77203: Norman MacDonald

Norman was born in 1790, the son of farmer Roderick MacDonald and Christina MacLennan. Known as Tormod Donn because of his brown hair, he was a tenant in old Borve from at least 1830 when he was paying £5.13 rental for his croft. The site of his home was later known as Tobhta Thormoid Dhuinne. Nearby was a feature known as Sgùman Thormoid Dhuinne, presumably with a favourite view.

Norman’s first wife was Chirsty Morrison, with whom he had five children. Following her death he married Rachel MacAskill, with whom he had a son and daughter. In 1854 Borve was cleared and Norman, his wife and two youngest children, Neil and Christina, were removed to Quay where they lived as cottars.