112898: Alexander Munro

Alexander Munro, born 1803, was the son of John Munro and Margaret MacAskill of Ruisgarry.

Alexander married Marion Martin, with whom he was to have eight children. In 1830 Alexander was paying annual rent of £3.6.8 for his tenancy in Ruisgarry. During the 1840s, with re-organisation of Ruisgarry’s small crofts into larger ones, Alexander moved instead to a 7 acre croft in Borve. The ruins of his house, Tobhta Alasdair ‘ic Anndaidh, are still evident. However, in 1854 the crofts were taken for Borve Farm, and Alexander took his family to Arnish, Lewis, where he worked as a shepherd. They later lived at 20 Branahuie.

Note: the two croft histories show a ninth child, Ann, born in 1856. More recently, a descendant has suggested instead that Ann might be a grand-daughter.