Iain Macarthur

This article is in English. The Gaelic version can be read here.

Biography
Iain MacArthur was born in Swordale, 6th June 1918. He was brought up in a variety of places in Point. In the first few years of his life, he lived in the old police station in Garrabost, but in 1924, following his father’s retirement, the family moved to Green Park, in Upper Bayble. He attended Bayble School, and later went to the Nicolson Institute.

He graduated MA from Aberdeen University, having studied Gaelic, English, Latin, and a variety of other subjects. In 1939, he won gold medals for literature at the National Mod, and had been writing since his very young days. The influence of James Thomson, who was headmaster of Bayble School when Iain was in attendance, is likely to have been important, particularly as Thomson taught Gaelic in school, which was rare at the time. His poetry varies greatly in style, from traditional songs to more modernist works, with comic poetry and songs making an appearance as well. Iain also translated poetry into Gaelic, and frequently took part in radio broadcasts on Gaelic subjects. As well as poetry, he wrote short stories, other prose and wrote and translated plays.

After leaving university he went into teaching, and taught a large variety of subjects at secondary level. He taught all over Ross and Cromarty in 1941: Barvas, Bernera, Inverasdale, Dingwall, and Avoch. In 1942 he went to the Nicolson Institute, where he taught primarily Gaelic and English, for which he was assistant principal teacher. In 1965, he transferred to Nicolson Primary as Deputy Headmaster, and when Stornoway Primary opened in 1969 he became Headmaster.

He married Catherine Stewart from Back in 1951. They had four children: Iain, Peggy, Colin and Careen. Iain was very involved with local organisations such as youth clubs and football teams, and became president of Comunn Gàidhealach Leòdhais.

Iain retired in 1978, and died after a long illness on the 30th of November 1987.