was fair in his dealings with them. He was incredibly fond of the local people. In 1988 he retired, and he and Mary moved back to Àrdaibh to a new house, where he spent the rest of his life.

Hugh was a kind and witty man. In addition to singing, he had a gift for storytelling, always putting a smile on the face of whoever was listening. After many years as a gamekeeper, it's not surprising that Hugh was incredibly keen on working outside in the garden or going fishing, and he would still work as a ghillie, and offered people advice long after he retired. Many people used to visit Hugh and Mary and they could expect a warm welcome and a good ceilidh every time. Hugh was incredibly generous, and more than happy to help people with songs, and to share his knowledge about the nature, history and heritage of the island, so that it wouldn't be forgotten.

Hugh passed away on the 14th of September 2006.


This biography was written by Linda Macleod, granddaughter of Hugh Matheson.