Talk on the life of the Navvy Poet

Jim Sutherland, onetime head teacher at Lochaber High School, is returning to Fort William on Monday to speak at the monthly meeting of the Lochaber Local History Society.

Jim taught in Kinlochleven, which led to his interest in Patrick MacGill, The Navvy Poet, pictured above.

MacGill became an internationally acclaimed author after publishing his bestselling, semi-autobiographical novel, Children of the Dead End, in 1914. Much of the novel centres around the life of the navvy workforce building the

Kinlochleven dam and hydro-electric power scheme, and was a significant achievement for a man who had only received a rudimentary education, up to the age of 10, in his native Donegal. Moving on from the navvy life, MacGill spent time as a journalist and a librarian before joining the London Irish Rifles as a rifleman and stretcher bearer at Loos, where he documented the harsh reality of life on the Western Front. His novels, poems, plays and a foray into the film industry give an insight into an interesting life far beyond that which might have been expected from such humble beginnings.

The talk will take place at 8pm on Monday March 6 and all are welcome. Please note that season ticket holders (members), of whom there are 91 just now, will have an area of the cinema reserved for them. These seats will be held until 7.50pm at which time they will become available for non-members if unoccupied.

If you do not have a season ticket or wish to reserve a seat for this talk, it is essential to book by phoning Chris Robinson on 01397 712150 or email: creakingshelves@ btinternet.com.