Margaret Fay Shaw

Here, in an extract from the found letter of Margaret Fay Shaw to her sister Caroline and dated March 11, 1930, she recounts raising funds to give pupils at the school a warm drink.

I think I told you before that the school teachers and myself gave a dance in the school house to get money for a hot drink at lunch for the scholars who walk miles over the moor in terrible weather, half the time with too little breakfast and one piece of scone for lunch.

Kay had sent some money at that time and with some of my own I paid for the refreshments and the piper! They had done the same thing on the other side of the loch with the local intelligentsia and got much more money, of course.

This school is really Mr Ferguson’s property and most of the children belong to men who are working or have worked for him. He bought one ticket at 1/6, about 30 cents, and said he had some cocoa which he hadn’t been able to sell in the shop – he had had it three years

– and he would give it to us. But he couldn’t find it so we’ve been buying it until he does! And from Mr Gillies’ shop I bought nearly $30 worth of stuff for these treats and by George he charged me four pence for some little paper bags to put candy in.

I got a good deal of Christmas money and was able to do a lot of little things for some souls and they have been mighty kind to me. I have about six pairs of woollen socks, six yards of lovely tweed and a piece of delicate material that is very nice, and a wooden stool besides the songs and poems which are as much of a gift. Even hens and two dozen eggs. And all this from people who haven’t any money. This isn’t mentioning wild fowl (poached at that!), lobsters, crabs and what not.

I am sitting at the table in my room clad in flannel pyjamas which are the rendezvous of fleadom – every now and again I turn my coat inside out and shake, to no effect. I caught one, however. The one thought against staying on after May is earwigs which flood the place. I remember being terribly bitten in Mrs Campbells cottage last year and I am told this side of the loch is much worse. I really must go to bed as it is nearly 2am. Much, much love to everybody and write soon to your affectionate

Don’t let anybody read this letter who might get the idea I was trying to appear as Miss Give All!