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Maggie H Anderson, Langskaill, Harray. This lady learned me hoo tae milk a coo when I wis a peedsie boy - short ago.
She would have been in her eighties when this photo was taken.
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Picture added on 02 September 2007
Thanks again I knew her very well.
Anonymous comment added on 02 September 2007
I have just been guided to this photo by my son (who reminds me he was given a few hen's eggs by Maggie when he was peedie, and he made the mistake of trying to carry them home in his trouser pocket) and I wish I'd seen it sooner. Thanks indeed, Mr Windwick, for this great atmospheric picture. Maggie was a cousin of my father, and all my family knew and loved her. As a child I liked nothing better than a visit to Langskaill in its lovely setting, and in due course my offspring felt exactly the same.
Maggie had a succession of nice cats, one of which could open the milkhouse door by jumping up, grabbing the handle of the 'sneck' between her front paws, and then reaching up with one paw to press down the thumb-plate. The door, being hung slightly out of plumb, would then swing open. Her kittens learned to do it too.
Maggie, with her perceptive, no-nonsense, uncomplaining, supremely practical approach to life, her wicked sense of humour, and her generosity (not just in giving eggs to small boys) was a treasure.
Maggie had a succession of nice cats, one of which could open the milkhouse door by jumping up, grabbing the handle of the 'sneck' between her front paws, and then reaching up with one paw to press down the thumb-plate. The door, being hung slightly out of plumb, would then swing open. Her kittens learned to do it too.
Maggie, with her perceptive, no-nonsense, uncomplaining, supremely practical approach to life, her wicked sense of humour, and her generosity (not just in giving eggs to small boys) was a treasure.
Added by Ian Hourston on 15 February 2010
This lady is a distant cousin of Maggie,a decendant of Thomas Anderson of Langskaill. Does any one know is Thomas built Langskaill or when it was built. Thomas Anderson's daughter came to Canada with a Mr.Sclater and we are trying to trace the family.
Added by D. Vancise on 26 August 2010
My husband is a distant cousin of Maggie,a descendant of Thomas Anderson of Langskaill. Does any one know if Thomas built Langskaill or when it was built. Thomas Anderson's daughter came to Canada with a Mr.Sclater and we are trying to trace the family.
Added by D. Vancise on 26 August 2010