North Uist (1957)



Revival came to North Uist in the 1820's through the work of Finlay Munro, then again in 1843 through Norman Macleod of Skye.

In the same year we find Norman MacLeod in North Uist. In a report to the Gaelic Schools Society in January 1844, the Rev. Norman MacLeod wrote: 'He [Norman Macleod, Skye] had scarcely set his hand to the work when several, especially among the young, became sensibly distressed at his meetings under conviction of sin, and their lost condition. From this as a centre point, the revival has been spreading south and north ... Persons of all ages and sexes are affected, but the majority are within the period called the prime of life. In this parish particularly, numbers of children, from eight to fourteen years of age, are impressed; and it would be an affecting sight to see their parents, as I have more than once seen them, carrying them out of the meeting-house, apparently lifeless with exhaustion and overpowering feelings. Respecting the bodily emotions exhibited by the impressed, I would only observe that they are similar to those of such as were visible subjects of revival lately in Skye, and in several other parts of Scotland, in recent as well as more remote periods. We have every reason to hope that many, besides those visibly impressed, are partakers of the spiritual benefits of his merciful visitation. There is reason to fear, how­ever, as has often been the case in times past, that numbers of those who now seem promising will fall away; yet the practical effects of the work are highly gratifying, and unquestionably evidence of its heavenly origin. Gross sins are abandoned — carnal levities are given up. A deep and general interest is felt and shown In what is important and saving in religion.' (see also p48/9 'The Skye Revivals' by Steve Taylor).After that there were revivals in 1880 and1890. There was another revival in 1957/8 where the presence of God was felt particularly strongly.

For more information see, ‘Glory in the Glen,’ by Tom Lennie, p29, 266, 272-5, 452and ‘Sounds from Heaven, by Colin and Mary Peckham (for details of the 1949-52 revival), both published by Christian Focus Publications.


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